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.
About this activity
Build a hobby horse and a small obstacle course from cardboard and sticks. Practice safe hops and timing while learning balance and coordination.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Ask an adult to help you before you start.
- 2
Step 2
Gather all the materials from the list and bring them to your workspace.
- 3
Step 3
Clear a play area so you have room to build and jump.
- 4
Step 4
Lay down cushions where you might land for extra safety.
- 5
Step 5
Draw a big horse head shape on a piece of cardboard.
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Step 6
Cut out the horse head shape carefully with scissors.
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Step 7
Fold a small tab at the bottom of the cardboard head to make a place for the stick.
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Step 8
Slide the stick into the tab and tape or glue the head firmly to the stick.
- 9
Step 9
Glue yarn or fabric along the top of the head to make a mane.
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Step 10
Decorate the face with colouring materials to give your horse personality.
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Step 11
Tape a sock or fabric scrap to the front as a soft muzzle.
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Step 12
Tie a length of string to make reins and knot it securely under the head.
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Step 13
Make three low jumps by placing a pool noodle across two small boxes for each jump.
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Step 14
Arrange the jumps in a safe line with space between them and do a quick safety check.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished hobby horse and obstacle course on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you do the Jump With a Horse activity?
Start by building a hobby horse: attach a decorated cardboard horse head to a sturdy stick or dowel with tape and glue, then add yarn for a mane. Set up a small obstacle course using low cardboard ramps, taped sticks, pillows and boxes as jumps. Demonstrate safe two-foot hops, timing and steering. Let children practice slowly, then time short runs. Encourage balance by varying jump spacing and giving positive feedback as they progress.
What materials do I need for Jump With a Horse?
You’ll need cardboard, a broom handle or wooden dowel, strong tape or hot glue, scissors, markers or paint, yarn for a mane, and fabric scraps. For the course use lightweight sticks, small boxes, pillows, painter’s tape to mark lanes, and non-slip matting. Optional safety items: a helmet, knee pads, and closed-toe shoes. Choose materials that are sturdy but soft so obstacles won’t cause injury if bumped.
What ages is Jump With a Horse suitable for?
This activity suits roughly ages 3–10 with adult supervision. Toddlers (3–4) enjoy simple steering and gentle hops over pillows; preschoolers (4–6) can follow short courses and learn timing. School-age children (7–10) can build more complex courses and practice speed and balance. Always tailor obstacle height and course complexity to each child’s coordination, and supervise younger kids closely to ensure safe play.
How can I keep my child safe while doing Jump With a Horse?
Ensure a clear, soft play area free of sharp objects and hard floors; use carpet or mats. Keep jumps low and lightweight, tape sticks down so they don’t roll, and check that the hobby horse head is securely fastened. Require closed-toe shoes and consider a helmet for energetic jumping. Supervise closely, teach safe landing (bend knees), limit one child per obstacle at a time, and inspect materials before each session.
Watch & Learn
Need 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.