There’s something magical about the first crisp morning of fall. The leaves start to turn, the air smells like cinnamon, and suddenly the kids want to make all the crafts. If you’re hunting for a cozy autumn activity that’s equal parts sensory fun and adorable keepsake, this Paint Splat Hedgehog is about to become your new favorite.
This little guy comes together with everyday supplies, a splash of paint, and a handful of toothpicks that magically turn into prickly quills. Best of all, we’ve included a free printable heart-shaped face template to make setup a breeze.
Craft Supplies:
Gather these supplies before you get started:
- Gray cardstock paper – for the body
- Light brown cardstock paper – for the printable
- Brown paint – we used two different colors of brown Tulip fabric paint
- Loose craft glitter – for that cozy fall sparkle
- Googly eyes – two large ones give the best look
- Toothpicks – for the spikes
- Scissors – for cutting out the printable
Reader tip: Lay down a placemat or an old tablecloth before you start. Paint plus glitter plus little hands equals a happy mess, so a protected surface saves you cleanup stress later.
Grab the Free Printable:
Before you dive in, download our free printable hedgehog face template. It includes the heart shape that becomes the hedgehog’s adorable upside-down face.
Simply print it onto light brown cardstock, then cut out the heart. If your little ones are old enough, let them practice their scissor skills here. For younger crafters, do the cutting ahead of time so they can jump straight to the fun part.
The printable takes the guesswork out of drawing a symmetrical heart, which means less prep for you and a more polished result for them.
Directions:
Step 1: Start With the Paint Splat Body
Place your gray cardstock flat on your work surface. Squeeze a generous dollop of dark brown paint and a dollop of metallic gold paint side by side in the center of the page.
Fold the cardstock in half over the paint, or press a second sheet on top, then gently smush and rub with your hands. When you peel it open, you’ll reveal a beautiful marbled blob of brown and gold. This is your hedgehog’s body!
Here’s why it works: The fold-and-press method creates a naturally rounded, textured shape that looks just like a chubby hedgehog. Every splat turns out a little different, and that’s exactly the charm.
Step 2: Press in the Toothpick Quills
While the paint is still wet, grab your wooden toothpicks. Press them into the top edge of the painted body so they radiate outward, just like a hedgehog’s spines.
Aim for around 15 to 20 toothpicks fanned across the upper half of the body. The wet paint holds them in place, so work fairly quickly. If the paint starts to dry, a tiny dot of glue under each toothpick does the trick.
Common mistake: Adding too few toothpicks. Pack them in close together for that classic prickly hedgehog look.
Step 3: Sprinkle on the Glitter
Now for the sparkle. While the paint is still tacky, shake glitter over the body so it sticks right into the wet surface.
Star-shaped and circular glitter in gold, orange, and purple gives your hedgehog a cozy autumn glow. Let your child sprinkle freely, then tip the excess glitter onto a piece of scrap paper and funnel it back into the jar.
Set the whole thing aside to dry for a bit before moving on to the face. This is a great moment for a snack break!
Step 4: Add the Heart-Shaped Face
Take the heart you cut from your printable and flip it upside down, so the point faces the floor. Glue it onto the bottom center of the painted body, letting it overlap the paint just a little.
That downward point becomes the hedgehog’s cute little snout.
Step 5: Bring the Face to Life
Almost done! Glue two googly eyes side by side in the middle of the heart. Then either add a dot sticker or button right at the bottom point of the heart to form the nose.
Step back and take a look. With those big eyes and tiny nose, your hedgehog instantly comes to life.
Let everything dry completely before you display it proudly for all to see!
RELATED —> Paper & Chalk Art Hedgehog Craft
We can’t wait to see the prickly little hedgehogs you and your kids create. This is one of those projects that’s just as fun to make as it is to display, and it captures the coziness of fall in the sweetest way.
Did your hedgehog turn out extra sparkly or extra spiky? Snap a photo and share it with us! Tag @gluedtomycrafts so we can celebrate your little one’s creativity! Happy crafting, my friends and happy fall! 🍂
