Get ready to gallop into a super fun craft activity: a moving horse paper plate craft! This art project is the perfect activity for kids and equestrians alike. Follow the steps below to make an adorable moving horse puppet using just a few simple (and common!) materials. This project is not only a great way to engage your creativity, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to learn about horses while having fun. It would be a great project for school, home, or camp.
Let’s get crafting!
Materials Needed:
- Acrylic Paints: Yellow, green, and gray
- Paper Plate
- Paint Brush
- Glue (School glue or hot glue gun – whatever you prefer)
- Craft Stick
- Cardboard
- Brown Paper
- Black Marker
- Our printable template
Get the template: Horse Template
You can grab our printable right here. Simply enter your email address in the box and opt-in to receive our free newsletter. Check your inbox for this printable, which you will receive as a subscriber bonus. NOTE: This file is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. You may NOT sell the digital file or sell the printed work. You may NOT redistribute the digital file or printed work.
Instructions:
- Paint the Grassland: Mix yellow and green paints to create a vibrant grassland. Paint this design at the bottom part of your paper plate.
- Add Some Scenery: On the left side of the plate, above your freshly painted grassland, paint a tree.
- Barn in the Background: Draw the outline of a barn in the background. Then use paint to give the barn some detail.
- Fill the Background: Paint the rest of the paper plate green to complete the landscape scene. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly to prevent smudging in the next steps.
- Craft Your Horse: While the paint dries, print and cut out the horse template. Trace the template onto the brown paper and cardboard to create your horse pieces. Glue the horse together and use the black marker to draw on some details, like the horse’s face and hooves.
- Horse Puppet: Glue the assembled paper horse to one end of the popsicle stick.
- Puppet Show: After all glue and paint have dried, it’s time to finish the craft. Cut a small slit in the bottom of the plate, just big enough for the craft stick to fit in. Insert the other end of the popsicle stick into the slit you made in the paper plate. Now you can move your horse across the grassland!
Wrapping Up:
That’s it! You have made your very own moving horse puppet craft. This art project is perfect for a rainy day or any day you’re looking for a horse-themed craft to tie into your lessons or activities. It’s also a great project for kids to help develop their motor skills and unleash their inner artist.
Let us know if you decide to give this craft a try! Tell us how your version turned out?
While you’re here, make sure to take a look at the many horse-themed craft projects we have posted!