If you’ve ever wanted to create a party game that makes kids squeal, parents smile, and teachers say, “Oh, I’m totally stealing this idea,” then buckle up, friend — because this Hungry Caterpillar Felt Food Toss Game is about to become your new signature move.
This game is adorable.
It’s durable.
It’s budget‑friendly.
And it’s one of those activities kids keep playing long after the party is over. (Ask me how I know.)
Whether you’re planning a birthday party, a classroom activity, or a themed playdate, this DIY is the perfect mix of creativity, nostalgia, and “look at me being a Pinterest mom without losing my mind.”
Let’s crawl right in.
Table of Contents
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Check out my PHOTO GALLERY & BLOG POST for more party details!
Why a Felt Food Toss Game Is a Party MVP
Let’s start with why this game works so well:
✔️ Works for toddlers and big kids
✔️ No reading required
✔️ Easy to explain (aka no chaos)
✔️ Soft felt = safe throwing
✔️ Reusable for years
And best of all? It’s quiet enough for indoors, durable enough for enthusiastic kids, and cute enough to double as decor.
Materials You’ll Need (AKA: Your Craft Buffet)
Here’s everything I used — feel free to swap, adjust, or improvise like the creative genius you are:
- Felt sheets in multiple colors (I grabbed mine at Hobby Lobby)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- Beans or rice for stuffing (I used dried pinto beans because they were already in my pantry)
- Scissors
- A large, sturdy box (a thick printer box is PERFECT)
- Acrylic paints
- Spray paint
- Paintbrush
- Box cutter
- Sharpie
Tip: If you want to make all of the quantities that the book mentions, grab extra felt sheets. I only made one of each item.
Tip #2: The thicker the box, the longer this game will survive toddler enthusiasm.
Step 1: Building the Hungry Caterpillar “Feeding Station”
Think of this box as the “hungry” part of the Hungry Caterpillar — it’s the star of the show.
Choose a Large, Sturdy Box
This box needed to be sturdy, tall, and ready for action. Kids throw things with enthusiasm.
Toddlers throw things with chaotic enthusiasm.
So pick a box that can take a hit.
I taped the box flaps together so it stood as tall as possible.
I left the top open so kids (and adults) could easily retrieve the food.
Using a Sharpie, I sketched a giant Hungry Caterpillar head with a very dramatic open mouth.
I carefully cut the mouth out with a box cutter.
Once the mouth was cut:
I spray-painted the entire box white to give myself a clean slate.
Then I painted the caterpillar face using acrylic paints.
✨ Lazy genius moment:
I used a cheaper spray paint, so my Sharpie lines showed through just enough that I didn’t have to redraw anything.
To finish it off, I wrote “FEED ME” in the two empty spaces at the top. Because obviously… the caterpillar is always hungry.
WANT TO SAVE THIS FOR LATER? PIN IT TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
Step 2: Make the Felt Foods (The Fun Part!)
This menu was a whole mood — adorable, punny, and toddler‑friendly. Everything was portioned individually to keep things clean, easy, and allergy‑friendly.This is where your creativity gets to shine. I made all the foods from the book:
✅ Apple
✅ Orange
✅ Slice of cheese
✅ Muffin
✅ Watermelon
✅ Lollipop
✅ Strawberry
✅ Salami
✅ Pickle
✅ Plum
✅ Pear
✅ Ice cream cone
Trace & Cut
Fold your felt in half.
Draw your food shape with a Sharpie.
Cut both layers at once so you get two identical pieces.
Tip: Hold the felt firmly so it doesn’t shift — unless you want a Picasso‑style pear
Add Details
Cut out leaves, stems, toppings, and accents from other felt colors.
- If the detail is visible from both sides → cut one
- If it’s only visible from one side → cut two
- If it needs structure (like the lollipop stick) → double up
Glue & Stuff
Use your hot glue gun to glue around the edges, leaving a small opening.
Stuff with beans or rice until it’s firm but not bursting.
Then glue the opening closed.
Warning: Do not overstuff. If it’s too full, it won’t close—and you’ll say words the kids don’t need to hear.
Overstuffing = felt foods that refuse to close
Understuffing = floppy sadness
Aim for “plush but tossable.”
The Cheese (AKA: The Boss Level)
Cheese was the diva of the group.
Here’s how I tackled it:
- Glued two sides
- Cut out the cheese holes
- Glued the holes closed
- Stuffed beans into the corners
- Glued the third side
- Stuffed again
- Glued the final side
It wasn’t fully filled like all of the other foods— but it was enough weight to throw beautifully.
Step 3: Play the Game!
Set the box out, hand the kids their felt foods, and watch the magic happen.
They LOVED it.
They fed the caterpillar over and over.
Then, they made up their own rules.
My kids definitely played long after the party ended.
This game is durable, adorable, and 100% kid‑approved!
Tips for Making This Even Easier Next Time
- Make the foods slightly bigger for younger kids
- Store foods in a clear bin so kids can retell the story
- Pair this with a Hungry Caterpillar party sign for instant setup
