Hairy Caterpillar Project

>> Friday, April 20, 2012

This is a fun project that was actually sent home from school. We have been watching and watering our little caterpillar regularly and the results were just what any little kid would want. A very hairy caterpillar. I posted when we got it but I am combining everything again in this post.

What you'll need is:
4 cups potting soil
4 tablespoons quick-sprouting grass seed (we used ryegrass seed)
Small yogurt container or paper cup
Knee-high nylon stocking
Colorful ponytail holders
Scissors
Plastic bag
Bobby pin
Googly eyes
Pipe cleaner
Small pom-poms

Instructions
1. Combine the potting soil and grass seed in a large bowl.
2. Cut the bottom from a small yogurt container or paper cup for a funnel, then slide a knee- high nylon stocking over it.
3. Pour or spoon 3⁄4 to 1 cup of the soil mixture into the stocking, then slide a colorful ponytail holder over the end of the stocking to section off the pocket of soil. Repeat this process to make 5 soil-filled segments. Tie a knot in the top of the stocking and trim away any excess nylon.
4. Submerge the caterpillar in water for 10 minutes, then place it in a plastic bag and let it sit overnight.
5. Remove the bag and loop a semi-straightened bobby pin through the front of the stocking, then glue a googly eye onto each end of the pin. For antennae, cut a pipe cleaner in half, glue a small pom-pom onto one end of each half, and stick them in place.
6. Set your caterpillar on a plate by a sunny window and generously water the whole thing every other day. Your critter should sprout hair in about 4 to 5 days.

First day in the sun
97/366

After a week
Hola!

After 2 weeks
caterpillar 2 (1 of 1)

Piper thinks that it needs a trim. Here is the actual link from Pinterest. We didn't quite get these results but maybe we just needed more grass. I plan on doing this during the summer when we have our 1st Annual Mom Camp with a group of my girlfriends. I hope the other littles enjoy seeing their caterpillar sprout as much as our family did.

2 comments:

Michelle Sunday, April 22, 2012  

Oh does that bring back memories. Both of my girls made those back in preschool.

Mama.Mommy.Mom. Monday, April 23, 2012  

That's cute! Both of mine would love it. We're growing gladiolus in sippy cups now.

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I am 45 years old and married to my best friend Matthew. We are the parents of 3 girls, 2 dogs, and a cat. This is the story of us, try to stay awake.
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