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What to make a horse from. DIY wooden horse in the garden

What to make a horse from. DIY wooden horse in the garden

This is not just a horse, it is a horse with moving parts, a twitching horse. You pull a thread, and it seems to run, raise its legs high and lift its fluffy tail. Making such a craft is included in the Perspective program, a technology notebook for grade 2. But not every second grade student will figure out without detailed instructions how to make such a craft, where to thread the threads so that the horse runs. Now we’ll figure it all out: what to cut from and how to cut it, how to fasten it, how to give the horse movement. At the end of the instructions there is a detailed video on how to correctly connect the moving parts of the figure.

What will you need to make a horse for a technology lesson?

Horse template (from a technology workbook for grade 2), colored cardboard, colored paper, pencil, scissors, glue, thread, needle.

How to make a horse out of cardboard

We cut out the template from a notebook using technology. If you are not making a horse for a lesson, you can print and cut out this template:

When the template details are cut out, we transfer them to colored cardboard. To make it more accurate, we will trace from the inside out. We make the body and legs of the horse from brown cardboard, and the tail from yellow cardboard.

We cut out the details along the contour. On colored paper we draw a separate template for the horse’s mane and hooves and cut it out too.

Glue the mane to the head and the hooves to the legs using glue.

Now you need to attach the moving parts - legs and tail - to the body. Please note that the template is marked with crosses and dots. We mark them on the reverse side of our parts. Use an awl or needle to make holes in the center of the crosses and dots. Crosses both on the body and on moving parts. We will need to connect them so that the crosses on the body and parts match, and we will do this as follows:

Take a needle and thread and tie a large knot at the end of the thread. We see a cross under the horse’s chest (the horse is turned to us with its colored side). We stick a needle and thread into it. We put the front legs on the same needle, also hitting the middle of the cross. Pull the thread until the knot touches the cross.

We turn the horse inside out towards us and stick the needle into a point on the leg. There is no need to insert a needle into the body in this place, the point is only on the parts of the legs. We thread the needle and thread all the way through this point, then remove the needle from the thread and leave the thread hanging. Don’t cut it, we need it, we will pull on it to make the horse move.

Similarly, we attach the second pair of legs and tail. We lower the threads down, connect them to each other and tie a knot at the bottom. From the inside out, a correctly fastened craft will look like this:

We pull the strings, and the horse seems to run, raising its legs high and lifting its wonderful tail :)

Video on how to make a twitch horse

If you wish, you can decorate the horse by gluing sparkles and stars on it. The twitch horse is ready. Let's go get an A!

Such a cute horse can be made not only for a technology lesson, but also just so that you can have an interesting and useful time and please your parents or younger brothers and sisters with your craft. And if you get creative, you can come up with a whole sea of different twitching animals, drawing instead of a horse’s head, for example, a dog or cat’s face and changing the tail.

Making a horse out of thread with your own hands is not at all difficult for children 8-9 years old. But preschool children can also make this model with your active support. A horse made of threads, while not actually a folklore toy, has its origins precisely in folk traditions. Very similar dolls were made from straw, bast, and reeds. In some Russian villages, such skates were made for the first spring calls (although the image of birds was more common in such rituals) and hung under the roof. In this we see echoes of ancient Slavic pagan beliefs. Dazhdbog, the giver of sunlight, circled the sky every day in a chariot drawn by white horses. The god of rains and thunderstorms, Perun, is inextricably linked with the horse. And what else is needed for a good harvest - plenty of sun and rain on time.

You can also give a horse a rider by making a craft from threads.

How to make a horse craft from threads with your own hands.

To make a horse you will need: woolen threads of two colors, scissors, a base for winding (you can take books of suitable size).

1. We wind two identical skeins onto a large base (book): one for the head and front legs, the second for the body and hind legs. You can make the skeins a little longer than you intend to use, then you can cut off the excess - this way the horse’s legs will turn out neater.

