Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Art · The activity desk
Hidden web watercolor
Reveal a crayon spiderweb with a wash of watercolor paint.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper, a white large child-appropriate wax crayon, washable watercolors, a brush, and a shallow cup of water.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Cover the work surface. An adult checks paint labels and draws a web firmly with the white crayon on the paper.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child, handle the water, and help with the brush if requested.
Let's make it happen
- Imagine where a spider might spin a web and look for the white lines on the paper.
- Brush watercolor over the paper. Notice how the wax lines show through the color.
- Add another color around the web and let the picture dry flat.
Make it simpler: An adult paints while the child points to the appearing lines.
Clean up: An adult empties the water, washes the brush, and wipes the surface. Wash hands and let the picture dry.
Use age-appropriate washable supplies and keep paint and water away from mouths. Observe real spiders from a distance.