Spiders often get a bad reputation, but they are incredibly important for our environment. Save a Spider Day on March 14th is all about helping kids understand why we should protect them rather than fear them.
These “quickie” crafts are massive, impressive, and perfect for decorating a corridor or a party space. Plus, they use upcycled materials you likely already have at home!
Supplies Required
- Styrofoam or Paper Plates: We used one 18″ diameter plate and one 6″ plate (per spider).
- Black Acrylic Paint (and a sponge for easy application)
- Black Pipe Cleaners (Chenille sticks)
- White Paper Circles (for eyes)
- Black Marker
- Stapler & Double-Sided Foam Tape
- Newspapers (to keep your workspace clean!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace: Lay all your plates on top of old newspapers.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have plates, you can trace large circles onto black construction paper or cardboard instead! - Paint the Body: Using a sponge and black acrylic paint, cover the backside of the plates completely. Let them dry overnight to ensure the color is deep and solid.
- Assemble the Spider: Once dry, use the double-sided foam tape or a stapler to attach the smaller plate (the head) to the larger plate (the body).
- Add the Legs: Pierce the edge of the large plate directly with the black pipe cleaners. Bend and twist them to give your spider that creepy-crawly look.
Alternative: If you don’t have pipe cleaners, you can use strips of black chart paper folded in an accordion style for “bouncy” legs. - The Eyes: Glue the white paper circles onto the head and use a black marker to add the pupils. Since it’s a giant spider, you can even give it more than two eyes for a fun, accurate touch!