Want a craft that keeps kids engaged? This yarn hedgehog craft is magic! Comes with free template and video tutorial. Perfect for Fall fun for kids ages 5-12.
My son knows Horace and Hattie better than some of his cousins at this point. You know, the hedgehogs from “Hedgehugs” who can’t hug each other because they’re too prickly? Yeah, we’ve read that book about a thousand times. So when he wanted to make hedgehogs for our Fall crafts, I knew exactly why he wanted hedgehogs he could actually cuddle.
This easy hedgehog craft for kids became our solution. We wrapped yarn around cardstock to create soft, huggable hedgehogs that look adorable and feel fuzzy instead of spiky.
In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make your own yarn-wrapped hedgehog using simple supplies you probably already have. This hedgehog activity for kids is perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want projects that keep kids engaged without the usual frustration. Plus, we’ve included a free template to make the whole process super easy.
Perfect for classroom activities, rainy day fun, Fall decorations, or just spending quality time together while little hands build important skills.
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly (perfect for kids ages 5-12)
Cost: Under $5 (using supplies you likely have)
Time: 20-30 minutes
Ages: 5+ years (with adult supervision for cutting)
What Kids Actually Get from This Craft
Kids sit down and do this from start to finish. That’s it. That’s the win. The wrapping is somehow both simple and satisfying, and they get to watch their hedgehog transform as they work. Plus it builds hand strength for writing, but let’s be honest, they just think it’s fun.
Making animals instead of random crafts makes a huge difference. Kids name them, show them off, keep them on their desk. Once they finish this hedgehog, check out our flapping bat, origami bear, or level up to our llama plushie and other stuffed animal patterns for more animals they’ll actually care about making.
How to Make A Yarn Wrapped Hedgehog
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Cardstock or thin cardboard in brown or tan (65-80 lb weight recommended). Lightweight printer paper tears too easily when kids wrap yarn around it, while thick cardboard becomes too bulky for small hands. Cardstock gives the perfect sturdy base that’s still flexible.
Alternative: cereal box cardboard works great and teaches recycling! - Colored craft paper for details (standard weight). For creating the nose, ears, and cheeks. Warm Fall colors like orange, pink, or cream work beautifully.
- Yarn in Fall colors (worsted weight yarn). Brown, beige, orange, or mustard creates that cozy hedgehog texture. Medium thickness lets kids wrap easily without the yarn slipping or tangling
Tools
- Clear tape. Regular office tape works perfectly for securing yarn ends on the back.
- Pencil for tracing the template.
- Sharp craft scissors. Adult-supervised cutting creates clean edges on the cardstock base. For younger kids, pre-cut the base and let them cut the simple shapes.
- Craft glue or glue stick. Glue sticks work best for kids since they’re less messy and dry quickly, perfect for attaching small paper pieces without wrinkles.
- Pink marker or crayon (optional) for adding rosy cheeks if not using paper cutouts.
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Step-by-Step Instructions: Easy Hedgehog Craft for Kids
Step 1: Cut Out the Hedgehog Base and Face Pieces
Start by printing your free template. Trace the hedgehog body shape onto your brown cardstock or cardboard and cut it out carefully, making sure to follow the zigzag spiky edges. Next, use your colored craft paper to trace and cut out the smaller pieces: two ear pieces (one large outer ear and one small inner ear), a small nose circle, and two tiny blush circles for the cheeks.
Pro tip: The zigzag edge doesn’t have to be perfect! Uneven spikes actually make your hedgehog look more natural and cute. If you’re working with kids under 8, cut out all the pieces ahead of time so they can jump straight to the fun wrapping part.
Step 2: Pick Your Yarn and Flip the Base Over
Pick the yarn color you want for your hedgehog’s “fur.” Brown and tan look realistic, but orange, mustard, or even cream colors give it a cozy Fall feeling. Once you’ve chosen your yarn, flip your cardstock hedgehog base over so the back side is facing up.
Step 3: Tape the Yarn to the Back
Use a small piece of clear tape to attach the open end of the yarn to the backside of the hedgehog base. This will keep the yarn in place while you start wrapping.
💡 Tip: Use strong tape so the yarn doesn’t slip out while wrapping. If you’re using thick yarn, a drop of hot glue can also work well.
Step 4: Start Wrapping the Yarn from Front to Back
Now flip your hedgehog over so the front is facing up. Take your yarn and start wrapping it vertically over the hedgehog body. Go over the top zigzag spike, down around the bottom, and back up again. The pointy zigzag edges will help catch and hold your yarn in place as you wrap.
Teaching tip: Think of it like wrapping a present! Show kids how to keep the yarn a bit snug but not super tight. If they pull too hard, the cardstock will start to curve or bend. If it’s too loose, the yarn will slide around. Demonstrate the “just right” tension on your own hedgehog first so they can see what it should look like.
Step 5: Wrap Until the Hedgehog is Covered
Continue wrapping the yarn around and around until the whole hedgehog body is covered with fuzzy “fur.” You can wrap in neat, straight lines for a tidy look, or wrap in a more random, crisscross way for a wild, textured style. Both ways look great!
This is where kids really get into the rhythm and see their hedgehog come to life. It’s satisfying to watch the brown cardstock disappear under all that colorful yarn! Want to add a second color? Wrap about halfway with your first color, then stop. Tape down that yarn end on the back. Start your second color by taping it next to the first color, then keep wrapping for a cool two-tone effect.
