Materials
Large and small Styrofoam balls, one each per child
Black spray paint
Black paper plates
Scissors
White yarn
Toothpicks
Black pipe cleaners, cut in half
Googly eyes
Craft glue
Instructions
What to do
1. Ahead of time, spray the
Styrofoam balls with black paint
and let them dry. Cut small slits
around the edge of each plate.
2. Help the children weave the yarn
across their plate and through the
slits, forming a web.
3. Have the children attach a large
Styrofoam ball to a small ball with
toothpicks or glue.
4. When the spider's body is assembled,
ask the children to attach
four pipe cleaner legs on each
side and four eyes on top.
5. Help the children attach the spider
to its web with craft glue.
More to do
Circle time: Gather the children in a
circle on the floor, then roll a ball of
yarn to the child across from you,
holding onto the end of the yarn;
have the children continue to roll the yarn across the circle, creating an intricate web pattern.
Language: After observing spiders in the classroom and outdoors, record your observations in
handmade journals or on a colorful chart.
Math: Use a model of a spider to practice counting its legs.
More art: Cut out pictures of spiders and paste them on shoeboxes; apply a protective coating or
sealant.
Science: Observe a spider in its habitat and another in a jar or terrarium in the classroom.
