Looking for an easy Halloween spider craft for kids? This pipe cleaner spider craft is a simple activity made with black pipe cleaners and googly eyes.
Kids can bend and shape the pipe cleaners to create their own eight-legged spiders for Halloween decorations, spider-themed activities, or classroom craft time.
This craft only requires a few supplies, making it an easy activity to pull together during the fall and Halloween season.
Why You’ll Love This Pipe Cleaner Spider Craft
This easy spider craft doesn’t require a long list of supplies or complicated instructions. Kids can practice bending and shaping the pipe cleaners while creating a spider they can display when they’re finished.
It’s a fun activity for:
- Halloween craft time
- Fall afternoons at home
- Spider-themed lessons
- Classroom activities
- Halloween parties
- Fine motor practice
- Making simple Halloween decorations
Save this Pipe Cleaner Spider Craft for later!
More Spider Crafts and Activities for Kids
Planning a spider theme? Pair this pipe cleaner spider with a few of my other spider crafts and printables.
Pine Cone Spider Craft
Use pipe cleaners another way with my Pine Cone Spider Craft. Kids can paint a pine cone black, add eight pipe-cleaner legs, and finish their spider with googly eyes.
Spider Paper Plate Craft
Turn a simple paper plate into a spider with this easy Spider Paper Plate Craft.
This is another simple Halloween spider craft that works well at home or in the classroom.
Spider Handprint Art
For a spider activity that doubles as a keepsake, try my Spider Handprint Art.
Kids can add their handprints to create a fun spider-themed art project for Halloween.
Spider Pumpkin Stencils
Decorating pumpkins? These Spider Pumpkin Stencils are another way to include spiders in your Halloween activities.
Supplies for Your Pipe Cleaner Spider
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You only need a few basic craft supplies:
- 4 black pipe cleaners
- Adhesive googly eyes
- Optional: small extra piece of black pipe cleaner for securing the center
- Optional: regular googly eyes
- Optional: glue gun (adult use only)
Adhesive googly eyes make this project especially easy because you won’t need glue. If you’re using regular googly eyes, an adult can attach them with hot glue.
How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Spider
Step 1: Arrange the Pipe Cleaners
Place 4 black pipe cleaners together on a flat work surface. Line them up at the center. These four pipe cleaners will create your spider’s eight legs — four on each side.
Step 2: Secure the Pipe Cleaners
Twist the pipe cleaners together in the center to secure them. If you need a little extra help holding them together, wrap a small piece of another pipe cleaner around the center.
Separate the ends so that you have four spider legs on each side.
Step 3: Shape the Spider Legs
Bend each pipe cleaner to give the spider’s legs their shape.
You can create bends or zigzag shapes in each leg until all eight spider legs are finished.
Don’t worry about making every leg exactly the same. Part of the fun is letting kids shape their spiders however they’d like.
Step 4: Position the Spider
Pick up your spider and gently bend the legs downward so that the ends touch the surface.
Adjust the legs until your spider can sit the way you want it to.
Step 5: Add the Spider’s Eyes
Add adhesive googly eyes to the center of the spider.
If you’re using regular googly eyes instead, have an adult attach them with a small amount of hot glue.
Allow the glue to cool completely before children handle the finished spider.
Your pipe cleaner spider craft is complete!
Fun Ways to Use Your Pipe Cleaner Spiders
Once you’ve made your spiders, there are plenty of ways to use them during the Halloween season.
Make several spiders and place them around your Halloween decorations, add them to decorative spider web material, or use them for a spider-themed learning activity.
Kids can also make spiders in different sizes by experimenting with different pipe-cleaner lengths.
For a fun spider craft day, make your pipe cleaner spiders while your Pine Cone Spider Craft is drying.
Turn It Into a Spider Learning Activity
This simple Halloween craft can also become an easy learning activity.
While kids make their spiders, talk about how spiders have eight legs, how they create webs, where spiders live, and the role spiders play in nature.
You can also pair your craft with a spider book and read together before or after making your spiders.
Spider Books for Kids
Pair your pipe cleaner spider craft with a children’s book about spiders for an easy Halloween or spider-themed activity.
A few popular spider books to consider include:
- The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle – A classic picture book that follows a busy spider as she works to build her web.
- Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin – A funny story told from a spider’s point of view that gives kids a playful look at everyday spider life.
- The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani – A picture-book version of the familiar nursery rhyme that’s especially fun for younger children.
- I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton – A funny, educational book that can help kids learn interesting facts about spiders and why they’re important.
- National Geographic Readers: Spiders by Laura Marsh – A nonfiction choice for kids who want to learn more about real spiders, including their webs, bodies, and behaviors.
Choose a favorite book, make your spiders, and talk about some of the interesting things you learn about spiders along the way.
Make a Spider Craft Day
If your kids enjoy this pipe cleaner spider, turn it into an afternoon of spider-themed activities.
Make your pipe cleaner spiders first, then use more pipe cleaners to create a Pine Cone Spider Craft.
You can also make the Spider Paper Plate Craft or create a keepsake with my Spider Handprint Art.
Closer to Halloween, use the Spider Pumpkin Stencils when you’re ready to decorate pumpkins.
This gives you several spider activities to enjoy throughout the fall without needing a completely different theme for every craft.
Tips for Making Pipe Cleaner Spiders with Kids
Let kids experiment with the shape of their spider’s legs. The spiders don’t need to look identical, and bending the pipe cleaners gives kids a chance to make their own version.
For younger children, you can secure the center of the pipe cleaners ahead of time and let them focus on bending the legs and adding the eyes.
Adhesive googly eyes are especially convenient for younger kids because they eliminate the need for hot glue.
If you do use a glue gun, an adult should handle it and allow the glue to cool completely before children touch the spider.
Pipe Cleaner Spider Craft FAQs
How many pipe cleaners do you need to make a spider?
You’ll need 4 black pipe cleaners to make one spider. Twist them together in the center to secure them. If needed, use a small piece of an extra pipe cleaner to help hold the center together.
Can kids make this pipe cleaner spider craft?
Yes. Kids can help arrange and bend the pipe cleaners and add adhesive googly eyes.
Younger children may need help securing the pipe cleaners in the center. An adult should handle hot glue if you’re using regular googly eyes instead of adhesive eyes.
Can I make these spiders without a hot glue gun?
Yes. The easiest option is to use adhesive googly eyes that stick directly to the pipe cleaners.
If you only have regular googly eyes, you can try a strong craft glue, although it may take longer to dry.
Is this a Halloween spider craft?
Yes! This is an easy Halloween spider craft for kids, but it can also be used for spider lessons, fall activities, classroom crafts, or anytime kids are learning about spiders.
What can I do with finished pipe cleaner spiders?
Use them as simple Halloween decorations, add them to fake spider webs, make several for a Halloween party, or use them as part of a spider-themed learning activity.
More Fall and Halloween Fun
After making your pipe cleaner spider, try another spider activity:
This easy pipe cleaner spider craft for kids is a simple way to make your own Halloween spiders with just a few basic craft supplies. Make one spider or create several to use for Halloween decorations, spider activities, or fall craft time with the kids.