The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Printable Escape Room for ESL Learners (Ages 3–6)

A story-themed adventure to support early English learners through puzzles and play

Product Summary

Step into a story-based adventure with this printable escape room, perfect for children aged 3–6 learning English at Pre A1–A1 level. Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (book not included), this hands-on experience includes 10 educational puzzles and 3 bonus activities, all designed to support early language and thinking skills through imaginative play.

Created by a qualified ESL teacher, this escape room encourages young learners to solve problems, follow instructions, and develop their English in a playful and purposeful way.

What's Included

• Clear how-to-use guide for families

• Mission letter from a butterfly to the child

• 10 themed puzzles, building one story-based challenge at a time:

  1. Match the Egg and Leaf

  2. Build a Caterpillar

  3. Count the Fruit

  4. Colour the Fruit

  5. Find the Food

  6. Crack the Code

  7. Days of the Week

  8. Build a Cocoon

  9. Stop the Predators

  10. Complete the Missing Word (use all puzzle answers to unlock the final code word)

• 3 Bonus Activities:

  • Lifecycle Mini Book

  • Butterfly Suncatcher Craft

  • Butterfly Symmetry Drawing

• Thank You Letter from the butterfly (after completing the mission)

• Certificate of Completion

• Answer Key for all puzzles

How It Works

Children are invited to protect and care for a butterfly egg. As they progress through each puzzle, they collect a code number. At the end, they’ll use all 9 digits to complete the final challenge and unlock the secret code word.

Each activity is tied to a part of the butterfly’s life:

• Protecting the egg

• Helping the caterpillar find food

• Building a cocoon

• Preventing predators

• Supporting the transformation into a butterfly

All puzzles are age-appropriate, colourful, and themed to build vocabulary, sequencing, counting, categorising, and early reading skills.

Why It’s Perfect for ESL Families

• Designed specifically for Pre A1–A1 English learners

• Ideal for ages 3–6, including home learners, siblings, and mixed-ability groups

• Encourages communication, storytelling, and critical thinking

• Easy to follow, even for parents with no teaching experience

• Created by a qualified ESL teacher using British English

What You'll Receive

• A digital file with your full printable escape room.

What To Do Next

1. Download your product

2. Print the pages you want to use

3. Read the mission, complete each puzzle, and help the egg become a butterfly

Looking for More?

For weekly mini story packs with 7-day activity plans based on beautiful children’s books, join the Print and Play Club.
– Designed for ESL families
– All new and past mini story packs included
– Only £4 per month

Please note: This escape room is a separate, standalone product and not included in the Print and Play Club.

Join the Print and Play Club here

Terms and Conditions

• This is a digital download only. No physical products will be shipped.

• No refunds due to the nature of instant access digital products.

• If you have any problems accessing or downloading your files:
  email [email protected]

• For personal use only. If you wish to use this resource commercially, please purchase a commercial use licence from my Ezycourse shop.