Materials
Poster board
Scissors
Hole punch
Paint and paintbrushes
Bits of dark-colored felt or other fabric
Black or brown pom-poms
Glue
Pipe cleaners, 5 per child, cut in half
Instructions
What to do
1. Draw a figure-eight
shape 8" to 12" (20 cm
to 30 cm) in length for
the spider's body and
cut one out of poster
board for each child.
Punch five holes on
each side of the body.
2. Have the children
paint their spider, then
set it aside to dry.
3. When the spiders are
dry, invite the children
to paste bits of fabric
on their spider's body.
Have them glue four
pom-poms to the top
of the spider, representing
its four eyes.
4. Show the children how to create a loop with a pipe cleaner on the underside of the body by
inserting the ends of the pipe cleaner through the third hole on either side. Twist the pipe
cleaner to secure it to the body, leaving a loop large enough to accommodate a child's hand.
5. Have the children attach the remaining eight pipe cleaner segments through the other holes.
6. Invite the children to put their hands through the loop and make their spiders dance.
More to do
Dramatic play: Invite the children to put on a puppet show using their spiders.
Science: Have the children bring in pictures of spiders and add them to your collection in a spider
scrapbook; add photos from nature walks and an insect hunt.
Snack: Spread a round cracker with peanut butter and add pretzels for legs.
