Spider Web construction with Straws and Playdough

All year we are sharing weekly ideas for Preschool themed learning and creativity – this weeks theme is creepy crawleys, now this is one of our all time favourite themes and a quick flick back through our archives here at Rainy Day Mum and we have so many fun ways to explore and create with Bugs of all kinds from our Wormery to creating paper plate spider webs. On social media use the #playfulpreschool tag to find even more fabulous ideas each week for you and your preschoolers to do together.

Of all of the bugs Spiders fascinate my kids the most – they love watching them spin webs, catch their prey and then wrap them up to eat later, autumn in the UK also means that there are plenty to watch and observe around (in fact we’re trying the conkers in the house to stop them entering). After watching the spiders spin new webs after winds damaged them it was perfect to explore construction and engineering with making spiders webs. Now in the past we have made giant spiders webs and also sewn spider webs on paper plates so a different method was needed straws and playdough were the perfect inspiration to construct webs with.

Materials for Straw and Playdough Spider Web construction

Playdough – we used our Autumn Playdough batch that I made recently
Straws
Scissors

Preparation needed

If you are making playdough then you will need a batch made in advance.

Spider Web Construction

Start off cutting the straws into small sections – this is great for scissor skills for preschoolers – the straws don’t have to be the same length or even of a certain length.

Break up the playdough into small balls and then place the straws in – we started with a 5 spokes out from the centre.

At the end of each straw place another ball and connect more straws going to join with the next spoke creating the cross parts and out again.

All the time we kept looking back at the spiders web we could see outside of the window to see how it was joined together. T asked fabulous questions as she made the webs – “What do the spiders use instead of playdough to make the web stick?”, “Why doesn’t the web break when the wind blows a little bit?”, “Where does the web come from?”

This is a 2D web, we weren’t able to lift it off the table at any point, T did try but the playdough doesn’t hold the web very well but it’s great to get those little fingers working and constructing as well as asking questions related to nature.

More Spider Themed Activities for Preschoolers

Your toddlers and preschoolers will love playing in this Incy Wincy Spider Themed Sensory Tub. It’s easy to set up and you can reuse the materials time and time again.

Look at the world around you with our simple science for preschoolers were we investigate Spiderwebs.

Help your older toddlers and preschoolers learn their name with this Spiderweb theme Name Activity.

MORE Creepy Crawly Activities for Preschoolers

Beginning Sounds: Hunting for Creepy Crawlies by Mom Inspired Life

Preschool Songs: I’m a Hungry Spider by Growing Book by Book

The Creepy Crawlies Kingdom by Learning 2 Walk

Creepy Crawly Slime Recipe for Kids by Fun-A-Day!

Creepy Crawly Gifts Kids Can Make by The Educators’ Spin On It

Learning About Composting Worms by Raising Lifelong Learners

Making Creepy Crawly Crafts with Leaves by Life Over C’s