These Dala horse ornaments pay tribute to the traditional Swedish handicraft with one important difference. Rather than being carved from wood, these Dala horse ornaments are made from paper using a free printable template that I’m sharing with you (for personal use only, please)! You can print and decorate the horses however you would like. Scroll down to see how to make these festive ornaments.
Cut along the solid lines on the template. Fold carefully along the dotted lines to form the front and back of the Dala horse. Next, add some glue stick to attach the front and back together. Then, use scissors to carefully cut along the outline of the Dala horse.
After the ornament is cut out, use a gel pen to decorate and add details however you would like. Traditionally, a saddle with a petal pattern is very popular. You could add a bridle or reins too! Be sure to decorate both sides of your ornament.
Lastly, use a mini hole punch and thread through some string to hang your ornament for display!
HORSES! is an activity book with over 60 pages full of coloring and games about horses for kids ages 4–8. Children can use their imaginations to bring the horse pictures to life with their favorite colors. Gallop through mazes, connect-the-dots, and more―there are interesting facts about horses for kids at every turn.
With tons of activities about horses for kids, this book will provide hours of fun for any horse-crazy child!
“Horses! is clearly a labor of love. Valerie Deneen has created a book that not only scaffolds on a child’s natural curiosity and love for horses with its easy to understand terminology and beautiful illustrations, but she has also provided the perfect tool for fostering quality time between an adult and child around a common interest. I can’t wait to share this book with my six-year-old horse loving granddaughter!”
—Deborah J. Stewart, M.Ed., founder of TeachPreschool.org