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Oklahoma Agriculture in the Classroom

Crafts



Very Hairy Caterpillar

Each student needs:

  • large bowl
  • 4 cups potting medium
  • 4 T ryegrass
  • empty yogurt container or paper cup with bottom cut out (for funnel)
  • one knee high stocking for each student
  • colorful ponytail holders
  • bobby pins
  • googly eyes
  • pipe cleaners
  • pom poms
  • glue sticks

Instruction

  1. Combine the potting soil and ryegrass in the large bowl.
  2. Slide a knee-high stocking over the funnel.
  3. Pour or spoon 3/4 to 1 cup of the soil mixture into the stocking.
  4. Slide a colorful ponytail holder over the end of the stocking to section off the pocket of soil.
  5. Repeat Step 3 to make five soil-filled segments.
  6. Tie a knot in the top of the stocking, and trim away excess nylon.
  7. Submerge the caterpillar in water for 10 minutes
  8. Place the caterpillar in a plastic bag, and let it sit overnight.
  9. Remove the bag, and loop a semistraightened bobby pin through the front of the stocking.
  10. Glue a a googly eye onto each end of the pin.
  11. For antennae, cut a pipe cleaner in half, glue a small pom-pom onto one end of each half, and stick them in place.
  12. Set the caterpillars on styrofoam plates near a sunny window, and generously water them every other day. The critters should sprout hair in about 4-5 days.