Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Caterpillar Pom Pom Mat
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Caterpillar Pom Pom Mat is a free printable activity that mixes counting, colouring and shape play. Children colour the caterpillar mat, explore the shapes on it and use pom poms to practise counting. It suits young children who are just starting out with early number. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well, because the colouring is part of the fun.
What is on the sheet
This is a caterpillar themed mat that children can colour, count on and explore. The mat is made to be used with pom poms, so little hands get to pick up, sort and place as they count. Children can also look closely at the shapes on the mat and use their own colours to make the caterpillar look the way they want.
What you need
The printed mat
Print page 1 on plain paper. Thicker paper or card is a good choice if your printer can take it, as it stays flat while little hands work.
Pom poms
Use small craft pom poms in any colours. If you have none, scrunched tissue paper balls work just as well.
Colouring pens or crayons
Chunky crayons are easiest for small hands. Pencils and felt tips also work.
A small bowl
Keep the pom poms in a bowl or tray. It stops them rolling away and makes tidying up simple.
Why a caterpillar?
Caterpillars are a favourite with young children. A caterpillar is the young stage of a butterfly or a moth. It hatches from an egg, eats leaves and grows quickly. As it grows, it sheds its skin. Later it changes into a butterfly or moth. This gives children a real story to follow, and it fits well with early books they may already know.
A caterpillar also has a long body made of connected parts. That makes it a friendly shape for counting. Children can move along it in order, one part at a time. Pom poms add colour and a soft, hands on feel. Picking them up and placing them carefully also helps little fingers get stronger and more precise.
Pom poms are small and can be a choking risk. Keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths, and stay with your child throughout. Always put the pom poms away when the activity is over.
Caterpillar facts
- A caterpillar is the young stage of a butterfly or a moth.
- Caterpillars hatch from eggs.
- Many caterpillars spend most of their time eating leaves.
- As a caterpillar grows, it sheds its skin.
- After the caterpillar stage, it changes into a butterfly or a moth.
Skills and curriculum link
- Counting
- One to one matching
- Colour recognition
- Shape awareness
- Fine motor control
- Creative play
Ideas for helping your child
- Touch and countLet your child touch each pom pom as they say a number. Moving slowly helps them match one number word to one item.
- Sort by colourAsk your child to group the pom poms by colour before they start. Then they can count each group.
- Talk about shapesPoint to a shape on the mat and ask what it looks like. Use simple words such as round, long, curved and straight.
- Let them chooseAsk which colours they would like to use. Children often count more carefully when they have made the choices.
Key words
- CountSay numbers in order to find out how many there are.
- Pom pomA soft, fluffy ball, often made from wool or fibre. Used for crafts.
- ShapeThe outline of something. A circle is a round shape.
- ColourHow something looks, such as red, blue or green.
- CaterpillarThe young stage of a butterfly or a moth.
- SortPut things into groups that are alike.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
- Look at the caterpillar together. Ask what your child notices. Talk about the colours and shapes they can see.
- Let your child colour the mat in their own way. There is no right or wrong choice of colours.
- Set out the pom poms and count with your child, touching each one as you say its number.
- Finish by talking about what they did. Ask, "What was your favourite part?" Tidy up the pom poms together.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with just a few pom poms and count them together. Touch each one and say the number slowly. Let your child copy you. If colouring is tiring, do some now and come back to the rest later. Short, happy turns work best.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to sort the pom poms by colour and count each group. Then ask which group has the most and which has the fewest. Older children can say how many more one group has than another.
Make it a game
Hide the pom poms around the room and send your child to find them. Bring them back to the mat and count them together. Take turns hiding them so your child can also be the one who hides and checks.
Talk about it
- What colours have you chosen for your caterpillar, and why?
- Can you find a shape on the mat? What does it look like?
- Which pom pom colour is your favourite?
- How can we count them so we do not miss one?
- What do you think a caterpillar likes to eat?
- What do you think a caterpillar turns into?
Take it off the page
Leaf hunt
Go outside and look for leaves of different shapes and sizes. Count how many you find and talk about which are big and which are small. Look for caterpillars, but do not touch them.
Playdough caterpillar
Roll small balls of playdough and join them in a line to make a caterpillar. Count the balls as you add each one.
Caterpillar song
Sing a counting song together or make up one of your own about a hungry caterpillar. Use your fingers to count as you sing.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go, then let them lead. Short turns are fine. Praise their effort and careful counting rather than speed. Stay close while pom poms are out.
Teachers
Use it as a counting station in a nursery or Reception setting, a minibeast topic activity or a quiet choice time task. It works well for small groups, with an adult nearby to prompt talk and keep an eye on the pom poms.
Home educators
Use it as a gentle start to a learning morning, or as part of a minibeast topic. Let your child take the lead and add outdoor ideas, such as a leaf hunt, to extend it. It works equally well with mixed age children.
Where this fits
Before this activity, children usually enjoy sorting, matching and handling small objects. They may recite number words in order, but not yet match each one to an object. Pom poms give them a soft, colourful way to practise.
After this, children can move on to counting larger groups, comparing amounts and recognising written numerals. These ideas lead into the number and place value strand of the Year 1 National Curriculum for England. Regular, playful counting now builds confidence for that step.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- Who is the Caterpillar Pom Pom Mat for?
It is made for young children who are learning to count and enjoy colouring and craft play. Grown ups can adjust the amount of help, so it can suit a range of early learners at home or in a setting.
- Do I need pom poms?
The mat is made to be used with pom poms, so they are the best choice. If you do not have any, scrunched tissue paper balls or small soft craft items can be used instead. Always supervise small items.
- Does it need any special equipment?
No. You need a printer, some pom poms and something to colour with. A small bowl for the pom poms is helpful. Everything else is already in most homes or classrooms.
- Is it safe for toddlers?
Only with close adult supervision. Pom poms are small and can be a choking risk for children who put things in their mouths. If your child still does this, wait a while or use a larger, safer item.
- Do the answers matter?
This is an open, creative activity, so what matters most is careful counting and enjoying it. Praise effort and talk about what your child notices. Page 2 gives notes and ideas to help you guide them.
- Can I use it in a classroom?
Yes. It works well as a counting or fine motor station, or as part of a minibeast topic. Small groups with an adult nearby work best, so pom poms are kept safely in use.
- Can I use it more than once?
Yes. Print extra copies and use different colours or counting games each time. You can also try the sorting and stretch ideas on page 2 so the activity feels fresh every time.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.