My preschooler really likes creepy, crawly insects, bugs, beetles, and snakes. He isn’t big into arts and crafts, but working with clay is SO great for strengthening fine motor and the arts encourage creativity.
This activity is a BIG hit in our household. Not only does he get to make creepy, crawly charms with clay, but he gets to give them away to his friends too! (which means we are sneaking in a bit of kindness and generosity lessons in too)
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Creepy Crawly Snake Charms for Preschoolers: Gifts Kids Can Make
This charm makes an easy-to-make gift that kids can make.
Materials Needed:
Learning Objectives:
- Strengthening fine motor
- Parts of the snake (science)
- Working with a variety of art materials (art)
Directions on How to Make a Snake Charm
- Roll a small ball of mixed-colored clay into a long snake or rope. Leftovers from a parent’s project work great for these creepy crawly kid-made charms.
- Twist the snake to get the stripes.
- Mold a head shape.
- Make the opposite end pointed for the tail.
- Start to wind the long snake into a coil in the shape you want.
- Roll a tiny rope.
- Bend it in half and attach to the head as the forked tongue.
- Bend the top open so a string or elastic can fit through later.
- Gently pinch the coil together to solidify and meld the charm together.
- Bake as directed on the package.
- When the snake charm has cooled, thread a string or elastic through the charm.
Give as a gift to a friend or loved one.
Not a snake fan? Try a spider! They make a creepy crawly gift that kids can make too!
Directions on How to Make a Spider Charm
- Roll a small ball of mixed colored clay into 4 long snakes or ropes. Left overs from a parent’s project work great for these creepy crawly kid made charms.
- Roll a sphere and flatten it for the head.
- Pinch the 4 ropes together in the middle for the legs.
- Press the circle in the middle.
- Bend the ropes to look like legs.
- Add small clay spheres for eyes. Press down to mold the spider parts together.
- Make a tiny hole near the top with a toothpick.
- Bake as directed on the package.
Give as a gift to a friend or loved one.
MORE Creepy Crawly Activities for Preschoolers #PlayfulPreschool
Beginning Sounds: Hunting for Creepy Crawlies by Mom Inspired Life
Preschool Songs: I’m a Hungry Spider by Growing Book by Book
The Creepy Crawlies Kingdom by Learning 2 Walk
Number Word Spider by Tiny Tots Adventures
Creepy Crawly Slime Recipe for Kids by Fun-A-Day!
Spider Web Construction – An Engineering Activity by Rainy Day Mumm
Spider Life Cycle and Sequencing Cards by The Preschool Toolbox
Insects and Spiders-Counting and Math Song by Capri + 3
Creepy Crawly Gifts Kids Can Make by The Educators’ Spin On It
Learning About Composting Worms by Raising Lifelong Learners
Making Creepy Crawly Crafts with Leaves by Life Over C’s
Our kids love using clay, but I forget to set it out! New inspiration for creepy crawly creations this week! Nice post!
These look like so much fun, and I KNOW my son would love making some for his buds!!
Thanks Theresa – we like to read and do another activity while we wait for clay to bake!
That is a fun craft idea. I love the idea of extending the learning with a Read and Do STEM Early Reader while the craft is baking.
Thanks Natasha – I think we need to come up with a cute card to go with them too.
Polymer clay really is a blast to work with. Around 4 year old seems the magic age to start =)
Thanks Jodie, I was hoping they would be for Christmas, but my Preschooler is too excited about giving them to his friends.
These are awesome and perfect for the holidays!
How neat! Such a fun craft!
Those are nice! What a Great gift to give to friends and loved ones.