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.

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Why is Eric Carle so popular?

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 some valuable lessons.

What do Eric Carle’s books teach us?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar shows us that change isn’t a bad thing, while A House for Hermit encourages you to do what you love. Walter the Baker teaches us that being nice is better, while The Grouchy Ladybug reminds you to focus on your work and put in your best, and the result will be there for everyone to see!

Eric Carle’s illustrations can be identified anywhere, with their unique use of collage and 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!

With Eric Carle’s birthday coming up on 25th June, here are some cute and colorful Eric Carle Crafts for Kids to make. Don’t forget to re-read all your Eric Carle favorites too!

25 Cute and Colorful Eric Carle Crafts for Kids

1. Cupcake Liner Very Hungry Caterpillar Craft

We begin our list of Eric Carle crafts for kids with a craft based on the most popular Eric Carle book of all time – The Very Hungry Caterpillar! This colorful caterpillar craft is made with cupcake liners, and you can also use them to create the many foods the caterpillar plows through!

2. The Very Busy Spider and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Craft

The Very Hungry Caterpillar talks about several important topics, and one of them is about growth and change. Check out this craft project that illustrates the transformation of a little caterpillar into a magnificent butterfly. You’ll also find the very busy spider as a bonus!

3. 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!

4. Eric Carle-Inspired Ladybug Craft

I Heart Crafty Things has a cute little ladybug craft inspired by Eric Carle’s ‘The Grouchy Ladybug’. This book was published in the UK under another name – ‘The Bad-Tempered Ladybug’. Isn’t it fun when making Eric Carle crafts for kids also introduces you to fun facts about the author’s books?

5. Eric Carle-Inspired Animal Collage

You’ll notice that many of these Eric Carle crafts for kids feature animals, but that’s because most of his books are based on them! From bears to caterpillars, from crabs to roosters, Eric Carle has tried his best to include a good variety! Artful Mommy celebrates this animal love by showing us how to make some cool Eric Carle-inspired artwork!

6. Eric Carle Papercraft

Little Life of Mine makes a fun paper craft using patterned paper and getting inspired by a page in the book ‘Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See?’. This book wasn’t written by Eric Carle – it was illustrated by him. The author is Bill Martin Jr., another popular children’s book author.

7. Adorable Brown Bear Paper Plate Craft

Here’s a fun multimedia project from Life Over C’s that kids will love! It includes a paper plate, colored paper, googly eyes and some art techniques too! Kids will enjoy putting together different materials to create a fun, cuddly bear!

8. Mister Seahorse Salt Painting

Many children’s authors write about animals, but they generally feature the more well-known ones like cats, dogs, pigs, or tigers. However, Eric Carle chose the seahorse in this delightful book, which is also an explosion of colors! This Little Goose brings us a salt painting project based on the book, and we love how it’s turned out!

9. Wiggling Caterpillar Craft

With The Very Hungry Caterpillar being Eric Carle’s most popular book, it’s natural for most lists of Eric Carle crafts for kids to feature caterpillar crafts. But how many of them can actually move? Well, this one from Fireflies and Mudpies certainly can!

10. 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.

11. The Grouchy 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! Oh Creative Day has an interesting ladybug craft that isn’t just fun to make, but talks about feelings too.

12. 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!

13. 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!

14. Mixed Chameleon Art

We love that kids can learn valuable lessons while making these Eric Carle crafts for kids. 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 the chameleon to life in this colorful collage, using different art techniques to create them.

15. 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!

16. 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!

17. 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!

18. 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!

19. 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.

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.

21. Eric Carle Sun and Moon Textures Artwork

One of the most striking features of Eric Carle’s artwork is how it represents textures. You can almost feel like you can touch the pictures – they’ve got so many layers! The Natural Homeschool teaches kids how to create art just like that, while learning about the sun and the moon!

22. “The Tiny Seed” Flower Art

We love The Tiny Seed for many reasons: one is that it teaches kids about how seeds spread across the land and grow into plants. Secondly, it’s a story of a tiny thing surviving in a big, harsh world, overcoming obstacles and succeeding. Friends Art Lab helps us spread this lovely message while creating gorgeous art!

23. Eric Carle-Inspired Glow In The Dark Firefly Craft

Handprint crafts are always a hit with the kiddos, and that’s why we think this one from I Heart Arts n Crafts will be the perfect accompaniment to The Very Lonely Firefly!

24. The Mixed-Up Chameleon Fine Motor and Counting Game

Looking for Eric Carle crafts for kids that also double up as a fine motor activity? You’ve come to the right place because Buggy and Buddy has just the project for you – plus a counting game!

25. Mister Seahorse Lacing Craft

If your little one has read Mister Seahorse and has suddenly become a seahorse fan, they’ll enjoy trying this lacing activity from I Heart Crafty Things. After all, it’s always good to exercise those fine motor muscles!

I’m sure simply looking at the pictures of these Eric Carle crafts for kids 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!

Here are some more cute crafts based on children’s books: