As summer fades and students head back to school this fall, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about fun and engaging crafts to bring into your preschool classroom. Crafts aren’t just a fun way to pass the time; they’re a fantastic tool for helping your little learners absorb and remember the lessons you’re teaching. Plus, they give students something to proudly show off at home, sparking conversations about what they’ve learned in class—especially when it comes to boosting their early literacy and reading comprehension skills.
Boost Literacy and Creativity with Weekly Book-Inspired Crafts
This fall, many preschoolers will be introduced to the beloved book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Beyond its bright, colorful pages, this classic story is a treasure trove for teaching the days of the week, counting, and the incredible lifecycle of a butterfly.
If you’re one of the many teachers who adore reading this book to your class, why not pair it with a simple and delightful craft?
Need a little inspiration to get started? Check out Taming Little Monsters’ for a super fun, easy-to-follow paper plate caterpillar craft idea that your preschoolers will love. And while you’re there, be sure to follow them for even more educational and inspiring preschool craft ideas. And the best part? You probably already have most of the materials on hand.
This craft helps reinforce the story’s lessons by serving as a visual aid for children to share with their parents or caregivers. It encourages them to discuss key concepts from the book with family members, whether it’s reciting the days of the week or explaining how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Parents or caregivers can further engage their child with thoughtful questions about the book and the exciting things they learned at school that day.
Photo by: Michelle King | Taming Little Monsters
Materials Needed for Your Caterpillar Craft
- Paper plates
- Red paint
- Green paint
- Scissors
- Paint brushes
- Black marker
- Glue
- Pen or pencil
Organize and Inspire: Book Displays That Keep Reading and Crafting Front and Center
Want to keep the excitement of crafting and reading alive? Choose a new book each week from a book display like this one from Copernicus. With books prominently featured, you and your students can come up with creative crafts that tie into the stories you explore.
As your students work on their crafts, engage them with questions about what they learned or key elements of the story. This approach not only sparks a love for reading but also boosts early literacy skills. Crafting projects connected to the week’s book make learning engaging and memorable, turning storytime into an adventure that enhances comprehension.
Organize Your Classroom for Craft Success: Streamline Art Supplies for Creative Activities After Storytime
Craft projects can quickly turn into a mess, so organizing your classroom with designated areas for supplies is crucial. An art supply storage cabinet, like this one from Jonti-Craft, helps keep everything in its place. By assigning specific areas for each type of supply, children learn to take personal responsibility and work as a team, understanding that everything has a designated spot.
This system encourages them to retrieve and return materials properly, fostering a sense of order and responsibility. With a well-organized space, you’ll be ready for each creative adventure, making the crafting process smoother and more enjoyable.
Ensure Safe Drying with a Dedicated Drying Rack: Keep Story-Inspired Artwork Organized and Protected
After your students craft projects inspired by the day’s story, it’s important to let their artwork dry properly to avoid smudging. A drying rack, like this one from Wood Designs' Contender Series, provides individual slots for each student’s creation, keeping them safe until they’re ready to go home.
Students can take home their neatly dried artwork to share with their families, reinforcing early literacy skills in a meaningful way. A well-organized classroom with the right tools ensures a smoother and more effective creative process.
Ready to organize your preschool classroom’s crafting space so you can start integrating crafts with storytime lessons to support your students’ love of reading? We can help you find the right solution while you focus on inspiring young minds.
By integrating crafts into your lessons, you’re not just making learning fun—you’re making it stick. As you gear up for the new school year, these tips and tools will help you create a classroom environment where creativity and learning go hand in hand, setting the stage for a year full of discovery and growth.
