Howdy, partner! If your little ones are anything like mine, they’ve got a wild west obsession that’s begging to be let out of the corral. Maybe it’s the allure of the wide-open spaces, the love for a good horse (even if it’s just a stick), or simply the excuse to wear a cool hat and say “yeehaw” at the top of their lungs.
I’ve spent more weekends than I can count trying to find ways to channel that cowboy energy without just plopping them in front of a TV. So, I put together this list of 12 cowboy activities for kids that are guaranteed to bring out the inner outlaw in your little buckaroos. Grab your lasso (or a jump rope) and let’s get started.
Saddle Up with DIY Stick Horses
Every cowboy needs a trusty steed. You could go out and buy a fancy plush one, but where’s the fun in that? Making your own is half the adventure, IMO.
What You’ll Need:
- A sturdy broomstick or thick dowel
- An old tube sock (a long sock works best)
- Stuffing (old rags or poly-fil)
- Buttons or felt for the eyes
- Yarn for the mane
- A hot glue gun (parent supervision required, obviously)
First, stuff the sock firmly with your filling. Slide the open end of the sock over the top of the stick and secure it tightly with a rubber band or strong tape. Then, go to town decorating! Glue on the eyes, and attach lengths of yarn along the “neck” for the mane. My kids named theirs “Lightning” and “Dusty,” and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Ever wonder why something so simple brings so much joy? It’s probably because they made it themselves.
Design Your Own Wanted Posters
This is a fantastic indoor activity for a rainy day, and it lets those creative juices flow. It’s also a great way to get a laugh at the funny faces your kids will pull.
- Grab some plain white paper and give it an aged look by rubbing a wet tea bag over it. Let it dry, and you’ve got authentic “old west” parchment.
- Write “WANTED” in big, bold letters at the top.
- Have your child pose for a “mugshot” with their grumpiest outlaw face, or let them draw a self-portrait.
- Under the picture, list their “crimes.” Things like “Stealing the last cookie” or “Leaving Legos in the hallway” are always a hit.
- Offer a ridiculous reward, like “One Million Marshmallows.”
Host a Family Rodeo Day
Turn your backyard into a rodeo arena! This isn’t just one activity; it’s a whole afternoon of fun. Set up different “events” and let the kids compete for a prize (like a root beer float).
- Barrel Racing: Set up three cones or buckets in a triangle formation. Kids have to weave their stick horses around them as fast as they can.
- Buckin’ Bronco: This one is for the dads or brave moms. Give the kids a ride on your back and see how long they can stay on before you “buck” them off onto a crash pad (a pile of pillows or grass).
- Stick Horse Jumping: Use a broom balanced on two low stacks of books or small boxes to create a jump. See who can clear it without knocking it over.
Learn to Tye-Dye a Bandana
What’s a cowboy without a stylish bandana? They can keep the sun off their neck or use it to mask up from trail dust. Instead of buying one, grab a pack of plain white cotton bandanas and a cheap tye-dye kit.
This is a messy one, so I recommend doing it outside. Let the kids twist, crunch, and rubber-band their bandanas however they want. Apply the dye, let it set overnight according to the kit’s instructions, and rinse. The results are always a vibrant surprise. It’s a wearable piece of art they’ll be proud to show off.
Go On a Backyard Gold Panning Expedition
This activity is pure genius for keeping kids occupied. It requires a bit of prep, but the payoff is huge.
- Buy a bag of “mining rough” or small polished gemstones online. These are usually pretty cheap.
- Bury the stones in a sandbox or a large plastic tub filled with sand.
- Give each kid a small sifter or colander and a shovel.
- Let them “pan for gold” (and gems) in the sand. You can even add a little water to the sand to make it more authentic (and muddier, which they will love).
- Provide a small pouch or bag for them to collect their treasures. They’ll be focused for at least an hour, FYI.
Build a Cactus from Egg Cartons
This is a cute and simple craft that uses up recyclables. It’s perfect for little hands.
- Cut apart an egg carton into individual cups.
- Have the kids paint the cups green. Let them dry.
- Snip small slits around the edges of the cups to create the cactus “spikes.”
- Glue the painted cups together in a stack, staggering them slightly to look like a real cactus.
