How To Make Stick Horse: Easy DIY Guide

What is a stick horse? A stick horse is a toy where a child pretends to ride a horse using a stick with a horse’s head attached to the top. Can I make a stick horse? Yes, absolutely! Making a rideable stick horse is a fun and simple project, perfect for a creative DIY hobby horse adventure. This guide will walk you through every step needed for building a homemade stick horse that your child will love.

This guide will help you create a wonderful toy horse for playtime. We will look at the best materials for stick horse projects. We will also cover details for crafting a toy horse that is sturdy and fun.

Why Make a DIY Stick Horse?

Making your own toy horse is special. It lets you choose the colors and the style. You can make a horse just right for your child. It is cheaper than buying one, too. Plus, it is a great family activity. Think of it as a fun simple toy horse craft.

Gathering Your Stick Horse Components

To start making a rideable stick horse, you need the right parts. Think about the look you want. Do you want a realistic horse or a silly, cartoon-like one? This choice affects your materials for stick horse.

Essential Materials List

Here is what you generally need. Keep this list handy as you shop or look around your house.

Component	Suggested Material	Purpose
The Stick (Body)	Wooden dowel, sturdy broom handle, or thick PVC pipe	The main support the child holds.
The Head (Core)	Sturdy cardboard, foam block, or small plastic container	Gives shape to the horse’s face.
The Covering (Skin)	Felt, fleece, or scrap fabric	Forms the look of the horse’s coat.
Mane and Tail	Yarn, thick twine, or strips of ribbon	Adds movement and detail.
Eyes and Details	Buttons, googly eyes, or felt cutouts	Gives the horse its personality.
Assembly	Strong glue (like hot glue), duct tape, strong thread, needle	To hold everything together tightly.

Selecting the Perfect Stick

The stick is the horse’s body. It must be safe and strong.

Wood Dowels: These are easy to find at hardware stores. Choose one that is about 3 to 4 feet long. Make sure the ends are smooth. Sand down any rough spots.
Broom Handles: If you have an old one, it works well. It is often thicker and very durable.
Safety Check: Always check the stick for splinters or sharp edges. Safety first when crafting a toy horse!

Creating the Horse Head Structure

The head is the most fun part of this DIY hobby horse. You need a shape that is easy to work with. We will focus on a simple, beginner-friendly method using cardboard. This method is great for a craft rocking horse feel, even without the rockers.

Step 1: Forming the Basic Shape

You need two main pieces for the head: the front face and the side profile.

Draw the Profile: On a large piece of sturdy cardboard, draw the side view of a horse head. Keep the shape simple. Think about a friendly cartoon horse, not a complex anatomy study.
Draw the Front: Draw the shape of the horse’s face as if you were looking straight at its nose. This piece needs to be wider than the profile shape.
Cut the Pieces: Cut out both the profile shapes. You will need at least two profile shapes.
Create Depth: To give the head a 3D look, cut strips of cardboard about 2 to 3 inches wide. These strips will connect the front and back profile shapes. They form the top, bottom, and sides of the head structure.

Step 2: Assembling the Core Structure

Now, we glue the parts together to make a hollow, light head.

Use hot glue or strong craft glue for this. Hot glue dries fast, which is helpful.
Attach the side strips to the edges of the main profile pieces. Think like you are building a simple box that vaguely looks like a horse’s head.
Make sure to leave a space at the bottom where the stick will go in. This space should be snug around your chosen stick.

Step 3: Attaching the Stick

This step makes it a rideable stick horse. It must be very secure.

Insert the Stick: Slide the top of your wooden dowel into the opening you left at the base of the head structure. Push it in far enough so it feels stable—about 6 to 8 inches deep.
Secure It: This is where you use strong tape, like duct tape or strong packing tape. Wrap the tape tightly around the stick where it enters the cardboard head. Wrap it several times, both inside the head (if possible) and right where it meets the head structure on the outside.
Glue Reinforcement: Apply a generous amount of strong glue around the stick where it meets the cardboard structure. Let this dry completely before moving on. A wobbly head ruins the fun!

Covering the Horse Head: Fabric Work

Once the structure is solid, it is time to give your horse its skin. This part of the project is close to a felt horse head tutorial, even if you use fleece.

Choosing Your Fabric

Felt and fleece are great choices. They do not fray much when cut. This makes sewing a stuffed horse head easier if you decide to add padding later.

