How to Choose a Horse Gift for Girls

If it seems to be a challenge finding a gift for a girl, from preschool to middle school, you might wish to consider a horse-themed gift. Horses in all their glory usually rank among favorite animals for all ages of wistful girls, and the products available range from basic to the unexpected treasure.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find a lovely music box or jewelry box, handpainted with horses on the outside. Inside you'll find a rotating miniature model horse and the tinny music of a related song when you lift the lid. This can be magical as well as practical for a girl with lots of accessories, jewelry, costume jewelry or even hair adornments.

2. Sift through the extensive series of Breyer model horses, featuring all types of horses, character-based horses (from films) as well as pairs such as mother and foal. Breyer even offers a blank white model horse and paints for the artistic girl to paint herself.

3. Select books, from picture books to chapter books to young adult books--even sticker books. Consider the American Girl Library's "Girls and Their Horses" for a lovely introduction to girls riding all types of horses, with first-person experiences. As a special bonus, the book offers horse trading cards in the back. These lovely photographs identify each type of horse--mesmerizing for the youngest set as well as elementary age. They'll memorize them too.

4. Go ahead and purchase that stuffed animal horse or hobby horse, an old favorite of a gift beloved by many a girl. The stuffed horses will be hugged until worn with love.

5. Check out the video "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" for a substantive, quite serious, music-filled movie suitable for ages seven and up. This one is worth more than one showing.

6. Decide upon the cooperative game "Round Up" by Family Pastimes for a fun romp. The goal is to corral five horses back to the ranch using tools which players share. Rocks are obstacles, and binoculars can be used for a sneak peek. No reading required.