It’s the first day of spring today! We’ve got a lot to celebrate from the snow melting, the flowers starting to bloom, and the butterflies unraveling themselves from their winter cocoons. March 20th is also The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day. What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with one of the most famous caterpillars – The Very Hungry Caterpillar?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the perfect theme for a spring celebration, baby shower, or child’s birthday. There are endless possibilities for incorporating the timeless story and classic art into your party.

From a tiered birthday cake…

Photo from Cute Food For Kids via Cake Central.

…to cookies with holes in them (just like the original book),

Photo from Cute Food For Kids via Kneadacookie.

…to a decorated felt crown for the birthday kid to wear,

Photo from Catch My Party

…to a The Very Hungry Caterpillar made out of paper lanterns.

Photo from Pottery Barn Kids

The possibilities are endless.

Even if you aren’t a DIY expert, you can still easily incorporate The Very Hungry Caterpillar into your spring celebration. Use these invitations to give people the details of the party and *hint* at the theme.

Once your guests arrive, you can welcome them with a colorful message made from our Eric Carle Garlands:

Decorate the area with Eric Carle Wall Decals (don’t worry, these decals are not permanent and can be easily removed).

Then enjoy some of the food that the Caterpillar ate such as apples, pears, cheese, and of course cake!

Once you’ve sent your guests on their merry way, be sure to thank them for coming with:

Celebrating spring and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day has never been easier or more fun.

One lucky commenter will win an Eric Carle Prize Pack that includes Eric Carle Garlands, Eric Carle Wall Decals, Eric Carle Decorative Prints, Eric Carle It’s a Party! Birthday Invitations and Eric Carle Birthday Thank-You Notes. Winner will be chosen on March 30, 2012.

Stephanie Wong
Marketing Manager

Subscribe to our monthly Chronicle Kids Newsletter.

41 Comments

  1. | Posted by Guinevere

    I just used the Eric Carle Garlands for my son's birthday party this weekend! http://instagr.am/p/ISv_x3JL6d/


  2. | Posted by Marci

    These would be perfect for the Easter Baby Shower that we are having for my daughter!


  3. | Posted by Bekki Lindner

    These are all SUPER cute ideas! I just pinned the post to keep in mind for our newborn's first birthday party! Love your books, love blogging for you, and am excited for the chance to win!


  4. | Posted by Susan Hahaj

    Such an adorable party!! I just love it! thanks for a chance to win the party goodies! Susan


  5. | Posted by Lisa

    This was the first book my daughter learned to read and its still a favorite. The paper lanterns are the coolest=)


  6. | Posted by Cindy G.

    I just LOVE The Very Hungry Caterpillar! My 4-month old boy is my little hungry catepillar. I dress him in his Eric Carle onesies because they are adorable!


  7. | Posted by Amanda

    I'm beginning to think about the baby shower for my first, and this makes me want to have it right now! Absolutely adorable!


  8. | Posted by Carolyn Rissanen

    LOVE the Very Hungry Caterpillar!!


  9. | Posted by Sarah Z.

    Wow, these are adorable! Love, love, love!


  10. | Posted by Paula C

    The prize package sounds wonderful! I have 6 grandchildren and a daughter who is a pre-K teacher… everyone would love this!


  11. | Posted by Jenette

    Super cute. This would be fun for my boys 2nd birthday!


  12. | Posted by Tim Canny

    I'm in even though I'll probably give it all to the family next door to me who has a young one who would appreciate a Hungry Caterpillar themed party. Except for the wall decals of course. Those are mine.


  13. | Posted by Caryn Contreras Kyte

    This is my all time favorite children's book! The art is amazingly brilliant and the story is simply sweet! I love the party ideas, too!


  14. | Posted by Linda G

    Happiest first day of the spring! The weather is beautiful here in so cal (just north of LA), possibly signaling a very warm sumner. I didn’t know it was also the Very Hungry Caterpiller day. Those themed ideas are awesome… considering the cake for my little one’s June birthday! And Happy Persian New Year too!


  15. | Posted by Lea-Anne

    These are all such inspirational photos! The cookies, as well as the adorable infants enjoying their Eric Carle inspired celebration. Like many, I was always drawn to his colorful illustrations and I'm finding my 7+mo daughter loving them too!


  16. | Posted by Jennifer

    What a great idea for a springtime party! Thanks for the suggestions. The lanterns are adorable.


  17. | Posted by se7en

    Everything to love about Eric Carle and what a cute party!!! Fabulous!!!


  18. | Posted by Kim

    How cute! My daughter loves the Hungry Caterpillar book. It's almost destroyed now.


  19. | Posted by tati

    Soooo cute :)


  20. | Posted by Katie C

    The Very Hungry Caterpillar was the first book I ever read on my own! :) Love this idea!


  21. | Posted by Jessica

    Those are such adorable ideas! I have three little sisters and they would love something like this so much!


  22. | Posted by Rebecca Feind

    Whoooooo gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme!!! I want this so much I am unable to type polite words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cookie Monster like meltdown occuring in real life!!!!


  23. | Posted by Kristi Valiant

    Oh my, these are the cutest! I’d love to win them for my daughter’s first bday party. I adore the cookies with a hole in them too.


  24. | Posted by Betsy

    My son loves this book. The Erik Carle Museum is on our bucket list of places we want to take our kids. I wish it was not half way across the country.


  25. | Posted by Maryann Bennett

    Love the caterpillar cake!


  26. | Posted by Maya Bisineer

    we love Eric Carle books!


  27. | Posted by kristin

    Oh, man! I love Eric Carle!!!! I wish I could take a workshop, winning this would be the next best thing.


  28. | Posted by Heather

    Eric Carle is one of my very favorite authors. Love these!


  29. | Posted by Sarah Margaret

    OMG! I would love to have these for my 24th birthday! Eric Carle is amazing. Even as a teacher, I am a child @ heart!


  30. | Posted by Erin

    My little lady is turning 1 in May – this would be just perfect for her b-day!


  31. | Posted by Cathy Mealey

    Wow – each item was cuter than the last! But those cookies stole my heart!


  32. | Posted by Tiffany Brittain

    Adorable!


  33. | Posted by Jacky

    These would be adorable for my best friend’s son’s 1st birthday coming up! Thanks for the tips!


  34. | Posted by Brooks

    My kids love this stuff! Some of those decorations are really great.


  35. | Posted by Homa

    The lantern idea is so cool! Love it!


  36. | Posted by Megan Davis

    I have loved TVHC for 30+ years! As a child I would have requested a birthday party with all of those fab caterpillar ideas.


  37. | Posted by Danielle

    What an amazing cake!


  38. | Posted by Amy

    So cute! My daughter – age 2 and 1/2 loves this book and would love this prize pack! I would use them for a special spring party!


  39. | Posted by Lucia Theresa

    We just finished reading and sequencing TVHC!!!! My students are all ELLs, who are newly arrived to the country!!!! They LOVE the book! And so do I!!!! Thank you and I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!!

    Lucia in San Francisco


  40. | Posted by Sue King

    Thanks for the opportunity to win such an adorable party!! It's our favorite book.


  41. | Posted by libraryimmy

    Thank you for the great idea for my daughter's first birthday party!


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