Toddler Spider Circle Time Activity (There’s a Spider on the Floor)

Inside: This toddler spider circle time activity is a fun way to get young children involved in a group song. Goes with “There’s a Spider on the Floor”.

When I ask new teachers what they want the most help with, it’s almost always circle time.

I get it because I felt the very same way twenty seven years ago whenI was just starting out.

But over the years I realized that toddlers need to be part of the activity, not just sitting and listening!

So I developed props to a variety of songs they love and it has made a world of difference.

In this activity the children can hold spiders while singing There’s a Spider on the Floor.

We enjoy this in the fall around Halloween, but you can also add it to your bug theme in the spring.

Either way, your toddlers will love making their own spiders move to the actions of the songs.

Preschoolers will, too!

This spider circle time activity is one of several ideas we’ve done using props.

Here are a few more circle time activities:

• Flower Color Matching Activity
• Counting Bunnies Circle Time Activity
• 5 Little Ducks Activity

Itsy Bitsy Spider Circle Time Activity

• Toddlers
• Preschool

 >>Details and Props Here

I highly suggest taking a look at my circle time videos:

Circle Time Video Playlist

Toddler Spider Circle Time Activity

Supplies

• Pretend spiders or spider props
• There’s a Spider on the Floor song

Preparation

If you are using spider toys, just make sure you have enough for each child (and yourself).

If you are using the spider props, print them according to this post.

Activity

Warm Up

When your children are sitting in the circle time area, tell them they will each get a spider.

Before I start the song, I like to get them warmed up.

I tell them to hold their props up high, then down low.

I will have them tap different body parts with the spider.

This gets them ready for the activity.

Turn on the Music

Tell the children you are going to listen to a song and move the spider to the words.

As the artist sings, sing along and have the spider move to that area.

There’s a spider on my leg …

Go through all the actions of the song.

This is an excellent way to work on listening skills while having fun with the motions!

When Finished

When the song is finished, collect the spiders. I like to put mine in a jar or a basket.

Common Questions

What if a child doesn’t want to participate?

I never force a child to participate in a circle time activity. Often these children love to listen to the music and watch the other children. Usually they will start participating on their own later in the year as long as they don’t feel pressured.

What if a child is mistreating the props?

At the beginning of the year I simply introduce the props. I show them how to hold them carefully, not hit other children with them, not pulling the prop off the craft stick. That being said, it still happens from time to time.

If the entire group – or a large percentage of them – are having a hard time, I simply collect the props and move on to another activity (or end circle time altogether).

If a specific child is having a hard time with a prop, I will have my assistant sit behind them and show them how to carefully hold it. If they continue to have a hard time with the prop, we will remove it and tell the child they can try again tomorrow. This isn’t done as a punishment, but to show them that we must be careful with the props and we must be safe with our friends.