babble » food » Family Kitchen
Family Kitchen
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad Activity and More Party Ideas

I’ve long been a fan of Eric Carle and the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar for as long as I can remember. Naturally, it became one of my kids’ favorites as well, probably since I read it so enthusiastically. I love the different skills it teaches, from counting to making healthy eating choices. It doesn’t hurt that the illustrations are cute and colorful, and kids love talking about that line up of food that gives the poor caterpillar a stomachache.
This week for dinner, we turned bedtime stories into dinner stories and made a fruit salad based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s first five days after popping out of his egg.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1 apple
2 pears
3 plums
4 strawberries (and 4 more for good measure)
5 oranges
1-2 teaspoons raw honey (optional)
Mix together quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stir and then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is cooked. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Slice and chop apple, pears, plums and strawberries and add to cooled quinoa. Supreme 4 oranges. With the fifth orange, zest the rind into the salad. Juice the orange and add the juice to the salad as well. Stir to combine, mixing in honey, if desired. Chill and serve cold.
Go Back To Family Kitchen
6 Comments
[...] The Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad. This is definitely on the “things to do with the kids this summer” list! [...]
Weekend Wanderings commented on May 20 11 at 9:44 pmmarycurry198 commented on May 19 11 at 5:04 amVery true that major brands do give out samples on their products, search online for “123 Get Samples” we just got ours today. You wont need CC.
Amy @ Finer Things commented on May 19 11 at 3:32 pmSUCH a great idea, Shaina. Turning a meal into an EVENT is a valuable way to spend time with the family.
Erika commented on May 21 11 at 11:05 amI recently bought my first bag of quinoa and I’ve been unsure how to start using it. Sounds like a great recipe my kids will enjoy!
Amy @ MomsToolbox commented on May 22 11 at 3:48 pmComing your way via AmysFinerThings.com.
I LOVE your adorable fruit salad.. and what a great way to make reading time and snack time even better.. and sneak in some quinoa, too!Thanks!
Cheryl Freestone commented on Jun 20 11 at 10:09 pmAt my house we love, love, love The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Thanks for this salad idea!
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes







Shaina Olmanson
Kelsey Banfield
Brooke McLay
Angie McGowan
Paula Jones
Kathy Patalsky
Elizabeth Stark & Brian Campbell
Julie Van Rosendaal
Macki West
Sara O'Donnell
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.

6