How to Have a Cowboy Party For Kids

Every guest should get a cowboy hat.

Even in the era of video games and space exploration, young boys remain fascinated with cowboys, making this a common theme for birthday parties. For your child’s cowboy party, carry the theme all the way from the invitations to the Western-style goodies you provide as party favors. While you can purchase party supplies and invitations that have a cowboy theme, you can also make some of the items yourself.

Instructions

1. Make invitations using a "Wanted" poster. Design the invitations on your computer, using a basic word processing program. Copy and paste a picture of your child and type a phrase such as "Wanted: You to join in on the party fun." Include details about the party under the photo.

2. Give out cowboy hats as children arrive so they can look like cowboys during the party. You should be able to find cheap cowboy hats at a dollar store or mass merchandiser.

3. Plan activities using the cowboy theme. See if you can hire someone to provide pony rides, for example. Have a stick horse race, with the winner receiving a sheriff's badge or some other small trinket. Provide a rope tied like a lasso so the kids can practice roping a saw horse. Have a ring the cowboy hat game – give kids small balls and have a contest to see who can ring the upside down cowboy hat the highest number of times. Play "pin the hat on the cowboy" and other variations of traditional games.

4. Have a campfire to roast wieners and marshmallows during the party, if possible, to replicate a cowboy's meal on the trail. For a birthday cake, add some toy cowboys and horses to the top of a cake you bake yourself, or see what the bakery can make in a cowboy theme.

5. Place small items such as candy and travel-size games in the center of a red bandanna to create your cowboy version of a birthday party goody bag. Bring all four corners up to meet each other, like a sack. Tie off with twine. Make a favor for each child.

Tips & Warnings

• A cowboy party only requires one thing: Planning.

• Remind children to follow safety precautions around a campfire.