On a smaller base we make two more identical skeins of thread of a different color: for the tail and mane of the horse.

2. Remove the first large skein from the book and tie it with thread. We don’t cut the skein yet.

3. Using a thread of a contrasting color, we make a bridle for the horse. Insert a pencil into the loop near the previous tie, wrap the thread around the muzzle and tie it. Tie the thread tightly and as close to the pencil as possible, the knot should be at the bottom.

4. Making the horse's head. We wrap a thread of the main color around the head and tie a knot at the top.

We tie the mane with the same threads - a skein of a different color.

5. We make the neck of the horse. We bend the main skein a little so that we get shorter threads at the bottom than at the top and tie it off. You can tie it with a new thread or use the one left over from the previous step.

6. Cut the free end of the skein and divide it into two parts. We tie each leg with separate threads below and above the knees. For stability, you can insert a wire into the legs, bending it in half.

7. Take the second skein of the main color, tie it on one side, as in step 2. We put the loop around the horse’s neck and tie it tightly with thread as close to the neck as possible (the first skein).

8. We tie the torso on the other side with another thread. We make a knot at the top and tie the tail - a second skein of thread of an additional color.

Everyone loves toys without exception. If they are made by hand, they bring even greater joy to the person for whom they were made. But not everyone knows how to make a toy, say a horse. What can it be made from? Here everything depends on the skills of the master, and there are plenty of ideas for creating them.

Sock horse

This craft is a great option for joint creativity with your children. This beautiful and soft horse, made by yourself, will immediately please your baby and can become a good friend.

To make this toy, you will need a pair of socks, eyes for the toy (you can take buttons), and buttons of a different shape will also be useful (they will be used to make nostrils). For the tail and mane, prepare yarn, do not forget about the stuffing material, it can be padding polyester.

Take one sock and fill it with padding up to about ⅔ of your foot. This will form the head. Tie it with thread and cut it (photo 1). In accordance with photo No. 2, you need to form the body and legs of the horse from the second sock. To do this, cut it down the middle to the center of the foot. Turn the sock inside out and sew all the seams from the wrong side using a backstitch.

After this, turn the product right side out. You need to trim the elastic of the sock, taking an additional few centimeters. The resulting cut must be gathered onto a thread using a seam “over the edge”. After this, fill the part with padding polyester, tighten the thread and sew up the hole.

Next, sew the horse’s head to the body. After this, cut out the details of the front ears, paws and tail from the leftovers. Place all pieces facing each other and sew together using a backstitch. All parts must be turned right side out, filled with padding polyester and sewn up. But keep in mind that you need to insert threads about 7 cm long into the tip of the ponytail. Separately, you should work with dryers, first folding them a little at the base and securing them with a stitch.

Outline the location of all the parts on the horse, paying special attention to the symmetrical parts. All parts need to be sewn.

Start designing the face. Sew buttons on the nostrils and eyes. Mark the mouth by making a few stitches using red or pink thread.

All that remains is to make something that no horse can be imagined without - the mane. To create it, cast on 8 stitches on the knitting needles and knit a strip (about 20 cm) with garter stitch. There is no need to close the loops, just remove the product from the knitting needle, iron it through wet gauze and undo everything that you have knitted. You will get “curly” yarn. Fold it so that the mane fits and sew it to the horse's head. When doing this work, slightly lift and fluff the threads to create a fuller mane.

Sock horse on a stick

Your little one will be delighted with a horse on a stick, which you can make yourself using a sock and bells. To make such a toy, you will need a fairly impressive list of materials and tools. Prepare a large sock, large (light) and small (dark) buttons for making eyes, fairly strong threads of dark and light shades, regular and thick needles, thick yarn for the mane and thin threads for embroidery, ropes, belt, fabric for the ears, metal rings, bells, padding polyester for filling the toy, as well as a wooden stick (an old mop will do).

