Fun Cowboy Birthday Party Theme Ideas

How to Plan Cowboy Western Style B-day Parties for Kids, Teens, Dad

Feb 24, 2008 Janienne Jennrich

Howdy! Saddle up for a western birthday party theme with these fun ideas for decorations, activities, games, BBQ food, cake tips, favors, party goods, and invitations.

Wrangle up some fun with a cowboy birthday party theme idea. A cowboy theme is great for little boys' parties, or even for older children, teens or adults.

Buckaroo Birthday Party Invitation Ideas

Make homemade invitations on the computer and add cowboy hat, horse, and rope stickers or clipart.
Buy cowboy themed party invitations and matching paper goods at a party store (stores online will often have a larger selection).
Send invitations about two weeks in advance to make sure guests will keep the date open.
For younger children, ask that they bring stick horses to ride, cowboy hats, toy cowboys and horses with which to play, or whatever is appropriate to the age.
For teen boys or Dad, perhaps go with a little more grown-up style with a chuckwagon BBQ theme.

Cowboy Party Decorations and Favors

Make or buy a "Howdy" banner to welcome guests.
To decorate the front of the house, consider making rope-rail paths leading up to the front door.
Other cowboy themed items to look for are: wagon wheels, cowboy hats, saddles, riding barrels, horse "tack," cactus decor, guitars, and so on
Hay bails in the yard work double duty as decor and extra seating.
Red and white picnic tablecovers have a western feel and are all-American.
Straw, foam or felt cowboy hats are available and can be provided for guests.
Bags of gold nugget gum make nice favors, as do play sheriff badges and cowboy bandanas.

Chose from Lots of Cowboy and/or Western Party Activities

A fun game to make is a roping contest. Use ropes to lasso or Hula-Hoops to "rope" stick horses or posts. Let little kids stand a bit closer.
If the hosting family has horses available, they are built-in activities. Be sure to check on safety concerns and remind guests to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. A real horse ride outing is a great activity for experienced older kids, teens or adults.
If possible, hiring a rope trick expert to put on a show will be popular.
A “Pin the Hat on the Cowboy” game is a fun idea. A poster and some paper jats make a quick game. Bandanas make great blindfolds.
For little kids, put on a DVD of Toy Story, starring Woody the Cowboy.
Play games of horse shoes.
Leave packs of red and blue poker playing cards on tables for impromptu games.
Play old-time western music (from CDs or hire a band) and have a square dance.

Food and Recipes for a Western Birthday Party

How about setting up a "chuckwagon" with big pots of spicy chili to scoop into bowls with a big ladle? Offer up a "chow line" and let folks go through to fill their plates and bellies. Some other foods items to offer are:

Hot dogs and hamburgers
Western baked beans
Baked potatoes or potato salad
Warm rolls

Ideas for a Cowboy Birthday Cake

A purchased cake can be designed to match the birthday party theme idea.
How about an "outhouse" shaped cake? (remember the moon-shaped window)
Write "Happy Birthday, Cowboy" in yellow frosting "rope" letters. Add western shapes or picks.
How about a cowboy boot or hat shaped cake?
Horse, cow or farm animals can be added to the birthday cake.

For more birthday party theme ideas, see A John Deere Theme Birthday Party, Pre-Planned Birthday Party Themes, and Fun Dinosaur Theme Birthday Party. Also check out the Birthday Party Themes and Ideas and Fun Teen Birthday Party Themes pages.

Whatever is planned, the birthday child, tween, teen or Dad will have a blast being cowboy for a day. Yee-Ha!

The copyright of the article Fun Cowboy Birthday Party Theme Ideas in Kids & Teen Parties is owned by Janienne Jennrich. Permission to republish Fun Cowboy Birthday Party Theme Ideas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.