We’re making an adorable leaf hedgehog craft that is worthy of display on any wall, amid family pictures and other decor. Also, you’ll love my page Fall Season Unit Study {Pumpkins, Leaves, Corn, & More}.
Of course, while we do that, we can learn about them through facts, videos, books, and other hands-on activities.
Hedgehogs are small, spiky mammals that are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
They are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active at night.
Hedgehogs have long snouts, short legs, and round bodies.
Their backs are covered in sharp spines that they use to protect themselves from predators.
Hedgehogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, fruits, and vegetables. Hedgehogs are also known to eat beetles, caterpillars, snakes and even mice.
Hedgehogs are solitary animals, meaning they live alone.
They only come together to mate.
Female hedgehogs give birth to a litter of 4-8 babies, called hoglets.
Hoglets are born blind and deaf, but they quickly grow up and become independent.
Hedgehogs are important members of the ecosystem.
They help to control the population of insects and rodents. Hedgehogs are also a source of food for other animals, such as owls and foxes.
Hedgehogs are popular pets.
They are known for being friendly and gentle animals.
And hedgehogs are relatively easy to care for, but they do require some special attention.
Hedgehogs need a diet that is high in protein and low in fat.
They also need a cage that is large enough for them to move around and exercise.
HEDGEHOG BOOKS AND RESOURCES FOR KIDS
Next, look at some of these fun books and resources.
5 HEDGEHOG BOOKS AND RESOURCES FOR KIDS
Add these fun resources and books to your learning day.
After getting caught in Miss Jaster's spring planting, Hedgie the hedgehog discovers he has become a four-legged, walking flower garden.
Be they practical (how to mix a pancake or how to bird-watch) or fanciful (how to scare monsters or how to be a snowflake), the poems in this book boast a flair and joy that you won’t find in any instruction manual. Poets from Kwame Alexander to Pat Mora to Allan Wolf share the way to play hard, to love nature, and to be grateful. Soft, evocative illustrations will encourage readers to look at the world with an eye to its countless possibilities.
Little ones love to hibernate with this realistic stuffed animal hedgehog with a multicolored overcoat in their arms.
Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about these adorable animals--their fascinating features, behavior, and habitat. This reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!
Additionally, look at facts about hedgehogs.
HEDGEHOG FACTS
If you are thinking about getting a hedgehog as a pet, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder.
- There are 19 species in five genera of hedgehogs worldwide: Erinaceus, Paraechinus, Mesechinus, Atelerix and Hemiechinus.
- Hedgehogs can roll into a ball when they are threatened- this is called “hogging.”
- Hedgehogs have very poor eyesight, but they have a keen sense of smell and hearing.
- Hedgehogs are very good swimmers and can swim for over half a mile, pretty good for such a little swimmer.
- When they are born their spines are soft and short. But soon after birth, about 3 weeks later, their spines harden, becoming stiffer, sharper and longer.
- Hedgehogs can live for up to 8 years in captivity, so it is important to be prepared for a long-term commitment.
We found a hedgehog card in our Professor Noggin Pet’s Game; you can learn more about them and other unique pets by playing.
In addition, look at some fun hands-on hedgehog activities.
HANDS-ON HEDGEHOG FUN
- Grab a plastic disposable fork and create this Fork Painted Hedgehog Craft, an excellent project for the youngest of learners.
- Autumn Spiky Paper Hedgehogs
- I just love a good tp roll craft for its frugalness but they usually just come out adorable like this Hedgehog Toilet Paper Roll.
- Where do they live? What do they eat? Watch 15 facts about Hedgehogs to find out the answers to these questions and more.
- Build number recognition skills at the same time that they build fine motor skills by creating and playing with this clever Hedgehog Counting Craft.
Finally, look at how to make this adorable leaf hedgehog craft.
LEAF HEDGEHOG CRAFT
The next time you are on a nature walk or wandering in the backyard, gather a basket of dried fall leaves and a few small sticks for this autumn leaf hedgehog craft.
You will need:
- A canvas
- Dried fall leaves
- Sticks
- Glue stick
- Hot glue gun/sticks
- Dried berries, buttons, or beads
- A pencil
First, decide if you would like your hedgehog walking along the ground or a little more whimsical and upright like we did ours here.
Sketch the outline of a rounded body and a tipped-up nose with a pencil.
Once you are happy with your design, retrace the pencil with a fine line marker.
To help children develop fine motor skills you can let them trace the pencil outline with a pen or permanent marker.
You may want to mark with a pencil where to stop the leaves for younger children.
Demonstrate for your child how to add a generous amount of glue to the line along the back and press leaves into the glue down to the base.
Repeat until he has a full back of leafy spines 2-3 layers thick.
Use a google eye, small button, or something like these little dried berries we found outside to make his eye and little upturned nose and glue in place.
Erase the pencil lines if there are any showing to clean up the work a bit.
For the framing part of this craft, you will want to use hot glue to be sure that it holds in place well.
Break your sticks to the approximate length of the four sides of the canvas and glue into place.
Allow it to harden and it’s ready to hang and bring some autumn memories to your wall.
