Did you know December 13th is National Day of the Horse? According to National Day Calendar, National Day of the Horse encourages people of the United States to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history and character of the United States. Horses are so important to our culture; let’s spend today celebrating them!
Here’s a little more history: The domesticated horse we know today, also known as Equus caballus, was introduced into North America by Spanish explorers. Escaped horses eventually spread across the American Great Plains. The horse has contributed greatly to the advancement of civilization in North America, from clearing forests for farmland and as a form of travel bringing pioneers to the west. They also diversified Native American’s hunting habits and were found useful for rounding up livestock on ranches. It’s safe to say the horse is embedded in American history and legend.
Happy Horse Haven Play House
Calling all junior equestrians! If your little one dreams of quaint country living, look no further than our Happy Horse Haven Play House. Featuring an interactive barn shape and a roomy 48″ L x 38″ W x 48″ H design, this Happy Horse Haven is sure to inspire endless hours of equine enjoyment. The best part of all is that the easy-to-assemble color-coded poles and simple pull-over fabric ensure that this durable stable is ready for ranching in no time! Should your child choose to “add on” to their space, they can pick from any of our Farm Animal Chair designs.
Not only is our Happy Horse Haven airy and bright thanks to the “peek-through” mesh panels, but it’s also portable and versatile, making it the perfect home for horses and ranch hands alike. It can also be taken indoors for even more pretend play! Giddy up!
To see this used indoors check out our recent post with a different take on a a horse related DIY here!
Cardboard Horses DIY
If your child loves horses, there are a ton of ways to celebrate National Day of the Horse. Even if there aren’t any horses nearby, you can still horse around! So, we thought: why not make your own? That’s why we decided to make cardboard horses that the kids can wear and play with on the ranch, and hang out with near the stable!
What You Need
Materials For One Horse:
- 3 cardboard boxes varying in size
- Brown spray paint
- 1 box for the main body of the horse – this is where the hole will be for your child to stand in.
- 1 box for the neck
- 1 box for the head
- Scrap cardboard for the horse’s ears
- Lightweight card stock for the main and eyes
- A wide ribbon for the two straps that will go over the child’s shoulders
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
How You Make It:
Games to Play
Ready to take National Day of the Horse up a notch and play some games? Or maybe you just need some new games to play over winter break? We get it, it’s December and for the most part the kids are stuck inside. Lucky for you, we’ve got the perfect games for you to keep the kids occupied right inside your own home.
Horse Trivia
Test your kid’s knowledge and learn all at the same time! There’s tons of horse trivia games out there to play, and it will be fun for the kids to learn about horses from the DIY. Pointing at an area and having them name it is a great kick off. Here are link to some of our favorites: The Ultimate Horse Trivia Game, Trivia Country, and this YouTube quiz. How many do YOU know?
Horse Race
If you’re able to head outside to play this, then the rules are obvious. Get in and go! Bonus points if you’re able to set up some obstacles in the way. If not, and you’re stuck inside for the winter, a great alternative is to find a large enough space to mark a starting line and push your horses across them. Watch them slide along the floor and see who wins!
Lasso Practice
Don’t worry – this one can be done inside, too! All you need to do is grab something as thin as twine or a shoelace, then tie a loop around one end and test your lasso skills! Who can do it the fastest? Who can do it the most times in a row? The possibilities are endless! Your kids can spend hours quietly practicing this and will be proud to show off their skills to you!
Let us know!
Does your little one love horses? Did you make the DIY Cardboard Horses? Let us know in the comments below, and have a happy National Day of the Horse!