16 Fun Spider Crafts for Preschool-Aged Kids

Some days, “Let’s make a spider!” turns into gluey chaos and tears—yours and theirs. You want crafts that look cute on the fridge, build little hand skills, and don’t take a full afternoon or a full paycheck.

These spider projects are high-impact, low-effort, and friendly for tiny hands.

Each one uses simple shapes, big movements, and forgiving materials, so kids feel proud—and you feel calm.

1. Pom-Pom Puffy Spider

Soft, squishy, and a little silly, this spider looks store-bought but is super simple. The big pom-pom body makes it adorable and easy to grab for little hands.

Materials Needed:

1. Large black pom-pom
2. Pipe cleaners
3. Googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Cut two pipe cleaners in half to make four pieces; twist pairs together to create sturdier legs (you’ll have 4 legs to bend into 8 “feet”).
2. Bend each leg into an L-shape for knees and glue them around the pom-pom.
3. Glue on googly eyes.
4. Gently bend leg tips outward so it stands.

2. Cupcake Liner Pop-Up Spider

Ruffled edges give this spider a fancy collar look with zero effort. The pop-up center makes it 3D and fun to boop.

Materials Needed:

1. Black cupcake liner
2. Paper straw
3. Googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Press the cupcake liner flat, then gently pinch the center up so it “pops.”
2. Glue a paper straw to the back as a handle.
3. Add googly eyes to the popped center.
4. Draw or glue on tiny paper legs around the ruffled edge.

3. Handprint Web Spider Plate

A keepsake craft that doubles as wall decor. The bold web lines make the friendly spider pop in the center.

Materials Needed:

1. White paper plate
2. Black washable paint
3. Black marker

How to make it:

1. Draw a big web on the plate using the black marker (start with a plus sign, then connect with curves).
2. Paint your child’s palm black and press a handprint in the middle for the spider body.
3. Use a fingertip to dab a small head.
4. Add eyes with paint or marker once dry.

4. Clothespin Clip-On Spider

This spider clips to backpacks, curtains, or plants. The clothespin body makes it easy for little hands to open and close.

Materials Needed:

1. Wooden clothespin
2. Black pipe cleaners
3. Googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the clothespin center, leaving equal lengths on both sides.
2. Repeat until you have four pipe cleaners (eight legs total).
3. Bend knees and feet so it stands or grips.
4. Glue eyes to the clothespin “head” end.

5. Bubble Wrap Print Spider Scene

Perfect for toddlers who love stamping. The bubbly background adds texture behind a bold, friendly spider.

Materials Needed:

1. Bubble wrap
2. Black and white paint
3. Construction paper

How to make it:

1. Paint bubble wrap lightly with white paint, then press a sheet of colored paper on top to print a dotted background.
2. Cut a black oval (adult) and let the child glue it on as the spider body.
3. Add eight simple leg strips.
4. Finger-dot two white eyes and a smile.

6. Wiggly Paper Ring Spider

A wearable spider ring that wiggles when kids move. It looks clever but uses only paper loops.

Materials Needed:

1. Black construction paper
2. Glue stick
3. White gel pen

How to make it:

1. Cut a thin strip and tape it into a loop to fit a child’s finger.
2. Make a second, slightly larger loop and glue it on top for the body.
3. Add eight tiny leg strips around the bottom loop.
4. Draw eyes and a smile with the gel pen.

7. Sparkle Web Sun Catcher

Catch the light with a glittery web that looks magical on a window. Sticky contact paper makes setup fast and mess low.

Materials Needed:

1. Clear contact paper
2. Black yarn
3. Glitter or sequins

How to make it:

1. Stick a square of contact paper sticky-side up to the table (tape edges).
2. Press yarn lines like a plus sign, then add curved yarn to make a web.
3. Sprinkle glitter or sequins onto the sticky spaces.
4. Seal with a second contact paper sheet and trim.

8. Fork-Print Fuzzy Spider

Use a fork to “comb” out fuzzy legs around a painted body. The texture looks fancy without any effort.

