For millions of kids the world over, Eric Carle’s illustrations are probably their first introduction to the world of art. Celebrate this incredible artist with some cute and colorful Eric Carle Crafts for Kids.
“We have eyes, and we’re looking at stuff all the time, ……… I just think that whatever our eyes touch should be beautiful, tasteful, appealing, and important.”
That’s such a lovely thought, isn’t it? Since you’re anyway looking at things, you might as well look at good, lovely stuff that makes your face light up and your heart sing. That’s probably why Eric Carle, the master illustrator of kids’ books, made all his pictures so captivating for audiences of all ages.
Many adults underestimate children, which is why many children’s books have very flat illustrations, much like a cartoon in primary colors. But not Eric Carle. The American illustrator remembers exactly what it is to be a child and to have that kind of boundless imagination and open-mindedness. Like he says himself, “……… my aim is to entertain, and sometimes to enlighten, the child who still lives inside of me“.
The result is an array of books that are much more than the simple text within them. They are masterpieces in their own right, and for millions of children around the world, probably their very first introduction to the world of art. This isn’t to underplay the significance of the prose – those words teach kids that actions have consequences (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), change isn’t that bad (A House for Hermit), do what you love (Walter the Baker), being nice is better (The Grouchy Ladybug), focus on your work and put in your best, and the result will be there for everyone to see (The Very Busy Spider).
Eric Carle’s illustrations can be identified anywhere, with their unique use of collage, with painted papers. This gives kids a lot of potential to try their own versions of Eric Carle art, and if you’re wondering where to start – we hear you! Here are 20 cute and incredibly colorful Eric Carle Crafts for Kids to make.
20 Cute and Colorful Eric Carle Crafts for Kids
1. Wiggling Caterpillar Craft
When you’re doing a list of Eric Carle crafts, it’s only natural that you begin with the bestseller of them all – The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Yes, there are several caterpillar crafts out there, but how many of them can actually move? Well, this oen from Fireflies and Mudpies can!
2. Paper Plate Cricket Craft
You can describe a cricket in many ways, but no one would call it quiet! Yet, Eric Carle’s The Very Quiet Cricket is rather different – he doesn’t have a chirp! Let kids talk about why this may be and how it affects the cricket, while they work on this paper plate cricket craft from Glued to My Crafts.
3. Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
We often nag kids about having good manners, but no one can send the message across quite so effectively as Eric Carle, in The Grouchy Ladybug! Buggy and Buddy has an interesting ladybug craft that isn’t just fun to make, but talks about feelings too.
4. Firefly Suncatcher Craft
The Very Lonely Firefly is a book that will take on a whole new aspect when read in the dark! But that doesn’t mean that bright daylight is a problem – the folks at I Heart Arts n Crafts use tissue paper, card stock and contact paper to make a firefly suncatcher that glows – in the sun!
5. Handprint Hermit Crab Craft
Young kids can be resistant to change, and even small adjustments can make them upset. A House for Hermit Crab tackles this problem beautifully, and The Kindergarten Connection has an activity that’s just as impressive! Handprint Hermit’s house gets a cool makeover with bright colors!
6. Paper Butterfly and Caterpillar Craft
The Very Hungry Caterpillar talks about several important topics, and one of them is about growth and change. Check out this bugs craft project that illustrates the transformation of a little caterpillar into a magnificent butterfly.
7. Brown Bear Inspired Bear Craft
Where will you find a blue horse, a purple cat and other animals? In Eric Carle’s book, of course! The book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? features some colorful personalities, but My Little Me focuses on our protagonist the bear, in this awesome project that combines melted crayon art and collage!
8. Mixed Chameleon Art
The Mixed-Up Chameleon isn’t happy with himself and wants to be like many of his friends – you and I probably know a few people like that! Meri Cherry brings all the characters to life in this colorful collage, using different art techniques to create them.
9. The Very Busy Spider Fine Motor Activity
You know when you’re trying to do something and the kids keep distracting you with questions and demands? Well, maybe The Very Busy Spider can let them realize that focused work is important to create something worthwhile! And let them practice what they learn with a concentration-boosting threading activity from Kidz Activities, with a cute spider for help!
