Last week’s Derby Day Party was a big hit, but one of our very favorite ideas from the whole event, was making these simple hobby horses for the kids to decorate. They ended up decorating, naming and then racing on our little course just like the real deal. And it was so much fun for everyone. Today, we’re sharing how to make a hobby horse!
They were so easy, they’re perfect for a party, or just a one off for your own kids.
The possibilities really are kinda endless.
As you can see below, our youngest got really creative with his name.
The other side says “Bob” so I’m not sure which one I like more. {No worries. I was sure to name shame him a little. ;}}
What you’ll need:
• Greenworks brushless drill
• Greenworks brushless jigsaw
• Greenworks sander
• Greenworks battery-powered mower
• 60v Greenworks blower
• 2 x 10 x 8 (we used Yellawood Weathersheild so that there was no worry about the finished product being left outside.)
• 3/4″ x 48″ dowel wood dowel.
• 3/4″ drill bit
• wood glue
• Template – Get it here!
• Paint or some good stain
First, you’ll trace the printed template on the 2 x 10 after cutting out the shape from the paper. {Template above}
This particular template prints out on an 8 x 10 since that’s the standard size of paper. So to make a larger size as we did to the edges of the wood, just go around it by about an inch, to allow for more space. This will give you a bigger size over all.
Go back over your edges to make sure they’re crisp enough to work with. It’s perfectly fine to adjust as you go. Just get the first, larger size right where you want it, and then you can use the initial cut piece to trace all the others, effortlessly.
Any larger and our horse heads would have had “what doctors call a little bit of a weight problem” but they worked out just fine. {Name that movie!}
Next, you’ll use the Greenworks brushless jigsaw to carefully cut out the pattern.
• Protip #1:
Go slow and remember this doesn’t have to be finished in one cut. If you have a sharp angle {which we tried to avoid with a simple template, but it still happens} come at it from several different ways.
• Protip#2:
Your blade will get very hot, so most importantly don’t touch it, but also remember a hot blade will break easier so don’t force a turn. Just back out of it and come at it from a different angle.
Once you have your horse cut out, it’s bound to have some rough edges.
Use your Greenworks sander to smooth out the sides, as well as the top.
Before you paint or stain, you’ll want to use your Greenworks brushless drill and 3/4″ drill bit, to drill a hole about 1-1/2″ deep into the base of the horse. Then fill the hole with wood glue, insert the 3/4″ dowel and let it dry for a few hours.
Once it is dried, choose a paint or stain for your horse.
We choose to paint them white and let the kids decorate them for the race, since it makes such a great, blank canvas.
While the horses dried, we took the opportunity to use our Greenworks battery-powered mower to cut our track.
We made the main track about 5′ wide, but in several areas opened it up to 10-12′ so they could really let those horses fly.
And not to leave any detail out, we used the 60v Greenworks blower to blow any loose grass off the track.
We didn’t want anyone slipping on cut grass.
Such a great model.
We then prepped some paint markers ahead of time by unwrapping and getting the tips ready, so that the kids could grab and go. {Paint markers need to be prepped by pressing into them, giving them time to start working.}
We recommend letting them draw on drop cloths if you’re on a porch or another surface that matters. Paint markers dry fast, but it helps to have extra security so you don’t have to babysit an entire group of kiddos.
They had fun decorating their own!
They were ready to go, and the race was so much fun!
It was a definite win in the party category.
Pair it with our free printables for a fun idea with kiddos!
We think the more versatile the winnings, the more fun everyone can have with their creativity.
As always let us know if you use them or make these.
We’d love to hear!
Have an inspired day!
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