Eight-Leg Snack Plate

We're ending spider week with a snack your little one builds and counts. One round food goes in the middle, and eight long pieces become the legs. Count them on, count them off and eat them up!

What you need

• One round food for the body: a cracker, a rice cake, a slice of cheese or a cucumber round

• Eight long, safe pieces for the legs: cheese sticks, cucumber strips, soft-cooked carrot sticks or thin apple slices

• Optional: two blueberry halves for eyes

How to make it

1. Set the body. Put the round food in the middle of the plate.

2. Count out the legs. Line up eight pieces and count them together.

3. Add four legs. Place four legs on one side. "One, two, three, four!"

4. Add four more. Place four on the other side. "Five, six, seven, eight! Eight legs, just like a spider."

5. Count them off. Eat one leg at a time and count down: "Seven legs left... six..."

Why we love it

Placing one leg at a time and counting as you go teaches one number for one thing. Splitting eight into four and four is a first peek at adding, and counting down as you eat is a first peek at taking away.

Make it your own

• Insect plate: Make a bug with three round body parts and six legs. How is it different from the spider?

• Fruit spider: Use a pancake or an orange slice for the body and banana sticks for legs.

A quick safety note: Cut leg pieces thin and soft for kids under 4, and halve or quarter blueberries. Check labels for wheat and milk allergies. Always have your child sit while eating.

Shop these items

Find the books and supplies from this week in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Shop everything for Week 7: Spiders

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Spider activities, Letter G activities and Number 7 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.