As we approach the end of October, Halloween themes are all around – including spiders! This time of year makes for a great opportunity for learning more about spiders with the little ones in your care and exploring foundational biological concepts about arachnids. In this article, we share a few fun activities and children’s books for learning about spiders with the little ones in your care.
This fun activity invites little ones to make their own spiders using play dough. All you will need is black play dough (find a few recipes for making your own playdough here), googly eyes, and pipe cleaners and straws that have been cut into small (2-4 inch) pieces. First, offer the children the play dough and show them how to shape that into the body of their spider. Next, invite them to place the googly eyes into the playdough, and then add the spider’s legs by putting the pipe cleaners and straws into the play dough. You can also swap in or add other items that you have available in your classroom to make the spider legs and eyes.
This process art activity invites children to create paintings by using pretend spiders as stamps. To set this up, you’ll need tempera paint, plastic spiders (available at Walmart, Amazon, and party/craft stores), construction paper, and resealable plastic bags. Place a small amount of each color of paint on a plate and invite the children to dip the spiders into each of the colors. Once the spiders are coated, place them in the resealable bag with a piece of construction paper, and zip the bag closed. Finally, shake the bag around, moving the spiders and paint to create a unique painted spider design!
This sensory art project lets young children use textured materials like soft cotton balls and sticky glue to make their own spider webs! To set up this activity, you’ll need cardstock or construction paper, glue (squeeze bottles of glue, rather than glue sticks will work better for this activity), and cotton balls (about 3-4 per child). Start by inviting the children to use the glue to make a spider web pattern on their piece of paper. Then, encourage them to stretch out the soft cotton balls before spreading the cotton onto the glue. Leave the paper to dry until the glue is completely hardened before hanging the spiderwebs up for display.
This book, part of the Backyard Books series, describes a day in the life of a spider, including the many things that make spiders so amazing. Children who love spiders and other insects will be fascinated by all that there is to discover about spiders.
Pick up this book at your local library or find a free read-aloud on YouTube.
This popular children’s book, by David Kirk, tells the story of a spider who wants to make friends with other insects. The story explores different insects and follows a counting pattern, introducing children to basic concepts in biology and mathematics as they follow Miss Spider’s journey to friendship.
Pick up this book at your local library or find a free read-aloud on YouTube.
This children’s book, by Iza Trapani, is perfect for young children to enjoy as they sing along with the popular nursery rhyme.
Pick up this book at your local library or find a free read-aloud on YouTube.
This book, written by popular author Eric Carle, tells the story of a little spider who spins her web on a fence post everyday. Even when the other animals on the nearby farm try to distract her, she keeps spinning her web to show everyone her beautiful and useful creation.
Pick up this book at your local library or find a free read-aloud on YouTube.
