"Paper doll" horses

Where I grew up in California, you only rode a horse if your family was very well off.  Equestrian sports were available only to a few.  Where we live now, many people we know love and ride horses.  One of our friend's daughters has a pony of her own.  I feel a little like I live in horse country now. 


I think because of the horses that we see all the time as we drive through the country, my girls, just like every other little girl I've met here, love horses.  When I saw a book titled Pop-Out and Paint Horse Breeds, I was sure they'd love it.  Today happens to be a summer "snow" day of sorts because it is so hot outside, so I thought I'd bring out the book and start a project with them.  They were very excited when I brought out the horse book and explained what we were going to do.

Pop-Out and Paint Horse Breeds by Cindy A. Littlefield is a book published by Storey Publishing.  In the book, there are 10 different templates for different breeds of horses.  When I read the word "template", I thought that meant that you needed to trace the horse forms.  You actually have two options.  You can trace them or you can punch them out and make 10 horses.  Since I have three kids, punching out the templates and tracing them was the best option.  Both my girls wanted the same horse, of course.  


After tracing and cutting out your horse forms, there are great directions for how to make the main, tail, and how to add any other details you would like to.  There are even directions on how to make stands for the horse and secure them to the horses.  There are also directions for how to make a tabletop barn and other horse accessories.  

I am quite impressed by this book.  My girls are 6 and 8.  My son is 4 and even he was excited to paint his horse.  All of them can make the horses with help.  This is definitely an activity to do with them at their ages.  If they were 10 or 11, I know I would be able to hand them the book and they would be lost in the making of horses for hours.  But, at this age, a lot of help is needed.  A few weeks ago, I did hand the book to a friend's daughter who is 10.  She struggled to trace and cut out the horse form.  If she had simply been able to use the template as a 1 time use horse, I think she would have been fine.  This is one of those books that has a lot of potential for family enjoyment.  It would be much more enjoyable and less frustrating as a mom and daughter activity.  For the crafty mom, this would be a great book for you to share that love with your daughters.  


At a little less than $12 on Amazon, this would be a fun activity book to store for a rainy day or for a birthday gift.  The supplies that are needed are things you'll generally have around your house--yarn, a little paint, a paintbrush, paper clips, and a few other things I'm sure you'll have.  


I think this book is a surprisingly nifty book and worth the money if your daughter loves crafts and horses.


Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Storey Publishing.