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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

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Grow a green caterpillar

Plant some seeds, then wait for them to sprout and give your grassy caterpillar a new hairstyle.
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Scissors
  • String
  • Craft materials (for example, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, stickers)
  • PVA glue
  • Grass seed
  • Peat-free compost
  • Tights
  • Newspaper or something to cover tables

Before you begin

  • It’s best to use low denier tights so the grass can grow through the holes.
  • Cut the tights up so everyone has a section the same length. We found that you can make about six caterpillars from each pair of tights, but it’ll depend on the tights you use (and how big you want your caterpillars to be).
  • Tie a knot at one end of each caterpillar and leave the other end open.
  • Cut some pieces of string that are long enough to tie around a stuffed caterpillar. Everyone will need two or three pieces. If you don’t have string, you could use elastic bands.
  • Cover tables (and the floor) with newspaper or tablecloths – this activity’s likely to get a bit messy.

Story time

  1. Everyone should sit in a circle.
  2. Someone should read Cai the Hungry Caterpillar by Jess Connett. Make sure you save a copy before the session.
  3. After reading the story, everyone should take some time to reflect on it as a group. We’ve included some questions to help you reflect in the pink box below.

The woods were sunny but Cai the caterpillar had found a nice shady spot to sleep, under a big green leaf. It was tucked around him like a blanket.

“What a beautiful morning!” Cai said as he woke up. He felt his tummy rumble. He was late for breakfast!

Cai wiggled out from under the leaf. His body was covered with black hairs that stuck up in all directions, like toothbrush bristles. He was hairy all over, except for his face, and he had an orange stripe that ran down his back.

The leaf that had been his blanket was gently unfolding in the sunshine. Cai took a big bite out of it. CHOMP! He gobbled it all down until there was nothing left but the stalk.

It took Cai a long time to get down the tree trunk because he moved so slowly, and he kept finding delicious things to snack on.

It was nearly lunchtime when he saw his brother, Clem. Clem had already turned from a caterpillar into a beautiful moth. Clem had long white wings spotted with black, and soft white fur on his head.

“Hello, Cai,” said Clem. “How are you today?”

“Hello, Clem,” said Cai. “I’m hungry.”

And he took a nibble out of the hard brown bark of the tree. CHOMP! Mmm, it was delicious. He swallowed it all down until there was a hole in the tree big enough for a caterpillar to fall through…

“Oof!” said Cai as he fell into the tree. He rattled and bounced and yelled as he dropped down through the tree trunk. He landed at the bottom in a soft pile in wood shavings. He popped one into his mouth. Mmm, it was scrumptious!

A little hole in the tree was letting in some daylight. Cai popped his head out and smelled something wonderful. It was sweet and fruity. There, on the ground, was an apple!

Cai climbed on top of the apple. The skin was warm from the sun. He bit into it. CHOMP! Juice poured down his chin. Oh! He was in heaven! It was the best thing he had ever tasted.

Cai munched and pecked and gnawed and chewed as the sun dropped below the trees and night began to fall.

He ate his way into the core of the apple. He tried one of the black pips but it was hard and bitter and he spat it out.

“Oh! I know what to do with this,” Cai said. He put the pip under his head like a pillow, and soon he was fast asleep, dreaming of all the things he would eat tomorrow.

By Jess Connett


Craft a caterpillar

  1. Everyone should help to mix the grass seed into the compost.
  2. The person leading the activity should give everyone a piece of tights. Everyone should find the open end, and stuff their caterpillar full of the grass seed and compost mixture.
  1. When their caterpillar is full, everyone should tie a knot in the open end to keep the compost safely inside. An adult may need to help with this – it’s a bit tricky.
  2. Ask everyone to wash their hands.
  3. An adult should help everyone to tie two or three pieces of string around their caterpillar to create a head and sections of body.
  1. Everyone should get creative and use the craft materials and glue to give their caterpillar features and bring it to life. They could add eyes, tentacles or antennae, and a mouth.
  2. Ask everyone to wash their hands.
  3. Everyone should sprinkle their caterpillars with water and leave them on a windowsill to soak up the sunshine. To look after them, they’ll need to water them once or twice a week.
  4. Over time, everyone should see their caterpillars grow bright green hair. If they want to, they could give their caterpillars a haircut.

Reflection

During this activity, everyone learned more about plants and how they grow. They also worked together to solve problems and complete their caterpillars.

Cai the Hungry Caterpillar

  • Can you remember what types of food Cai ate?
  • What is your favourite food to eat?

Craft a caterpillar

  • Why is it important to have lots of plants that bugs (and people) can enjoy?
  • Did anyone find parts of this activity tricky? What helped to make it easier? People could think about asking a friend for help or trying again when things didn’t go to plan.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Scissors

Supervise young people appropriately when they’re using scissors. Store all sharp objects securely, out of the reach of young people.

Gardening and nature

Everyone must wash their hands after the activity has finished. Wear gloves if needed. Explain how to safely use equipment and set clear boundaries so everyone knows what’s allowed.

Glue and solvents

Always supervise young people appropriately when they’re using glue and solvent products. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Be aware of any medical conditions that could be affected by glue or solvent use and make adjustments as needed.

If you only want grass to grow from the top of your caterpillar, don’t mix the grass seed into the compost. Fill the tights with compost, then get an adult to cut slits in the top of the tights so everyone can sprinkle grass seed along their caterpillar’s back.

If some people don’t like the feeling of the compost, they could fill their caterpillar with a spoon or wear gloves.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Squirrels Let It Grow Activity Badge

You don’t have to stop at making caterpillars. Why not have a go at making a giant, grassy spider or craft wings from cardboard to turn your caterpillar into a butterfly at home.

Everyone should feel free to explore their own techniques for filling their caterpillar and use their imagination to decorate their caterpillar however they like.