It took me a while to figure out how to make a spider web obstacle course for my kids.
You would have thought I’d go straight to the expert for help – a spider – but it took me a little while to figure that one out.
While searching for spider web structures, I found this excellent diagram. It was almost exactly what I wanted my obstacle course to be like. I love that it points out the parts of a spider web too, and I’ll be using these terms to explain how I made the obstacle course.
You will need :
- A lot of rope
- Two 1.5 meter stakes
- One smaller stake, about 30cm long
- Nails
- Matches or lighter
- Glue gun (affiliate)
- Craft string
How to make the spider web obstacle course
- Knock two tall wooden stakes into the ground, about 1.5 meters apart.
- Place the smaller stake into the ground between the two larger stakes.
- Start by assembling the bridge threads and anchor threads (like the diagram above). Ensure you burn off the ends of the rope or they’ll fray.
- Use nails to attach the rope to the stakes.
- Make a rope circle to start the auxiliary spiral (see photos). I attached the radius threads to the rope circle using a glue gun. I made another rope circle for the other side of the web too, to give it further support and make the web look good from both sides.
- Now the fun starts. Just like a spider, make the auxiliary spiral first (to support the web before starting the more intricate capture spiral). Glue the end of the rope to the auxiliary circle and then weave the spiral through the radius threads. It held quite well at the start of the spiral for us but when you move outward, you’ll need to use the glue gun to secure it onto the radius threads.
- Make sure you increase the space between the auxiliary spirals as you move outward to give that spider web effect.
- Now make the capture spiral. I used craft string for this part.
- Attach the string to the auxiliary circle (in the same way you made the auxiliary spiral) and start weaving though the radius threads. This time though, kept the gap between the strings a similar length apart. Don’t make the gap wider.
- Once you’ve run out of room to weave, you’re done.
Make your spider web obstacle course glow!
The spider web looks awesome at night with these solar dragon fly lights though them too!
Next week I’ll be posting activities that you can do with the spider web obstacle course, plus a free fly/butterfly mask printable that was a hit with my kids and the kids next door.
Building a spider web obstacle course may take a little more effort, but it was well worth it.
Have you made a spider web with your kids? I’d love to see your results – email me or tag my socials!
Brilliant! LOVE the way you are so dedicated to your passions. You really ‘walk the walk’ Pen and I just know that this is having a massive positive impact on your family!
My girls are fascinated by ants and bugs but a little wary of spiders….and it doesn’t come from me – it’s the Canadian hubby who thinks every Aussie spider is up to treachery!
Thanks lovely. This one took quite a lot of time (wait until you see the games to go along with it) but it was so worht it. I love looking out the window at our lrge spider web. So cool!
Oh and I think it’s a good thing to be wary of spiders. It’s natural to have a healthy respect for animals that can cause harm. As long as they don’t develop a huge fear from them then you’re doing great!
What a fantastic idea Penny and so much time and work gone into it. Always love to check in and see what amazing idea you will come up with next!
Thanks so much guys. I always appreciate your support. The games are so much fun, make sure you visit next week. 🙂
This is so awesome! I am working on an area in our garden for our kids and they would love something like this….Hmmm – you’ve got me thinking now!
Thanks Debbie. We have a pacth out the back that just doesn’t get used that much and that’s why I decided it was the perfect location for something like this. Plus, I can see it from our lounge room window and I think that’s pretty cool!
oooh, I loved those things on school camps! Love how you made your own. So cool!
Thanks Deb! Yeah, while surfing the net I just couldn’t find a decent one with a spider web in it. They all were just netting or overlapped rope. This one took a lot more time because I had to think about how to make it from scratch. Thank goondess for that image though. It was perfect!
This is awesome! Dino Boy was very excited seeing it and asked if your kids get to pretend to be spiders 🙂
They do Kelly. Just wait until next week. 🙂
Wow, your spider’s web is amazing!! I want one of these in our back yard! Love what you do Penny!
I love what YOU do Janice. After our mini holiday this coming week, we’re getting into slime. I know the girls will LOVE it!
Penny – this is awesome! Even though spiders make me want to run in the opposite direction, I find their webs fascinating. Can’t wait to share this with my boys. Thank you. xoxo P
There’s so many people who are scared of spider. I think I’ll have to write a post on that one.
I must say that after building a spider web myself, it has given me an even higher appreciation of spiders. I can’t believe they make one every night!
ooooh way cool!
Fantastic Penny!! I keep saying it i know, but you have the best ideas for incorporating wildlife fun!! Wonder if i could add this to our landscaping job list……lol he might bop me soon!
Thanks so much Jode. It is a bit of effort but it was most certainly worth it. Next week (if I can figure out how to post from Moreton Island with out computer) I have three printables to go with this web obstacle course but the good thing is you can use them for other role play learning opportunities too. So, if you decide not do do that spider web it okay, I have something for your children anyway.
This is amazing! I am going to have to find a place to do this for my boys!
Thanks so much for the support Steph. I bet the boys would love it. You could add in a whole bunch of spider man activities too. That would be AWESOME! Miss Poss isn’t into spider man so we didn’t go down that road though (plus had to stick to wildlife lol)
That’s totally cool, Penny! I’ll have to see if Mr Surfer is keen to make this with me. Look forward to reading about the activities that go with it 🙂
Really? Do you have a backyard? I was under the impression you didn’t have a big one… Or maybe I’m putting stereotypes on Sydney houses. lol I’m certain the boys would love it!
Awesome !!!!
This is my first year homeschooling, I have 2 boys 4 & 6 so Kindergarten & Preschool & I want to do a study on spiders with them … I was searching for idea’s to make a web so we can do a study on spiders. I am SO excited I found this !!!! PERFECT !!!! I can’t wait to see the activities you post about.
I already have so many idea’s running around in my head.
My boys are going to love this !!!!
Wow, congratualtions on taking the step to homeschool! I think you’re amazing already! If I didn’t do my teaching prac at the school I’m sending Miss Poss to, I’d me considering it myself.
I’m so glad you found this post! That’s one reason I made it a big one because I just couldn’t find a good spider web obstacle course out there. Thank so much for dropping by TJ!
You are too clever! I would never have thought to make one of these myself. Looks like great fun.
This is just amazing Penny. So much fun.
Wow! I featured this in the Kids Co-Op this week:
Just letting you know I’m featuring this post on this week’s Tuesday Tots post on Learn with Play at home. Thanks for linking up 🙂
Thanks so much Debs! I’ll share as soon as it’s up 🙂