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You are here: Home / Books / Book Related Activities / Hedgehog Craft and Book Activities

Hedgehog Craft and Book Activities

By Shaunna Evans 38 Comments ยท This content may contain affiliate links.

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As I mentioned in yesterday’s forest post, we are combining many of our Christmas activities with learning about forests and forest animals. Of course, that left me with a ton of possible ideas for things to learn about this month. Earlier this school year the kids were able to observe and touch a hedgehog as part of story time at our local zoo. It was an experience that stuck with them, so I decided that would be a great animal to learn a little more about.

To begin our discussion we found Europe on our globe. Hedgehogs are primarily found in Europe, but some species can be found in Africa. I also showed the kids some pictures of hedgehogs on our iPad, and the kids quickly recalled how cute that little hedgehog was at the zoo. Before our discussion, I read some facts about hedgehogs from Animal Corner, so that I would be able to answer their questions.

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Forest Theme ActivitiesOne Snowy Night

I had often seen, but never read M. Christina Butler’s books about Little Hedgehog, so I was excited to include them in this study. First we read One Snowy Night. It is a sweet story about a gift Little Hedgehog receives that doesn’t quite fit, so he passes it along. It ends up being passed from friend to friend, until it unexpectedly helps Little Hedgehog when he is lost. The sequence of this story lent itself to great retelling practice. We read it a couple of times and the kids practiced telling who tried on the hat and why it didn’t workout for that animal.

As I was planning this unit I was inspired by the hedgehog craft for preschool hibernation from Rainy Day Mum, so I knew I wanted to incorporate a hedgehog craft of some sort. We started out by tracing hand prints on two shades of brown paper. To make the project go a little faster, for each child I used two stacks of paper four sheets thick. That way I could cut out many hand prints at one time. The kids fanned the hand prints out, and we stapled them together.

Forest Theme Activities

Then we practiced rolling a piece of paper into a cone. We trimmed the edges to flatten the base, and we taped the cone in place. Then we added a brown pom-pom nose and two googly eyes. I would have preferred some cute brown button eyes like the ones we all remembered from our friend at the zoo, but Lovey has added all of our craft buttons to her collages lately.

This was my original thought for the craft, but then one of the kids asked about his hat. Ooh, good idea, and I loved that they remembered the details from the story!

One Snowy Night Book Activities

We found some red felt and a red pom-pom and made a quick red hat.

Christmas Crafts for Kids

Then we attached Little Hedgehog to his cozy red hat, and the kids were happy with their creations.

One Snowy Night Book ActivitiesOne Winter’s Day

One Winter’s Day is another book in this series, and I think it was my favorite one. In this story Little Hedgehog’s home is blown away in a storm so he sets off to stay at his friend’s house until the storm passes. Along the way, he generously gives his hat, mittens, and scarf to friends in need. At the end he is surprised by how all of his friends come together to return the favor.

This story gave us a great opportunity to talk about generosity and kindness to others. Like the first story, it was also a great plot to use for practicing retelling the sequence of events. The kids could easily tell me the problem at the beginning of the story, who Little Hedgehog shared his things with, and how the story ended.

After reading this story we tried to create playdough hedgehogs. During our nature walk we collected a lot of pine needles for various projects, so I thought maybe we could use some of them to make our hedgehogs. I left the pine needles stuck together and trimmed them to about three inches long so that they would be long enough for the kids to work with. If I did this again, I would probably cut the pine needles a bit shorter.

To begin the kids practiced making a large ball, and then we pitched the front to look more like a pointy snout.

Forest Theme Activities

The kids really enjoyed pressing the ends of the needles into the ball of play dough. They concentrated on placing them very carefully and really focused on covering the whole surface. They were so quiet and engaged.

Forest Theme Activities

When they ran out of pine needles (I think they would have gone on forever if I had more), we added googly eyes and a Whopper candy nose. And Lovey exclaimed, “Um, I think it’s a porcupine, Mom.” We took a minute to talk about this observation using this short essay written by a kid about the differences between porcupines and hedgehogs. Honestly, I think I am learning as much as the kids this year! In the end we all agreed that it could be a porcupine, and decided that next time we should trim the pine needles a bit more.

