Valentine’s season is here, and that means it’s time for homemade cards with delightfully cheesy puns! Our latest sports-themed craft is a total MVP for kids who love soccer, football, basketball, tennis, and baseball. Want to turn it into a Valentine? Just add the included all-star message: “We make a great team!” It’s the perfect craft for kids who love sports and hedgehogs!

Are you looking for another sweet Valentine’s Day card? Try our Hedgehog Valentine which reads: “I’m hedge over heels for you!”

Easy Sports-Themed Craft for Kids

We can’t get enough of hedgehog crafts for every holiday and season, and we know our fellow teachers and parents love them too! Our Sports Hedgehog is an easy win—just grab some paper, our printable template, washable paint, paintbrushes, glue, and scissors!

This coloring and cutting activity is a great way for young children to develop fine motor skills while having fun! When kids use scissors to cut along lines, they strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers, improving coordination and control. Similarly, coloring within shapes and staying inside the lines enhances hand-eye coordination and grip strength. These skills are essential for everyday tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and tying shoelaces, making cutting and coloring both fun and beneficial for early development!

More DIY Sports Crafts – Check out our basketball craft and our soccer craft for kids! 

Craft Supplies Needed

Before you start this craft with your little ones, make sure you’ve got all the right supplies. 

• Sports-Themed Hedgehog Craft Template
• White cardstock
• Washable paint, markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Paint brushes (if using paint)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Pom poms (optional)
• Plastic wiggly eyes (optional)
• Paper plate (optional) – For holding paint.

Watch the Video Tutorial

Watch the video below to be walked through every step of this craft.

Sports-Themed Hedgehog Craft Directions

This simple paper craft is great for home or school! Just follow the step-by-step instructions below to create your own.

STEP 1: Download and print the craft template. Our super cute hedgehog craft template is available in our Teachers Pay Teachers shop! After purchasing, simply download the printables to your device and print it on white cardstock. The PDF includes a blank hedgehog template (perfect for painting), plus files for creating a sports-themed card. We’ve even added paper wiggly eyes so kids can design their very own hedgehog!

Note: This craft is a part of our growing Hedgehog Craft Bundle. Buy today to get all our printable hedgehog crafts, and any future crafts we create and add to the bundle, for a reduced price.

STEP 2: Color the hedgehog and ball templates. Use washable paint, markers, crayons, or colored pencils to color the patterns. 

STEP 3: Cut the templates. Cut out the hedgehog body, card template, and balls using scissors.

STEP 4: Assemble the craft. Glue each ball onto the hedgehog’s body as shown below. Want to turn it into a Valentine’s Day card? Simply glue the top of the hedgehog’s body to the second template with the message: “We make a great team!”

For extra cuteness, add plastic wiggly eyes and a pom-pom nose, or choose paper eyes and nose from our printable template.

STEP 5: Enjoy your craft! Your hedgehog is all set! Use tape to hang it on the fridge, a door, or your classroom bulletin board, or gift it to friends, family, or neighbors to spread Valentine’s Day love!

Take it Further

Here are a few additional extension ideas:

• Invite your child to embellish their hedgehogs with glitter, foam stickers, yarn, or puffy paint. 
• Use this craft to decorate a sports-themed bulletin board.
• Pair this craft with an illustrated children’s book about sports. 
• Gift this craft along with a small painting set as a fun Valentine’s Day treat.
• Feel free to offer this craft as a make-and-take craft at your community library or nature center event.
• Combine the craft with a Valentine’s Day or sports-themed writing prompt.
• Invite your young child to make this Valentine for their teammates or coach!
• Set this craft out for kids to make on the day of the big game.

More Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

Need more fun ideas? These easy crafts are perfect for kids of all ages!

• Heart Tree Card
• Hoya Heart Plant Card
• Owl Valentine Card
• Paper Flower Bouquet Card
• Heart Buddies Cards

Save This Craft

Use the image below to save this craft on Pinterest.