To begin, saw off a mop stick of the length you need and make a groove at a distance of about 30 cm from its beginning. Take a sock and fill it tightly with padding polyester. Temporarily tighten it with a rope or hair tie at the very base.

Proceed to making the mane. To do this, select thick yarn of a suitable color. It needs to be wrapped around a not very small object (the ideal option is a book). When a sufficiently large number of circles have been wound, cut them on one side. You will end up with many pieces of yarn of the same size. The principle of making a mane is the same as hair for a doll. Consistently sew or tie pieces of thread to the horse's head, starting from the heel and moving down to the elastic band. Thus, you need to walk at least 15 cm.

Start sewing on the horse's eyes. Take a strong thread and make a knot on it. Using a large needle, pierce the product through one side in the place where the eye will be. The needle should come out from the other symmetrical side, where the second eye will be located. Now, using an ordinary needle, sew a large, lighter button at the second point; you need to sew a second, smaller button onto it. Pierce the head in the opposite direction, going in the direction where the knot is located. There you need to sew a second eye from two buttons in the same way as the first.

Using strong threads, give your horse a smile. To do this, again use strong threads, tie a knot, pierce the muzzle through with a needle at the point where one corner of the mouth will be, and pull it out in the other corner of the smile. Return to the starting knot and do similar procedures several more times, tightening the thread well to form a fold in the mouth area. To get a smile, the thread needs to be lowered a little lower.

For the ears, cut out two quarter circles of different colors. Decide on the size yourself, based on the overall size of the horse. In this example, the parts were cut from circles with a diameter of 18 and 14 cm. Fold them in two pieces, gather them at the base and sew them to the head.

Now take the metal rings and put a bell on them. To make a good harness, take a leather strap or a strip of leatherette and pull it between these rings. It should go under the mane, above and below the muzzle.

Take measurements to cut strips to the desired length. Pass each end through the ring a few centimeters and sew it up. Tie the rope that you prepared for the bridle to the rings.

It remains to put the horse's head on the stick, and it should rest against the heel of the sock. If there is not enough filler, add more. Wrap the sock around the stick using a strong thread, making sure it fits into the groove. Wrap a thick decorative rope on top as illustrated in the photo.

Felt horse on a stick

This toy is perfect for children of different ages. But you need to make it not from a sock, but from felt. This idea is simple to implement, but your kids will really like it. In this case, you don’t need to saw any sticks, just use a children’s stick - it’s actually very convenient. You only need to sew a horse head that fits the size of the stick. First, cut out all the necessary parts to make a felt head. You can see an example in the photo below.

After that, simply sew the parts together, leaving a hole at the bottom for the club. If you wish, you can fill it with stuffing material or ordinary plastic bags.

Wine cork horses

To make such a cute horse with your child, you will need two corks, toothpicks (matches) and a ball of thread. For greater effect, the corks can be painted, but this is entirely optional.

Everything is extremely simple. One of the plugs needs to be trimmed a little as in the picture. You should get the face of a horse. The horse's paws in the form of matches just need to be stuck into the second cork. To make the neck, also use a match. Make the horse's eyes by breaking off and inserting into the cork the end of the match that has sulfur on it.

All that remains is to make the mane and tail. For these purposes, bundles of threads need to be stapled to plugs or simply sewn (glued) in.

The second option for making a horse from corks is more labor-intensive and will take a little longer than the previous one.

To make this craft, prepare six corks, braid, burlap, multi-colored feathers, fabric, a knife, scissors, and hot glue.

First, glue two corks vertically on top of each other. This design will fit the horse's front legs and neck.

Cut the neck at an angle and glue the head to it. Cut out two ears from another cork and glue them to the horse's head.

Start decorating the horse. Glue the mane and tail of feathers to it. Cut a small saddle from fabric. All that remains is to glue the bridle to the horse and draw the eyes. Now the horse is ready, you can put it in a prominent place or give it to someone as a gift.

DIY thread horse

A horse can be made from threads without much effort. Such a toy can become a talisman, a favorite toy or a Christmas tree decoration.

