How to Make a Stick Horse

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Last Updated: February 24, 2025

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• Make a Head With Fabric
|
• Finish the Stick Horse
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

Making a stick horse, or a hobbyhorse, can be a fun project that pays dividends in creative play and exercise for your child. You can make a stick horse for your child, other children or the young-at-heart. Making a stick horse may be a good rainy-day activity. You may have several items on hand to make a hobbyhorse.

Steps

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1. 
   1
   Select and gather decorative materials for the riding toy. You can use ribbons, yarn, googly eyes, large buttons and other materials to add creative touches to your hobbyhorse.
2. 
   2
   Purchase a dowel that is approximately 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) in diameter and 3 feet (1 m) in length. You will use this dowel for the body of the stick horse.
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3. 
   3
   Cut a groove in the dowel 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) above the spot where the hands will grasp the horse's body. This groove will help you to attach the head of the hobbyhorse to the dowel.
4. 
   4
   Cut out ears from a stiff, heavy fabric.
5. 
   5
   Sew the ears onto the heel of the sock, which will be the top of the head.
6. 
   6
   Use a permanent fabric marker to draw eyes and nostrils onto the bottom of the sock.
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Make a Head With Fabric

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1. 
   1
   Make a pattern for the head.

   • You can create a pattern for the head of the riding toy by drawing the shape of the head freehand on cardboard or poster board. Optionally, enlarge, photocopy and print an illustration you want to use for a pattern.
   • Include a long neck on the stick horse pattern.
2. 
   2
   Cut out the pattern along the outlines.
3. 
   3
   Fold the fabric in half.
4. 
   4
   Place your pattern on the fabric and cut around it. You will now have 2 identical pieces.
5. 
   5
   Sew the 2 pieces together to make a head for the stick horse. Leave the bottom of the neck open to insert the dowel.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Finish the Stick Horse

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1. 
   1
   Stuff your hobbyhorse's head about half full with cotton batting. You can cut up old socks or fabric if you don't have batting.
2. 
   2
   Decorate the face to make eyes, nostrils and a mouth.
3. 
   3
   Glue or sew on curtain fringe or yarn to make the stick horse's mane.
4. 
   4
   Fit the dowel into the hobbyhorse's head all the way to the top of the head (or the heel of the sock).
5. 
   5
   Finish stuffing the head while holding the dowel inside.
6. 
   6
   Tie the head tightly to the dowel using yarn, string or hair elastics over the fabric. The fastener should sit in the groove you cut into the dowel.
7. 
   7
   Add finishing touches to your riding toy, such as reins made of ribbon, if desired.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How can I make the dowel stiff and secure?

  

  Community Answer

  Dowels are wooden and should already be stiff, but if you mean attach it securely, use glue and sew the head around the dowel.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5
• Question

  Where do I find the wood for this?

  

  Community Answer

  Walmart or any craft stores have wooden dowels. You can find them near the scrapbook/craft sections at Walmart and near the fabric and yarn and craft stores such as Hobby Lobby.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
• Question

  How much batting/polyfill would be needed for 10 horses?

  

  Community Answer

  It depends on the size of the horse head. Make one and then multiply the amount you used by ten.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5

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Video

Tips

• Organize a rodeo or horse show for your young children and their hobbyhorses.
  Thanks

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• More elaborate and permanent stick horses can be made as a woodworking project.
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Warnings

• Be sure that all stick horse materials are child-safe, non-toxic and age-appropriate.
  Thanks

  Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2
• Supervise children working with scissors, needles or glue.
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• Check the wooden dowel after cutting it to remove any rough or sharp spots. Sand it smooth, if necessary.
  Thanks

  Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3

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Things You'll Need

• Stick
• Glue
• Scissors
• Cardboard or poster board
• Sock or fabric
• Fabric paint or markers
• Stuffing
• Yarn or curtain fringe
• String
• Elastic ponytail holders
• Thick needle and thread.
• Additional decorations