Spider Stamp

Materials

• Toilet-paper roll
• Black paint (tempera or acrylic)
• Shallow tray/plate for paint
• Paper or cardstock for printing
• Googly eyes (or small paper circles)
• Glue (stick or liquid)
• Child-safe scissors (to cut the vertical strips)

Procedure

The “spider stamp” is a playful preschool craft that builds fine-motor control and imagination. You’ll need an empty toilet-paper roll, black tempera or acrylic paint, a shallow tray for paint, paper or cardstock for printing, and two googly eyes (or paper circles). With adult help, snip the bottom edge of the roll into vertical strips about 1–2 cm wide all the way around, creating a sunburst of “legs.” Bend the strips outward, dip their tips evenly into the black paint, and press firmly onto the paper to print eight legs at once. For the body, use the uncut cylinder: lightly dip the rim in paint and stamp a circle in the center of the legs, or simply fill the center with a brush/sponge. When dry, glue on the eyes and add details like a smile or a web with white paint/marker. This activity strengthens grasp, pressure control, and hand–eye coordination, while inviting language (“legs,” “center,” “around”) and early math (counting legs, comparing prints). 

Supervise closely, use child-safe scissors if needed, protect the work surface, and wash hands after painting. Fun variations include a touch of glitter, different eye sizes, or a wax-resist web background made with white crayon and watercolors.