To make the craft, prepare dark brown and light brown yarn, and red fabric from which you will make a saddle. Additionally, find beads or beads for decoration.

Prepare a piece of cardboard, the length of which will be 11.5 cm. You need to make 88 turns around it. Remove the threads from the cardboard and tie them in one place. Cut the threads on the opposite side.

Fold the skein in half and tie it a second time not far from the first dressing. See the photo for an example.

Tie the bundle of threads a third time, forming a horse's head. Now you need to insert a wire between the threads, after bending it in half.

Using another dressing, you need to shape the horse's neck and legs. Adjust the shape of the horse by cutting off excess threads and wire.

Now you need to make the same bun as in the first photo and wrap it around the horse’s chest. It needs to be tied up, and a wire bent in half should be placed in the remaining bundle.

Make the horse's body by performing another bandage. Make the hind legs in the same way and trim off the excess so that everything is even.

All that remains is to decorate the horse by making the mane and tail from darker threads. Pick up the tail threads and wind the beige threads underneath, securing them at the end.

All that remains is to make the saddle. Cut a rectangular piece of brightly colored fabric, add fringe around the edges and decorate the perimeter of the saddle with beads. Sew it onto the horse and make eyes from two knots of dark thread.

Wooden horses in the garden

Dachas and garden plots attract not only outdoor recreation, but also the opportunity to work by making something original and unusual. Country decor does not have to be purchased. You can make a lot of crafts for your personal plot with your own hands.

To create a wooden horse, prepare various tools for working with wood, as well as logs, boards, bars, etc.

First, you need to form a round box from two saw cuts, the thickness of which is at least 3 cm. You need to fill them with boards, the length of which will be about 50 cm, and the width - about 15 cm. The thickness of the boards does not really matter.

To make legs for a unique sculpture, the materials must be chosen as durable as possible, the horse must be stable. The best option would be beams up to half a meter long. They should be fixed to the body using self-tapping screws or nails. To prevent a wooden horse from staggering, you need to use at least two nails on each leg.

Start making the tail. Cut it out of a piece of plywood, having previously drawn a layout. Attach it to the back saw using a block and self-tapping screws to help.
For the neck, use a block no more than 40 cm long. The head, like the tail, must be drawn on plywood and cut out. Additionally, you need to cut out eyes and ears from the cuts. Attach them to the muzzle, and use branches as the mane. Attach the head to the neck and the wooden horse is ready.

Painting a wooden horse

If your horse fits perfectly into the garden and its surroundings, then you can leave it that way. But if you have a desire, you can give it a brighter look by decorating it with all kinds of colors. For these purposes you will need stain, varnish and paints. Paint the horse with stripes to make it look like a zebra. This craft can be placed on the playground. Its body is made in the form of a box; you can safely fill it with earth and plant flowers, so the horse will be even brighter and more original.

Making a horse from branches

This method of making horses is quite unusual and interesting. All the necessary materials are available at any farmstead. To create such a figurine you will need all kinds of tree branches and roots.

Before proceeding to the manufacture of such a figure, choose the place where it will stand, since it must be erected immediately in its place; the figure cannot be moved.

Start with thick and strong branches that will serve as a frame. Thick branches that will be legs need to be dug into the ground - this will be more reliable.

After this, other branches begin to be braided around the frame, securing them with nails, and if possible, you can use a wood stapler. Do this gradually, rising higher and higher, gradually moving to a horizontal surface.

After this, make a frame for the horse's neck and start braiding it.

It is better to make the head separately and then install it on the neck.

Attach an additional branch in place of the mane and the horse is ready. To make the branches last as long as possible, open them with varnish.

Making such a horse is quite difficult. Only patient people can do this. You may not succeed the first time; the branches will extend beyond the general shape or not intertwine with each other. In this case, start with small designs, and then move on to more complex and larger ones.

