Rodeo Craft for Kids

Soon the Trail Riders will start rolling in, and the aromas of fried everything will fill the air as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo comes to town. It is such a fun time of year to spend with family and friends, as it is part animal education and roller coasters, and part concerts and extravagant foods. 

Sandye Fertman and her kids Max and Isabel, in fifth and second grades, always make sure to catch the Trail Riders as they make their way into Houston. Sandye shares that her kids like to hunt for different trail riders on the Friday morning when they are coming into town. They drive all around the city to look for them. At RodeoHouston, her kids’ favorite thing to do is to watch the baby chickens hatch, and ask “When’s the next one?” Last year, chocolate-dipped ice cream on a stick was their treat of choice.

Amira Staller shares, “We love to go to the Livestock show and see the birthing center with all the newborn animals, then we need to find the Longhorns and the Mutton Bustin’ [competition].” Her son, third-grader Jack, has enjoyed Mutton Bustin’ in the Junktion , and they always enjoy watching the other kids compete as well. “We also love to eat the Rodeo food. Our family favorites are Cowboy Burritos: delicious burritos filled with meat, cheese and skillet potatoes.” They also always get turkey legs and deep-fried Oreos.

Amira’s daughters Tova, in fifth grade, and Ari, in first grade, enjoy visiting the Fun on the Farm Experience with their brother. They get to pick toy vegetables and gather fake eggs, and then sell them back in exchange for real snacks. 

Fashion is definitely a big deal at RodeoHouston. And it really is all about the accessories: hats, boots, bandanas and jewelry. It is easy to buy it all, but it is also fun to wear some homemade, Western items. Faux turquoise beads can be created quickly, in just the time it takes for the paint and gloss to dry. 

Editor’s Note: The Trail Rides begin entering Memorial Park on Fri., Feb. 28 – Go Texan Day - beginning at 11 a.m. See the schedule and maps here. See the full rodeo schedule here.  

The turquoise beads are strung alternating with silver heart-shaped beads to make a fun, Western-themed bracelet. 

Faux Turquoise Bracelet

Materials:

• Aluminum foil
• Turquoise and grey acrylic paints
• Toothpicks or straws
• Small paint brushes
• Mod Podge
• Thin elastic string
• Optional: other beads the elastic can fit through, such as small, heart-shaped beads

Directions

1. Cut a 2x2” piece of aluminum foil. You can play around with what size to use, depending on what size beads you want. 
2. Roll the piece into a ball around a toothpick so that a hole is created through the foil ball. 
3. Make a second ball on the same toothpick. Continue to make more, fitting two on each toothpick, until you have as many as you would like. 
4. Paint the beads turquoise while still on the toothpicks. You also mix your own colors using blue, yellow and white. Allow to dry for a little while, and then paint grey (or brown or black) lines and dots on the beads.
5. Allow to dry overnight, and then paint the beads with Mod Podge or another clear gloss. Once the beads are dry, you can remove them from the toothpicks. You may have to twist the toothpicks back and forth a little bit. 
6. Measure your wrist and add a few inches, and cut a piece of elastic string. Tie a knot on one end, or tie one end on to a bead. String the turquoise beads or these beads and additional silver or plain beads. Tie the two ends together when you are done stringing on the beads. Cut off excess string leaving quarter inch ends. Tuck these into a bead. 
7. Another option is to form an oval shape of foil, wrapping the top around a straw to form a hole. Then it can be painted and glossed like the other beads, and you can string a ribbon through the top to make a necklace. 
8. Wear and enjoy!