16+ Spooky & Simple Spider Crafts Ideas For Toddlers

Spider Web Sensory Play

Honestly, one of my favorite activities with toddlers has to be spider web sensory play. I set up a large sheet on the floor and use white yarn to create a messy, twisty web. My little one just loves crawling through it, pretending to be a spider. To be fair, it can get a bit chaotic, but that’s the fun part!

I usually add some plastic spiders or even tiny bugs for them to find. I’ve found that this activity not only keeps them engaged but also helps with fine motor skills as they reach and grab the spiders. Watching their eyes light up when they “capture” a spider is priceless. In my opinion, it’s perfect for rainy days or when you just need a fun indoor adventure.

Paper Plate Spider

Paper plate spiders are a classic, and I honestly can’t get enough of them. I usually grab some black paint and let my toddler go wild painting the paper plate. It’s messy, sure, but seeing them proudly show off their spider face makes it worth every splash.

Then we add googly eyes and pipe cleaner legs. I’ve noticed toddlers especially love twisting the pipe cleaners into legs—it’s like magic to them. To be fair, they sometimes want to bend them in all directions, but I let them experiment. It’s honestly amazing how a simple paper plate can turn into a creepy-crawly friend that sparks so much creativity.

Spider Handprint Craft

I’ve found that using handprints for crafts is always a hit with toddlers, and spider handprints are no exception. I paint their little hands black and press them onto white paper to create the spider legs. Their giggles when they see their handprints turn into a spider are priceless.

Adding eyes and a little smile (or scary face, depending on their mood) makes it extra fun. Honestly, in my opinion, this craft is perfect because it’s personal and unique every time. Even when it gets a little messy, it’s all part of the memory. I still have some of my kid’s early handprint spiders pinned up at home—they’re adorable.

Spooky Spider Pom-Poms

I love making these little pom-pom spiders because they’re so soft and fun to touch. I usually wrap yarn around my fingers or a fork, tie it, and trim it into a fuzzy ball. Adding pipe cleaner legs and tiny eyes gives it instant spider vibes.

Toddlers are fascinated by how soft the pom-poms are. Honestly, they can spend ages just squishing and poking them. I’ve found it’s a great quiet activity when you need a little downtime. To be fair, some yarn ends do come loose, but my toddler doesn’t mind—they just keep playing. It’s such a satisfying craft in my opinion.

Spider Rock Painting

Spider rock painting is one of those crafts that’s fun and surprisingly calming. I collect smooth rocks and paint them black or dark brown. Then we add tiny legs and googly eyes. Watching my toddler carefully paint the details is honestly adorable.

I’ve noticed this craft is also a sneaky lesson in patience—they really concentrate, which is rare sometimes! To be fair, the paint can get everywhere, but hey, that’s art. In my opinion, these spiders make great decorations too, and sometimes we leave them in the garden to “scare” little bugs—my toddler thinks that’s hilarious.

Spider Silhouette Art

Creating spider silhouettes has been a bit of a revelation for me. I usually cut out black spider shapes and let my toddler glue them onto colorful backgrounds. There’s something so striking about the contrast, and honestly, toddlers love pretending they’re making “spooky night” scenes.

I’ve found that layering different shapes or sizes of spiders makes it even more fun. To be fair, it can get messy with glue, but I let them explore. In my opinion, this craft feels a bit more “grown-up,” but it’s still very accessible for little hands. Seeing them beam at their finished art is priceless.

Spider Toilet Paper Roll Craft

To be fair, I never thought a toilet paper roll could be this fun, but it totally is. I paint the roll black, add pipe cleaner legs, and draw on some eyes. My toddler loves pretending the spider is crawling all over the table—it’s basically a mini spider army!

Honestly, it’s simple but super satisfying. I’ve found that toddlers enjoy the tactile nature of rolling the legs and sticking them in. Sometimes they make them dance around like little puppets, and it cracks me up. In my opinion, this is one of the easiest crafts that still feels really special.

Spider Web Sticker Art

Sticker art is always a win with toddlers, and spider web sticker art is no exception. I usually draw a simple web on paper and give my toddler black spider stickers or let them color in spiders themselves. They love placing each sticker in just the right spot—it’s oddly satisfying to watch.

I’ve noticed that this craft encourages fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, honestly. To be fair, toddlers sometimes want to stick the spiders wherever, and that’s okay—it turns into its own little game. In my opinion, it’s a low-mess activity that still sparks creativity.

Spider Stamping Craft

Spider stamping is honestly so fun because toddlers love using paint stamps to create repeated spider shapes. I usually make stamps from cut potatoes or sponges—it’s messy but totally worth it. My toddler gets excited each time a new spider appears on the paper.

I’ve found that varying colors or stamping different sizes of spiders keeps their interest longer. To be fair, the stamps can get a little soggy with paint, but it’s all part of the fun. In my opinion, seeing a whole page covered in spiders is hilarious and very satisfying.

