How to Make a Spider Out of Pipe Cleaners – Easy & Fun DIY Tutorial

Hey there! Ever found yourself staring at a pile of craft supplies, thinking, “Hmm… what on earth can I make today?” Well, if you’ve got some pipe cleaners lying around, you’re in luck. Today, we’re diving into the wonderfully wiggly world of spider-making. Yep, spiders—not the scary, creepy kind that make you scream in the middle of the night, but the fun, craft kind you can proudly display on your desk or hang up for Halloween.

Now, you might be thinking, “Spiders? Really? Aren’t those kind of tricky?” Nah! That’s the beauty of this little craft project. With just a handful of pipe cleaners and a sprinkle of creativity, you can make a spider that’s quirky, cute, or even downright goofy. And honestly, isn’t that way better than the usual “stick figure” crafts we all did as kids?

Imagine this: You twist, bend, and loop, and suddenly—bam!—you’ve got your eight-legged friend, sitting there like it’s ready to crawl into your next craft display. And the best part? Each spider is totally unique. No two creations will look exactly the same.

So, whether you’re crafting with kids, making decorations for Halloween, or just looking for a quirky little DIY project, pipe cleaner spiders are surprisingly fun. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through it step by step—so simple, even someone who can barely tie their shoelaces can do it.

Ready to get tangled in some pipe cleaners? Let’s jump in.

What You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy!) 

Before we start twisting and turning, let’s make sure you’ve got all your supplies. Don’t worry, it’s a short list. You probably already have most of it lying around. Here’s what you need:

• Pipe cleaners – Obviously! Grab a few black ones for the body and legs. But hey, don’t be shy—spiders can be rainbow-colored if you’re feeling adventurous.
  
• Small beads or pom-poms – Optional, but perfect for the spider’s head or eyes. Adds a cute touch.
  
• Scissors – Only if you need to trim the pipe cleaners.
  
• Glue – Also optional, if you want the legs or head extra secure.
  

Think of this step as your mini scavenger hunt. Got all your supplies? Great! If not, improvise—you’d be surprised how crafty you can get with what’s lying around.

Step 1: Making the Spider Body 

Now, the fun begins! Imagine this as sculpting with pipe cleaners. Here’s how:

1. Body Prep: Take one black pipe cleaner and fold it in half. This is going to be your spider’s torso and abdomen. Don’t worry about making it perfect—it’s supposed to be a little wiggly.
   
2. Add a Head: If you’ve got a small bead or pom-pom, thread it onto one end. If not, just bend the end slightly to make a rounded head shape.
   
3. Secure It: Twist the base of the head a little to keep it in place. Look at that! Your spider already has a head and a body. Feeling proud yet? You should be.
   

Notice how quick that was? Just a few twists and you’re already halfway there. It’s like magic—but with pipe cleaners. 

Step 2: Giving Your Spider Some Legs 

Here’s where it gets a little wiggly, but trust me—it’s super satisfying.

1. Grab Your Pipe Cleaners: You’ll need four more black pipe cleaners (or however many you want for extra wiggly legs). Each one will give your spider two legs—so four pipe cleaners = eight legs.
   
2. Cut if Needed: If your pipe cleaners are too long, snip them down a bit. Think of it like choosing the perfect leg length for your spider—no one-size-fits-all here.
   
3. Twist and Attach: Take one pipe cleaner, place it in the middle of the spider body (around the torso), and twist it around a couple of times so it’s snug. This is your leg base.
   
4. Shape the Legs: Bend each end of the pipe cleaner to create a zig-zag or jointed leg effect. Spiders don’t have straight legs in real life, so don’t stress about perfection—curves and angles make them look realistic (and cute).
   
5. Repeat: Keep attaching and bending each leg until your spider has all eight legs. Step back and admire it—it’s looking pretty creepy-cute now, right?

Quick Tip: Make It Expressive 

Want your spider to have some attitude? Twist the legs differently—some straight, some bent, maybe even a leg waving like it’s saying “hi.” Trust me, adding little quirks like this makes your spider feel alive.

By now, your spider should be standing (or leaning in a spooky way) and looking like it belongs on a mini craft runway.

Step 3: Finishing Touches – Eyes, Color, and Flair 

Here’s where you get to have fun and make your spider totally unique:

1. Add Eyes:
   
   • If you have small beads or googly eyes, glue or thread them onto the head. Two eyes? Four eyes? Go wild! Spiders in real life have lots, so the more, the merrier.
     
   • No beads? No problem! Just bend a tiny loop at the front of the head to suggest eyes. Works like a charm.
     
2. Add Some Color (Optional):
   
   • Got colored pipe cleaners? Wrap a little red or purple around the body for a funky look.
     
   • Feeling extra bold? Mix colors in the legs for a rainbow spider vibe. Why not, right?
     
3. Adjust the Legs:
   
   • Play around with the bends. Maybe make it look like your spider is crawling, sitting, or striking a dramatic pose. This is the “personality” step—tiny tweaks can make it goofy, spooky, or elegant.
     
4. Optional Accessories:
   
   • Tiny bows, beads, or even mini hats? Sure, why not! Your spider can be fashion-forward. 

Step 4: Show It Off! 

Congrats! You just made a spider out of pipe cleaners. Pretty cool, huh?

• Place it on your desk, hang it from a string for a floating effect, or add it to a Halloween display.
  
• Imagine friends seeing it and asking, “Whoa, did you make that?” And you can proudly say, “Yep, all me.”
  

The best part? You can make a whole spider family. Each one can be a little different, and it’s an excuse to play with colors, sizes, and styles. Plus, it’s totally low-stress crafting.

Bonus: Fun Variations and Advanced Spider Ideas 

1. Giant Spiders for Maximum Spookiness:
   
   • Use longer pipe cleaners or twist multiple together for a big body.
     
   • Make thick legs so your spider can actually “stand” on its own.
     
   • Hang it from the ceiling for an instant creepy effect—perfect for Halloween or prank vibes.
     
2. Mini Spiders for Cute Displays:
   
   • Use short pieces of pipe cleaners for tiny spiders.
     
   • Perfect to scatter around a mini scene or stick on cards.
     
   • Bonus: They’re less scary, more adorable—great if crafting with kids.
     
3. Rainbow or Patterned Spiders:
   
   • Mix colors for each leg, or wrap stripes around the body.
     
   • Add glitter glue or metallic pipe cleaners for sparkle.
     
   • Tip: A little shimmer makes your spider look magical, not scary.
     
4. Spider Web Accessories:
   
   • Use white yarn or thin string to create a mini web for your spider to “sit” on.
     
   • Twist a few pipe cleaners into a web pattern and attach the spider in the center.
     
   • Now you have a full-on spider scene, and trust me, it looks way more professional than it sounds.
     
5. Expressive Legs & Personality:
   
   • Bend some legs upwards, some downwards, even make one leg wave.
     
   • Give your spider a “pose” like it’s dancing, crawling, or hiding.
     
   • Tiny tweaks like this bring your spider to life and make each one totally unique.
     

The Best Part? Endless Creativity 

Seriously, that’s the beauty of pipe cleaner spiders. Each one is a little experiment, a little story, and a lot of fun rolled into one. Plus, making them is super relaxing—you can chat, listen to music, or binge a show while your spiders come to life.

So go ahead, twist, bend, and play. Make a spider army if you like. And when someone asks, “How did you make that?” you can smile and say, “Just a little pipe cleaner magic.