Forest Theme ActivitiesOne Christmas Night

The last story we read about Little Hedgehog was One Christmas Night. Tinker especially loved the glittery pages in this one. She spent a lot of time sitting and feeling the pages. In this story Little Hedgehog is getting ready for Christmas but feels like something is missing until all of his friends are there. After reading this story we talked about friendship and and things we like to do with our friends.

Have you read any of these stories or created any hedgehog crafts with your kids? I would love to hear more ideas to include next time.

 

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Filed Under: Book Related Activities, Book Studies, Christmas, Crafts, Forest, Kindergarten, Preschool, Uncategorized Tagged With: hedgehogs

Previous Post: « Tips for Making Christmas Tree Cones with Kids
Next Post: Felt Christmas Tree Ideas-Advent Day 6 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. CaroleAnne

    November 12, 2016 at 11:38 am

    I am just making a ‘ One Snowy Night’ book bag for our local pre-school so found this on a search for activities to include in the book bag. I’d appreciate any other suggestions as well. Thought I”d also do something about hybernation.

    Reply
    • Shaunna Evans

      February 5, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      Some story sequencing and retelling stones would be a great addition to the book bag!

      Reply
  2. Susanna

    December 9, 2015 at 7:36 pm

    Great craft thank you. Will be using it with my K3 class today. Just wondering why the beanie is at the bottom of the hedgehog?

    Reply
    • Shaunna Evans

      January 3, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      We did this craft to go along with One Snowy Night, and in the end the hedgehog curls up in the hat. The craft represents that part of the story.

      Reply
  3. Lauren

    December 21, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Thanks for posting! I linked to this post and your site in my blog post here: http://readtomemommy.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/12-days-of-christmas-reads-day-9-one-snowy-night-by-m-christina-butler-tina-macnaughton/ I hope it’s okay! Thanks again, love your site!

    Reply
    • Shaunna Evans

      December 22, 2013 at 7:47 pm

      Thanks so much for linking to this post and stopping by to share. I appreciate it!

      Reply
  4. Sugar Aunts

    January 12, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    I love these hedgehogs! SO cute!! Thanks for linking these up in the Share It Saturday party!
    Colleen

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      January 13, 2013 at 6:57 am

      Thanks! We had fun creating them.

      Reply
  5. Lisa

    January 12, 2013 at 10:37 am

    Way too cute! My kids love hedghogs ; ) Hopping over from Share it Saturday!

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      January 12, 2013 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by! Glad you liked the craft…we had fun putting it together.

      Reply
  6. Ticia

    December 15, 2012 at 11:59 pm

    Oh my goodness, that is ADORABLE! One of my best friends is a huge hedgehog fan. I’m gonna have to show her this.

    Have you read the Jan Brett Hedgie books?

    Thanks for linking up to Science Sunday!

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 16, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you! It was fun to put together, and the kids still like admiring them.

      Reply
  7. Renee C.

    December 14, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    That’s the book my son brought home from his school library this week. We’ll be reading it over the weekend. What an adorable craft to go with it too. Thanks for sharing. I’m visiting from the Children’s Bookshelf.

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 14, 2012 at 9:32 pm

      I hope the two of you enjoy the book! Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  8. Kendall

    December 13, 2012 at 11:33 am

    Love this! My 3.5 year old daughter would absolutely enjoy reading and doing the crafts! I chose this post to be featured over on my blog for this week’s co-op. Go ahead and check it out if you want!

    http://www.homelearningjourney.com/the-weekly-kids-co-op-1213/

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 13, 2012 at 1:04 pm

      Thanks so much for the feature, Kendall! I shared your features via Facebook, and I hope you and your daughter get a chance to do the crafts some time.

      Reply
  9. Rachel

    December 13, 2012 at 1:39 am

    What darling ideas!!! I love the craft projects you’ve created here. Thanks so much for sharing at For the Kids Fridays at Sun Scholars! I’m pinning this to a couple of my boards on Pinterest, and you are featured at this week’s party!!!

    Stop by and grab an A++ badge to brag to your friends ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 13, 2012 at 7:01 am

      Thanks so much for featuring this post, Rachel! I am glad you enjoyed the crafts.