Spinning Spider Craft

Spinning spider crafts are a bit of a challenge, but honestly, toddlers think it’s magical. I attach string to a paper spider and hang it so it can spin. My little one loves making it twirl and watching the legs go round and round.

I’ve noticed that they also enjoy creating obstacles for the spider to spin around—it turns into a mini game. To be fair, it can get a little tangled, but that’s part of the giggles. In my opinion, this craft combines fun, imagination, and a little science lesson on motion, all in one simple activity.

Spider Counting Activity

This craft combines fun with learning as toddlers count and arrange spiders and webs.

Materials Used:

• Paper plate
• Spider stickers or cutouts
• Markers
• Glue

Steps:

1. Draw a spider web on the paper plate using markers.
2. Stick the spider stickers or cutouts around the web.
3. Help the toddler count the spiders as they place them around the web.

Spider Playdough Activity

A hands-on, tactile activity using playdough to form spiders and webs.

Materials Used:

• Black playdough
• Plastic spiders (optional)
• White yarn or string for the web

Steps:

1. Roll the black playdough into a ball to form the spider body.
2. Roll small pieces for the legs and attach them to the body.
3. Optionally, use plastic spiders for added effect.
4. Lay out the yarn or string to create a web and place the spider in the center.

Paper Bag Spider Puppet

A simple and fun craft that creates a puppet, encouraging toddlers to engage in pretend play.

Materials Used:

• Brown paper bag
• Black paint or markers
• Googly eyes
• Pipe cleaners

Steps:

1. Color the paper bag black with paint or markers.
2. Attach googly eyes to the top flap of the bag.
3. Cut the pipe cleaners into pieces and glue them to the sides of the bag for legs.
4. Once everything is dry, encourage the toddler to use the bag as a spider puppet.

Spider Tissue Paper Craft

This craft involves tearing tissue paper and gluing it to a spider template, making it an excellent activity for toddlers to practice their fine motor skills.

Materials Used:

• Spider template (printed or drawn)
• Black tissue paper
• Scissors
• Glue

Steps:

1. Cut or tear the black tissue paper into small pieces.
2. Glue the tissue paper onto the spider template.
3. Let the craft dry, and your spider is ready.

Straw Spider Craft

A simple craft where toddlers use straws to form a spider’s legs and body.

Materials Used:

• Black straws
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Black construction paper

Steps:

1. Cut the straws into different lengths to create the spider’s legs.
2. Glue the straws to the construction paper in the shape of a spider.
3. Attach googly eyes to the head area.
4. Let it dry and enjoy.

Spider Sensory Bottle

A calming, fun activity that combines a sensory bottle with a spider theme for toddlers.

Materials Used:

• Empty plastic bottle
• Fake spiders or plastic spiders
• Glitter
• Water
• Clear glue or glycerin

Steps:

1. Fill the plastic bottle halfway with water.
2. Add glitter, fake spiders, and some clear glue or glycerin.
3. Seal the bottle tightly.
4. Shake and watch the spiders float and move in the glitter.

Spider Number Matching

A learning activity for toddlers to match numbers with spiders on a web.

Materials Used:

• Construction paper
• Spider cutouts
• Marker or stickers

Steps:

1. Draw a simple spider web on construction paper.
2. Write numbers on the spider cutouts.
3. Ask the toddlers to match the spiders to the appropriate number on the web.

Spider-Print Art

A unique printmaking project where toddlers press their hands into paint to create spider shapes.

Materials Used:

• Black paint
• White or colored paper
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Dip the toddler’s hands into black paint.
2. Help them press their hands onto the paper to form the spider body.
3. Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner legs for extra detail.
4. Let the print dry and display it.

Spider Paper Chain

A colorful and fun way to make a long spider-themed chain to decorate.

Materials Used:

• Black construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Steps:

1. Cut the black construction paper into strips.
2. Help the toddler form the paper strips into loops to create the chain.
3. Attach the loops together to form a long paper chain.
4. Add spider cutouts along the chain for extra decoration.

Spider Shadow Art

A creative activity where toddlers use their spider toys to cast shadows on paper.

Materials Used:

• Spider toys
• Flashlight
• White paper

Steps:

1. Place a spider toy on a piece of white paper.
2. Shine a flashlight onto the toy to create a shadow.
3. Help the toddler trace the shadow on the paper.
4. Let them color or decorate the spider shadow to finish the craft.

Spider Sandwiches

A fun, edible craft where toddlers can assemble their own spider-themed sandwiches.

Materials Used:

• Bread (whole grain or white)
• Peanut butter or Nutella
• Pretzel sticks (for legs)
• Raisins (for eyes)
• Bananas or apple slices

Steps:

1. Spread peanut butter or Nutella on a slice of bread.
2. Place another slice of bread on top to form the sandwich.
3. Use pretzel sticks to create the legs by sticking them into the sides of the sandwich.
4. Add raisins for eyes, and slice bananas or apples to create the spider’s fangs.
5. Cut the sandwich into a fun shape or leave it whole for the toddler to enjoy.