Felt: Good for bright, simple colors. It is easy to cut small details from felt.
Fleece: Very soft. It stretches a little, which helps cover the bumps of your cardboard structure.

Method 1: The Simple Wrap (No Stuffing)

For a very quick toy, you can wrap the head entirely in fabric.

Measure and Cut: Lay your fabric flat. Place the entire cardboard structure on top. Cut a piece of fabric large enough to wrap completely around the head, plus extra for overlap and securing the bottom.
Glue in Place: Start gluing the fabric to the back or bottom of the head. Work slowly, pulling the fabric taut across the front and sides. Use hot glue sparingly on the cardboard structure, focusing the glue on the fabric overlaps at the back seam.
Trimming: Trim excess fabric neatly around the stick opening. You can use fabric scraps or tape to cover this area later.

Method 2: Sewing a Padded Head (Advanced Detail)

If you want a softer look, you will need to sew fabric pieces together. This mimics making a proper plush toy.

Pattern Making: Lay your cardboard head template pieces onto your fabric. Cut out two main profile pieces. Cut long strips for the connecting pieces (like the snout and top of the head).
Adding Stuffing: Before sewing the two profile pieces together, insert a small amount of polyester fiberfill (stuffing) inside the cardboard shell for a softer look. This is optional but gives a nicer finish.
Sewing: Sew the fabric pieces together, leaving an opening large enough to slip over your cardboard structure. You will need good skill here, especially around the muzzle area. This is a true sewing a stuffed horse head technique applied over a frame.
Fitting: Slip the sewn fabric shell over the cardboard head. Pull the bottom opening tight around the stick and secure it with strong thread or glue.

Adding the Details: Eyes, Ears, and Muzzle

This is where your craft rocking horse comes to life! Details matter for imaginative play.

Creating the Ears

Ears should stick up proudly.

Cardboard Base: Cut two small, slightly curved triangles from thin cardboard.
Fabric Covering: Cover these triangles with the same fabric used for the main head.
Attachment: For strong ears, you can slide the bottom edge of the cardboard ear slightly between the cardboard head structure and the fabric covering before gluing the fabric down completely. Alternatively, hot glue them firmly to the top of the head structure.

Making the Eyes

Eyes give the horse its expression.

Simple Button Eyes: Use large, dark buttons. Sew them or use strong glue to fix them onto the fabric head.
Felt Cutouts: Cut out two circles of white felt for the whites of the eyes, and smaller black circles for the pupils. Layer these onto the head. This follows a classic felt horse head tutorial approach.

Shaping the Muzzle

A slightly protruding muzzle makes the horse look more real.

Cut a small oval or oblong piece of fabric that is slightly puffy (use a tiny bit of stuffing inside it).
Glue this piece onto the front center of the head structure before applying the main fabric cover, or sew it onto the fabric shell if you used Method 2.

The Mane and Tail: Adding Flow

No horse is complete without a flowing mane and tail. Yarn is the easiest and most common choice for this simple toy horse craft.

Preparing the Mane

The mane runs along the top of the horse’s neck/head.

Measure Yarn: Decide how long you want the mane to be. For a sturdy toy, keep it around 8 to 10 inches long.
Bundle the Yarn: Gather a good amount of yarn strands together. The thicker the bundle, the fuller the mane. A good bundle might be 1 inch thick.
Attaching the Mane: You can attach the mane in several ways:
- Tying: Lay the center of your yarn bundle along the top seam of the head. Use strong thread to whip-stitch (wrap thread tightly around the base) the bundle securely to the head structure.
- Looping: Cut strands of yarn in half the desired length. Loop each doubled strand over the seam and pull the ends through the loop, creating a knot against the head. This is very secure for making a rideable stick horse.

Creating the Tail

The tail should be full and dramatic.

Length: Make the tail longer than the mane, perhaps 15 to 20 inches.
Bundle: Create a much thicker bundle of yarn than you used for the mane.
Attachment Point: The tail is usually attached near the back base of the head, or you can extend the stick slightly past the head and attach the tail there to look like it is coming from the neck area. Secure it very tightly using the looping method mentioned above. A loose tail is a quick frustration point.

Finishing Touches: Bridle and Saddle

While your main goal is building a homemade stick horse, adding a simple bridle and saddle enhances play.

