Horse Birthday Party Favors

The party favor problem: you spend money on eight small things that end up in a bin by Sunday. This is an attempt at solving it โ€” a favour that is also the activity, and that the child actually keeps.

How it works

Each guest gets her own sealed bag: a DIY kit for model horses, with pre-cut fabric, ribbons and thread. Around a table, everyone makes her own. At the end, each child leaves with something she made with her own hands, not something you bought in a multipack.

An individual DIY saddle pad kit, with pre-cut fabric and ribbon

Two kits, two lengths

Saddle pad โ€” 20 to 30 minutes. Our recommendation for 7 to 10 year olds. Long enough to feel like a real project, short enough that nobody drifts off before the cake.

Stable blanket โ€” about an hour. For older children and teenagers, or when you want the activity to fill a proper slot in the afternoon. More pieces, buckles and straps to fit.

Two things parents ask us first

You don't have to choose ten colours. We put the mix together ourselves โ€” pinks, blues, greens, neutrals โ€” so every bag is different and the children can compare and swap. One less decision on your list.

You don't need a horse for every child. Two or three model horses on the table are enough for everyone to try theirs on and take a photo. Each guest takes her piece home and uses it on her own horse afterwards.

Why parents like it

It fills a real slot in the afternoon. Every birthday has that half hour where the games are done and the cake isn't ready. This fits exactly there, and it works sitting down.

It's quiet. No glitter, no paint, no water. Just fabric, ribbon and a bit of glue on a table you can wipe.

It's genuinely skilful. Threading a 2 mm ribbon and aligning fabric to the millimetre is real fine motor work. Children concentrate, and they are proud of the result โ€” which is not something you can say about a plastic yo-yo.

It doesn't need you to run it. Each pack comes with a large printed instruction sheet and a link to the video tutorial, so you can watch it once beforehand and know exactly what you're doing.

What you get

  • 8, 10 or 12 individual kits, each sealed in its own bag, colours mixed by us
  • Craft glue and precision applicators to share around the table
  • A large printed instruction sheet for the adult running it
  • The video tutorial, free to watch before the day

Before you order

Ages. From 7 with an adult at the table, from 9 on their own. The blanket kit suits older children better.

Scale. The finished tack fits Schleich and CollectA model horses (scale 1:20). If you'd rather have kits for Breyer horses, or another kit such as polo wraps or a ribbon halter, just ask.

Timing. Everything is made by hand in our workshop, so order at least two weeks before the party. If your date is tighter than that, email anna@mymodelhorse.com and we'll tell you honestly whether we can make it.

Something different?

Bigger group, mixed scales, a colour scheme to match the party, a school or riding club workshop โ€” write to anna@mymodelhorse.com and we'll build it with you.

See the party favor packs ยท Why these kits make a good gift