BONUS GAMES

MYSTERY SADDLEBAG CHALLENGE

Objective:
To either pick the “lucky saddlebag” or brave whatever surprise waits at the bottom of a mystery crate for one full minute.

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Rules:
Set up five Styrofoam boxes or coolers and label each one “Mystery Saddlebag.” Cut a hand-sized hole in each lid. Decorate all boxes the same so guests can’t tell which is which. Place a shield or barrier in front so players can’t peek inside before choosing.

In one box, place something pleasant (soft satin, pillow stuffing, or wrapped candy they can keep). In the other four boxes, place harmless but unpleasant-feeling items, such as:

• Cold cooked noodles in water (like “cattle trough muck”)

• Ice water

• Peeled grapes mixed with oil (mysterious “cowboy goo”)

• A bowl of dry beans soaked in a bit of oil (odd texture, but safe)

You can get creative—just keep safety in mind and avoid anything that stains or could hurt skin or costumes. Provide towels and a clean-up station nearby.

Each guest, one at a time, approaches the boxes and chooses one. They must put a hand all the way to the bottom and keep it there for one minute. After each guest finishes, hold up a curtain or board, quickly shuffle the boxes, and invite the next brave cowboy.

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Props needed:
5 Styrofoam boxes/coolers with lids, assorted “good” and “gross-feeling” items, decorative supplies, a small curtain or screen.

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Time needed:
About 1 minute per guest plus choosing time (~13 minutes for a small group).

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GOLD NUGGET BOUNTY HUNTERS

Objective:
To be the cowboy who finds the most “gold nuggets” (Ping-Pong balls painted gold) in a set amount of time.

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Rules:
Cook plenty of spaghetti noodles and pile them into large buckets (one per team or per player). Rinse with cold water and keep them slightly wet so they stay slippery, not sticky.

Bury the gold balls deep in the noodles.

Set a 30-second timer. When the host yells “Round up that gold!”, players dig for Ping-Pong balls without spilling noodles over the rim. For each noodle spilled, they lose one collected “nugget.” This discourages dumping the bucket.

The cowboy with the highest total wins. In case of a tie, run a 10-second showdown between tied players until you have a clear winner.

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Props needed:
Ping-Pong balls (painted gold), markers, cooked spaghetti noodles, buckets.

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Time needed:
Around 15 minutes.

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DESERT BONES ROUNDUP

Objective:
To be the first posse to find and assemble all the “desert bones” of your skeleton.

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Rules:
Purchase two sets of plastic skeleton bones. Assemble one full skeleton, take a photo, and print one copy of that layout for each team.

Hide the bones for each skeleton within a designated “desert” area: backyard, large room, or field. Clearly explain boundaries to all players.

When the host yells “Ride out!”, teams search for bones. When a player finds a bone, they must run back to home base and add it to their team’s skeleton layout.

If a player finds a bone they don’t need (their team already has that piece), they can re-hide it anywhere within the boundaries—but watch out, other cowpokes may be watching!

The first team to assemble a skeleton matching the printed picture wins.

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Props needed:
Two sets of plastic skeleton bones, printed skeleton layout photos, a large playing area.

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CACTUS TOSS SHOWDOWN

Objective:
To be the team with the fewest soft “cactus” items (or balloons, socks, etc.) on your side of the room when time is up.

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Rules:
Use painter’s tape or another floor-safe tape to divide the room into two halves. Place 10–15 mini stuffed items (green pom-poms, small pillows, rolled socks, or balloons) along the tape line to start.

Split the group into two teams, each standing at the wall on their own side. Set a timer for 3 minutes and yell “Toss that cactus!” When time starts, both teams throw the mini “cacti” onto the other team’s side.

When the timer goes off, everyone freezes. Count how many items are on each team’s side. The side with the fewest cacti wins.

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Props needed:
Painter’s tape, 10–15 mini stuffed items/balloons/socks.

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Playing time:
About 8 minutes per round including setup and counting.

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GOLD RUSH NUGGET GRAB

Objective:
To transfer the most “gold nuggets” (candy corns or similar candies) into a mini tin pail using chopsticks in one minute.

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Rules:
This is an individual challenge. Scatter candy corns onto a table and place a small tin bucket, enamel mug, or metal cup beside them.

