Once again I'm planning for Cousin Camp. The theme this year is western. So far I've thought of a campout, cookout, horseback riding (highly supervised), panning for gold, a hayride. There will be 4 cousins ranging in age from 4 to 7. They will be here M-F, 24-7, so there is a lot of time to fill. Any ideas?
C.,
One day for craft time you can have each cousin make their own stick horse with this plan (http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/hobbyhorse-710833/). We did it for a birthday party & I made most of the horses ahead of time, then each child decorated their horse. The next day (because the decorations will have to dry/set) have a Stick Horse Rodeo, with stick horse barrel racing, lassoing, and parade. Have a great time!!
That sounds fun. How about: Silly Cowboy Poetry (w/adult help) contest, make hats, tie various knots with rope, listen to country music while playing some kind of game/games, name that tune (country music/western artists), watch some good ole' John Wayne or Robert Redford movies or some other western movie (there might be some animated ones?), make some kind of craft w/small sticks or twigs or something else (?), play old fashioned western games like spin the bottle or who's got the button or whatever else you can think of. Have them make something from scratch like bread or cookies...whew-I might be out of ideas but that sure was fun! Have a great time...K.
Lasso training - try to lasso a bale of hay or something stationary. Also making candles, making smores...check www.familyfun.com for birthday party ideas, they usually have lots of cute games and activities for different themes. Sounds like fun!
Sorry C. no suggestions but just HOW COOL!
My mother in law started Kamp Krause (our last name) years ago when the kids were little. And with 11 grandkids she ran a tight ship especially as the kids became teenagers. Breakfast is over at 9:30. The kids rotated cleaning up after meals. Even the little one could do simple things like pick up the napkins.
But the point is that now the kids range in age from 22-7. Even the "big" kids will still at least go over and spend one night with their cousins. And they all have great memories and have special relationships because of time spent together just the cousins!! Just this past year one of the older kids, now getting ready to graduate college sat and chatted about the pros cons and what he would have done differently in high school to prepare with our 15 year old freshman. It was unprompted by any adult but made a bigger impact coming from a beloved cousin that if any adult would have had the same talk! But there are a TON more of the fun memories. The one year MY son (now 19) and his cousin who is just 6 weeks older got in a fight and broke the door of the playhouse. Grandma did not get the parents involved but handled it. But she has saved their little "I'm sorry notes" and the allowance they had to pay to help fix the door and plans to give it to them someday.
So like I said, no advice, sorry. But you are making special memories for all involved. Good Work!
Lori K
You need to find some books or stories for some good old fashioned quiet time on the ranch! Choose a few different stories every day - make a schedule so that you have quiet time the same time every day...
You might want to "rope" some "cattle".
A swim in the swimming hole might be in order - a kiddie pool or a visit to your local pool might work for that.
They'll need to make some cowboy snacks - bumps on a log (celery with peanut butter and raisins on top) are always fun! Check the cooking websites...
How about a scavenger hunt? They'll all need some sheriff's stars and some cowboy hats and bandannas... those would be good things to find during the scavenger hunt!
Maybe some stargazing at night before bed...
Serve their meals on metal plates like they had in the movies.. I found some cheap and we use 'em for cookouts!
Movies - I'm sure you can find some old westerns!!
Let us know how it goes!!!
LBC
Square dancing? Cowboys and Indians? Lassos?
Don't forget the Horse Shoe toss! Don't forget the Lone Ranger or even Cisco Poncho! Enjoy your week.
Not very western like but you could always fill time with arts and crafts. The kids will enjoy it and they could make something western themed. Have fun. I think Cousin Camp is a neat idea.
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Love all the ideas so far! Here is what I thought of to add: The arboretum has a Texas kids section with log and sod houses and tepees, and you could visit Old City Park. A trip to the rodeo would fit in with your theme. Square dancing might be fun. You can make a covered wagon play tent by turning a table upside down with legs sticking up, attach hula hoops to the legs and then drape a white sheet over it, and cardboard wheels. Make a cactus snack with a twinkie, frost with green icing and add pretzel spikes. You could even let them make a cactus garden planter. Don't forget to call the kids "pardners", or "cowpokes" or something like that all week.
