Age: 3–6 years
Activity time: approximately 20–30 minutes
Technique: paper tearing, collage, and coloring
Children decorate a hedgehog outline with pieces of paper in autumn colors. The colorful pieces resemble leaves and create a decorative back for the little animal. This activity develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to recognize and name colors.
Materials needed:
- a printed hedgehog template — one for each child;
- colored paper: yellow, orange, red, and brown;
- glue stick;
- a brown or beige crayon.
Step-by-step instructions:
Talk about the colors of autumn leaves. Choose paper in similar colors.
Color the hedgehog’s face and paws.
Tear the paper into pieces resembling leaves. They can be different shapes and sizes.
Apply glue to a small section of the hedgehog’s body and attach the paper pieces.
Gradually cover the entire body. The pieces can overlap and extend slightly beyond the outline. Leave the face and paws uncovered.
Set the finished artwork aside to dry and prepare an autumn display.
Adjusting the activity for different ages:
For children aged 3–4, offer larger pieces of paper and help them apply the glue. Children aged 5–6 can tear smaller leaves and arrange them in colorful bands or rows.
Printing the template:
A4 size, landscape orientation, with the “Fit to page” option selected. There is no need to cut out the hedgehog shape — children can work directly on the printed sheet.
