From tummy time to snack time: when big siblings feed the caterpillar

Here’s something we didn’t plan for: the caterpillar that keeps a baby company during tummy time turned out to be a big hit with older kids, too.

The caterpillar is hungry

In Tummy Time, little fingers can place leaves on the screen with a pinch. The caterpillar turns, crawls over and eats them — and little hearts pop up every time it finishes a leaf. Kids can also pull the caterpillar around the screen and steer it towards the next snack.

A job for the big sibling

If you have a baby and a toddler, you’ll know the toddler rarely wants to watch quietly. Feeding the caterpillar gives them a job: the baby follows the caterpillar during tummy time, the big sibling places the leaves, and you supervise the whole operation from the floor.

Kids up to about five tend to enjoy it for its own sake, too.

Little hands, little skills

Pinching leaves into place and pulling the caterpillar towards them is a playful way to practise pinching and hand-eye coordination. They just think it’s snack duty.

Keep it calm

The same rules apply as for tummy time: short sessions, you nearby, and a happy ending before anyone gets overtired. The caterpillar will still be hungry tomorrow.

Tummy Time is free to download on iPhone and Android, with no ads.