Invitations

• Western Theme Invitations and Thank you cards

  Food - Drinks & Desserts

• Hotdog rollups
• Hotdogs, hamburgers or corndogs
• Cut up veggie tray with ranch dressing
• Individual juice bags/boxes
• Individual bags of chips

• Smores - traditional or microwave
• Monster Snake from Good Housekeeping - a few modifications will turn this cake into a rattlesnake cake.
• Make a simple cake and decorate with plastic cowboys, indians and horses.

• A red and white checkered tablecloth.
• Western music.
• Colorful bandanas for the party guests. 

  Activities

• Horseshoes - of course! 
• Wanted - Backyard scavenger hunt.  
• Cow Lasso - Use several clean large white milk 'chug' containers.  With a black permanent marker, draw spots on the white chug containers to resemble cow spots.  Fill the 'cows' with water or sand to help weigh them down, then replace the tops.  Cut about 20" of heavy rope for each lasso that is needed.  Form a circle by securing the ends together with duct tape.  Take turns tossing the rope over the 'cows'.
• Pony race - use 2 pogo ponies or 2 brooms for a relay race -
• Find the missing Cowboys and Indians - hide plastic figures around the room.  Whoever finds the most wins a prize.  Everyone keeps what they find. 
• Rattlesnake! - Fill a tube sock with newspaper and a small rattle.  Use a rubber band to tie the end of the sock off.  Play this game like Hot Potato, by having the children sit in a circle and passing the rattlesnake around while music is playing.  When the music stops, the person holding the snake is out.
• Tin can shoot - Have children take turns trying to shoot an empty soda can or soda bottle off a chair (play outside).
• Dream Catcher - for older children - From Making Friends

  Goodie Bags

• Basket of Apples - Place several small treats in the center of a red square of fabric (about 15"x15") or a red bandana.  Bring up two of the opposite corners and tie.  Bring up the opposite corners and tie.  Place all 'apples' into a large basket.  The guests are invited to select an 'apple' on their way out.
• Cowboy hats, sheriff badges, harmonicas, licorice