Make a "Green" Horse Craft by Re-using Items

My daughter came home from Girl Scout Day Camp with this Tiger made from empty soda/water bottles and orange streamers.

Of course, my first thought was that we could make a horse the same way.  My 2nd thought was that it would look better with 4 legs rather than 2.

Oh, and it needs a tail!

This could be a great project at a horse themed birthday party...

The girls can use their water bottles after they are done with their cake, and pull down the birthday streamers (thus re-using them and cleaning them up!) , and use bits from the birthday gift wrapping paper and card envelopes for the decorating.

  
Supplies

• 1 larger plastic bottle w/ cap (for the body)
• 4 smaller plastic bottles w/ caps for the legs (all 4 must be the same)
• Wide Packaging Tape (about 2 inch wide)
• Birthday party type streamers
• White School Glue
• Water
• Scraps of colored paper

Equipment

•  Old paint brush or foam brush 
  Stanley knife /Box cutter
• Damp rag (t-shirt type fabric is best)

Adult Set up

--Bottles

Rinse out all bottles, allow to dry, and replace the caps

Decide how long the "leg" bottles should be and mark each bottle at the same height, so your horse wont lean too much to one side or the other.

Using a box cutter/Stanley knife, carefully cut into the bottle and "saw" around until the bottom is cut off.   

--Glue

In one of the left-over bottle bottoms, pour a good amount of glue, plus a bit of water to thin it.  Stir with the old brush.

Assemble the horse (depending on the children's ages and time allotted, this step might be good to do ahead of time by adults)

Secure the cut ends of the four leg bottles to the body bottle with lots and lots of tape.     This will all be covered with the streamers, so feel free to use the tape to fill in areas where the bottles don't quite meet, etc.  

 Add the streamers   

Start out with a length of streamer about a foot long.  

Paint glue over one area of the bottle horse.   Perhaps start with one leg.   Wrap the streamer around the leg... pat it down so the glue seeps right on through, allowing you to wrap another layer.       Use the rag to remove any excess glue globs, or to help situate the streamers, if needed.

Continue painting more glue and wrapping streamers, until you've wrapped the horse's entire body and are satisfied with the results.

Allow the glue to dry completely. If desired, thin a more glue and brush it all over the horse for a smoother appearance.

Decorate

-- Add a tail and mane by gluing on strips of a different color streamers, or strips of colored paper.

--Decorate the face using the scraps of paper - add eyes, ears, spots, even a bridal.

Remember, the most important part of the project is having fun while doing it.   The horses need not look realistic, nor even be finished.     As long as all the horse lovers are having fun, the craft project is a success!

Enjoy, and let me know how you do!

Cindy

PS.   If you'd prefer a Ready-To-Go Horse Craft, see what we have in store  Horse Craft Kits

Fast and Easy Ways to Decorate Girls Bedroom with Horses

Sure,  you could find horse wallpaper, or horse bedding, but what about some easy ways to add horses to your daughter's bedroom decor?  Without spending so much money,  committing to such a major change, or needing to spend a lot of time.

Cuttin Loose by Wallies.    (I hope thats not a library book!)

Use Horse "Wall-Paper Cut-outs" for quick, easy, inexpensive, and removable horse bedroom decor!   You will love it, and so will she!   

If you havn't heard --- you dont need to actually cut out images from real wall paper.... you can buy pre-cut designs.    They are easy to put on the wall, and just as easy to remove.   Just wet them and slap on the wall where you want them.   

 The cut out designs range from about 2" by 2" to about 6" by 8", and come in sets of about 20 coordinating pieces.     You can find realistic looking horses,  My Little Pony or other cartoon looking horses, even equestrian and Cowgirl themes.  

 "Wallies" is one well-known brand (the set in the picture sells for around 12$ for a package of 15 horse clusters.  Also check out local large craft stores and paint stores to find a large selection in several brands.  

If you want something more specific, you will have plenty of choices online.

Use them in a traditional way by placing them along the top of the wall, making a border of horses.  Or, group them in a particular area... above the bed, next to the bed, as a border around the closet door - anywhere you have a blank space that won't be touched often.

