Boy Mama: A “Real” Spider Web with Friendly Spiders

This spider post began two ways really. First with a book and second with a video. And well, if you throw in Halloween, I guess that makes a third way….

 

The Book:  My youngest loves the (song and) book The Itsy Bitsy Spider. We have a few different versions of it, but our favorite is Iza Trapani’s version.

The Video:  We found this fantastic video on youtube of a spider building its web.  To see the video, click here.

Halloween: No explanation needed.

So, we set about on two different projects. One, to create a “like a real one” spider ‘s web (requested my eldest). And the second, to make some not-too-creepy spiders for my youngest.

Creating a “Real”  Spider Web

Materials:

  • a wire coat hanger
  • yarn (or thread)
  • tape
  • Elmers glue

Mama’s Directions:

While this is not technically the way a spider’s web is formed by a spider, it worked best for us. If you would like to see how to make a “real” web or make a giant web, visit How to Make a Spider Web Obstacle Course from Wildlife Fun 4 Kids

Stretch a wire hanger so that the main part is the shape of a spider web (as best you can).

Cut a length of yarn for the frame of the web.  Tie the end of the yarn at 12 o’clock and secure it with some Scotch tape (cellotape).  Stretch it to 6 o’clock, tie a knot and secure with tape (this keeps it from slipping). Cut the yarn end. Cut a new piece and do the same from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock. Finally repeat two more times–between 1 and 2 o’clock and 7 and 8 o’clock and between 4 and 5 o’clock and 10 and 11 o’clock.

 

Cut a new piece of yarn and start going around the spider web as shown below. We only went around 3 times due to an antsy 5 year old…

Once this was done, we laid our web flat on some wax paper and put a dot of glue where each piece of string met to keep them from slipping.

 

 

While our web was drying, we moved onto the spiders.

Friendly Spiders

Materials:

  • black paint and paintbrush
  • toilet paper tubes (one tube makes 3 spiders)
  • googly eyes (two per spider)
  • black pipe cleaners (2 per spider0
  • hot glue gun (optional)
  • scissors
  • hole puncher
Mama’s Directions:
  • Cut the toilet paper rolls into thirds
  • Cut each pipe cleaner in half
Have your child paint each piece of toilet paper tube. This will be the body of the spider.
Allow to dry.
   
Glue 2 googly eyes onto each spider.
Allow to dry.
Punch two holes with a hole puncher on each side of the tube for the spider’s legs.
To make the spider’s legs, take 2 halves of a pipe cleaner and twist them together in the middle.  Then bend them in half. (see photo below) You will need to do this twice for each spider.
Insert the legs in one of the holes on the side of the spider’s body and repeat on the other side. I put a dab of hot glue on the inside of the spider to keep the legs in place.
Arrange the spider’s legs to your liking.
Put the spider on the web and you are done!
More Fun with Spiders and Webs:
Check out another spider post from BMTM:
© Boy Mama Teacher Mama 2012
All Rights Reserved

 

 

 

 

 

13 thoughts on “Boy Mama: A “Real” Spider Web with Friendly Spiders

  1. Pingback: The Competition is on! Bobbing for Apples » JenKehl

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  3. Thank you so much for featuring the spider obstacle course Steph. I adore your little craft, it’s brilliant! I had to share it on FB, I know my readers will love it. I’ll also pop over and tweet it too!

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