Give the player a pair of chopsticks (you can call them “prospector tools”) and set a 1-minute timer. The player must move as many candy corns as possible into the bucket using only the chopsticks.

The player with the highest count of nuggets in the bucket is the winner.

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Props needed:
Mini tin pail or cup, chopsticks, about 40 candy corns per round, timer.

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Playing time:
Around 10 minutes.

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TIN CAN SHOOTOUT

Objective:
To shoot down as many “outlaw cans” from the ladder as possible before time runs out.

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Rules:
Collect 12 empty soda cans. Paint or label them as wanted outlaws, cattle brands, or target symbols. Let dry completely.

Set up a sturdy ladder (at least four steps) on level ground. Place three cans on each rung, facing outward.

Mark a “Do Not Cross” shooting line with tape or chalk. Test your Nerf gun to make sure it can knock cans down; adjust distance if needed.

Set a 30-second timer. One at a time, each player stands behind the line and fires at the cans, trying to knock them off.

Scoring options:

• 1 point for each can knocked on its side

• 3 points for each can knocked completely to the ground

After everyone’s turn, the player with the highest total wins. For a tie, run a 10-second shootout between tied cowpokes.

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Props needed:
12 empty soda cans (decorated), a ladder, a Nerf gun with plenty of darts, tape/chalk for boundary.

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Playing time:
About 10 minutes, depending on group size.

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SLEEPING SHERIFF

Objective:
To tag the Sheriff before getting “caught in the act.”

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Rules:
Line up all players (outlaws) behind a start line. Choose one player to be the Sheriff and place them a distance away, facing the group.

When the Sheriff is awake and looking at the outlaws, no one can move. If the Sheriff spots someone moving, that outlaw is “locked up” and must sit out.

To let players move, the Sheriff covers their eyes with a handkerchief/hat brim and calls “Naptime!” While the Sheriff is “sleeping,” outlaws try to sneak forward.

At any moment, the Sheriff can whip the hat/hand away and yell “Who goes there?” Everyone must freeze instantly. Anyone caught moving is out.

The first outlaw to reach and tag the Sheriff “wins the showdown” and becomes the new Sheriff for the next round. If the Sheriff manages to catch everyone before they’re tagged, the Sheriff wins.

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Props needed:
A bandana, cowboy hat, or handkerchief; space with a clear start line.

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Playing time:
Around 10 minutes.

LASSO THE BOTTLES

Objective:
To loop the most “lassos” around bottles or cones.

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Rules:
Set up several glass bottles (or plastic bottles/cones for safety) in a cluster. Give each player a rope circle or ring (you can make them by taping rope ends together).

Players stand behind a throw line and get 3–5 tosses each. Count how many successful “lassos” land over the bottles. Highest total wins.

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Props needed:
Bottles or cones, rope rings or plastic rings, floor/ground line.

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Time:
10–15 minutes.

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HORSESHOE HOEDOWN

Objective:
To score the most points tossing horseshoes.

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Rules:
Set up metal or plastic stakes in the yard. Mark a throw line. Players take turns tossing horseshoes, scoring for ringers and close throws. Use any standard horseshoe scoring system.

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Props needed:
Horseshoe set, outdoor space.

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Time:
15–20 minutes.

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STAGECOACH RELAY

Objective:
To finish a goofy, Western-themed relay first.

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Rules:
Create a short relay course. At each station, players must complete a silly Western task:

• Put on a cowboy hat, boots, and bandana

• “Load” a toy wagon with stuffed animals or boxes

• Gallop around a cone like a horse

• Tip the hat and shout “Yeehaw!” before tagging the next teammate

• Lasso a ring onto a cone or bottle

• Carry a “gold nugget” (ping-pong ball) on a spoon to another bucket

• Weave through standing “cacti” (balloons or pool noodles) from start to finish line

• Run through makeshift saloon doors and yell a Western line

• Balance a beanbag “hay bale” on your head from a start to finish line

• Strike a dramatic outlaw pose at a Wanted Poster station and take a selfie

First team to cycle all members through the course wins.

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Props needed:
Cowboy hats, bandanas, boots (or shoe covers), a toy wagon or box, cones.

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Time:
15 minutes.

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SALOON DANCE FREEZE

Objective:
To be the last dancer still in the game.

