There is a little spider web that shows up on our front porch every fall, right in the corner by the door. My little ones spotted it again the other morning, and instead of brushing it away, we stood there a while and watched the light catch on it. That small moment is what sent me to the craft basket, and it is why I pulled together this list for you today.
Spider crafts are one of the easiest ways to welcome the season with your children. Most of them use things you already have at home, and they come together quickly enough to fit into a slow morning or the stretch of time before nap. If you are looking to fill a whole cozy afternoon, these pair nicely with a few other spooky-cute Halloween crafts for kids.
Here are seventeen simple spider crafts to make together this year, along with a few gentle tips and answers to questions I hear often. Nothing fancy, sweet friend, just good, everyday fun.
17 cutest spider crafts kids can make this year
Each of these is simple enough for little hands, and most can be adjusted to fit the age of your child. Pick one to start, or work your way down the list all season long.
1. paper plate spider web craft
Punch holes around the edge of a paper plate and let little ones weave yarn back and forth to make a web. Add a small pom-pom or paper spider in the middle to finish it off. If your children enjoy this one, they will like these other easy Halloween paper crafts too.
2. halloween spider handprint
Two overlapping handprints make the eight legs, and a round body in the middle turns it into a spider. It is a keepsake you will want to tuck away, especially with how fast those little hands grow.
3. pipe cleaner spider
Twist a few pipe cleaners together for the legs and add a pom-pom or bead for the body. This one is quick, mess-free, and easy for small hands to bend and shape.
4. spider puppet craft
Turn a paper bag or an old sock into a friendly spider puppet with googly eyes and yarn legs. Once it is done, it usually leads to a whole afternoon of little puppet shows.
5. spider web popsicle stick craft
Glue popsicle sticks into a star shape, then wrap white yarn around and around to form the web. It is a good one for practicing patience and simple over-under motions.
6. beaded spider craft
String black beads onto pipe cleaners or elastic to make the legs and body. This is lovely fine-motor practice, and the finished spider can hang from a string or become a little charm.
7. spider construction paper craft
Cut a round body and thin paper legs, then let the little ones fold the legs so they bounce. Simple shapes and safety scissors make this a nice one for preschoolers.
8. spider corner bookmark
Fold a paper square into a corner pocket and add a spider face and legs. It slips right onto a page and makes reading time feel a little more festive.
9. spider headband craft
Attach a paper or pom-pom spider to a simple headband so your little one can wear their craft. It is a favorite for dress-up and Halloween parties.
10. felt spider
Cut felt shapes for the body and legs and glue or stitch them together. If your children are old enough to try a few simple stitches, this makes a gentle first sewing project, much like these cozy Halloween sewing crafts.
11. toilet paper roll spider
Paint an empty roll black, then add folded paper legs and googly eyes. It is a good use for the tubes that always seem to pile up, and there are plenty more toilet paper roll crafts where this came from.
12. egg carton spider
Cut a single cup from an egg carton for the round body and poke pipe cleaner legs through the sides. Add eyes and you have a little spider that stands up on its own.
13. bottle cap spider
Glue legs and eyes onto a saved bottle cap for a tiny, sturdy spider. It is a sweet way to use up odds and ends you were about to toss.
14. yarn spider web
Wrap yarn around a paper plate frame, a piece of cardboard, or a few sticks to make a stretchy web. Little ones love pressing a paper spider into the middle when they are done, and it is a nice use for leftover yarn craft ideas.
15. accordion-leg spiders
Fold strips of paper into accordion legs so they spring and wiggle. The folding takes a little focus, which makes it a nice quiet-time project.
16. pinecone spiders
Add pipe cleaner legs to a pinecone gathered on a nature walk for a woodland-style spider. It is a lovely way to bring a bit of outside in, right alongside these simple nature leaf crafts.
17. lollipop spiders
Wrap a lollipop with pipe cleaner legs and add tiny eyes for a spider you can hand out as a treat. These are a hit for classroom parties and little goodie bags.
why little ones love spider crafts
There is something about eight wiggly legs and a couple of googly eyes that makes children light up. Spiders feel just a little bit silly and a little bit spooky, which is the sweet spot for this time of year.
These crafts also give small hands plenty to do. Wrapping yarn, twisting pipe cleaners, and folding paper all build coordination while your child is simply having fun.
simple supplies to keep on hand
Most of these crafts pull from the same short list of basics, so it helps to keep a little stash tucked in a drawer or basket. Once you have these, you can make nearly any spider on this list without a trip to the store.
- Black and white yarn
- Pipe cleaners
- Pom-poms in a few sizes
- Googly eyes
- Construction paper and paper plates
- Child-safe scissors and glue
- Saved odds and ends like toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, and bottle caps
Those saved bits and pieces stretch a long way. If you enjoy making something from next to nothing, you might also like these button crafts that use up the odds and ends in your sewing tin.
gentle tips for crafting with little ones
Crafting with young children goes best when you keep your expectations soft. Here are a few small things that help our craft time stay calm.
- Cover the table with an old sheet or towel for easy cleanup.
- Pre-cut the trickier pieces ahead of time for toddlers.
- Let the spiders turn out however they turn out. Wonky legs are part of the charm.
- Keep it short. Ten or fifteen minutes is plenty for little ones.
a little wonder in the small things
Watching my children study a spider on its web reminds me that even the smallest creatures are made with such care. There is an old proverb I think of when we slow down long enough to notice these things.
“The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.” – Proverbs 30:28
It is a small verse, but it is a gentle reminder that there is wonder tucked into the ordinary corners of our days, if we take a moment to look.
pick one spider craft and make it this week
You do not need to make all seventeen. Choose the one that fits what you have on hand, clear a little space at the kitchen table, and let your children lead the way. The simplest crafts are usually the ones they remember.
When you are ready for more seasonal fun, these pumpkin crafts are a natural next step for the weeks ahead.
I would love to know which spider craft you are planning to try first. Leave a comment down below and tell me which one caught your eye.
sew and tell
If you make one of these spider crafts with your little ones, I would love to see it. You can send in your pictures or share them in the comments below.
Some of the crafts you share may be featured here on the website, to encourage and inspire other families who are making memories at their own kitchen tables. There is something so sweet about seeing what other little hands have created.
So glad you are here,
Betty
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frequently asked questions
what age can kids start making spider crafts?
Even toddlers can join in with a little help, usually around two or three, as long as you pre-cut the pieces and keep an eye on small parts. Older children can handle the cutting, wrapping, and gluing on their own, so these crafts work across a wide range of ages.
what supplies do i need for most of these spider crafts?
Most of them use black yarn, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, googly eyes, construction paper, and simple glue and scissors. A few use saved household items like toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, and bottle caps, so you likely have most of what you need already.
are these spider crafts good for classroom parties or sunday school?
Yes, many of them are quick, low-mess, and inexpensive, which makes them a good fit for a group of children. The lollipop spiders and pipe cleaner spiders in particular are easy to prep ahead of time in bigger batches.
how do i keep spider crafts from getting too messy?
Cover your table with an old sheet, use glue sticks or dot glue instead of runny glue, and pre-cut the pieces for younger children. Keeping the craft short also helps everyone stay happy and keeps the mess to a minimum.
can toddlers make these without small parts or glue?
Yes, for very young children you can skip the googly eyes and beads and draw the features on instead. Handprint spiders, yarn webs, and painted crafts are all good choices that do not rely on tiny pieces.
