The image of a horse can inspire children to play.
Horse-themed games can work as twists on popular party games. Let children play them at a horse-themed birthday party or sleepover. Children of all ages can enjoy these games, though they're best for younger children who love getting dressed up, pretending to be horses in footraces or going on treasure hunts.
Apples and Flour
A rope is tied to the middle of the stick from a broom and hung from the ceiling. From one end of the stick, hang a cloth bag of flour. Hang an apple at the same distance from the other end. The stick is sent spinning in circles. The "horses" try to bite the apple without getting flour in their face while the others whinny and neigh. The first one to bite the apple wins a prize. Make sure the stick itself is too high to touch the children.
Horse Race
Divide the girls into teams of two. Have each team hold onto either end of a 3-foot length of rope with a number attached to the middle. Tell them to race each other to the finish line but they must gallop like a horse and stay parallel to their partners. The winners get flower garlands.
Pin the Tail on the Horse
Draw a large picture of a horse missing its tail on a large piece of butcher paper. Cut a tail out of construction paper or tape strands of yarn together into a tail. Attach a piece of tape or a reusable adhesive to the back of the tail. Blindfold each child and spin them around in a circle. Have them try to put the tail in the right place on the drawing of the horse.
Horse Hunt
Come up with clues to lead the players from one spot to the next. Cut white tags out of construction paper to write the clues on and attach them to small pony figurines with ribbons. Hide the horses and give the first clue to the players. Have the last clue lead to the treasure: a stash of apple-flavored jolly ranchers and stuffed animal horses, enough for each player to adopt one to take home with her.
Costume Contest
Lay out construction paper, scissors and yarn. Let the girls make their own horse ears and tails. Have a costume contest and ask them to show you their best whinny.
Musical Islands
Set out hula hoops on the ground, one less than the number of children playing. Tell the children that these are islands and the children are wild horses who must hop from island to island while the music plays. Play the music. When you stop the music, anyone who is not on an island is out. Take away a hoop each round until there's only one wild horse left.
Tags: construction paper, bite apple, children play