Fall is the perfect time to pull out the craft supplies, gather the kids around the table, and make something fun together. Crisp air, changing leaves, and a little glue on your fingers – that’s the season right there. And this little hedgehog puppet? It’s a favorite for good reason.
Made from a simple paper plate and real dried pumpkin seeds, this craft turns everyday supplies into a huggable woodland friend your kids can play with long after the glue dries. It’s easy enough for preschoolers, fun enough for older kids, and sweet enough that you’ll want one for yourself too. Let’s make it!
Craft Supplies:
Gather these materials before you start:
- White paper plate – any standard size works
- Dried pumpkin seeds – roasted pepitas or seeds saved from carving pumpkins
- Elmer’s washable school glue – easy to clean up and safe for little ones
- Light brown cardstock – for the hedgehog’s face
- Wooden craft stick (popsicle stick) – this becomes the puppet handle
- Black marker – for drawing the eyes and nose
- Scissors – adult help may be needed for younger kids
- Heart paper punch – optional, but it makes the face quick and tidy
Once everything is ready, spread out some newspaper or a placemat to keep the mess contained, and let’s get crafting.
Directions:
- Start by cutting your white paper plate into four equal triangle shapes. Keep the curved, ridged rim of the plate along the top. This rounded edge becomes the hedgehog’s back, while the point of the wedge will hold the face. Take one piece for now.
- Now for the fun part. Squeeze a generous layer of glue across the paper plate wedge. Have your child press the dried pumpkin seeds onto the glue, packing them close together so they cover the surface. Point the seeds outward to look like a hedgehog’s spiky spines.
- Don’t worry about making it perfect. A little overlap and some gaps only add to the charm. Let this layer sit for a few minutes so the seeds hold firm.
- While the seeds set, grab your light brown cardstock. Punch out a heart shape using your heart paper punch, or cut one by hand with scissors. Turn the heart upside down so the pointed tip faces down – that point becomes the hedgehog’s little nose.
- Using your black marker, draw two small dots near the top for eyes, then color in the bottom tip of the heart to make a cute nose. Simple details bring your hedgehog to life.
- Add a dab of glue to the pointed tip of the paper plate wedge. Press the heart face firmly onto that point, letting it overlap the seeds slightly. Hold it in place for a moment until it sticks. Now your hedgehog has a friendly face peeking out from all those spines.
- Flip the craft over and glue a wooden craft stick to the back, near the bottom point. This stick becomes the handle that lets kids hold and move their puppet. Press it down well and let everything dry completely before playtime begins.
- That’s it – your pumpkin seed hedgehog puppet is ready for adventures!
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Once the glue dries, the real fun starts. Encourage your kids to give their hedgehog a name, make up a little story, or put on a puppet show for the family. These small moments of imaginative play are what make fall crafting so special.
We’d love to see how yours turns out! Snap a photo of your finished hedgehog puppet and share it – there’s nothing sweeter than seeing all the creative twists kids come up with. Happy crafting, and enjoy every cozy moment of the season.
