Are hedgehogs good pets for young children?

They are complex animals with specific needs and are not supposed to be pocket pets for six year olds. If you really sincerely cannot return it, find a vet that specializes in exotic pets and plan on paying out the nose for its care. Or find a cute little box and plan on a "going to heaven" ceremony.

See: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3441652. And, yes, I disagree with keeping hedgehogs as a pet, but as this is most likely a captive-bred animal, at this point, you're fairly stuck for it.

Hedgehogs aren't pets. This should have been explained to the child immediately. They tend to have fleas and need to eat insects and worms - a steady 'saucer of milk' diet will eventually kill it. Please release this animal. Edited to add: My 'release' suggestion above was based on the assumption that this is a wild adult animal. If it is a juvenile or bred in captivity, please consult the RSPCA or your local animal rescue people for their suggestions. In a related question - who on earth breeds hedgehogs?? Edit 2: Apparently breeding African Pygmy hedgehogs is a thing. I only know the wild British type, and that was the perspective from which I wrote my answer. Questioner, please clarify if this is a wild hedgehog or a bred one.

No. They are abusively being kept as pets despite the fact that they are not a domesticated species. They have sharp teeth, finicky diet, can go into potentially fatal hibernation states if the temperature changes suddenly, and typically travel 3 to 5 miles a night in the wild. Teach your child to respect nature and explain to your husband's brother that he is a moron.

Hedgehogs are awesome pets, but need an adult in charge of care. Go to hedgehog central message boards for info and help.

I have lived with several hedgehogs and know many members of hedgehog rescue groups. The fact that there are so many groups should warn you about the suitability of hedgehogs in general for pets. There are two loops and you should get on immediately. You can get very fast answers and help when you need it and, probably, you will.  Hedgehogs are very cute. The get sick quickly and seriously. You need to find a vet. The vet has to be for exotic animals and that won't be enough. You have to see the vet and be sure s/he has ever actually seen a hedgehog. They tend to be very expensive. They need a good size cage with a litter area, a set of blankets or a covered area for them to hide most  of the time. You need to fed them what they are used to right now and then if it isn't good enough, and it probably won't be, you gradually change them to a good, high protein cat food.The six year old cannot be responsible for a hedgehog. It isn't fair to either of them. One of you has to be the primary care taker. Please write me personally. You will need help. They are wonderful little animals and I love them dearly but they are not easy to care for and will end up costing so much you can't believe it. Please sign up on the sites and get in touch with me. Do not release this animal. It must be an African white belly. English hedgehogs (much bigger) are protected and can't be pets. This little thing will die a terrible death. In America contact the hedgehog groups and a person will try to find someone to rescue if at any time this doesn't work out.

It's a rat with spikes. Please give it back motivating it as this creature needs to go back to its family (kids are sensitive to missing a parent and can totally relate to hedgehog's family needing its parent back).