Cowboy Western Party

A cowboy western party is very popular among kids between the ages of 2 to 10 years. It is a wonderful party theme to follow, as a lot can be done. Another aspect is that you can include a lot of detail if you want to go all out, or can even pull it off with a few additions, which you can make yourself. However, you do it, one thing is for sure, the kids always have a blast, just ensure you keep them occupied with a lot of activity. Here are some guidelines on how to plan and organize the party.

Planning a Cowboy Western Party

Western Party Invitations
A popular and much used option is the 'wanted' poster. They usually have 'wanted' written as the header, with your child's picture below it, followed by the party information. If you choose to make them yourselves, remember to use a paper that will look like a yellowing poster. You could mail them, distribute them rolled up and tied with ribbon. If you are personally delivering the invites, you could throw in a straw cowboy hat that the child could wear to the party. Another idea is a bandanna invitation. Buy different colored bandannas, and write out an invitation text on them using permanent marker. Inform the parent to send their kids for the party wearing the bandanna around their neck. An easy option is to buy cowboy themed party invitations from a store. Remember to send them about two weeks in advance.

Western Party Theme Decorations
These are all the items you could use to create a western feel: wagon wheels, cowboy hats, saddles, riding barrels, horse "tack", cactus decor, and guitars. Start with a 'howdy' banner to receive your guests, which you could buy or make. Place bales of hay around, on one of which you could place a saddle, which the kids could use as an imaginary horse. Cover the tables with red and white checkered table cloth, and place cowboy hats filled with candy on them. If you want to go all out and create an old west town, you could do so by making cardboard cutouts of a saloon, jail, hotel and ranch store.

Western Party Food
You can't have an authentic country and western party without BBQ. Beef ribs, hotdogs and hamburgers, barbecue pulled beef sandwiches, baked potatoes or potato salad, and corn bread are some of the foods you could include. You could have sarsaparilla, root beer or lemonade to keep your guests hydrated. If possible, having spicy chili snacks served out of big pots placed in a "chuckwagon", will add to the flavor of the theme. However, all this will be incomplete without a cowboy boot or hat shaped cake.

To organize a successful cowboy western party, you will first need to research western theme party ideas and then make a plan of what you need to make, buy and do. Then, start buying all the western theme party supplies required. They are available in abundance and different price ranges, and will also serve as inspiration. A kids western party must include western party games, and if possible include activities such as a real horse ride for the kids or a performance by a rope trick expert. For an adult western party, you could encourage impromptu games by leaving packs of red and blue poker cards on tables. Also, ensure that you play old-time western music, and be proactive in getting people to join in a square dance. The ideal way to end western birthday parties, is to send guests home with western party favors such as mint candies wrapped in a western print, deputy badges, chocolate gold coins, or cowboy ranch brands tattoos.