How to Make a Shape Match Spider Activity

Are you looking for some easy Halloween activities to do with your kids? This spider is a shape matching activity that is perfect for children aged 2 years and older. It helps to develop fine motor skills, shape recognition, language, and more. But the most important thing about it is… it’s FUN. Learn how to make a Shape Match Spider with common items already found at home.

Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

Are your kids excited about the spooky season? If you’re starting to get ready for this October, then start by taking a look at these other Halloween activities for kids. Or invest in the Halloween Activity Pack, which is filled with educational ideas for young kids.

Materials Needed

A paper plate
8 Wooden Clothespins
a Black Sharpie
Black Paint (optional)
Adhesive Googly (Wiggle) Eyes (optional)

As an alternative, you can start with a Black Plastic Plate. This may be easier if you don’t already have some paper plates at home and need to buy some.

How to Make a Shape Match Spider

1. Using the sharpie, draw 8 different shapes along the edge of the paper plate

You’ll need to draw 4 shapes on each side of the plate, where you want your spider legs to be.

2. Draw a copy of each of the shapes onto the wooden clothespins.

3. Either paint, or color in, the rest of the plate and wooden clothespins with black paint.

I decided to use my sharpie to color everything in instead of using black paint. It didn’t take long and I liked how I didn’t have to wait for it to dry afterward.

4. As a final touch, add some adhesive googly eyes onto the plate.

You’ll notice that I originally drew some eyes onto the plate using my sharpie. However when I colored in the rest of my plate the eyes didn’t stand out as much as I would like. That is why I decided to use the googly eyes instead.

If you are better at drawing eyes than I am, you can just use your sharpie to add this feature.

How to Play

The aim of this activity is to match the shapes.

For example, take the clothespins with the square on it and peg it onto the square on the spiders body.

Repeat this step with all of the clothespins until you have matched all of the shapes together.

With all of the clothespins attached, you have completes the spider.

This activity is suitable for children aged 2 years and up.

I find that the most difficult thing about this activity for toddlers is physically getting the clothespins onto the plate. So, if you have younger kids, who can pinch the clothespins together then give it a try.