Friday, June 11, 2010

Climbing Bugs


If our forecast is correct, we're headed into some sunny days. So, this morning, even though it was still raining, or maybe because it was still raining, we made a craft to celebrate the outdoor days we hope are coming up.

We started with a spider, a climbing spider, sort of like the super hero climbing creatures we made last year.

This time, we cut two circles, using two different sized drinking glasses for a pattern, out of thin cardboard (construction paper would work just as well).

We glued them together, overlapping slightly, with the small circle on top. Then, we cut two pipe cleaners in half, and taped all four pieces in the middle, to the back of the circles, at the overlap, for legs.


We cut a couple of half inch pieces from a straw, and taped them, about an inch apart, angling in diagonally, on top of the legs. At first, we didn't get the straws set evenly, and they weren't pointing in, quite right...


...this is really how they should look.


Finally, we laced a piece of yarn up through one of the straws, and down through the other, making a loop at the top, and added some google eyes to the front.


I tied a couple of knots in the loose ends of the yarn, and we hung them on a doorknob to play with.


If your straws are placed correctly, as you pull on the loose ends of yarn, alternating back, and forth, you'll watch the spider climb, gradually, to the the top. Then, when you release tension from the yarn, he'll speed back down to the bottom (a lesson in friction).



Of course, not everyone likes spiders. So, we made a ladybug, as well.



It's great to be a homeschooler.

10 comments:

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

I am adding it to my Evernote - cute playable craft! I hope you will see sunny days soon - it's going to be almost 100 here this weekend. Unfortunately, we are all too sick to enjoy it fully :(

Unknown said...

Oh, such a fun craft!

Christy Killoran said...

This looks like something my kids will have a lot of fun with! We will definitely have spiders and ladybugs too!

Thanks.

Stacey @ Tree, Root, and Twig said...

I am not crafty *whatsoever*, but THIS looks like something I could do! How cute! I think my kids would love to "race" theirs up and down the doorknobs in the hallway. :)

Debbie said...

These are so cute! I am going to have to remember these for one of our rainy days. We have had a beautiful evening so if our forecast holds out we will be enjoying some serious sunshine this weekend as well!

Ticia said...

this would work so well for going with insects. My kids love watching them climb on things.

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

That is so much fun! Thanks for the great idea, I'll be linking.

MaryAnne said...

This is very cool - definitely want to try it with my kids!

Cyndi said...

My youngest loves insects so we will have to try this. Thanks for sharing!

A Little McD said...

Trying this out today on our playdate! Great idea...I'll be linking back to you!