Add a little creepy crawly fun to the art center with this spider directed drawing activity. Inspired by classic nursery rhymes like Itsy Bitsy Spider and Little Miss Muffet, this simple project helps students practice following directions while creating colorful spider web art.
Step-by-Step Spider Directed Drawing
Directed drawing is a great way to build listening and fine motor skills. Each step of this spider web is done together as a class, one direction at a time. Provide each student with a permanent marker and a piece of sturdy construction paper or cardstock. Then, tell them these directions one at a time:
- First, draw a small circle in the center of the page.
- From the middle, draw 8 straight lines going out to the edges of the paper—like the spokes of a wheel. (Younger children may benefit from doing this together one line at a time.)
- Next, draw circles around the first circle to create the web.
There’s no need for perfection, as every student’s interpretation of the directions will be different and unique.
Add Color with Watercolors
Once the spider webs are drawn, it’s time to paint. Liquid watercolors are perfect for this part. Students can choose different colors to fill in the spaces between the lines. Bright colors help the web pop and give each piece a unique look. Let the artwork dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Along Comes a Spider
To complete the spider directed drawing, each child adds a spider to their web. Foam spider stickers, Halloween craft shapes, or paper cutouts all work well. A pair of googly eyes gives the spider a silly personality. Display the finished webs for a fun and festive classroom gallery.
A Fun Way to Practice Listening Skills
This spider directed drawing activity blends art, early literacy, and listening practice into one colorful project. Pair it with a nursery rhyme unit, a Halloween theme, or a mini lesson about real spiders. It’s a great way for preschoolers to follow directions and express themselves through art.
