Spiders may not be welcome in your home, but if you are a preschool teacher like me, they should be a welcome theme for learning. Spiders are relatable, all our students have seen spiders in their house or garden, and as teachers, we can use their real-world experience outside our classroom to engage their curiosity inside our classrooms. Spiders offer teachers a chance to dive into science, math, art, pretend play, and more. Check out this list of spider theme activities for preschool and find something that will work with your preschool or kindergarten class.
Spider Activities for Early Childhood Classrooms
Spider Web Walking – I use this every year in my classroom to promote gross motor development and balance. It’s also a great way to get kids moving during our rainy fall in Seattle. The best thing is that students absolutely adore this activity too.
Spider Web Spelling – this is a more sophisticated version of the previous activity perfect for kindergarten.
Sticker Spider – this is a fun craft that can easily be done during free choice. Peeling and placing the stickers is fantastic for fine motor development, so use those stickers! Also, there is a time and place for a mess-free craft, especially on days like picture day.
No-Bake Spider Cookies – These cookies are a fun way to create with food for a special Halloween party or even as you study bugs.
Spider Web Hurdles – I love these hurdles from LalyMom.com
Spider Theme Circle Time Lesson Plan – my students adore this lesson, and I love how engaged they are in it!
Spider Playdough Fossils – you can use more bugs like we did or just stick to spiders.
Spiders In The Mud – just trust me, your students will love this.
Painting with Plastic Spiders – yes this is a novel painting idea, but it’s so much more than that. Using plastic spiders lets children touch and feel spiders, learn what they look like and manipulate them in their hands. It’s also crazy fun!
shalini sharma says
fantastic article..
Emily Rodriguez Roman says
Great ideas for toddlers and pre-k. Thanks.