Promoting learning through play at Nundah State School
The caterpillar play sculptures and fruit seats Natureworks created for Nundah State School in Brisbane form part of the school’s amazing outside learning and community space called The Village Green. Launched in March 2021, this area of the school grounds now has a community garden, sensory garden, butterfly garden and outside play and learning spaces.
In one part of the Village Green, under the shade of the leafy ‘Hungry Caterpillar Corner Tree’, you’ll find a colourful giant caterpillar sculpture. Alongside the caterpillar lie some equally oversize pieces of fruit that appear to have been nibbled by the caterpillar.
Should you happen to be a primary school student, you’ll find that the fruit sculptures and the caterpillar are just the right size to sit on! In fact, the caterpillar can seat a number of children, and even a teacher or two. Luckily the caterpillar is friendly, and doesn’t bite (unless you’re a piece of fruit).
(Images copyright Nundah State School)
Bringing stories to life
The much-loved children’s picture book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle was the inspiration for the fruit and caterpillar play sculptures.
The book tells the story of a hungry caterpillar who eats its way through an increasing variety of foods before building a cocoon and emerging as a butterfly. Having sold over 50 million copies worldwide, the book is often used for classroom activities – as a way to help children learn about food and natural cycles.
The caterpillar play sculpture and fruit seats provide a lovely outside space for children to read the book, learn about nature or just have fun!
Photo gallery – building the caterpillar play sculpture
The photographs show the caterpillar play sculpture at various stages of production, from clay sculpture, fibreglass mould and casting through to painting and finishing.
Giant fruit for the caterpillar to eat!
To accompany the caterpillar (and give it something to eat), Natureworks created giant sculptures of an apple, pear and strawberry. These are all fruit that the caterpillar in Eric Carle’s book munched through.
Photo gallery – constructing the giant fruit sculptures
See the fruit sculptures take shape – sculpting, moulding, casting, painting and finishing. The final fruit pieces looked good enough to eat!
Project details
| Client | Nundah State School |
| Project | Caterpillar play sculpture and fruit seats for the Village Green |
| Audience | School students, teachers, families |
| Location | 41 Bage Street, Nundah Qld 4012 (see map) |
| Date | 2021 |
| Related products | Giant apples & pears, Strawberry, Playground theming |
| Related catalogues | Big Things, Child’s Play, Food props, Alice in Wonderland |
| Similar projects | Weir School Serpent, School library reading tree, Storybook library, Hunter Valley Gardens Storybook Characters |
Creating unique play and learning spaces
The Natureworks team loves firing children’s imaginations through creative, nature-based play. Our caterpillar play sculptures and other storybook characters and animal sculptures help to turn kids onto the wonders of the natural world.
Contact Natureworks to discuss your vision for a play space, educational display, childcare centre, park playground, leisure facility or visitor attraction.
