This playdate has a long back story. Once upon a time, a Grandma was anxious about connecting with her far-away grandchildren and started creating themed playdates for them. The more this Grandma learned about spiders and spiderwebs, the more they fascinated her. Her grandchildren would take her on walks in the neighborhood and they would hunt for spiderwebs as if they were hidden treasure.
Eventually, they started noticing different shapes of webs and they developed a lot of questions about spider silk. The book, Spiderwebs and Spider Silk: Let’s Take a Closer Look is the result of all of the studying Grandma Nae did in order to be able to answer her grandchildrens’ questions.
So this playdate is unique because it revolves around the very first children’s book I ever wrote. It is a book inspired by a playdate, not the other way around.
You probably belong to one of two camps:
1) You think spiders are interesting, or
2) Spiders make you squeamish, and even looking at photos of them makes your skin crawl.
Children are no different. Sometimes they don’t understand any better than adults why a fear response happens when there’s no imminent danger. A photograph of a spider poses no real threat to you, but your brain might tell you otherwise.
I didn’t know when I started that some children (and some Grandmas) are so frightened by spiders that even reading a book about them is uncomfortable. If your fear of spiders is not a full-blown phobia, learning about spiderwebs may be a little less eerie than studying the animals that create them.
1. The Book: Spiderwebs and Spider Silk: Let’s Take a Closer Look
Start with a reading of the book, and learn about the world’s most fascinating fiber:
2. The Activity: Go on a Spiderweb Hunt
Most of us think of an orb web when we think of a spider web, but scientists have identified several basic web shapes, and if you take a closer look, chances are that you will find more than one type. A spiderweb hunt is simple. Kids should take a grownup along and then head out-of-doors, or even to your basement or garage. We like to take a spray bottle of water along for misting webs to make them easier to see. You can also use a sheet of dark construction paper or even a tablet with a black screen to help make the delicate strands of web stand out.
Spiderwebs are simple to find. They are most abundant in autumn because spiders are busy hunting in prior to the long winter, and also because old webs have had time to collect a little bit of dust, making them easier to see.
Most orb-weaving spiders spin a new web every day, but use caution when you are disturbing a web, or if you want to “collect” it for a craft project. Be certain it is uninhabited, and do not disturb the web if a spider is nearby.
It won’t take long for you to turn into a spiderweb-hunting expert. You’ll see them in trees. corners of fences, in the grass, in the corners of the garage, and especially near areas lit by lights at night (the lights help attract tasty bugs). Your hunt doesn’t need to take a lot of time. Twenty minutes is usually enough time to find dozens of webs in an outdoor area.
We are always on the lookout for webs that are not the typical orb shape. We especially love to find funnel webs, which are built by grass spiders and exist almost anywhere that there is grass or shrubbery nearby. Look closely at the mouth of the funnel, and you’re likely to see the spider waiting just inside in case some unsuspecting insect stops by to become lunch.
3. The Question: What is Something You Are Most Afraid Of?
I’ve had the most interesting conversations when I ask my grandchildren what are the top 3 things they feel afraid of. Worldwide, spiders top the list of things people fear. Hopefully, once your spiderweb hunt is over, you’ll feel more awe than fear.
Anxiety drives fear, but curiosity invites wonder. Curiosity is a mindset. At its root is a willingness to take in new knowledge and experience. Teach a child to be curious and you have given her a powerful antidote against anxiety.
Additional Enrichment Activities:
If you want to expand your playdate even more, consider one of the following:
Make Spiderweb Art
Spray an uninhabited web with white spray paint and then carefully press a black piece of paper against it. The paint will help the web adhere to the paper. Carefully spray the web with a clear sealant spray to hold it in place. You can make everything from wood coasters to Halloween decor with this technique.
Make Spiderweb Hunting Glasses
Younger kids may enjoy making a special pair of spiderweb hunting glasses prior to the hunt. This simple craft is available seasonally from Oriental Trading.
Listen to a Podcast:
If you have youngsters, you are also going to love this podcast about Spiders hosted by a 5-year-old with a passion for everything that is extra cool about animals. He offers his own insights about spiders, and includes some “Animal Fun Facts” about spider silk.
