Wild West Themed Dinner & Activity Night: A Rootin'-Tootin' Good Time!
Every week, our family sets aside one evening to reconnect, laugh, and enjoy something totally different—our weekly themed dinner and activity night. It’s become something we all look forward to, and this week’s theme was one of our absolute favorites: The Wild West!
From cowboy-inspired décor to a hearty, home-cooked menu packed with smoky BBQ flavors, this night was all about rustic charm and family fun. Below, I’m sharing all the details—from our table setup to the menu (with links to each recipe!), and the fun-filled games we played. Plus, you can grab your own printable menu with the downloadable Canva template I created.
Setting the Scene: Wild West Table Décor
Creating a cozy, rustic atmosphere for the Wild West theme was easier than you might think—and so much fun to put together!
Centerpiece: I laid round wooden slices down the center of the table to give that raw, outdoorsy feel. On either end, I placed vintage lanterns for that old-timey, saloon-style vibe. Right in the middle, a mason jar filled with baby’s breath added a soft, country touch to the rugged setting.
Table Settings: I used Ratan placemats for a natural texture and warmth. On top of each plate, I folded terracotta-colored napkins to resemble bandanas—it was such a cute touch and super easy to do!
The Menu: Each place setting included a Western-style dinner menu that I designed just for the night. I’ll be offering this editable Canva template so you can customize it for your own family dinners. Keep scrolling for the download link!
Drinks: What’s more classic than ice-cold root beer in a glass bottle? The kids loved the novelty, and it really added to the Wild West aesthetic.
The Wild West Menu
This menu was all about bold, smoky, comforting flavors with a little kick. Perfect for a cowboy (or cowgirl) appetite!
Appetizer
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños: Spicy, cheesy, and wrapped in crispy bacon—these were gone in seconds!
Main Course
BBQ Chicken Legs: Smoky, sweet, and fall-off-the-bone tender.
Skillet Mac and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy, and baked with a crunchy top—made right in a cast iron skillet.
Roasted Corn on the Cob: Simple, buttery, and roasted to perfection.
Dessert
Bourbon Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream: Warm peaches with a buttery crust, spiked with a hint of bourbon, and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Heaven!
Each of these recipes will be linked to their own blog post so you can recreate them at home. Be sure to come hungry—this one’s a feast!
Activities: Western Fun for the Whole Family
What’s a Wild West night without some classic country games? We kept things old-fashioned, outdoorsy, and just plain fun.
Shooting Cans with BB Guns: Before dinner, we set up a row of empty cans on a wooden fence and let the kids take turns shooting them with their BB guns. They absolutely LOVED this, and it felt like something right out of a frontier story.
Playing Horseshoes: After dinner, we brought out the horseshoe set. It’s a simple game, but so much fun—and it sparked a little healthy competition between the kids (and grownups!).
These games added so much to the experience and made the night feel like a full adventure, not just a meal.
Free Download: Editable Wild West Menu Template
Want to recreate the night for your own family? I’m sharing my Wild West Dinner Menu as a free editable Canva template! You can personalize the names, dishes, or even change the colors to match your theme.
👉 Download the Canva Menu Template Here
It’s a small detail that makes the dinner feel so much more special—and the kids love seeing their favorite dishes listed out like they’re at a fancy saloon!
Why We Love Themed Dinner Nights
Each week, these dinners become more than just food and décor. They’re moments of laughter, creativity, and connection. Our Wild West night was a huge hit—the kids had a blast shooting cans and tossing horseshoes, and the food was downright delicious.
We’re already dreaming up our next theme. These evenings have turned into cherished core memories and given us a break from the everyday routine.
Whether you go all-out with your decorations or just throw on a cowboy hat and call it good, the point is to be together, laugh, and enjoy the moment.
Ready to Host Your Own Wild West Night?
Here’s your checklist to get started:
Round wood slices or wooden runners for the table centerpiece
Vintage lanterns (one for each end of the table)
Mason jar filled with baby’s breath
Ratan placemats for each setting
Terracotta or red napkins folded like bandanas
Custom printable menu (grab the Canva template!)
Glass bottle root beer for that authentic cowboy flair
Ingredients for each recipe (linked above):
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños
BBQ Chicken Legs
Skillet Mac and Cheese
Roasted Corn on the Cob
Bourbon Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream
BB guns and empty cans (with safety supervision)
Horseshoe game set for some good ol’ fashioned fun
Don’t forget to snap lots of photos! These are the kinds of nights we’ll all look back on with full hearts and happy bellies.
See y’all at the next themed night!
From cowboy-inspired décor to a hearty, home-cooked menu packed with smoky BBQ flavors, this night was all about rustic charm and family fun. Below, I’m sharing all the details—from our table setup to the menu (with links to each recipe!), and the fun-filled games we played. Plus, you can grab your own printable menu with the downloadable Canva template I created.