There are so many different fun playdough ideas to try this Fall, just like this playdough hedgehog activity. Young children will have a great time using the small parts to make their own cute creatures.
If you want to make your Fall themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Fall Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
More Fall Themed Fine Motor Activities to try
Playdough is great for little hands. Here are some more fun ways to help toddlers and preschoolers to strengthen their fine motor skills this Autumn.
- Sticky Wall Hedgehog
- Playdough Pumpkins
- Free Fall Playdough Mats
- Printable Lacing Cards for Fall
- Pumpkins and elastic bands activity
For more ideas, take a look at these 15 Fall Fine Motor Activities for Kids.
Materials Needed
- Brown play dough
- Googly eyes
- Toothpicks or twigs
- Playdough tools
Playdough is really easy to make. In fact, you can get your kids to help you do it. I love this no-cook homemade playdough recipe. It stays lovely and soft for a very long time. You’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff after you’ve tried to make your own.
How to Make Playdough Hedgehogs
1. Roll your brown playdough into a ball.
2. Pinch one end into a cone shape.
This will be the nose of your hedgehog. You can also make the nose longer and use this same process to make a playdough echidna instead.
3. Push your toothpicks and twigs into the ball.
If you don’t have or want to use toothpicks, you can try something else instead. For example, twigs, pasta pieces or even paper straws would all work wonderfully for this activity.
4. Decorate the cone end with googly eyes.
Alternatively, you can make hedgehogs out of salt dough instead. Then you can leave them to dry and keep them as a cute craft instead.
What You’re Learning
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to the small muscles in the hand and fingers. Developing these skills are important in being able to write when the kids go to school, as well as being able to complete tasks independently. (For example, dressing and feeding themselves).
Rolling and pinching the playdough, as well as picking up the twigs or toothpicks, and posting them into the playdough are all going to help young kids develop:
- Pincer grip and/or tripod grip
- Hand-eye coordination
- Dexterity
Sensory
Playdough is also a wonderful tool for sensory play. You can also mix different materials into the playdough to emphasize the sensory side. For example:
- Add essential oils to give your playdough a nice smell.
- Add glitter to make the playdough shimmer in the light.
- Add sand to give your playdough a grainy texture.
Are you going to make this Playdough Hedgehog activity with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
87 Pages of Fall themed play based learning activities. Perfect for preschool and kindergarteners.
