A few years ago, my children and I played spider web dots, and the world went nuts.
So this year, we are bringing the preschool Halloween activity back. The game has been going strong for three years, and we aren’t close to stopping. Spider web dots for the win!
In the following article, I will tell you what these dots are, why they’re incredible for children’s development, some frequently asked questions, and how to set up the activity.
Grab your dot stickers because spider web dots are the bomb!
RELATED: Are Halloween games your jam? You will love our 31 Days of Halloween fun idea list.
What Are Spider Web Dots?
Spider web dots are when children place stickers on marked places along the image of a spider web to create the spiders.
Why Should You Play Spider Web Dots?
It makes a simple Breakfast Invitation – You know the drill!
Set an activity up the night before; the following day, your children are invited to create as you drink your morning coffee.
It develops fine motor skills – using one hand to hold the paper and another to peel off the stickers using their fingers tips helps pincer grip.
It’s a skill children require for zipping coats, tying shoelaces, reading, and writing.
It enhances gross motor skills – You can tape this activity on the table or the wall for vertical space.
When games like this are hung on the wall, preschoolers use their upper arm strength to help with climbing, throwing, and catching, improving gross motor skills!
It encourages spatial awareness – kids need to be aware of their bodies and how near or far they are from objects and people.
Spider dot stickers help by creating a visual cue as they can use them to hang up coats, stop at the right place, and where start writing on a page.
It’s great for children of all ages – peeling off stickers and placing them helps strengthen tiny fingers.
This grasp is going to help make writing A LOT more manageable.
RELATED: Read all about pencil grip at all ages HERE.
My Experience Using Spider Web Dots with My Preschooler
My two-year-old spent the morning trying to match the color on the stickers to the colors of the spiders.
In the image above, you see my four-year-old preparing the stickers by peeling off the backing. We do this to help little fingers grab the stickers with more ease.
RELATED: Spend lots of time playing fine motor games before starting writing.
How to Set Up the Spider Web Dot Activity
What are we waiting for? Let’s get this preschool Halloween activity set up!
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Step 1. Tape down the white paper roll
Use this handy white paper roll. Use painter’s tape so it’s easier to peel off when your child has finished.
Step 2. Use a black marker to make a web
I like to use a Google image of a children’s Halloween book to help my quick design.
Step 3. Make simple faces on your dot stickers
Don’t spend too long; they don’t have to be perfect! I use these dot stickers.
Step 4. Make spider bodies on the web by using your markers
Draw the body using different colors so your child can match the sticker and add spider legs. You can also use dot markers.
Step 5. Place your stickers to the left of the web
Allow your child to dive in as you prepare breakfast. I like to call these Breakfast Invitations.
Step 6. Adjust it to suit children of all ages
Older kids can have fun matching sight words, and younger children can practice getting the hang of peeling and placing a sticker.
RELATED: Spider Dots require simple supplies, just like the rest of our learning ideas!
Making Halloween Spider Dots is Great for Preschool Fun and Development
The activity is an incredible way to develop children’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while they have a blast! Try it with children of ages and make it a go-to Halloween activity.
Spider dots develop children’s fine motor skills
Playing with spider web dots is used by Occupational Therapists because it encourages essential development skills while bringing them joy! Holding the sheet and peeling the stickers requires a strong pincer grip. Use different size stickers and experiment with placing them on multiple surface areas for wrist placement.
Stickers improve visual scanning.
Visual scanning is a skill children require to efficiently search their surroundings, seek out objects, and enhance reading and writing. Kids use the same tactic to find a sticker they want. Develop this ability by asking your child to find a particular sticker.
RELATED: Looking for more fall activities for fall? You must check out this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
To play, your child will peel off the dot stickers with spider faces and place them on the matching color in the spider web. Peeling stickers is excellent for fine motor development, and color matching is a fun way to practice hand-eye coordination.
For this game, the adult makes the spider web. Begin with one vertical and one horizontal line through the middle. Next, add diagonal lines crossing through the middle. Add curves going inward to bring the spider web to life!
Years ago, spider dots put Days with Grey on the map! We had hundreds of families sharing this activity through social media tags. Color matching is a hit with young children, and the spider characters added to the excitement. This Halloween activity gets a five-star review!
