Jump With a Horse
Build a hobby horse and a small obstacle course from cardboard and sticks. Practice safe hops and timing while learning balance and coordination.
Step-by-step guide to Jump With a Horse
HOW TO JUMP A HORSE (easy beginner guide)
Step 1
Ask an adult to help you before you start.
Step 2
Gather all the materials from the list and bring them to your workspace.
Step 3
Clear a play area so you have room to build and jump.
Step 4
Lay down cushions where you might land for extra safety.
Step 5
Draw a big horse head shape on a piece of cardboard.
Step 6
Cut out the horse head shape carefully with scissors.
Step 7
Fold a small tab at the bottom of the cardboard head to make a place for the stick.
Step 8
Slide the stick into the tab and tape or glue the head firmly to the stick.
Step 9
Glue yarn or fabric along the top of the head to make a mane.
Step 10
Decorate the face with colouring materials to give your horse personality.
Step 11
Tape a sock or fabric scrap to the front as a soft muzzle.
Step 12
Tie a length of string to make reins and knot it securely under the head.
Step 13
Make three low jumps by placing a pool noodle across two small boxes for each jump.
Step 14
Arrange the jumps in a safe line with space between them and do a quick safety check.
Step 15
Share your finished hobby horse and obstacle course on DIY.org
Help!?
What can we use instead of a pool noodle or cardboard if we can’t find them?
Replace a pool noodle with a rolled towel or broom handle balanced across two small boxes for each jump, and make the horse head from a doubled cereal box or a stiff manila folder if you don't have flat cardboard.
My horse head keeps falling off the stick—how can we fix that?
Reinforce the folded tab by folding it twice, wrap strong tape tightly around the stick where the tab sits, or use hot glue between the tab and stick and hold until it sets so the head stays attached during jumping.
How can we change the activity for younger toddlers or older kids?
For toddlers, make a very low single jump using cushions and have an adult hold the stick while they sit and pretend to ride, and for older kids raise the noodle height slightly, add more jumps and time the course for friendly competition.
What are some fun upgrades to personalize our hobby horse and course?
Add a bell or ribbon to the yarn mane, paint a racing number on the cardboard face, replace the sock muzzle with a soft fabric pouch, and build extra obstacles like a tunnel of chairs to make the course more challenging before sharing on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to Jump With a Horse
Teaching a thoroughbred to jump
3 Videos
Teaching a thoroughbred to jump
Training Series - Teach A Horse to Jump
Do You Do This? (Practicing Jump Position)
Facts about gross motor play and DIY crafts
🐴 Hobby horsing went from a playground toy to an organized sport — Finland holds national competitions with hundreds of young riders!
🏇 Many of the jumps and timing skills you practice on a hobby horse mirror real show jumping techniques used in equestrianism.
📦 Corrugated cardboard is lightweight, easy to cut, and surprisingly sturdy — makers often use it to build obstacle course jumps and hobby-horse heads.
🤸 Practicing hops and timed jumps helps improve gross motor skills, balance, and coordination in kids.
🪵 A simple stick or broom handle wrapped with tape and felt makes a safe, comfy hobby-horse shaft for beginners.
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