Craft a Cardboard Hedgehog with Woodland Treasures

At Wildlings Forest Kindergarten, we love turning simple materials into something magical. One of our favourite recent crafts has been creating hedgehogs using cardboard, string, and nature’s very own treasures. This activity is a fantastic way to combine creativity, fine motor skills, and an appreciation for the wonders of the forest.

Here’s how you can make your own hedgehog at home using materials you can find on a woodland walk!

What You’ll Need

This craft keeps it simple and sustainable by using recycled and natural materials:

• Cardboard (cut into hedgehog body shapes)
• String or twine
• Foraged treasures: leaves, small twigs, moss, and dried grasses
• Scissors (adult supervision required for little ones)
• Optional: markers or crayons to decorate the cardboard

Step 1: Prepare Your Hedgehog Shape

Cut a hedgehog body shape out of cardboard. Think of a teardrop or oval with a pointy nose, simple shapes work best for little hands!

If you’d like, use markers or crayons to add a face and some fun designs to the hedgehog’s body before moving on.

Step 2: Wrap the String

Take a length of string or twine and wrap it around the body of the hedgehog, leaving space for the nose and face at the front. Secure the string at the back of the cardboard with a knot or a little tape.

The string acts as the base to tuck in the hedgehog’s “spines.”

Step 3: Add the Leaves and Treasures

Here’s the fun part! Start tucking leaves, twigs, moss, or any other foraged treasures under the string. Layer the materials to create the hedgehog’s prickly body. Encourage children to experiment with different textures and colours, the more creative, the better!

Step 4: Make It Your Own

Every hedgehog is unique! Some children might like to add extra details, such as drawing little paws or adding a shiny pebble for a nose.

Why We Love This Craft

This activity is as much about the process as the result. It’s an opportunity for children to:

• Explore the outdoors: Foraging for materials turns this craft into a mini adventure.
• Build motor skills: Wrapping string and tucking leaves help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
• Learn about hedgehogs: Chat about these shy woodland creatures and how they use leaves and twigs to build nests for hibernation.

Plus, it’s an excellent way to reuse materials like old cardboard while bringing a piece of the forest indoors.

Share Your Creations!

We’d love to see your hedgehogs! Whether you’ve made them with us at Wildlings or crafted your own at home, share a photo and tag us on Facebook or Instagram.

Let’s celebrate the magic of nature, one little hedgehog at a time!