The Simple Bridle

A bridle helps the rider “steer” the horse.

Material: Use thin ribbon, strips of sturdy leather scrap, or narrow cord.
Headstall: Measure a loop that fits snugly around the horse’s head, just behind the ears. Secure this loop with glue or a knot.
Reins: Attach two long strands of ribbon or cord to the headstall loop, one for each side. These are the reins the child holds. Keep them long enough to reach the rider’s hands easily.

Optional: Creating a Simple Seat/Saddle

If you are aiming for a craft rocking horse experience (even without rockers), a small seat adds comfort.

Felt Pad: Cut a piece of felt or soft fabric into a basic saddle shape (like a flattened oval).
Padding: Glue a thin layer of foam or batting onto the felt.
Attachment: This seat can be glued directly onto the dowel rod underneath the horse’s head, perhaps 6 to 10 inches down, depending on the height of the child who will be riding it. Ensure it is firmly secured with strong glue and maybe even small screws if your dowel is wood and you are feeling ambitious.

Planning for Rocking Horse Functionality (Advanced Step)

If you want to take your project beyond a simple stick horse and explore how to make a craft rocking horse, you need bases. This requires more advanced woodworking or craft skills.

Deciphering Rocker Shapes

A rocker shape is essentially two long, curved pieces of wood (or thick plastic) that attach under the main stick assembly.

Curvature: The curve needs to be gentle so the horse rocks smoothly, not too fast or too sharp. Look at commercial rocking horse bases for inspiration.
Material: Use sturdy plywood or thick lumber for the rockers. They must support the weight of the child.
Attachment to the Stick: This is the hardest part. You need a strong perpendicular connection between the main stick and the two rockers. Often, a small wooden block is screwed firmly to the bottom of the stick (near the base), and then this block is screwed down onto the rockers placed parallel to each other.

Note: Creating safe, sturdy rockers requires precise measurement and strong hardware. For most simple DIY hobby horse projects, sticking to the classic stick is much safer and easier for beginners.

Maintenance and Safety for Your Toy Horse

A homemade toy needs regular checks to stay fun and safe.

Safety First

Check Glue: Inspect all glued areas, especially where the head meets the stick. Re-glue anything that feels loose.
Fabric Wear: Look for loose threads or holes in the fabric. These can become choking hazards if small parts come loose.
Stick Ends: Make sure the bottom of the stick is not scraping the floor harshly or forming splinters. You can cap the bottom with a piece of rubber or heavy tape.

Care Tips

Wipe down the fabric lightly with a damp cloth. Do not submerge it in water.
Keep the horse stored indoors to prevent the wood or fabric from warping due to weather.

This complete guide covers everything from selecting materials for stick horse construction to executing the final touches on your beautiful making a rideable stick horse creation. Enjoy the playtime!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Making Stick Horses

Q: Can I use dried corn stalks instead of a wooden dowel for the stick?

A: While corn stalks look rustic, they are usually too brittle and weak. They can snap easily when a child leans on them. For safety, always choose a solid wooden dowel or PVC pipe for building a homemade stick horse.

Q: How tall should the stick be for a 5-year-old?

A: A good general height for a 5-year-old is a stick length of about 36 to 40 inches (3 to 3.3 feet). The horse head takes up some of the length. When holding the stick comfortably, the child’s elbow should be slightly bent. Adjust based on the child’s height during the fitting stage.

Q: My fabric keeps slipping off the cardboard. What glue works best for felt?

A: Hot glue is generally the fastest and strongest option for adhering fabric to cardboard for this type of project. Use thin beads of glue and press the fabric down firmly until it cools. If you are using a delicate fabric, you might try a flexible fabric glue, but you will need to use clothespins or clips to hold the fabric while it dries for many hours.

Q: Is it necessary to stuff the horse head?

A: Stuffing is optional. If you use a very strong, flat cardboard shape, stuffing might not be necessary, and it keeps the toy lighter. Stuffing adds softness, making it safer if the child bumps their face on it, and it helps shape the muzzle better when following a felt horse head tutorial.

Q: What is the easiest way to make the mane look full without using too much yarn?

A: Instead of using hundreds of individual strands, try making long, thick bundles of yarn first. Attach these bundles close together along the seam. You can also fold long strands of yarn in half, loop them over the seam, and tie them tightly. This maximizes volume quickly for your simple toy horse craft.