Step 6: Tape Down the End on the Back
When your hedgehog is completely wrapped and you’re happy with how fluffy it looks, it’s time to finish up. Turn the hedgehog over to the back side again. Cut your yarn, leaving about 2 inches of extra length. Use clear tape to stick down this loose end so all your hard wrapping work doesn’t unravel.
Pro tip: Before you tape the end, tuck that last bit of yarn under a few of the existing wraps. This hides the end even better and makes the back look super clean and professional!
Step 7: Flip the Base to the Front
Flip your hedgehog back over to the front side. Take a moment to look at your wrapped hedgehog and gently press down any loose yarn strands so everything sits nicely.
If you see any big gaps where the cardstock shows through, don’t worry! You can carefully add a few extra wraps in those spots. Just tape a small piece of yarn on the back, wrap it around the empty area a few times, and tape the end down again. This is also a good time to have kids share their hedgehogs with each other if you’re doing this as a group activity.
Step 8: Glue On the Ears and Nose
Time to give your hedgehog a face! First, take your small inner ear piece and glue it onto the larger outer ear piece. Let it dry for about 30 seconds. Then, glue the complete ear to the top of your hedgehog’s head where you’d like it to sit. Next, glue the small nose circle to the pointy front tip of the hedgehog’s face.
💡 Tip: If you’re using liquid glue, apply just a tiny dot to avoid wrinkles or glue marks on the paper. A glue stick works best for small paper parts.
Step 9: Add Cheeks and Draw the Face
Glue your two small blush circles onto the cheeks, one on each side of the hedgehog’s face. Now comes the fun part – grab your black marker or Sharpie! Draw two small dots for eyes and a cute little curved smile for the mouth. You can make a big smile, a tiny smile, or even a surprised “o” mouth. Make it your own!
Not sure where to put the eyes? Draw them about halfway between the ear and the nose. Draw the eyes first, then add the mouth below them – this makes it easier to center everything. If kids are nervous about messing up, let them practice drawing hedgehog faces on scrap paper first. This is also where personalities really come out! Some kids will draw silly faces, some will draw sleepy faces, and some will add extra details like eyebrows or whiskers. It’s all part of the creative fun.
Classroom idea: You can also use googly eyes instead of drawing them for an extra cute 3D effect! Just glue them on instead of drawing dots.
Watch Complete Video Tutorial: Craft a Cute Hedgehog
If picture instructions feel a bit tricky to follow, don’t worry! We’ve created a step-by-step video tutorial that shows exactly how each part of this easy hedgehog craft comes together.
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Tips for Teachers and Parents: Making the Most of This Hedgehog Activity
For Classroom Settings. If you’re doing this craft with a whole class, set up “yarn stations” with different colors. Let kids choose their colors at the beginning and return to swap if they want to try two-tone hedgehogs. Pre-cut all bases and facial features for groups larger than 10 kids to save time.
Let Kids Choose Their Own Colors. Creative ownership makes kids way more invested in their projects. Whether they pick realistic brown or go wild with rainbow colors, it’s their hedgehog and their choice. This builds confidence in their artistic decisions.
Time Management for Teachers. Plan for 30-40 minutes total. Wrapping takes about 15-20 minutes, which is the longest part. If you’re short on time, you can have kids complete the wrapping one day and add the facial features the next day.
Turn It Into a Learning Moment. While kids wrap, you can talk about real hedgehogs, where they live, what they eat, and why they have spines. This craft naturally connects to science lessons about animals, habitats, and adaptation.
Make It a Display. These hedgehogs look adorable arranged on a bulletin board with paper leaves, acorns, and Fall trees. You can also punch a small hole in the top, add string, and hang them as a mobile or garland across your classroom or home.
Add Personal Touches. Once the basic hedgehog is done, encourage kids to customize! They can add tiny paper bows, glue on mini leaves, draw patterns on the ears, or even add glitter to the nose. These personal additions make kids feel like true artists
We absolutely love seeing how kids personalize their hedgehog crafts! When your little ones complete their yarn-wrapped hedgehogs, share photos on social media and tag us with #thecraftaholicwitch so we can celebrate their creativity.
Creative variations we’d love to see:
- Rainbow hedgehogs with multiple yarn colors
- Tiny hedgehogs made with mini templates
- Hedgehog families with different sizes
- Holiday-themed hedgehogs (red and green for Christmas!)
- Hedgehogs with accessories like paper leaves or acorns
Final Thoughts
Creating this yarn-wrapped hedgehog is more than just a cute craft. It’s a chance for kids to build real skills like hand-eye coordination, pattern recognition, and creative confidence while making something they’re genuinely proud of. This project is perfect for rainy Fall afternoons, classroom activities, or just spending quality time together while little hands get stronger and more capable with every wrap of yarn.
As a mom and craft enthusiast, I love projects like this because kids stay engaged from start to finish. They see their hedgehog transform right before their eyes, and that sense of accomplishment? That’s what builds lifelong confidence in their creative abilities.
So grab some yarn, print that free template, and watch your kids’ faces light up as their fuzzy hedgehog friends come to life!
Keep crafting, keep learning, and keep creating those precious memories!
Happy Crafting!
#thecraftaholicwitch