Materials Needed:

1. Black paint
2. Plastic fork
3. Cardstock

How to make it:

1. Paint a round blob for the spider body in the center of the page.
2. Dip the fork in paint and drag outward from the body to create fuzzy leg lines.
3. Repeat eight times around.
4. Add white paint dots for eyes.

9. Button-Body Itsy Bitsy Spider

A simple stack of buttons makes a chunky, charming spider body. Great for fine motor practice.

Materials Needed:

1. Large black button
2. Pipe cleaners
3. Mini googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Thread a pipe cleaner through two button holes and twist to secure.
2. Add three more pipe cleaners through or around the button to make eight legs total.
3. Bend knees and feet.
4. Glue mini eyes onto the button.

10. Paper Strip Curly-Leg Spider

Curled legs make this spider look like it’s dancing. The round paper loop body is quick and sturdy.

Materials Needed:

1. Black construction paper
2. Glue stick
3. Googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Roll a wide strip of paper into a ring and glue to form the body.
2. Cut eight thin strips and curl them by dragging along scissors (adult demo).
3. Glue curled legs under the ring.
4. Add eyes up front.

11. Sticker Web Rescue

A fine-motor play craft where kids “rescue” toys from a yarn web. Looks like a mini spider habitat.

Materials Needed:

1. Small cardboard box lid
2. White yarn
3. Spider sticker sheet

How to make it:

1. Wrap yarn crisscross across the box lid and tape ends to make a web.
2. Add spider stickers around the web.
3. Tuck in small pom-poms or tiny toys to “rescue.”
4. Let kids move pieces through the web openings.

12. No-Sew Sock Spider

A chubby, huggable spider made from a single sock. The squish factor is irresistible.

Materials Needed:

1. Black or gray sock
2. Rice or stuffing
3. Rubber bands

How to make it:

1. Fill the sock with rice or stuffing and tie off with a rubber band.
2. Wrap another rubber band to separate a small “head.”
3. Cut eight felt or paper legs and glue to the sides.
4. Add eyes and a smile with felt or stickers.

13. Nature Stick Spider

Forest finds turn into a rustic spider perfect for autumn. Twigs make sturdy, sculptural legs.

Materials Needed:

1. Small sticks
2. Air-dry clay
3. Googly eyes

How to make it:

1. Roll a clay ball for the body.
2. Press eight small stick pieces into the sides for legs.
3. Add two tiny clay dots on top for eyes and press googly eyes in.
4. Let dry overnight.

14. Paper Plate Peekaboo Spider Puppet

A sliding spider that peeks from behind a web. Kids love the surprise reveal.

Materials Needed:

1. Paper plate
2. Black marker
3. Craft stick

How to make it:

1. Draw a big web on the plate.
2. Cut a small slit at the bottom center.
3. Tape a small paper spider to a craft stick.
4. Slide the stick through the slit so the spider pops up behind the web.

15. Bead-and-Pipe Cleaner Dangly Spider

Dangling bead feet make soft clinks and cute movement. It’s colorful, friendly, and surprisingly sturdy.

Materials Needed:

1. Black pipe cleaners
2. Pony beads
3. Large bead (for body)

How to make it:

1. Thread a large bead onto the center of a pipe cleaner and twist to secure.
2. Add three more pipe cleaners around the bead to make eight legs.
3. Thread 1–2 pony beads onto each leg and bend the tips to lock them.
4. Bend knees for posing.

16. Tape-Resist Neon Web Art

Peel to reveal a crisp web under bright color swirls. This looks like gallery art but is preschool-easy.

Materials Needed:

1. Painter’s tape
2. Watercolor or tempera paint
3. Thick paper

How to make it:

1. Lay tape lines in a star shape and add short curved pieces between to form a web.
2. Paint the whole page in bright colors.
3. Let dry completely.
4. Peel the tape to reveal the white web, then add a simple painted spider in a corner.