Spider Web Lacing

A paper plate with a spiderweb design and holes punched at intersections provides a beautiful fine motor challenge — children lace yarn through the holes to create a three-dimensional web with a tiny spider dangling in the center.

What You'll Need

• White or black paper plate — one per child
• Black yarn — for the web
• Hole punch — for creating lacing holes
• Black pompom and pipe cleaner — for the spider
• White and black paint — optional for the plate background

How to Do It

Step 1: Draw the web. Draw a spiderweb pattern on the plate with marker.

Step 2: Punch holes. Punch holes at regular intervals along the web lines.

Step 3: Lace the web. Thread black yarn from hole to hole following the web pattern, creating a raised web effect on the plate surface.

Step 4: Make the spider. Make a small spider from a black pompom and four folded pipe cleaners (each pipe cleaner bent in half = two legs).

Step 5: Attach the spider. Tie the spider to the center of the web with a short piece of yarn.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Bilateral coordination — Threading yarn through holes requires both hands working together.

Pattern following — Following the web design builds understanding of patterns and sequences.

Tips & Variations

• Use white yarn on a black plate for dramatic contrast.
• Add googly eyes to the spider.

My Two Cents

Pre-threading one length of yarn through the first hole and knotting it at the back saves setup time and gives children a clear starting point.