I love doing footprint crafts with my kids! I love looking back at their little feet months later and marveling at how small they were.
Now that R is a toddler, she just loves doing them too which makes it that much easier and slightly less messy!
If you're looking for a sweet, simple keepsake craft to do with your baby, a Hungry Caterpillar footprint craft is such a fun and memorable idea.
Inspired by the beloved children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this adorable activity turns your baby's tiny footprints into a colorful caterpillar you'll want to treasure forever.
It's perfect for spring, storytime activities, or even a cute homemade gift for grandparents!
Why You'll Love This Craft
This craft is incredibly easy to set up, requires minimal supplies, and creates a beautiful keepsake you can look back on as your baby grows.
Plus, it's a fun sensory experience for your little one—babies love the feel of paint on their feet (and the giggles that come with it!).
In our house, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is one of our most treasured books. I actually received two copies for my baby shower and they are both well loved, three years on.
This Hungry Caterpillar footprint craft is inspired by the book's cover and is so cute!
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What You Need For The Hungry Caterpillar Footprint Craft
For this craft, you simply need some white paper or, preferably, card stock. If you are feeling very fancy or want to make this to display, you can buy a white canvas from Dollar Tree very cheaply.
For the paint, I highly recommend using a washable water-based paint such as Crayola Washable Kid's Paint.
Please don't do what I did once and use Acrylic Paint – you cannot get that stuff off anything!
Additional supplies:
- Baby wipes or a damp cloth (for quick clean-up)
- Paintbrush (optional, for touch-ups)
- Black marker or pen
- Googly eyes (optional, for extra cuteness)
- A safe, flat surface covered with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth
Step-by-Step Instructions For The Footprint Craft
1. Prep Your Space
Lay down newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect your surface. Have wipes ready nearby—trust me, you'll want them within arm's reach!
2. Paint Your Baby's Foot
Gently apply a thin layer of washable paint to your baby's foot using a brush or your fingers.
Start by doing the dark green footprints and then the light green ones.
You can use green for the classic caterpillar look or mix it up with fun rainbow colors.
3. Make the Footprints
Carefully press your baby's foot onto the paper or canvas.
Repeat several times in a slightly curved line so the footprints form the caterpillar's body.
Tip: For the footprints, have your toddler step onto the paper that has been placed on the ground, for a baby, I would seat them in a highchair, paint their foot (rather than dip it in the paint) and bring the paper towards their foot, holding it as steady as possible.
4. Add the Head
Use paint (or a marker once dry) to create a round head at one end of the caterpillar.Red is a great choice if you're following the traditional look from the book.
5. Decorate Your Caterpillar
Once the paint is dry, draw on little legs, antennae, and a smile using a marker.
You can paint the feet brown or black and then add the eyes and mouth once the red face is completely dry.
Add googly eyes if you want to bring your caterpillar to life!
Tips for Success
- Work quickly—babies don't usually sit still for long!
- Do this craft when your baby is well-rested and fed.
- Embrace imperfections—those little smudges make it even more special.
Make It Extra Special
Add your baby's name and the date to the artwork so you can remember exactly when you made it.
You could even pair it with a copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar for a meaningful keepsake or gift idea.
Check out my other cute hand and footprint crafts here:
Hand and Footprint Photo Frames
Hand and Foot Print Photo Frame Momentos
