How to Draw a Tarantula: Easy 9-Step Guide for Kids

Ready to draw a fuzzy, eight-legged friend? This tutorial is perfect for young artists ages 5 and up. All you need is a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to bring this arachnid to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

Colorful cartoon tarantula drawing, perfect for kids' art projects.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Face and Fangs

Close-up sketch of a tarantula face showing fangs and two small oval eyes.

Start by drawing the chelicerae (fangs) using two curved lines and two 'U' shapes. Then, sketch a fuzzy head around them using jagged, short strokes. Teacher's Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light here so you can easily erase any overlapping lines later.

Step 2: Adding the Pedipalps

Drawing the first two segmented pedipalps on the tarantula's face.

Draw a curved line across the face, then add the pedipalps—the short, leg-like appendages near the mouth. Use zig-zag lines to give them a segmented, hairy look. Tip: Think of these as the spider's 'arms'!

Step 3: Starting the First Walking Legs

Sketching the first pair of long, segmented walking legs on the spider.

Now, let's start the long legs. Use long, curved lines for the segments and connect them with small zig-zags. End each leg with a 'U' shape for the foot. Tip: Spiders have eight legs, so space them out evenly around the body.

Step 4: Building the Second Pair of Legs

Adding the second pair of walking legs to the tarantula's body.

Continue adding legs by repeating the segmented process. Keep your lines fluid to make the legs look natural. Tip: If your legs look a bit stiff, try curving the segments slightly to give the spider movement.

Step 5: Adding More Legs

Continuing the drawing process by adding the third pair of legs.

Keep going! Add the next set of legs, ensuring they originate from the center of the body. Tip: Don't worry if they aren't perfect; spiders have many joints, so slight variations make them look more realistic.

Step 6: Filling in the Leg Count

Adding the third pair of legs to the tarantula drawing.

Draw the third set of walking legs. By now, your spider should really be taking shape! Tip: Check your spacing to make sure you have room for the final set of legs.

Step 7: The Abdomen and Final Legs

Drawing the large round abdomen and adding the seventh leg.

Complete the sixth leg and start the seventh. Now, draw a large, round shape behind the head for the abdomen. Use short, jagged lines to give it a fuzzy, hairy texture. Tip: The abdomen is the largest part of the spider, so make it nice and round!

Step 8: Final Details and Texture

Adding the final eighth leg and texture details to the spider's back.

Finish the eighth leg. Add a 'V' shape on the back of the head to define the cephalothorax. Tip: Adding a few extra short lines around the body creates that iconic 'hairy' tarantula look.

Step 9: Final Touches

The completed line art of the tarantula with added hair texture.

Go over your outline to ensure all the hairy textures are consistent. Erase any extra guidelines. Tip: Use a darker pencil or a fine-liner pen to make your final lines pop before coloring.

Step 10: Bring Your Spider to Life with Color

A fully colored, friendly cartoon tarantula.

Time to color! While many tarantulas are brown or black, feel free to get creative with bright blues, oranges, or pinks. Tip: Use short, light strokes with your colored pencils to mimic the look of fur.