Wooden horse with cart

To make a horse and cart, prepare thick and thin birch branches; in addition, you will need self-tapping screws, rubber tape, and bottle caps.

For the body of the future horse, you will need a thick birch branch, its length should be approximately 50 cm.

To make legs, take thinner branches. And in order for the future figurine to stand steadily on its feet, they need to be dug into the ground. In this case, all work will be carried out in the place provided for the horse.

For the muzzle, you need to cut down a small log as in the photo and cut a hole in it for the mouth.

The head and body are attached to each other using the neck. Self-tapping screws are used for these purposes. Decorate the face by making the horse's eyes. They can be made of wood or use plugs that are fixed to the muzzle using wood glue.

Build a mane and tail from thin branches, weave them into a “broom” and nail them to the structure.

Rubber winding is used as reins and saddle. It is attached to its places using nails and glue.

Now it's time to make the cart. Here you can do it in different ways. The simplest one is to connect the four wheels using wooden sticks and secure them with screws. Or you can build a more complex cart. Knock down a box of wooden sticks and attach wheels to them. In this case, the cart can be decorated by filling it with soil and planting various flowers in it. A cart in which pumpkins or other vegetables grow will look original. And to complete the design, make an additional figurine of an old man from wood and place it inside.

Souvenir horse - DIY keychain

This felt horse keychain is sewn quite quickly. To work, you will need a small piece of felt, filler, sewing thread in two colors (matching the fabric and contrasting for finishing), scissors, sequins, beads and two black beads.

First you will need a horse pattern. You can use the one presented below, or you can use your own. You need to transfer it to paper, adjust the size according to your wishes.

Cut it out, transfer it to the fabric and cut out two parts.

Additionally, you need to cut out one more piece in the form of a rectangle 6× 2 cm. Sew the long sides, fold the piece in half - this will be a pendant for the key.

Now the two parts need to be sewn together using a back stitch. As you go, insert a loop into the mane and sew it up. Leave a small piece unstitched in the belly area.

Turn the horse out through the hole and help yourself with a stick. Fill the toy with holofiber or other filler. The place for turning should be sewn with hidden stitches.

We can stop here, because... the keychain is completely ready. But if you want something bright and original, then start decorating the horse. Step back about 3 mm from the edge and sew a finishing stitch around the perimeter. Embroider the horse with beads and sequins. In the end, all that remains is to sew black beads in place of the eyes and the horse is ready.

If you make several horses of different colors, they can become not only keychains, but also Christmas tree decorations.

In the year of the horse, the best gift will be its symbol. Both an adult and a child will be pleased to receive a funny textile horse or some other souvenir related to this topic.

DIY textile horse: master class

Step-by-step instructions for sewing a horse on the website masterclassy.ru.

In order to make a textile horse, you will need:

white calico,
padding polyester,
acrylic paints for fabric (white, black and brown, blue and purple),
outline for fabric (black and white),
coffee,
cocoa,
cinnamon,
scissors,
needles,
threads (white, black and brown),
pins,
fabric glue,
pastel,
tassels,
4 buttons (2 cm in diameter),
scraps of colored cotton,
yarn for mane and tail.

Print the pattern on white A4 sheets, cut it out and glue it together. Take a piece of calico and a marker to transfer the pattern onto the fabric.

Transfer the pattern: one part each - the body, muzzle and head, two parts - ears, four parts - legs. Note! Between the parts, leave space for seam allowances of 5 mm for each (the distance between the parts is 1 cm). Cut out the pieces. Take tailor's pins. Using them, pin each of them to the canvas close to each other.

Cut out all the double pieces. Stitch them together on a typewriter. For the following parts, leave an unstitched hole for stuffing: for the body - in the upper part of the neck, for the ears - in the lower part, for the legs - on the side. Sew the muzzle and head completely, leaving no holes. Turn out the legs and ears. Before turning out the body, muzzle and head, make cuts along the edges of the part in the concave places.

