Ideas for Teaching Kids How to Decorate Western Boots

• When you have surplus pairs of Western boots, they can be used in craft projects for kids. Whether you are decorating the boots to wear or to use for another purpose, such as a planter, your kids can decorate the boots to reflect their own personalities and styles through the use of common crafting techniques. As you plan a craft project, consider the ages of the children, and choose tools and materials that will allow them to work with the leather in a safe manner.

Basic Embroidery

• For older children who are dexterous with a needle and thread, you can organize a project that applies custom embroidery onto Western boots. Before you start the project, encourage the children to draw out their designs and teach them the basic steps that are necessary to complete the pattern. Because leather is thick, choose strong, sturdy needles that are designed to go through tough materials without breaking; you can also have the children embroider only the leather's surface instead of pushing the needle all the way through the boot. Once a hole is punched in leather, it can be difficult to fix; if your child has a firm idea as to the stitches that will be necessary to complete the design, she is more likely to make a successful attempt at embroidery. Start simple by teaching the kids to embroider the top edges of the boots, where it is easier to reach their hands into the boots. As the kids gain familiarity with the material and sewing mechanics, instruct them in more difficult stitching techniques that can be used down the sides of the boots.

Paint

• When teaching children to decorate Western boots, paint is an accessible option for all ages. According to the How To Arts and Crafts website, you should clean the surface of the boots first to remove any specialty coatings, and use water-based acrylics to paint the leather. You can also use a paint that is specially designed to stick to the surface of leather; ask at a craft store for specific brands. Depending on the style of the boot and the designs that are etched or stitched into the body, teach the children different methods of painting the boot; you might help them come up with with free-form designs or show them how to follow existing patterns. When the boots are finished, show children how to cover the painted surface with a clear spray lacquer to set the paint.

Embellishments

• If your children are interested in creating a dramatic pair of cowboy boots, teach them to use embellishments that are attached with glue or thread to add pizazz. For younger children, hand out sequins and ready-made patches, and show them them how to glue the embellishments to the sides and bodies of the boots with a heavy-duty craft glue. Older children can cut material to fit the designs on the boots and finish the edges; show them how to use thick glue or a needle and thread to attach any material to the surfaces of the boots. You can also provide the kids with small jewels, metal charms, beads or fabric craft elements with which to decorate their boots.