Or... use them in some less obvious ways...  Cover a plain lampshade with overlapping horse wallies, cover the side of her bookcase or desk, perhaps even the back of the desk chair. 

Most important --- since they are designed to be removed and reused, you and your daughter can experiement all you like.          (You can always move them later if you need to!)

Besides the bedrooom... perhaps she will want to horse-up her bathroom, or even her locker.

Enjoy!    I'll be sharing some more EASY and FAST horse themed bedroom ideas soon. 

Cindy

Book Series for Horse Lovers - Canterwood Crest

(For moms of horse lovers too!) A few months ago, Jessica Burkhart, author of the equestrian themed Canterwood Crest Book Series contacted me about her upcoming 5th book release and blog giveaway. I am so glad she did, as I had not seen the series yet. My horse lover is a 7.5 year old 2nd grader. Her reading skills are very good for her age, but she is not ready for the 9-12 chapter books. Eager to check out the series, I purchased the first 2 at the local Barnes and Noble, and ordered the next 2 through Amazon.com. We started out with my reading aloud to her, which we both enjoyed. I soon started to read on ahead, though, to satisfy my need to know what happens next! Of course, this isn't "heavy reading" for a woman of my age (cough, cough), but Ive enjoyed every page none-the-less. I suspect most any girl who loves horses will enjoy them. AND, I suspect the mothers of tween/pre-teen girls who love horses will as well! As the "Horse Lover's Mama", I've learned so much from the book series so far. Each book has 2 or more equestrian events.... where the details of the venues, preparations, and event are wonderfully detailed. Ive never been to a horse show, nor an advanced riding clinic... but can fully picture them now, having "seen them" through Jessica Burkhart's writing. The series features five 7th grade girls on their boarding school's riding team. Through Jessica's writing, Ive seen even more what its like to be a girl in love with horses. Reading how they talk about their horses, how they feel when seeing, caring for, and riding their horses, and how they imagine their horses feel has been a wonderful view into the mind of a pre-teen with a serious horse addiction! Additionally... since these books are being written NOW - in 2009 -they have been excellent for bringing me "into the loop". Ive NEVER sent a text message. If Ive received any, I have never opened them. But, now, I actually understand what pre-teens and teens would have to say to each other by text message. The current day references are refreshing (Anyone remember a cat named Madonna in the Pony Pals series? Now we hear about a guy with a "Zac Ephron haircut" I'll always be a Madonna fan, but.... Zac is looking much better these days!) I highly, highly recommend the Canterwood Crest Book series - both for your daughters who love horses, AND for you, moms! (See below for my Parental guidence review) Let me know how you enjoy them! Cindy --- The Horse Lover's Mama Read more from the author(and life long horse lover) here: Jessica Burkhart Read more about the book series here Canterwood Crest Parental Guidance Review of Canterwood Crest The first 4 books all take place with the main characters in 7th grade. The girls do have boy crushes, and do enter "boyfriend-girlfriend" relationships. These consist of holding hands and, for some, a few kisses. I noticed no bad language, no scary scenes, no violence, and no religious references. All defiance of authority always has repercussions (in fact, there may be some great lessons on consequences here). Studying and fulfilling responsibilities is portrayed positively.

Traveling by Car - Car Games for Horse Lovers

I compiled some favorite car games and sprinkled them all with horses.   Wether you are traveling with a whole group of horse lovers, or just one, the whole car or bus full can enjoy these travel games.   No equipment needed!

Alter them however you like to fit the size and age of your traveling posse.

The Alphabet Game
You know the drill! First person says.... "I went on vacation, and I brought a ..... [Fill in an item starting with letter A]. Second person repeats that, and adds a b item to the list, third person repeats "I went on vacation, and I brought... " reciting the A item, the B item, and adding their own C item.... continue until you get to Z.

I will be 39 tomorrow... but I can still recite the ENTIRE LIST from a trip my parents, my sister and I took when I was 14 or so.

Make it more interesting!... Use any variation you can think of! "I went to the beach, and I took...." I went on vacation and I FORGOT to bring...."

