Horse/Western Party

Disclosure: This post has affiliate links to the items used for this party, and other horse/western party ideas. 

A few years ago my daughter was really into horses.  She had a ton of  My Little Ponies as many little girls do.  About six months before her birthday, I was so excited to find  the Fur Real pony on sale for 50% off after Christmas.   Luckily we were at grandmas house at the time, and she was willing to keep it hidden at her house until Kara's summer  birthday.     Knowing that she was going to get the pony for her birthday,  I talked her into a horse/western themed party.   I scheduled her party for 2 weeks after her actual birthday, because we were going to be on vacation in Branson, Mo for the big day.   She was shocked and thrilled to come back to the cabin one day and find Butterscotch waiting for her. 

When everyone arrived for the party, we gave out cowgirl/cowboy hats, bandanas and sheriff badges from Oriental Trading.  Each child then had the chance to pose with Butterscotch the pony.  I had made a cardboard corral out of a large piece of cardboard, but we had to keep the pony and corral inside due to high winds and the threat of rain.   

I don't have many pictures of the decorations from the actual party.   I wish I did, but at the time of this party I had no idea I was going to have a party idea blog.  =)    I know I found checkered tablecloths at the dollar store that I used on the main table and in the craft area.  I also used streamers, balloons and horse banners as decor.  At the end of the post, I am linking some items similar to what we used. 

We played several horse/western themed games.  In this picture my older daughter is showing how to run the pony race.  We had two horse sticks, and used them to run relay races.  The girls loved trotting around the yard, and it  was a good way to get some energy out. 

In this picture we are panning for gold in the sandbox.  I found a couple bags of gold coins, and hid them in the sand.  Each child took turns panning for gold, and then they were able to keep their coins.   While we did not have a Trading Post  at my daughter's party,  I really like the idea from Special Interest Day where the kids exchanged the gold they found for treats. This would be a good activity for this type of party because the kids would enjoy choosing their own prizes.   

We also played a game called lasso the pony.  I made a pony head out of foam board and paint. 

To make the lasso, I wrapped a dollar store hula hoop with rope.   Once they got the lasso moving they tried to catch the wild pony. 

YeeHaw! Look at that lasso go!

I do not have any pictures of the craft we made that day, but I know we made one even though I can not remember it.   A great craft for a horse/western party is for kids to design their own paper bag vest.  Crayola has a tutorial on their website here.

Oriental Trading  had this really fun paper plate horse craft kit. It is no longer in stock, but would probably be pretty easy to recreate with paper plates and craft foam. 

Other craft ideas could be to decorate horseshoes,  pony coloring sheets or paper bag puppets 

I made her cowgirl boot cake by cutting a sheet cake using a template I drew myself.   I know M & Ms and candles have an interesting look to them, but that is what happens when you allow a 6 yr old to decorate her own cake.     

I  also do not have pictures of the other food we ate, but I know we served BBQ meatballs, mini pizzas, chips, and baby carrots.  We also had pony punch (Hawaiian punch). 

S'mores would be another great option for this type of party.  

After opening presents the kids took home goody bags filled with horse stickers,  horse themed candy, horse finger puppets, and their gold coins.  They also kept their cowgirl/cowboy hats, bandanas and sheriff badges. 

Kara still has her Butterscotch pony and loves it to this day. 

Here are more horse themed items that you may like for your Horse/Western party. 

 

Brown Horse Pinata

Horse Themed Tablecloth

Horse Treat Bags

If you go with the Trading Post idea, here are some fun horse themed prizes 

Horse Cups with Straws

Horse Eraser Pencil Toppers

Horse Rubber Duckies

Squishy Horse Toys