10. Tissue Paper Black Cat
It is distressing enough to lose a favorite toy, let alone a beloved pet! Kids will relate to the boy in Have you Seen my Cat?, looking for his pet. Well, maybe he’ll find his friend at Glued to My Crafts, where a black tissue paper cat is waiting for him!
11. Eric Carle Tissue Paper Stars
It’s amazing how Draw Me a Star uses very little text and gorgeous illustrations to explain something as complex as the Creation. Well, that’s Eric Carle for you! These tissue paper stars from Oh Creative Day are also simple to make, with lots of sensory play and mess along the way!
12. Little Cloud Art Project
Ask a child what he sees when he looks at a cloud and you’ll be amazed at how their imagination works! Eric Carle’s Little Cloud is a book that celebrates this beautiful quality of young children, and Family Maven celebrates the book with a Little Cloud art project!
13. Rainbow Button Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar may start out being red and green, but if you notice, his diet is quite varied – he literally eats the rainbow! This is a good opportunity to get kids started on including foods of different colors. And this rainbow button caterpillar craft can help them check off each color every day!
14. The Tiny Seed Inspired Collage Art
While The Very Hungry Caterpillar described the growth of a caterpillar into a butterfly, The Tiny Seed follows the life cycle of a plant. It’s impressive to see the beautiful flower that blooms finally; just like the one at Planted by Streams!
15. Eric Carle Inspired Moon Collage
Father’s Day may be over, but this is one book that doesn’t need a special occasion! Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me is a delightful story of a girl and her father, and kids who’ve read the story will love making this craft from My Adventures in Positive Space. It features a smiley moon, a ladder and a Dad trying to climb up to reach the moon!
16. Eric Carle Inspired Turtle Art
Eric Carle’s bears teach us all kinds of things, and Panda Bear is no different. In Panda Bear Panda Bear, What do you See? we’re introduced to a variety of endangered animals. Holly’s Art Corner picks out the sea turtle to base this craft on, and uses a cardboard combing technique to give the water that realistic wavy effect.
17. Watercolor Mr. Seahorse Collage
If you’re looking for a book to smash gender stereotypes, then you don’t need to look any further than Mr. Seahorse! Mr. Seahorse is a caring father, and a good looking one too! The Bird Feed NYC uses some very interesting art techniques to capture the seahorse’s beauty, while learning some fun facts about it!
18. Egg Carton Ladybug
When you look at these ladybugs from Buggy and Buddy, you’ll wonder if egg cartons look better as bugs than when they’re holding eggs! All you need are egg cartons, paint and craft paper to make a bunch of bright ladybugs that look anything but grouchy!
19. Polar Bear Paper Plate Craft
If Brown Bear helped you see animals of different colors, Polar Bear will help you hear all kinds of noises! And when you’re done with reading the book, check out this paper plate polar bear from A Dab of Glue, that has a polar bear mimicking the bear on the book’s cover.
20. Cardboard Roll Firefly Craft
Sometimes a two-dimensional craft cannot do justice to Eric Carle’s incredible illustrations, which is when you need to go 3-D? Buggy and Buddy has done this with a remarkable cardboard roll craft based on the ‘The Very Lonely Firefly‘, using different art materials and various techniques.
I’m sure simply looking at the pictures has you wondering if you can actually make these yourself! But don’t feel intimidated; just channel the unlimited potential and curiosity of your inner child and go ahead – much like Eric Carle did himself!
Eric Carle is..well my Hero. When my daughter was in Kindergarten thru 3rd grade we visited the museum of storybook art just about every other weekend and for special events. As an artist and art educator I created a summer art camp around the theme of the book I See a Song. We learned about a variety of music styles along with creating our own Carl-like papers through feeling various styles of music from sing along to classical. At 57 years young and a graduate with a BFA in Graphic Design and fine art printmaking I can honestly say that Eric Carle has been an influence in my own art and is my daughter’s childhood hero.