To stuff the muzzle and head, cut a hole on one side of the part. The head has a hole at the top, and the muzzle has a hole in the center. Take padding polyester. Stuff each piece very tightly. Secure the holes in the neck of the muzzle and head with thread and a needle. Secure the holes on the legs with a hidden seam.

To make the hoof look neat, bend the corners at the bottom of the leg inward and secure with a needle and thread.

All details are ready. They should be painted with a mixture of cinnamon, coffee and cocoa to give an aged look and a pleasant aroma. Proportions: 1 tsp. coffee, 1 tsp. cocoa, ½ tsp. cinnamon and 100 ml of water.

Paint each piece with a lighter color on 2 sides and a thicker color on the face to give it a darker look. Take a brush with soft bristles. After painting, lay the parts on cotton and leave to dry.

While the parts are drying, start making the mane and tail. You need a notebook or box measuring 13.5x20x2.5 cm and yarn. Wind the thread around the notebook along the short side (40 turns). Drag the threads centered on both sides of the notebook and cut them. You will get 2 buns for the mane. The number of bundles depends on the thickness of the thread. You will need 15 of them.

The tail is made in the same way, but you need to wind the thread along the long side of the notepad. Pull the threads on one side of the notebook and on the other - they should be cut. Fold the bun in half and pull it with a thread below the fold.

When the parts are dry, they need to be cleaned with a brush. An old dental one is best.

Need art pastels. Use brown chalk to outline the perimeter of the muzzle. Draw circles for the nostrils. Outline the perimeter of the head, legs and torso along the seams.

Rub the pastel directly into the details with your finger. If at the same time the outlined areas become pale, repeat their outline. They will take on a voluminous appearance.

You need acrylic paints. Draw a hoof in brown. Draw a white line along the border of each hoof. Using a white outline along the fabric, draw lines to simulate stitches.

The legs for the horse are ready.

Using white pastel chalk, draw white spots on the body and head.

They need to be rubbed into the fabric. To make the spots brighter, use white acrylic paint.

The most expressive part of the toy is the eyes. They are painted with acrylic paints. Both glossy and matte paints are suitable. Draw the pupils and iris in blue or green. Paint the whites of the eyes with white paint. Paint the eyelids with purple paint and the eyebrows with white paint. Black outline along the fabric - eyelashes. The eyes are ready.

Proceed to the muzzle. Using a brown thread, make a stitch “forward with the needle” along the perimeter of the muzzle, departing about 5 mm from the edges. Using black thread, make the nostrils in the form of crosses. Prepare your ears. Use brown chalk to shade the inside of the ears.

Don't forget to rub in the pastel. Hem the ears along the bottom edge, folding them in half. The ears are ready.

You can start assembling. The parts are stitched and glued together. Glue the muzzle to the head, the ears to it, and the head to the neck. Attach the mane. Make bangs by gluing a strand to the head in front of the ears. Glue the remaining strands tightly to the back of the neck.

You need a needle with a large eye; it should be threaded with the same thread from which the mane was made. Use a chain stitch to secure each strand of the mane, but not too tightly, to close the gaps between the strands.

We got a lush mane.

Attach the tail. Lubricate the base of the tail with glue, and wind it with the same thread from which the tail was made several turns. Secure the end of the thread with glue. Remove the thread.

We got a wonderful tail.

Make patches. Cut the colored calico into small pieces and take apart the edges.

Glue patches randomly onto the legs and torso. Draw stitches on them using a black outline.

You can decorate the horse with accessories in the form of a hat, skirt, etc.

How to sew a horse: video

In modern children's stores you can buy toys for every taste and budget - mechanical, musical, talking, educational, but there are those that have a centuries-old history and will definitely evoke nostalgic memories for most parents. Wooden rocking horses are just one of these. They still remain very popular, although they have undergone some changes over time.