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Rules:
Play country/Western music and have everyone dance. When the music stops, everyone must freeze like a statue. Anyone who moves is out. Last cowpoke standing wins.

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Props needed:
Music and speaker, open dance space.

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Time:
10–15 minutes.

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Quick games with playing cards: 

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Outlaw High Card Draw

Two cowpokes face off like classic gunslingers, each drawing a single card from the deck at the same time. The higher card wins the duel, and the victor stays on to face the next challenger. Keep the showdown rolling until one sharpshooter has outdrawn the entire saloon.

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Wanted Poster Poker

Each player is dealt exactly three cards. Once all cards are dealt, players reveal their hands at the same time—no betting, folding, trading, or discarding. The winner is determined solely by the strength of the three-card hand. Use the following Wild West–themed rankings from strongest to weakest:

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Dead Man’s Hand – Aces and eights in any combination of the three cards (highest possible hand)
Mad Marshal – Three of a kind
Outlaw Straight – Three cards in a numeric run (A-2-3 counts, Q-K-A counts)
Dusty Flush – Three cards of the same suit
Posse – One pair
High Card – No matching values; highest card wins

If two players tie on the same category, compare the highest card within that category. If still tied, compare the next-highest card. If still tied… call it a draw and celebrate with a yeehaw.

Fast, lawless, and perfect for a rowdy saloon crowd.

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Saloon Speed Dealer

A cowboy hat sits in the center while the dealer flips cards rapidly around the table. Any time a face card appears, players rush to slap the hat first. The slowest slapper pays a silly saloon-style consequence or loses a point. Fast, loud, and guaranteed laughter.

Here are some example consequences: 

• Do your loudest “YEEHAW!”

• Tip an imaginary hat and give a dramatic “Howdy, pilgrim.”

• Pretend to ride an invisible horse around the table.

• Deliver your best tough-cowboy squint for five seconds.

• Say, “This town ain’t big enough for the both of us,” to the player on your left.

• Perform three cowboy bootscoots or heel-kicks.

• Call someone “Sheriff” and bow respectfully.

• Mime lassoing the entire group and yell “Gotcha!”

• Give a one-sentence, overly dramatic outlaw confession.

• Hold an invisible saloon door open and dramatically welcome everyone in.

• Pretend to dust off your boots and say, “Been ridin’ since sunrise.”

• Sing one line of a classic cowboy tune (player to their left's choice).

• Freeze in a gunslinger pose for five seconds.

• Pass a compliment to another player but phrase it like a cowboy (“You’re slicker than a greased saddle, partner”).

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Sheriff Says STOP

One player becomes the Sheriff and flips cards quickly. A red card means everyone moves however the Sheriff commands—moseying, tiptoeing, or stomping like horses—while a black card means freeze instantly. Anyone caught moving when it's black gets “sent to jail.” Last one standing becomes the new Sheriff.

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Hat-Tossin’ Showdown

Each cowpoke tries to “pitch” playing cards into a cowboy hat sitting in the center of the table or floor. Cards behave like mini–flying frisbees, so expect chaos and laughter.

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Setup:
Place a cowboy hat (wide-brim hats work best) in the middle of the playing area. Mark a standing line 4–6 feet away, depending on available space and how rowdy your group is.

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How to play:
Each player gets five cards from the deck.
One at a time, players step up to the line and toss their cards toward the hat, one card per throw. Flicking them sideways like tiny frisbees works best — or worst — depending on your skill.

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Scoring:
1 point for any card touching the brim
3 points for a card landing inside the hat
+2 bonus if your last card makes it in (“Lucky Last Lasso”)
−1 point if your card hits another player (lighthearted penalty)

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Quirks (optional, but fun):
If the hat flips over from a strong throw, the thrower must say,
“I reckon I overcooked that one!” and loses a point.

If two cards land in the hat at the same time, both players yell,
“Double Down, Partner!” and each earn +1 bonus.

If a card slides under the hat without going inside, it counts as:
“Buried Treasure” worth 2 points.

If someone’s card lands in the hat and another player’s later card knocks it out, that is called a “Hat Heist,” and both players get +1 for style but no points for the toss.

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Winning:
After all players have tossed their five cards, tally the scores.
The highest-scoring cowpoke is declared Top Hat Wrangler.