![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/14176636370_761c07ee64_z.jpg)
![](http://assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png)
First, let's just not talk about this picture of me riding a pool noodle horse, okay?
Next, you know when you see things on Pinterest, but never make them? This isn't one of those things. This is a time when I went looking for something, found it on Pinterest, and then changed it to make it work for me. If you can do that with an idea, I say, do it! Make it work for you!
In this case, I had seen a pool noodle horse, and when my sister's class was learning about horses, we thought it would be fun for the kids to make. We were wrong. All of the versions I found were either too difficult, too goofy looking, or both. In fact, I didn't see how a bunch of four-year-olds were gonna make any of them, so I volunteered to make the horses so they could at least have them for active play. Yes, I volunteered to make 20 pool noodle stick horses.
Clearly, I was going to need a fast and easy way to do this. So I looked at three or four different versions, and came up with my own, using a few of the features that I liked the most. If I can make 20 of these in a few hours, you can make one in about 10 minutes.
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/14176740737_03e65f254a_z.jpg)
Here's what you need:
Pool noodle
Chunky yarn
Felt
Serrated knife
Permanent marker
Craft glue
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/14176587598_5c008263ae_z.jpg)
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/14383392733_eaf0ef039d_z.jpg)
Using the knife, cut a wedge out of the side of the pool noodle, about 10 inches from the end. This will be the head.
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/14340113506_37b584a885_z.jpg)
Hold the noodle so the side with the missing wedge is facing down, and look at the end of the noodle. Cut a slice across, so it goes into the end about 2-3 inches. This will be the mouth, and with every one that I made, I could only think of "never look a gift horse in the mouth."
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14340113316_d1ed2135e5_z.jpg)
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5159/14363207775_cd7cc0a721_z.jpg)
Take the permanent marker and make a little smile that goes from the end of the noodle up to where the slit ends. Make a "C" nostril just above the slit. Add a nice round eye a few inches up from the mouth. You could even add eyelashes if you want. Repeat this on the other side, and to make the lines a little darker, you can go over them again once the marker has dried.
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14176739667_8d67da0b0e_z.jpg)
Cut a 4-foot long piece of chunky yarn. Fold it in half and tie an overhand knot about 8 inches from the fold. You could make the piece longer (we kept it short for safety purposes), but you need the knot to stay 8 inches from the fold. These will be the reins, and you'll need them in just a moment.
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3845/14383391823_96b693ba2a_z.jpg)
Fold a piece of felt in half and cut an ear-ish shape on the fold. There's no perfection here, just go for something similar to what you see in the photo. Overall width on mine were 8-9 inches and maybe 3 inches wide. Add some craft glue to the center area.
(Don't be tempted to wear this as a jumbo mustache, okay?)
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/14362319404_fd49b26c25_z.jpg)
Stick the ear piece into the cut out wedge on the pool noodle.
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/14383391403_bb603e1340_z.jpg)
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3908/14363208135_9341fd3521_z.jpg)
Slide the reins into the horse's mouth, then pull the horse's head down so the knot in the reins is up against the neck/body of the horse. Tie a knot on the other side of the pool noodle to secure it.
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/14359894981_9ae90c0d6c_z.jpg)
Tie the ends of the reins together so there's something to hold onto. We want to make sure this horse can be properly guided, right?
![Pool Noodle Horse](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2922/14383390653_bcb68f84d8_z.jpg)
Check to see that those ears are sticking up (they should have a little tuck in them that gives them shape and keeps them up), and then hop on for a ride around the yard! You could probably even switch the felt for fun foam and then use these in the pool, although I haven't tried that version yet.
![Pool noodle horses](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/14383417573_06d9b52c1b_z.jpg)
If you're making a whole bunch of horses, a tall laundry basket makes a great corral. Happy Trails!
What fun! The four year olds must have gone wild for these:)
ReplyDeleteClever you!
Ha, awesome! Everyone knows one of the best ways to use a pool noodle is to ride it like a horse, so now it will actually look like one too :)
ReplyDeleteThese look so fun! And well done for putting in the extra effort to help out the class. I work in a school and I know that not everyone would do it.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute idea! I am loving how simple this is.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm . . . . . Now how could we use these in Kids Church? These are adorable!
ReplyDeleteYou could teach about obeying the voice of God with the story of Balaam and his donkey. 😊
DeleteNumbers 22:21-39
You could teach about obeying God and Balaam’s donkey. Numbers 22:21-39
DeleteHow adorable! I know the kids just loved them!!!
ReplyDeleteSo clever!
ReplyDelete