Kids Get Crafty: Cowboy Boots and Cowboy Cookies

Each month momstown focuses on a different educational theme, and we try to work that topic into the the crafts and activities we do, the stories we read, and the songs we sing.  This month we have been exploring the "Wild West".  We might know a thing or two about cowboys, cowgirls and country music here in Calgary, but usually we just break out our cowboy boots and hats for the Stampede in July.  It has been fun to bring them out again so soon.

Some of our little ones did not own their own pairs of cowboy boots, but we fixed that by crafting some out of paper bags.  The kids had so much fun discovering the decorations they could make on their boots with stickers, markers, crayons, glue, and scrap paper:

The end results were pretty special.  Here is a peek at just a few:

To make your own paper bag cowboy boot craft, here's what you will need:

Supplies:

1 paper lunch bag per boot

Cardstock or construction paper in a lighter or darker shade of brown than the bag

Liquid glue or glue dots, and a glue stick

Scraps of coloured paper, cut into stars or other shapes

Scissors 

Markers, crayons, stickers, and anything else you would like to use to decorate your boot.

Instructions:

1. Create a template for the foot of the cowboy boot.  Trace the template onto the cardstock, and cut out.  Preschooler aged kids can help with the cutting, and older children may be able to trace and cut the foot.  For toddlers, trace and cut the materials in advance.

2. Use liquid glue or glue dots to attach cardstock to bottom of the paper bag (note: we found that a glue stick was not strong enough to adhere the cardstock).

3. Decorate your boot with coloured paper cut outs, stickers, markers, crayons, and whatever else you would like to use.

If you would like, fill your cowboy book bags with some delicious chocolate cowpie cookies (they're even gluten free and somewhat healthy), or give this recipe for cowboy cookies a try:

Cowboy Cookies:

3/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
1 cup butter at room temperature
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream together the butter and sugars until fluffy (about 2 - 3 minutes).
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until just incorporated. Fold in the, nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, and raisins if using, stirring to incorporate. 
5. Roll cookies dough into 1 inch balls, and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Flatten cookies slightly with your hand. 
6. Bake cookies for approximately 14 minutes, until they are lightly golden around the edges, and just set in the center.  
7. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on a baking sheet, and then transfer to baking rack finish cooling. 

We have always got a craft or activity planned, so be sure to join us at our next event.