      Reply
  10. Mom and Kiddo @What Do We Do All Day?

    December 10, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    Very cute! Jan Brett has some hedgehog books, too. Have you read those?

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 10, 2012 at 10:02 pm

      Yes, we have read some of the Jan Brett books. Thanks for the reminder.

      Reply
  11. JDaniel4's Mom

    December 8, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    Your hedgehog crafts are adorable! The book looks cute too.

    Thank you for linking to Read.Explore.Learn. I will be sharing it on the Read.Explore.Learn. Facebook page tomorrow.

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 9, 2012 at 6:39 am

      Thank you! I am glad you like them, and I really appreciate you sharing them.

      Reply
  12. Jill

    December 8, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    I love the storybook One Snowy Night! I have pinned your craft onto my Winter Pinterest board to use with my kids during the month of January. Thank you for linking up this week to my Enchanted Thursdays Blog Hop!

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 8, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      Thanks! We really enjoyed all of the books. I hope your kids enjoy the craft!

      Reply
  13. Amy @ Hope Is the Word

    December 8, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    These are brand-new-to-me titles, and they sound delightful! Are you familiar with Jan Brett’s stories? She has written about hedgehogs. I love the art activities, too.

    Thank you so much for linking up to Read Aloud Thursday!

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 8, 2012 at 12:21 pm

      I am so glad I could share something new with you. I do like the books! Yes, we are fans of Jan Brett’s stories. We will be using a couple of them int the coming weeks. Thanks for the reminder. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  14. Melanie

    December 7, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    Those hedgehogs are adorable! Stopping by from Kids Co-Op.

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 8, 2012 at 7:34 am

      Thanks! I am glad you like them.

      Reply
  15. Isobel Morrell

    December 7, 2012 at 9:59 am

    Coming from the UK, those books are unfamiliar to me – but have you ever read the Beatrix Potter story of Mrs. Tiggywinkle, or the “Little Grey Rabbit” books (there are several) by Alison Uttley. The latter may now be out of print, but may be available on Kindle, and feature a Hedgehog as one of Little Grey Rabbit’s friend called Fuzzypeg! Did enjoy reading this post!

    Isobel – http://www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 7, 2012 at 12:47 pm

      Thanks for the great recommendations, Isobel! I am not familiar with those books, but I will definitely see if I can find them through our library.

      Reply
  16. Hannah

    December 7, 2012 at 8:25 am

    Love this post. My 4 year old daughter has been obssesed w/ hedgehogs ever scince seeing her older cousins pet hedgehog at Thanksgiving. I am going to use some of these ideas with her. By the way, Jan Brett’s books have alot of hedgehogs in them too.
    – Hannah
    Homeschool mom to 3 ages 4,6,and 7

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 7, 2012 at 12:41 pm

      Thank you! I understand her obsession. I didn’t realize how cute they were until we touched one at the zoo. And thanks for the reminder about the Jan Brett books. I have been debating whether to do a Jan Brett mini-unit…so many ideas, so little time, right? ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  17. Nicole (Mama to 4 Blessings)

    December 7, 2012 at 7:46 am

    how adorable are those crafts! what a fun lesson! Feel free to stop by and link your post up to Learn and Link http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.com/2012/12/learn-link-legend-of-candy-cane-unit.html
    Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 7, 2012 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks! I was happy about how they came together with the kids’ input.

      Reply
  18. Kelly at Little Wonders' Days

    December 7, 2012 at 6:38 am

    We love this books series too and this is such a cute craft to go with it! Visiting from TGIF!

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 7, 2012 at 12:31 pm

      I am so glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  19. Andrea @ No Doubt Learning

    December 6, 2012 at 11:52 am

    These are adorable hedgehog activities!! I hope you don’t mind, but I just linked to it in our hibernation post under our hedgehog craft. ๐Ÿ™‚ http://nodoubtlearning.com/2012/11/27/winter-hideaway-wednesday-hibernation-games-and-activities/

    Reply
    • Shaunna

      December 6, 2012 at 12:49 pm

      I don’t mind at all! Thank so much for including the idea. Your post is wonderful!

      Reply

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