Make a spider using LEGO®
Build a movable LEGO® spider using bricks and connectors, design eight legs and a body, and learn symmetry, counting, and simple engineering.
About this activity
Build a movable LEGO® spider using bricks and connectors, design eight legs and a body, and learn symmetry, counting, and simple engineering.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather your materials and find a flat clean workspace to build on.
- 2
Step 2
Pick the bricks you want to use for the spider body so the block will be wide enough for eight legs.
- 3
Step 3
Stack and snap those bricks together to build a sturdy central body for your spider.
- 4
Step 4
Choose four spots along one side of the body where you will attach legs and remember their positions.
- 5
Step 5
Attach a connector or small plate to each of the four chosen spots on that side.
- 6
Step 6
Add matching connectors to the opposite side aligned with the first four so the placement is symmetrical.
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Step 7
Slide one leg piece onto each connector so you have four legs on each side for eight legs total.
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Step 8
Press two small round pieces onto the front of the body to make eyes.
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Step 9
Bend or pivot each leg piece so it can move up and down freely.
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Step 10
Gently push the spider to test how the legs move and watch for smooth motion.
- 11
Step 11
Count the legs out loud to make sure there are eight total.
- 12
Step 12
Adjust leg angles for balance if the spider tips or does not move smoothly.
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Step 13
Share your finished movable LEGO® spider on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I build a movable LEGO spider step-by-step?
To make a movable LEGO spider, start by planning a central body using a rectangular plate or small Technic frame. Build eight identical leg assemblies with hinge, ball joint or angled connector pieces, then attach four legs to each side of the body in matching positions to teach symmetry. Use short axles for joints so legs can move; test and adjust lengths so the spider balances. Add round tiles for eyes and let the child experiment with leg angles and walking motion.
What materials and LEGO pieces do I need to make a spider?
You’ll need a set of standard LEGO bricks including small plates, slope pieces and a few Technic elements like pins, axles, and connectors for movable joints. Gather hinge bricks or ball joints, small round tiles for eyes, and longer thin pieces for legs. A baseplate, brick separator, and a soft play mat help with building and cleanup. If you don’t have Technic parts, you can improvise with stacked plates and hinge bricks for limited movement.
What ages is this movable LEGO spider activity suitable for?
This activity suits children ages 5 to 12, with complexity adjusted by age. Younger builders (5–7) can create a simple spider using larger bricks and adult help. Ages 8–12 can work with Technic connectors and movable joints independently, learning symmetry and engineering basics. Supervise children under 8 because small pieces pose choking hazards. For toddlers (2–4), use DUPLO to explore counting and leg placement without small parts.
What skills and learning benefits will my child get from building a LEGO spider?
Making a LEGO spider teaches symmetry, counting, fine motor skills, spatial reasoning and basic engineering concepts like pivots and balance. It encourages problem-solving, planning and creative iteration as children adjust leg lengths and test movement. Working in pairs builds communication and teamwork. Extensions like coloring legs, adding a motor, or turning it into a counting game deepen math and STEM learning while keeping play hands-on and fun.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have the specific connectors or small plates called for in the instructions?
Use 1x1 clips, hinge plates, or Technic pins inserted into a small plate as substitutes for the connectors or small plates when you 'Attach a connector or small plate to each of the four chosen spots' and when you 'Add matching connectors to the opposite side'.
The legs won't slide or the spider keeps tipping—what should we check and fix?
Check that you 'Stack and snap those bricks together to build a sturdy central body' by adding extra bricks or a baseplate, make sure each connector is aligned front-to-back before you 'Slide one leg piece onto each connector', and adjust leg angles or add a heavier brick to the center to improve balance.
How can I adapt this project for different ages?
For younger children use larger bricks and pre-attach the connectors so they only 'Slide one leg piece onto each connector' and count the legs, while older kids can use Technic pieces or hinge bricks to create articulated joints and experiment with leg motion as they 'Bend or pivot each leg piece so it can move up and down freely'.
How can we personalize or extend the finished movable LEGO® spider?
Customize colors and patterns, swap the 'two small round pieces' for translucent studs or printed eye pieces, add a turntable plate under the central body for spinning motion, or build a small habitat before you 'Share your finished movable LEGO® spider on DIY.org'.