- Place the finished cactus in a small pot filled with dried beans or pebbles. You can even add little paper flowers to the top for a pop of color.
Map Reading and Treasure Hunt
Every cowboy needs to know how to navigate the prairie. Teach your kids the basics of map reading by creating a treasure map of your own backyard or house.
- Draw a simple map together, marking key landmarks like the big oak tree, the swing set, or the kitchen table.
- Mark a big red “X” where you’ve hidden a treasure (candy, a small toy, or a special treat).
- Give them the map and let them lead the way. You can add clues along the path to make it a proper puzzle.
- It’s amazing to see them figure out spatial relationships. “So, we have to go past the sandbox to get to the slide?” It builds great problem-solving skills, and they don’t even realize they’re learning. 🙂
Make Your Own Leather Cuffs
This is for the slightly older kids (or with a lot of parent help), as it involves actual leather and tools. You can find leather craft kits at most craft stores that include precut leather strips, snaps, and a hole punch.
- Let the kids soak the leather strips in warm water for a few minutes to make them pliable.
- Wrap them around their wrist to mark where the snap should go.
- Punch the holes and set the snaps with a mallet (this part is very satisfying).
- Use leather stamps or a wood-burning tool (for parents only!) to decorate the cuffs with their names, stars, or horse motifs.
- They end up with a rugged, durable accessory that looks super cool.
Rope Tricks 101
You can’t be a cowboy without knowing how to handle a lasso! While we’re not actually roping anything (to avoid any furniture-related disasters), learning basic rope tricks is a fantastic fine motor skill challenge.
- Buy a length of soft, braided rope (a lasso rope is best, but a thick jump rope can work in a pinch).
- Look up simple tricks on YouTube, like how to make a simple loop, the “Texas Skip,” or just practicing spinning a small loop at their feet.
- Start with just getting the rope to form a circle. It’s harder than it looks!
- Once they get the hang of it, they can practice “lassoing” a fence post or a willing (and stationary) parent. It’s hours of frustration and triumph rolled into one.
Campfire Stories and S’mores
After a long day of riding the range, it’s time to settle around the campfire. If you have a fire pit, great! If not, you can build a fake one with logs and tissue paper or even just use a flashlight in a dark room.
The rule? Every story must be a “tall tale” from the wild west. They can tell a story about the time they caught a fish as big as a horse, or how they once outran a tornado. The sillier, the better.
And of course, no campfire is complete without s’mores. It’s the official food of cowboys everywhere, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. :/
String Up Some Western Decor
Get the house feeling festive with some simple DIY decorations. This is a great group activity that doesn’t require a ton of skill.
- Paper Chains: Cut construction paper into strips and let the kids loop and glue them together to make “snake” decorations in desert colors like brown, green, and orange.
- Horseshoe Prints: Cut out horseshoe shapes from brown cardstock. Let the kids decorate them with silver paint and glitter. String them together to make a banner.
- Cowboy Hat Stencil Art: Use a cowboy hat cookie cutter or a stencil you cut out yourself. Place it on a piece of paper and have the kids sponge paint around it. Remove the stencil to reveal the hat shape.
Square Dancing in the Living Room
This one sounds a little cheesy, I know, but hear me out! Kids love music and moving around, and square dancing is just organized silliness.
- Find some classic western or bluegrass music on your favorite streaming service.
- Clear the furniture out of the way.
- Teach them a few simple calls. “Swing your partner” can just be holding hands and spinning around. “Dosado” can be them passing back-to-back. “Promenade” can be walking in a circle.
- Don’t worry about getting the steps right. The whole point is to get them laughing, moving, and feeling like they’re at a real hoedown. It’s guaranteed to end in a fit of giggles.
A Final Word to All You Wranglers
So there you have it—a whole lasso full of ideas to keep your little cowpokes busy. You don’t need a ranch or a stable full of horses to bring the spirit of the west to life. All it takes is a little imagination and a willingness to get a bit messy.
I hope these cowboy activities for kids bring as much joy and laughter to your home as they have to mine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a root beer float and a very patient stick horse named Dusty.
Happy trails, partner. Yeehaw!
