Planning a party can be as simple or as detailed as you want to make it.
I've planned many birthday parties in my day due to the fact that I have three children of my own.
On the simple side I would like to share some ideas with a little western style that's sure to make your party memorable.
As I grew up my family always made a big deal of this special day, that each of us can claim only once a year.
Most people make a point of planning a great birthday meal that can't be beat.
My mom was always a bit theatrical so we were encouraged to come up with a fun theme of some sort.
I would like to expound on the western theme for some party fun.
It is important to gear the party towards the children's abilities.
If it takes too long to explain the rules, bounders, or game you may lose them.
Let's look at three different age categories.
• Children ages four to six • Children ages seven to ten • Children ages eleven to fifteen You'll find that children age's four to six have great imaginations and all you have to do is set the stage.
Just bring out the cowboy hats and watch their faces light up.
Half of the cowboy hats can have pink bandanas on them to distinguish the difference between cowgirls and cowboys or black bandanas for the good cowboys and bad cowboys.
As you set the stage, be creative but not limited to just your idea, let them help create the stage as well.
How about having the cowboys ask the cowgirls to a family picnic.
At this age they rarely feel inhibited and always enjoy family role playing.
Provide a basket with the birthday lunch, game to play or even a craft activity.
How about pretending they live on a horse farm and some of the horses were stolen by the bad cowboy.
Have the bad cowboys hide pictures of horses or stuff animals and have the good cowboys find them and return them to the farm.
Their imaginations will run wild.
Now sit back or play along and watch the fun begin.
For ages seven to ten a square dancing party would be the way to go.
Shopping for hats could possibly be the easiest part of planning the party.
You'll find the best prices online and many styles to choose from.
Taking on the western style for this age group will help them forget about some of their insecurities and break the ice between the boys and girls.
You can find lots of information at your local library on basic square dancing or line dancing techniques.
They may even have square dancing music which will make it easier for you unless you have always wanted to be a square dance caller.
Maybe the kids would love to do some basic calls to see how their friends respond.
Encourage the kids to wear cowboy boots if they have them.
Cowboy hats are something that everyone can wear and have fun being silly.
Send these hats home as party favors and have your party be remembered as the fun event of the year.
All that is needed are some cowboy hats, cowboy boots and some square dancing music.
For older kids ages eleven to fifteen you could plan a backyard BBQ with some great country music, and some fashionable straw cowboy hats.
You could create lots of communication by adding a piece of paper with a country singers name on it attached to the back of the hat so the wearer can't see it.
They have to ask questions about their name tag so they can guess who the country singer is.
As they guess correctly they can keep their awesome cowboy hat.
It could be helpful to choose your country music in relation to the country singers you have chosen as tags for the hats to assist those having trouble.
At this age these cowboy hats will get lots of use over the years as they should fit well into adulthood.
What a great party gift.
Planning kid's birthday parties with a western touch can be inexpensive and super fun for all involved.
What fabulous ideas, simple to plan and not limited to just birthdays.
Adding kid's cowboy hats to any party makes it fun and exciting.
Shopping for cowboy hats? Don't pay too much.
Dress up with a little western style and watch the fun begin.