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Popular types

As a child, many dreamed of such a toy. Previously, such horses were made from wood and compressed shavings. The horse, made entirely of wood, was strong and durable, but it was not very comfortable to sit on. Horses made from compressed shavings looked more realistic and looked less like a rough cross between a stool and a sled.
Modern rocking chairs are made not only from natural wood, but also from plastic, rubber and plush. There are even wicker models made from willow wicker or more expensive rattan. In the assortment of today's stores you can choose a horse to suit every taste and budget. This toy is suitable for children from 1 to 7 years old.

Important: when buying a horse for very young children (no older than 1 year), choose models with a back, soft seat and fastening belts.

Advantages of a rocking horse

Having bought a horse for your child, you can be sure that he will not lose his interest and will not throw it into the far corner, as often happens with many new toys. Having so much fun that children quickly lose interest in them, the wooden horse is one of the rare exceptions. The peak of popularity of the rocking chair occurs at 2-3 years. Children at this age become so attached to their horse that they can put it to bed, feed it sweets, spend hours combing and braiding its long mane.

A rocking horse is a good simulator for a baby; it maintains the normal vestibular apparatus, developing it, and also improves such useful skills as dexterity and fine motor skills of the hands - you still need to be able to stay on a wooden horse. Doctors recommend this toy for children with diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system.
There is another variety of toy horses - a rolling horse. Instead of two arches, she has wheels attached to her legs, so the baby must push off with his legs to move. It's essentially a scooter with a seat.

How to choose?

The horse will become your child's faithful friend for several years. The kid will spend many days playing games, imagining himself as a knight rushing to defeat a dragon, or a princess who decided to go on her own adventures. Considering that the baby will spend a lot of time with the toy, its choice must be approached very responsibly.

Important: before purchasing, make sure that the rocking horse you choose is suitable for your child. To make your choice easier, there are a number of criteria that should be followed:

Material

A wooden horse is the most stable because it is quite heavy. It will be difficult for a child to accidentally turn it over and fall, even if he swings very intensely on it. Wood is the most optimal material for playing at home.
Summer is the best time to play outdoors. If you want the rocking horse to become your baby’s companion on the street - on the playground or in the country, it is better to choose plastic. This material is wear-resistant, does not fade under the sun, and is not afraid of water.

The plastic is easily and quickly washed off from street dirt - ordinary wet wipes are enough to wipe it.

A rubber toy has one important advantage - it is hypoallergenic, which is especially important if the baby is prone to allergies. It is made of durable, high-quality rubber, which is very easy to wash, and the horse will not collect dust. On such a horse you can not only swing, but also ride due to the elasticity of the rubber, which is very useful for the physical development of the child.

The most comfortable and beautiful option is a plush horse. The frame is usually made of plastic or wood, but the upholstery is much more reminiscent of a real horse. The animal has a long mane and tail that are fun to comb and decorate. This toy is a great gift for a birthday or New Year; your child will remember it for a long time.

Safety

Of course, rocking chairs for children should not only be beautiful and durable, but also safe. When choosing the right model, be sure to look at the label; the information on it should indicate the age of the child for whom it can be used. Check the stability of the skids and the swing amplitude. If the toy swings too much, it will tip over along with the little rider. This is especially true for plastic horses - they are the lightest.

If your baby has allergies, you should not buy toys with plush upholstery - the fleecy surface will collect too much dust. Pay attention to the quality of the varnish coating - small children are not averse to tasting their toys, so it’s better not to take risks.

Important: check the quality certificates before purchasing a toy.

Comfort

Of course, a baby rocking chair should be comfortable. When purchasing, consider the size of the toy and the height of the baby, as well as the length of his arms and legs. If the horse is too big, the baby may not be able to reach the arms. The handles themselves, which he will hold on to, should be located at such a level that the child does not have to constantly hold his hands above or below shoulder level - his limbs will become numb.
The comfort of the seat is very important - it should follow the anatomical shape and have fairly soft upholstery. It is best to purchase rocking chairs with high backs so that you can lean on them.

