Lovely childcare

Fun to make in childcare! A special feature of horse craft ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

Here’s an introduction to popular horse crafts for preschools and kindergartens.

Horses are familiar, friendly animals for children, often appearing in picture books and stories.

Using everyday materials like paper cups, paper plates, and milk cartons, these horse crafts spark children’s creativity and let them enjoy steps like coloring and gluing.

After they’re finished, kids can play pretend together with their horses or use them as decorations, expanding the fun beyond the craft itself.

We’ve gathered age-appropriate ideas, so feel free to incorporate them into your class activities.

Fun to make in childcare! Special feature on horse craft ideas (41–50)

Origami of a Pegasus with wings

[Origami] How to fold a Pegasus (Tenma) — origami Pegasus

Origami of a Pegasus with wings

Let’s try creating a cool legendary creature derived from a horse! Pegasus, a legendary creature from Greek mythology, is said to be a horse with bird-like wings that can fly.

Some people might feel that expressing it with origami seems difficult, but let’s take on the challenge while imagining the finished piece.

All you need to prepare is origami paper.

It will require some ingenuity in the creases and folding methods, but by focusing and using your fingertips, you might cultivate perseverance and dexterity.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Fun to Make in Childcare! A Collection of Horse Craft Ideas (51–60)

Handprint art horse

Let’s send a lovely New Year’s card that captures your child’s growth with their handprints.

It’s a unique idea that uses children’s handprints to create the body of “Bullseye,” Woody’s trusty steed from the hugely popular film Toy Story, loved by kids and adults alike.

You can adapt it for babies through toddlers, making it perfect if you’ve been stuck for New Year’s card ideas.

You can also tailor it to your children’s ages by adding parts, sticking on pieces, or writing text, and the result is sure to be wonderful!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Great for New Year decorations too! Horse origami

@shinichikudo273
Year of the Horse Origami: How to Fold a HorseOrigami #fyp #foryoupage #origamitutorial #origami
♬ Original Song – Origami Crane – Origami Crane

A symbol of strength and decisiveness! How about welcoming the New Year with a horse you made yourself? In honor of the Year of the Horse, it would look wonderful displayed in your room not only during the New Year but all year round.

All you need to prepare is origami paper, such as traditional Japanese patterns.

The folding method is explained clearly in the video, making it perfect for kids to try on their own.

You can enhance the finished piece by decorating it with washi paper and string, or by placing it on a gold stand.

Be sure to make a horse that’s uniquely yours!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Origami of a cute horse face

@origamipark2020
This is an origami horse (representing the Horse of the Chinese zodiac).Origami Animal Origami horse racehorse #OrigamiPark
♬ Happy Kids – Syafeea library

Fold a horse’s face out of origami paper, then add facial features with pens and stickers, and you’re done! It’s a simple idea that makes it easy to picture the finished result.

All you need is one sheet of brown origami paper, a pen, and some stickers.

Some steps involve flattening a 3D shape as you go, so it might feel tricky for some children at first, but once they get used to it, they’ll likely be able to finish it on their own and have fun doing it.

After folding the horse’s face, freely draw in the expression with your own touches! It’s sure to become a unique, shining creation.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

Through creating horses, children’s imagination and expressive abilities will grow rapidly.

By combining familiar materials and adding their own creative touches, each child will shape the image of a horse they have in mind—making the very process itself an irreplaceable experience.

In your childcare setting, honor the children’s pace so they can work freely, and enjoy the activity together.