Dangling Spider

crayola supplies

Paint Brushes
Washable Kid's Paint
No-Run School Glue
Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

recycled newspaper
Party Express paper plates
string
paper towels
container(s) of water
twist ties

Why

Make your own cobwebs to hang in the corners! This cute critter is a Halloween decoration that could dangle in any room all year long.

Steps

1. Choose a sturdy paper plate or, using Crayola® School Glue, attach two plates together and dry. Using Crayola Scissors, cut notches around the outside of the plate to hold your web. Cut two smaller circles out of another paper plate to use for your spider.
2. Cover your work area with newspaper. Paint the web plate and the two spider circles using Crayola Paint Brushes and black Crayola Washable Kid's Paint. Dry. Paint yellow eyes on one of the spider circles. Dry.
3. To create the web, cut a long piece of string or yarn. Glue the ends on one side of the notched plate. Dry. Drape string from notch to notch and around and around the plate.
4. Glue twist ties on the bottom of the spider body with eyes to form eight spider legs. Glue one end of a long piece of string to the spider's edge. Glue on the second circle so the legs are sandwiched between circles. Dry. Bend the twist ties to form the spider's legs.
5. Glue the other end of the spider's dangling string to the front of the paper plate web. Glue more string to the top of the web to hang. Dry.

When & Where

"What a great activity after we discussed how wonderful spiders are. We painted spiders with their true colors."
- Rosa M., Brownie troop leader.

"The kids created a House of Spiders. With a little light and creepy music, these creatures seemed pretty real."
- Brett D., school-age child care assistant.

Interesting Info

There are more than 30,000 kinds of spiders. All spiders have eight legs. Their bodies have two divisions: a cephalothorax with the legs and an abdomen with pairs of spinnerets to spin webs or cocoons. Spiders are arachnids, not insects. Baby spiders are called spiderlings.

Safety Guidelines

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.