When deciding to give such a wonderful toy to your baby, consider his age. The fact is that children under 1.5 years old can perceive it as alive. For them, such a horse made of wood with plush or fur upholstery is no different from a real animal and can be scary. It is best not to show the gift from the doorstep - take it to the nursery and wrap it in bright gift paper; the wrapper can be additionally decorated with balloons, bows and ribbons. Unpack the toy gradually, so the baby will be captivated by the process and will quickly get used to his horse, and not be afraid of its appearance.

DIY rocking toy

Few of us did not dream of such a toy as children. Often there were such toy horses in kindergarten, and sometimes the children almost fought, arguing whose turn it was to play. Nowadays the children's horse is becoming popular again, so it will be an excellent gift for a child. The design of the toy is quite simple, so it will not be difficult for you to assemble it yourself. The materials used largely depend on the type of toy and design chosen, but the most commonly used are:

sheet of plywood or wooden boards;
copy of the template;
carbon paper to transfer the pattern onto plywood or wood;
table;
jigsaw;
awl;
glue, paint, brush set.

When making a horse, use only environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic materials. This is especially true for paints and glue. The horse can be additionally decorated with synthetic fur upholstery, but in this case, do not forget about the foam layer so that the baby can sit softly.

How to make a plywood horse?

The selected drawing should be enlarged by the required number of times, depending on the age and height of the child. Most often, the scheme is increased by 8-10 times for children 4-5 years old, respectively.
The classic plywood horse consists of 7 parts - be sure to number them so that it is clear where each element is attached. These are the details:

Two identical sides of the horse;
A large one-piece piece with the head and tail of a horse that fits between the sides;
Two strips, with the help of which the toy is further strengthened from below;
One spacer that is installed at the rear of the rocker and connects the sides to the middle piece. A saddle is placed on top of the spacer;
Seat;
Stirrups - 2 parts attached to the saddle using belts (for which grooves must be provided in the seat);
One spacer for the front part of the horse - attached according to the same principle as a similar rear part.

How to make a rocking horse out of wood?

The base of the wooden horse consists of 4 parts - two flat rounded sides and two intermediate boards necessary to strengthen the entire toy at the top and bottom. In addition, a toy horse needs a head, and a child needs a saddle with a backrest and slats to rest his feet on while playing. Smooth pine or spruce boards from 2 cm thick are suitable as starting material.

Consider the size of the toy - the baby should be comfortable climbing on it, sitting and swinging. The average sizes are:

length - 110 cm;
width - from 25 to 30 cm;
height from floor to saddle - 60 cm.

Please note that the circumference of the sides should not be semicircular - such a toy will swing too much, and it is easy to turn over and fall on it. The bend of the side bars should be smoother - like a boat, such a horse will be more stable.

So, the side boards are connected first using cold-curing glue. To ensure that the wooden parts adhere to each other, use high pressure - press the boards together with a clamp. When the sides are cut out, it is necessary to attach thick slats to them on the inside. The width of each slat is from 8 to 12 cm. The inner board must be cut taking into account their size.

The top board together with the support board must be smeared along the edges with glue and connected to the side parts of the toy with screws.

The slats-supports for the legs are glued to the sides of the toy. In order for the parts to hold tightly, it is necessary to secure them with screws.

The horse's head is cut out separately from a thick board (at least 3 cm). You can decorate it by gluing the horse's eyes and ears to it. The mane can be made from leather scraps, yarn, tassels or a large amount of rope. As a last resort, you can simply paint it on.

The support for the baby's hands is made of a durable round strip with a diameter of 2 cm. Before this, drill a hole of the appropriate size in the head of the toy, grease it with glue and insert the strip.

To make a saddle, it is better to use a wooden board of sufficient thickness - no thinner than 2 cm. For convenience, the part should be rounded at the top. To make it more comfortable for your child to ride while sitting on a horse, cover the saddle with foam rubber and cover it with fabric or leather. The part is attached to the horse with screws.