This printable spider counting book will be perfect for a preschool spider theme. Add it to your master list of Halloween activities for preschoolers – it’s a wonderful addition!
Related: Sensory Bottle Ideas for a Spider Theme
Printable Spider Book for Preschoolers
I’ve done some version of this spider counting book with both preschoolers and kindergartners.
It’s always been well-received. And I love seeing which parts of the book kids respond to the most.
Some really get into writing the numbers. Others are super focused on making fingerprint spiders. Still others are all about adding legs to their spiders.
Related: Spider Crafts and Activities for Kids
What You Need to Make the Spider Counting Book
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Blank spider books (grab a copy at the end of this post)
How to Make the Counting Emergent Reader
Make the appropriate number of copies of “My Spider Book”.
Grab one set of pages and fold them in half down the middle. Arrange the pages and then staple along the left-hand side.
Here’s a quick video tutorial for assembling the book:
You can also just cut the pages in half and staple them together to make the book. I prefer to fold and staple without cutting, but either way works!
I created a book that went from 1 to 5, but you can add more pages for more numbers.
Related: Free Printable Books for Preschool
How to Use the Counting Spiders Book with Preschoolers
First, write the child’s name on the front cover, or have the child write her own name.
The same goes for the numbers on each page. You can write the numbers or you can have the kids write the numbers.
You could also write the numbers with a yellow marker and have the children trace over the numbers in pencil.
Then it’s time to introduce the spider book, “We’re going to make a book about counting spiders!”
Next, open to the first page and ask what number we start with when counting.
If you haven’t already, write the number 1 on the appropriate space or have the child do so. Explain that a 1 goes from top to bottom.
Related: Creepy Crawly Slime Recipe for Kids
Then read through the words on the first page, “I see 1 spider.”
Lastly, it’s time to illustrate the spider counting book!
Have the child press his finger into a stamp pad, then onto the page. After the body is created with his fingerprint, have the child add eight legs to the “spider” using a marker.
I find that some children give their spiders the correct number of legs. The other half don’t, and that’s just fine.
When the illustrations are done, reread the words on the first page. Encourage the children to read with you.
Repeat those steps for the rest of the pages. Ensure that the appropriate number of “spiders” are shown on each page.
Related: Free Printable Bat Emergent Reader
A Few Tips for the Book
When you’re making the printable spider counting book, keep some baby wipes on hand. This way, the children can remove the ink from their fingers as needed.
Encourage the children to place their spiders where they can see them. The illustrations act as “clues” when a child is learning to read, so the kids need to see the correct number of spiders on each page when they’re rereading.
What Halloween math activities do your children enjoy?
Preschool Spider Lesson Plans
Save time with done-for-you spider lesson plans for preschool. You’ll get a week’s worth of spider-themed activities and lessons all planned out for you.
Take a peek at the plans here:
The spider pack has over 200 pages of daily lesson plans, weekly lesson plans, book suggestions, and related printables.
Free Spider Counting Book Printable
This printable is available for members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. It’s an updated version of the one shown in the above pictures. Enter your information in the form below to have the download link sent to your inbox!
If you can’t see the above form, you can open it in a new window here.
When will you try this spider counting book with your students? Around Halloween, during a spider theme, or sometime else?
Be sure to check out Fun-A-Day’s Pinterest boards!
Thank you for this fun and interactive activity for my kiddos. They’re sure to have fun!
I’m so glad you think so, Natalia! Let me know what they think. 🙂
I love this idea! My kiddos will love the stamping and making spiders. Thank you!
Thanks, Beth! 🙂 I hope the kids have a blast with it.
Why does the first page with the tile not come out even when I select fit to page? Is there a way yo edit so I can move the page over?
Hi Randy, it sounds like you need to check your printer settings. Most newer printers automatically make sure that everything prints correctly, but some still need to have the settings adjusted. You should be able to click print > properties > layout > landscape.
Can’t wait to try this with my class.
Yay! Let me know how it goes when you do, Colleen! 🙂
Thank you so much! This is awesome!
I’m so happy you like it, Cassie!
Thank you! This is amazing!
You’re so welcome! Let me know how your students like it. 🙂
This looks great for my prekinders!
So happy to hear that, Angela! Thank you. 🙂
I look forward to seeing new and exciting ideas for my preschoolers.
I can’t wait to hear what your preschoolers think of this spider book!
I love the finger print spiders! They will all look great!
Thank you! Let me know how it goes when you try it with the kids. 🙂
Brilliant, thank you.
Glad you like the book! I hope it works well with your preschoolers. 🙂
I love this idea!
Thanks so much, Bethany! Let me know how it goes when you try the book with the kids. 🙂
thank you
You’re very welcome! Let me know what the kids think of the book. 🙂
Been trying to get the Spider Counting Book to email to me several times now, and I am still not seeing an email. Can you please send it? Thank you!
Hey Christina, It’s showing that the download link email has been sent to you multiple times. Sometimes school districts block unknown email addresses, so perhaps ask if you can whitelist my email address (mc@fun-a-day.com)? I also recommend running a search for that email address in your inbox, too. Feel free to email me if you run into any other issues. Thank you! 🙂