Horse it up! I went to a horse show, and I brought.... I went on a trail ride, and I saw....

Make it more FUN! Break out of the mold a bit. My little family's favorite is "Im making a hamburger with ...... on it" Being lenient on "what fits" makes for the most FUN. (bringing your stable to the beach?, Peanut Butter on your Hamburger? Whipped Cream on your hamburger?)

Go Fish
Who says you need CARDS to play go fish? Not us! Just hold your imaginary deck, ask a traveling companion for a card you "need", then draw from the imaginary draw pile. Be sure to cheer when you get what you wanted... and to sigh and cry when you don't!

Horse it up! Use horse sounds instead of yes/no.   Neigh if they got the card, whinny if they didn't.


I spy, 20 questions.... Don't forget the classics! No one needed a hand-held game, or Pictureka to play these games in the 70s... and you do not need those things now either!

Stop Thief!
This was an electronic board game with sound effects in the 70s. But - we are not going to be bringing ANY of that on this car trip! We all have the sound effect machine we were born with!

One player creates the story, by first stating a location everyone playing is familiar with(your own home is the most likely candidate). Start with an entry location in mind, but do not tell where it is. Make a sound of entering that location.... could be turning a key in a lock, or opening a window, or breaking a window... whatever works. Then, make sounds for taking a few steps, jumping up or down, going up or down stairs, open more doors, whatever. Keep each sound separate by leaving a good pause in between (a few "and then"'s will help too!)

After a few sounds, ask each person to guess where you are. Continue as you like... give the answer then, or let the story teller continue a little farther, giving a clue at that point - or not. You might have the story teller choose an ending point/location, and not take the final guesses until he reaches it (perhaps eating ice cream out of the fridge, or brushing is teeth, etc) Taking guesses after every few steps is helpful to keep the group interested.

Make it younger. Instead of a "thief" coming into the house.... say its Santa, or the Tooth Fairy, or a Little Lady Bug, or Aunt Stacey, or whatever suits your fancy. Narrow down the location to one room, or one area of the house, if it will work better for you.

HORSE it up. The "character" is a horse, rather than a person... perhaps in your school, the mall, or out at the stables. Yes, this means you'll need trotting, cantering, and galloping sounds!

HORSE it up.  Use your horse farm or riding stable as the location!

The Name Game
(That's what WE call it.... you can call it whatever you like). This is my all-time favorite. The longer the trip, the better! The best part is, you play this WHILE playing other car games. 

Each player chooses an alternate name for themselves. Family favorite in my parents white station wagon with the wood grain on the door panels... Hortense. Why? I have no idea.... but its a memory which is never going to leave my mind!

If there are any party poopers in your group, who refuse to choose a name (perhaps claiming they cannot think of one)... I suggest assigning one to them. :)

HORSE it up! Choose horse names.

HORSE it up!  Use horse-related terms in place of other phrases often used during car rides.   Perhaps "Oats and Carrots" instead of "stop to eat".    Perhaps "Which trail?" instead of "Which road?" or "which exit"

Make it younger. Encourage your little ones to create alternate names for THEIR traveling companions... baby dolls, action figures, loveys, et al.

Set up whatever rules you want as far as when to pause the "name game". Some may pause during rest stops, for example. Try it.... you will like it! I wont give away some of the "unexpected side effects" you might encounter.

Note: While I am VERY much in favor of house rules... I do have to strongly recommend that you pause the name game if your trip includes crossing an international border. Customs and immigration are NOT places for games. ;)

--------------
Remember - House rules apply.... Its just you and yours, in your own private world --- your car. Modify, take liberties, allow extra turns and re-dos (or DON'T) --- whatever suits you.

If you can avoid enforcing rules, and avoid declaring "winners" (and assigning prizes) you can probably keep the fun going a lot longer before the inevitable melt downs (whatever age your group is, there WILL BE melt downs!)

Happy trails!!!!
Cindy - Horse Lover's Mama

PS - Not a game, but its GREAT FUN on loooooooong trips - stop at 6am and order dinner foods... including dessert!