Spider Footprint Art

A creative way to turn a toddler’s footprint into a spooky spider that they can personalize and decorate.

Materials Used:

• Black paint
• White or colored paper
• Googly eyes
• Pipe cleaners
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Help the toddler dip their feet in black paint and press them onto a sheet of paper.
2. Once the prints are dry, glue googly eyes at the top of each footprint to create the spider’s face.
3. Cut pipe cleaners into 8 equal pieces to form the spider’s legs and glue them around the footprint.
4. Allow the artwork to dry before displaying.

Spider Web Paper Plate

A fun and easy craft that allows toddlers to create a spider web using a paper plate.

Materials Used:

• Paper plate
• Black markers or paint
• White yarn
• Scissors
• Glue

Steps:

1. Cut the center out of the paper plate to create a ring.
2. Draw lines across the ring with markers to make a spider web pattern.
3. Cut the yarn into small pieces and glue them onto the web.
4. For added fun, glue a toy spider onto the web at the center.
5. Allow to dry before displaying.

Spider Crayon Rubbing

A fun craft where toddlers use crayons to make rubbings of spider shapes, helping them understand textures.

Materials Used:

• Spider-shaped stencil or cutouts
• Crayons
• White paper

Steps:

1. Place the spider stencil or cutout under a piece of white paper.
2. Have the toddler rub crayons over the paper to reveal the spider shape.
3. Once the rubbing is complete, let the toddler decorate the spider with markers or stickers.

Spider Popcorn Art

A delicious craft where toddlers use popcorn to create the body of a spider, combining sensory and craft skills.

Materials Used:

• Popcorn (popped and cooled)
• Black construction paper
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Pop the popcorn and let it cool.
2. Glue a few pieces of popcorn together to form the spider’s body.
3. Attach googly eyes to the popcorn.
4. Cut pipe cleaners into 8 small pieces and glue them to the sides of the spider for legs.
5. Allow the spider to dry before playing.

Spider Finger Puppets

An easy and creative craft that lets toddlers make their own spider finger puppets to play with.

Materials Used:

• Black felt or construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Googly eyes

Steps:

1. Cut the felt or paper into a circle for the spider’s body.
2. Create a small slit in the middle of the circle to slide the finger through.
3. Cut 8 small strips of paper or pipe cleaners for the legs and glue them to the sides of the body.
4. Glue googly eyes on top of the spider’s body.
5. Let the toddler slip their finger through the slit and play with their spider puppet.

Spider Squishy Bag

A sensory-friendly activity where toddlers squish a bag filled with spiders and goo, helping them improve hand-eye coordination.

Materials Used:

• Clear plastic ziplock bag
• Small plastic spiders
• Hair gel or clear glue
• Tape

Steps:

1. Fill the ziplock bag with hair gel or clear glue.
2. Add the plastic spiders into the bag.
3. Seal the bag tightly and tape the edges to ensure it doesn’t open.
4. Let the toddler squish the bag to move the spiders around inside.

Spider Foil Art

A craft using foil to create shiny, textured spider art that is visually stimulating for toddlers.

Materials Used:

• Aluminum foil
• Spider template
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or crayons

Steps:

1. Cut a spider shape out of aluminum foil.
2. Have the toddler color the foil with markers or crayons to add details to the spider.
3. Glue the foil spider onto a piece of construction paper.
4. Decorate with additional details like spider webs or other creatures.

Spider Leaf Prints

A nature-inspired craft that involves making prints with leaves to create spider webs or shapes.

Materials Used:

• Fresh leaves
• Black paint
• White or colored paper
• Spider stickers or cutouts

Steps:

1. Have the toddler press leaves into black paint and then stamp them onto the paper to create textures and shapes that resemble spider webs.
2. Add spider stickers or cutouts to complete the design.
3. Let it dry before displaying.

Spider Finger Painting

A finger painting activity that lets toddlers create spider art using their hands to make prints.

Materials Used:

• Black finger paint
• White or colored paper
• Googly eyes
• Pipe cleaners

Steps:

1. Dip the toddler’s fingers into black paint and press them onto the paper to form a spider body.
2. Use the toddler’s handprints to make the spider’s legs.
3. Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner legs to finish the craft.
4. Let the paint dry before playing.

Spider Sorting Activity

This educational activity helps toddlers develop their sorting skills using spider-themed objects.

Materials Used:

• Small spider toys (plastic or foam)
• Containers or bowls
• Colorful paper or stickers

Steps:

1. Gather a set of small spider toys.
2. Place several containers or bowls in front of the toddler.
3. Help the toddler sort the spiders by color or size into the corresponding containers.
4. Celebrate the completion once all the spiders are sorted.