Horse rockers are a beloved wooden toy among children. Not only do these encourage physical activity and stimulation of the vestibular system, but they also help develop balance by stimulating sensory receptors in the hands.
Constructing a wooden horse rocker is simple if you have access to a woodworking workshop. There are DIY plans available for traditional hobby horses, dogs, reindeer, pandas, and more - there's something to suit everyone!
How to Build a Wooden Horse Rocker
Wooden horse rockers are an excellent way to add classic charm and encourage physical activity in children, helping them develop healthy balance and coordination. Are you searching for a fun, nostalgic toy or family heirloom for your child? With ease, it can be built in your own woodworking workshop. Not only will the finished project add a unique touch to your home decor, but your kids are sure to love spending time rocking away on it!
Before you begin your project, it is essential to collect the materials required. You'll require various types of lumber such as oak or cherry for your rocking horse, including hardwoods like these. Start by choosing a wood that complements the other materials in your room. For instance, if you want your rocker to blend in with your child's bedroom furniture, go with an option with a lighter color.
The next step in building your rocking horse is to cut the pieces of wood that form it. You have two options for doing so: use a jigsaw to slice them apart or hand-carve them with a chisel. Once your body, legs, and saddle parts are all cut out, you can begin constructing them together. Each part will require 2 by 12 pieces of lumber.
If you own a saber saw, cutting lumber can be done. Just be sure to keep your cuts even so that the finished project will be square and level. The final step in building a rocking horse is to glue all pieces together. Always dry-fit both your rocker assembly and horse before applying any glue; this will guarantee that everything fits perfectly from front to back.
Materials
Wooden rocking horses are a beloved toy among children. Not only do they provide entertainment and relaxation, but also exercise the muscles in their upper body and promote fine motor development. Many children enjoy horse stories, old western movies or knights in shining armor - and a rocking horse is an ideal way to get them excited about these types of things! However, if your child doesn't show much interest in horses, then you might want to choose another type of toy instead.
Rocking horse designs come in a variety of styles, such as those mounted on springs and those just molded onto a framework. Some are designed for comfort and a cuddlier feel than others while others feature features meant to keep them safe for young kids. This simple rocking horse is an ideal beginner project due to its lightweight construction of plywood and batten construction with a hardwood head, rump, and footrests. Even those without carving skills can easily assemble this project! The rocking action is gentle yet secure - ideal for young riders aged 1 to 3 with some supervision.
Cutting the Pieces
If you want to craft a wooden horse rocker for your child, precision cutting of wood pieces is essential. Doing this will guarantee that the project is carried out precisely and with great accuracy. First, you need to select the correct technique for marking wood pieces. This technique, known as either patterning or sampling, can save time and minimize mistakes in woodworking. This method involves using a piece of paper the same size as your board to make multiple markings on it. This makes it simpler to accurately measure with a tape measure and eliminates the need to manually mark each individual piece of wood.
Once your markings are made, it's time to cut out the pieces of wood with either a hand saw, power saw, or jigsaw. You could also trace the pieces of wood onto a paper pattern and cut them out. While this method may take more time initially, it will ultimately save you time in the long run. Once all pieces are cut out, it's time to assemble your horse rocker. Begin by cutting out the head and body pieces, followed by the legs and seats. Doing this allows you to check for fit as well as any minor discrepancies between them.
Next, you should add two body braces that connect the legs to the body. Doing this will enable them to sit more securely. These braces are approximately 6 inches apart from one another. You have the option to round or leave their edges.
Gluing the Pieces
Glued-up woodwork can seem intimidating and time-consuming, but with some practice, it becomes simpler. Add straight scrap pieces to the top and bottom of your glue-up, then clamp them securely in place for extra support to keep everything stable and aligned. Apply PVA glue to both surfaces of the rocker parts, brushing it evenly across their surfaces. Tighten with a brush, press them together, then clamp them securely using mechanical fasteners such as dowels for extra security. Once the glue has dried, attach the rocker parts to your horse body in this order: base, spacer, link, and pins. Insert dowel pins through their holes and hammer them in for extra security.
If the dowels are not inserted deeply enough, you can add weight to them which will apply extra pressure and help secure the parts. Clamps may also be beneficial here; just make sure not to overtighten them. Next, lightly sand the rocker pieces to remove all dust and stray nails. Finally, use a hand plane to smooth any remaining sharp edges or dents.
Before drilling the holes for the dowels, create four 4-1/2 inch high blocks to keep the body from sliding too far between its legs. Align both parts - bodies and seat/head assemblies - up and down as well as fore and aft to ensure they will fit tightly together. When assembling the body, make sure the hooves are pointed forward. If not, place a dot of glue on each hoof and attach one joint piece to each back leg.
Assembly
This horse rocker will surely charm your little one with its sunny disposition and soft plush exterior. Not only does it provide ample room for development and imagination, but assembly is a breeze too - making this rocker an easy favorite among young children who will surely appreciate its gentle rocking action. To build this rocker, begin by tracing the pattern onto a 24 x 24-square grid of 2-inch squares. Cut pieces of wood according to the pattern and cutting diagram on this page, and double-cut them for symmetry.
Next, place the rockers on a bench and mark where the cross pieces attach to them. The rockers should be curved on one side, with the cross pieces meeting at 3/8 inches off from the edge of the bench. Align the cross pieces and push them together; if necessary, use bar clamps for extra support. Once in place, apply glue to their ends and bottoms before fastening them to both sides of the horse's head/body assembly with two 2-inch #12 flathead wood screws.
Repeat the process on the other side of the horse's head/body. After all, the pieces are glued together, align the legs on top of the head/body piece so that their top rounded edge matches up with that of each leg piece. Once all pieces have adhered, dry fit the assembly together. If surfaces don't match perfectly, use your hand plane to gently move them around. If the rockers aren't aligned correctly from front to back, your horse could gallop on either side instead of staying put on the floor. Likewise, if the seat isn't aligned correctly, your child could attempt to climb over it. Achieving these things correctly takes patience and time - so take your time when doing so!