Updated on: Sep 01, 2024
Howdy partners, ready to have a rootin’ tootin’ good time at your cowboy party? If you’re ready to celebrate wild-wild-west style, look no further, our cowboy party ideas are sure to be an ace in the hole! No need for the dude ranch! Round up your guests because we’ve got everything from party favors to grub ideas that are sure to have your guests hooting and hollering!
Cowboy Party Decorations
1. Hay Bales
If you’re having an outdoor western get-together, hay bales are a simple but fun and useful way to provide seating for your cowboy friends!
2. Cardboard Jail
To DIY this perfect western photo opportunity, find a large cardboard box, spray paint it grey or black, and cut out a large square on one side of it. Tape strips of black construction paper across the open section and write “Jail” above the opening.
3. Bandana Banner
For a true rodeo, tie together some bandanas for a DIY banner. Or, check out creative banners.
4. Cactus Balloons
What better way to giddy up than with cactus balloons! Don’t worry, these won’t prick you!
5. Saloon Signage
Truly transport your guests to the wild west with old-fashioned signage, from the outhouse to the watering hole!
Cowboy Party Favors
6. Sheriff Badges
Make each of your party-goers feel like the top gun with sheriff badges! Turns out this town is big enough for the both of us!
7. “Loot” Bags
For a DIY loot bag, take small canvas bags and draw a dollar sign on them with a sharpie. Fill with candy loot of your choice and tie off with twine for a western rustic twist on the classic goodie bag!
8. Cowboy Hats
No cowboy party is complete without a couple of signature cowboy hats! A wide array of colors and designs are sure to please any guest.
9. Western Temporary Tattoos
Give your guests fun, wild west-themed temporary tattoos they are sure to remember!
10. Lucky Horseshoe Keychains
The perfect cowboy-themed party bag filler, these lucky keychains are sure to please even the toughest lone stars.
Cowboy Party Food Ideas
11. Watering Hole Table
Set up a “watering hole” table with mason jars of milk, juice, lemonade, root beer, or soda pop. Don’t forget the sign!
12. Happy Trails Mix
What better way to curb a cowboy’s hankering than with some hardy trail mix! Individually package portions of trail mix into small favor bags and wrap tie them up with some twine and a nice “Happy Trails” tag.
13. Gold Doubloons
Set out some chocolate gold coins to mimic the excitement of the gold rush!
14. Horse Cupcakes
To top off your favorite cupcakes, decorate a Nutter Butter cookie with candy eyes, a frosting mouth, mane, and nostrils. Don’t forget the cashew halves for the ears!
15. Cowboy Cake
Celebrate your event with a cowboy-themed cake! Order from your local bakery or search online to find the one that you feel best fits the vibe of your party. The choices are endless, just remember to stick to your theme in some way!
Cowboy Party Games/Activities
16. Horseshoes
Celebrate in true round ‘em up fashion with a good old-fashioned game of horseshoes. Have two players stand about 40 feet apart (for an easier game, place the targets about 20 feet apart) and take turns throwing their horseshoes at their target pole. Get points by throwing “ringers”, where your horseshoe circles the pole. Play until one player reaches 20-40 points, depending on your skill level!
17. Cowboy Draw
Grab a partner and your favorite water gun for this classic cowboy duel. Once you’re both equipped, stand back-to-back. Walk ten paces, then have a third party yell, “draw”. Turn around as quickly as possible and shoot! Whoever gets wet first loses!
18. Corral Tag
For younger cowboys, section off an outdoor area for a game of corral tag! Have one or two kiddos serve as “ranchers”, and the remaining players as cattle. Designate another section of your yard as the “corral”, where players who get round-up (tagged) by the cowboy(s) must go. Other cattle can rescue their buddies in the corral by tagging them, but if the relief team gets lassoed in by the ranchers, they must join the cowboys in the corralling fun. Play until only ranchers remain outside of the corral. For even more fun, hop on some hobby horses and giddy up!
19. Gold Mining
For younger cowboys, fill a large tub or kiddie pool up with sand and water. Hide metallic rocks in the mix. Have your guests use plastic sand sifters to mine their gold. The buckaroo with the most gold strikes big!
20. Toss Your Hat into the Ring
After giving each of your party-goers a cowboy hat, set a hula hoop on the ground about 20 feet across from a marked line. Each guest will take their turn tossing their hat into the ring from the line. Whoever makes it in, wins! Yeehaw!
21. Cowboy Boot Pinata
Have your little cowboys and girls take turns whacking a cowboy boot pinata! Be sure to use a bandana as a blindfold and watch the spurs!
22. “Wanted” Photo Frame
Celebrate your favorite outlaws with this fantastic “wanted” photo op!
Cowboy Party Supplies
23. Saloon Style Gingham Tablecloth
No western party is complete without a classic gingham pattern. Serve your chow on saloon-style tablecloths for an authentic cowboy experience.
24. Cowboy Boot Glasses
Enjoy drinks from the watering hole in these rustic cowboy boot-shaped mugs. For even more fun, buy snake-shaped ice trays so that there’s a snake in every boot!
25. Cow Print Tableware
Cowboys can’t party without their cattle! Cow print napkins and plates are a surefire way to incorporate western-style details into your cowboy party.
26. Cowboy Hat Cupcake Toppers
Top your cupcakes with a pringle below a gumdrop wrapped in a small piece of licorice to mimic a cowboy hat. This trick is both sweet and savory! Or, purchase your own premade cowboy hat toppers!
27. Cowboy Themed Party Hats
Is there a better way for your guests to feel included in your party and your theme than to be wearing a big cowboy party hat for the party? These will be an easy thing to give out to your guests and will make them into the theme - if they weren't already!
Cowboy Party Invitations
28. First Rodeo Invitations
Have a little buckaroo turning one? These customizable “First Rodeo” invitations on Etsy are the cutest way to have your guests RSVP.
29. Hoedown Invitations
These on-theme "Hoedown" invitations are complete with a classic paisley pattern and bucking bronco. What more could a cowboy ask for?
30. Saddle Up Invitations
Round up your western pals with a cowboy invitation. The open-ended back also allows for a great deal of personalization whilst maintaining a country feel!
31. Wild West Baby Shower Invitations
Welcoming a new cowboy to the crew? These baby shower invitation sets from Etsy cover it all, from RSVPs, raffles, and gifts. Accompanied by perfect western doodles, these invitations are sure to lasso in your friends and family.
Cowboy Party: Conclusion
What a rodeo! We hope you enjoyed our comprehensive list of cowboy party ideas. Now, giddy-up and have a hog-killin’ time!
Written by: Brittany Rogers