Finished popsicle stick scarecrow

Paper Plate Hedgehog

An Easy Fall Nature Craft Using Real Leaves

Hello, fall! As the leaves start to change, it’s the perfect time to head outside, collect some beautiful fall leaves, and turn them into the most adorable little craft: a paper plate hedgehog! Those leaves make the perfect spiky spines for our new prickly little friend.

This paper plate hedgehog craft for kids is a wonderful fall nature activity for ages 4 and up. It combines a nature walk, painting, and collage into one simple project that’s easy enough for toddlers and preschoolers, with a little help from a grown-up, and satisfying enough to keep older kids fully engaged. Best of all, the supplies are minimal and the results are absolutely adorable!

VOCABULARY

  • Spine: A stiff, sharp, pointed structure that grows from an animal’s body for protection. A hedgehog’s spines are actually modified hairs made of a tough material called keratin (the same stuff our fingernails are made of!).

  • Nocturnal: Animals that are active at night and sleep during the day. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so while we’re sleeping, they’re out exploring and looking for dinner!

  • Camouflage: When an animal blends in with its surroundings to hide from predators. A hedgehog’s brown color helps it blend in with fallen leaves and soil, just like the leaves we’re using for its spines!

GUIDING QUESTIONS

  • What do you notice about the leaves you collected? Are they all the same shape and color?

  • Why do you think hedgehogs have spines? How do the spines protect them?

MATERIALS

  • Paper plate

  • Brown crayon

  • Scissors

  • White school glue or a low-temp glue gun

  • Fall leaves (collected from outside)

  • Black marker (for the nose and mouth)

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Start by cutting your paper plate in half. You will only need one side for this craft!

Cut paper plate in half

STEP 2

Using your brown crayon, color the entire plate. This will be our hedgehog body!

Color the half plate brown

STEP 3

Now add glue to about two-thirds of the paper plate, making sure to leave a space for your hedgehog’s head. Then add leaves to the glue for your spines.

Glue down leaves for hedgehog spines

STEP 4

Finish off your hedgehog by bringing it to life! With your black marker, add an eye, nose, and mouth.

Add eyes, nose, and mouth