Spider activities are especially fun before Halloween. Today, I’m sharing the links to free printables I’ve used to create Montessori-inspired spider activities for preschoolers through first graders. Many of the printables work well for Halloween, although there are printables listed for a spider unit study in general.
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Montessori-Inspired Spider Activities Using Free Printables
Glow-in-the-Dark Spider Practical Life Activity
This activity was very simple to prepare. I just used the the spider web printable from Spider Web Number Cards by Boy Mama Teacher Mama. I used an inexpensive wooden tray and 5 glow-in-the-dark spiders from Michaels hobby store, a tweezers, and a small flashlight. The child could use the tweezers to transfer the spiders to the spider web. Then, if you have a dark area, the child could shine the light on the spiders for a bit, turn off the flashlight, and enjoy the glow-in-the dark effect.
Spider Shapes Activity
This tray uses the Spider Shapes (laminated) from Spiders Tot Pack at 2 Teaching Mommies. I used a clear acrylic tray from Montessori Services and added a small container of playdough. The playdough could be used to make the appropriate shape around each spider.
S is for Spider Beginning Sounds Activity
Of course, you don’t need to use glass gems for this activity. You could use playdough balls, pom poms with a strawberry huller, magnetized pom poms on a magnetic tray, or dot markers (if you don’t laminate the activity).
In Montessori education, we emphasize phonetic sounds rather than letter names. I would demonstrate the activity by placing the printable on a rug and saying, “/s/ is for spider.” Then I would show how to use the sugar tong to place a few of the glass gems before returning the tray to the shelf for the child(ren) to use.
Spider Numbers and Counters
I found the spiderweb numbers in the Spider Sums of 5 and 10 by My Fabulous Class at Teachers Pay Teachers. I love preparing seasonal cards and counters, and these were perfect for creating a DIY numbers and counters activity. I purchased 55 felt spiders from Michaels hobby store. The tray is a black Economy Tray from Montessori Services.I found the black bowl (cauldron) on sale after Halloween last year. The container is fun, but another type of container would work just as well.
Spider Addition Activity
Spider Acrostic Poem Writing Activity
This was another simple-to-prepare tray. It’s for advanced kindergarteners or first graders. I used the Spider Acrostic Poem Printable from Activity Village. I added a pencil sharpener and Halloween pencil.
Pipe Cleaner Spider Craft
I had a lot of fun with the Pipe Cleaner Spiders from Mama Miss. Melissa at Mama Miss has free printables and clear instructions for making the pipe cleaner spiders.
I’d recommend the craft for ages 4 and up because of the fine-motor control that’s required. Of course, if you prepare the spider except for the pony beads and googly eyes, a younger child could have fun adding those. Adding pony beads to pipe cleaners is always a great fine-motor activity.
More Spider Activities
You’ll find more spider activities in my free spider printables and Montessori-inspired spider math activities post.
Free Spider Printables for Preschoolers-First Graders
Montessori-Inspired Spider Pack for DIY Cards and Counters, Number or Letter Matching, Number or Letter Basket, Number or Letter Salt/Sand Writing Tray, Letter Tracing, and DIY Movable Alphabet (subscriber freebie, so just sign up for my email to get the link and password – or check your inbox if you’re already a subscriber)
- Spider Printables from Making Learning Fun
- Spider Web Number Cards from Boy Mama Teacher Mama
- Spider Shapes from Spiders Tot Pack at 2 Teaching Mommies
- S is for Spiders from Making Learning Fun
- Spider Sums of 5 and 10 by My Fabulous Class at Teachers Pay Teachers
- Preschool and Spider Addition Math Sheets from 123 Homeschool 4 Me
- Spider Acrostic Poem Printable from Activity Village
- Pipe Cleaner Spiders from Mama Miss
- Spider Lap Book from Preschool Powol Packets
- Spiders {Expanded} from 2 Teaching Mommies
- Spider Printables from Kidzone
- Spider Printables from Kidsparkz
- Itsy Bitsy Spider Printables from DLTK’s Crafts for Kids
- Printable Spider Craft from Learn Create Love
- Spiderweb Tracing from Worksheet Fun
- Spider Printables from A to Z Teacher Stuff
- Spider Life Cycle from Kidzone
- Bat and Spider Pack from 3 Dinosaurs
- Spider Theme Printable Activities from First School
- Mixed Up Spider Book Printables from The Educators’ Spin On It
- Spider PowerPoint Presentations from PPPST
- Arachnid Journal Page from Kathy’s Cluttered Mind
- Spider Printables from ABC Teach
- Spider Ring Counting Game with Recording Sheet from PreKinders
- Spider Identification Chart from Termite.com
- Spider Craft for Cutting, Folding, gluing, and Writing from Therapy Fun Zone
- Spider Cupcake Printable from Skip to my Lou
- Spiderweb Printable for Chocolate Spider Webs from Anna and Blue Paperie
- Spider Stencils from About.com: Painting
- Spider Templates from Country Living
- The Very Busy Spider from Homeschool Share
- Charlotte’s Spider Web from One Extra Degree
- Charlotte’s Web Copywork from Walking by the Way
- Spider Printables from Teachers Pay Teachers
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JDaniel4's Mom says
You have put together a wonderful collection of ideas!
Deb says
Thanks so much! I had fun with it. 🙂
Rachel says
Such a great round up of ideas! Thanks Deb!
Deb says
Thanks, Rachel! I love that there are so many great free printables available online. 🙂
Kimberly says
What a fun list of spider activities!! Thanks so much for including our printable craft!
Deb says
Thanks, Kimberly! And my pleasure … that’s such a cute idea. 🙂
Missy says
Thank you for sharing! I pinned this to my insect board for future reference 🙂 I found your post on Frugal Homeschool Friday.
Pinkoddy says
Thank you for all these ideas, I have pinned them to my spider board.
stephanie says
Great ideas all in one place! Thanks for sharing at the After School Linky!
Momma Jo says
Thank you for linking up with the Hearts for Home link up last week. Your post has been selected to feature on this week’s instalment of Hearts for Home blog hop on Monsters Ed Homeschool Academy. Please remember to snag the “I was featured” button tomorrow morning. The blog post will be going live tomorrow morning. http://www.monstersed.co.za/2013/10/24/hearts-home-20-free-downloads
Jill says
This is a great list of spider resources. Now to get busy pinning away! Thank you for sharing and for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop.
Allison says
Great activities! I’ll be featuring this on The Sunday Showcase this weekend. Thanks for linking up!
Anna says
Another incredible round up! Thanks for sharing at the After School Linky.
Cassie says
Thanks for adding my bat and spider pack!
Alison says
Great list of activities! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop! 🙂