Free Hedgerow Colouring Sheet

Looking for a fun, free activity to keep children entertained for a few hours over the summer holidays?

The National Hedgelaying Society has created a free hedgerow colouring sheet for children (and adults!) to download, print and enjoy. We hope it will encourage conversations about the wonders of hedgelaying and the amazing wildlife that depends on our native hedgerows.

The illustration was created with the help of AI, which means it isn’t quite perfect. AI occasionally makes mistakes, so while you’re colouring, see if you can spot anything that doesn’t quite look right!

Get Creative

Once you’ve coloured your picture, why not make it even more wildlife-friendly?

Try adding some of the creatures that live in and around traditional hedgerows, including:

Birds
Bees
Butterflies
Ladybirds
Hedgehogs
Dragonflies
Rabbits
Field mice
Frogs
Any other wildlife you can think of! Take it a step further and visit a hedgerow and see what you can spot there! You could take your colouring sheet as a checklist.

We’d love to see your finished artwork. Send finished art to office@hedgelaying.org.uk, and we may feature some of our favourites here and on social media.

Three Things to Discover About Hedgelaying

Hedgelaying is a traditional countryside skill

Rather than cutting a hedge down, skilled hedgelayers carefully partially cut each stem before bending and weaving it along the hedge. This creates a strong, living hedge that continues to grow.

Laid hedges are fantastic for wildlife

A thick, healthy hedge provides food, shelter and safe nesting places for birds, insects and small mammals throughout the year.

Hedgelaying benefits our countryside

Well-managed hedgerows can live for hundreds of years. They connect wildlife habitats, help reduce soil erosion, capture carbon, support biodiversity and provide secure stock-proof boundaries for livestock.

Help Us Spread the Word

If you know a:

Primary school
Nursery
Scout or Guide group
Wildlife group
Community group
Parent, grandparent or teacher

please share this resource with them.

Every download helps introduce more people to the ancient craft of hedgelaying and the vital role hedgerows play in supporting wildlife, farming and our countryside.