Kids Activities

January 11-26, 2025


buy ticketsTickets on sale August 2024

There's something fun for everyone!

With over 10 interactive and immersive programs, exhibits, and events across National Western grounds, there is plenty to see and do for kids of all ages! Our kid's activities promote education and entertainment through many aspects of the agriculture industry, with the help of CSU, Colorado FFA, Colorado 4-H, and commodity groups.


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Youth Art Contest
Youth Art Contest
The Youth Art Contest showcases western-inspired works of art from students in grades 1st-12th. Champion, Reserve Champion and Honorable Mention artwork will be displayed at the 2024 National Western Stock Show. The contest is FREE to enter for all Colorado students! Registration opens September 11.
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VET 101
Vet 101

Vet101 is an NWSS educational program designed to give high school students interested in the veterinary industry an opportunity to spend a day with vets doing real, hands-on work.

Students are placed in groups of 10-12 and rotate through four vet stations: small animal & feeding, large animal, equine & rodeo, and embryology.

Registration closes December 8.

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School Visits
Ames Activity Pavilion

National Western proudly hosts more than 20,000 students, teachers, and parents each year through our organized School Visits Program FREE of charge.  

Students have the opportunity to tour the Stock Show grounds and learn about how agriculture impacts their everyday lives. Registration for 2024 is now open!

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Things to See and Do

7-Eleven Pony Rides
Pony Trails

Time to saddle up!  The National Western Pony Rides are available to all the future cowboys and cowgirls on the 3rd Floor of the Expo Hall. Open from 9:30 am-8 pm (Sundays-Thursdays) and 9:30 am-9 pm (Fridays-Saturdays).

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Location: 3rd Floor

Ames Activity Pavilion
Ames Activity Pavilion

A full schedule of entertaining and educational programs, including Top Hogs performances, Farmyard Follies, Sheep Shearing, and Stick Horse Rodeos.

Location: South Food Court (outside)

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CSU Ag Adventure
Dairy Discovery zone

CSU Ag Adventure is the perfect place for children and adults to learn about the world of agriculture.

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Location: 3rd Floor

Dairy Discovery Zone
Dairy Discovery zone

The Dairy Discovery Zone is a fun, interactive exhibit where you and your family can discover the world of dairy and how your milk gets from the farm to the fridge.

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Hutchison Western Pony Trails
Pony Trails

Horse around in this exhibit that will teach you everything you want to know about our equine friends.

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Location: Paddock, Events Center

King Soopers Petting Farm
Petting Farm

Come face to face with over 60 barnyard animals! The Petting Farm is FREE with your grounds admission ticket. Open from 9:30 am-7:30 pm daily. 

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Location: 3rd Floor

NW Nursery
Petting Farm

Come meet our newest arrivals of your favorite farm animals and learn about their first days of life on the farm at the National Western Nursery presented by Murdoch’s.

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Location: Paddock, Events Center

Stock Show Tours
SS Tours

Led by Colorado State FFA Officers, join in on this FREE tour into the heart of the Stock Show. Tour the grounds and learn about our 118-year old history, the agriculture industry, and the future National Western Center.

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Location: Top of Stairs, South Ticket Lobby
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, daily

Ames Activity Pavilion

Located in the white tent, outside near the South Food Court. View the full 2024 schedule here.

Farmyard Follies
Farmyard Follies
This delightful show features the lovable critters from the famous Great American Petting Farm. Read More
Folkloric Dancers
Folkloric Dancers
These enchanting dancers amaze the crowd as they take you on a journey through the past and present of one of the most popular styles of Mexican dancing.  Showcasing their flawless moves and bright colored dresses, these dancers can be found in the Activity Pavilion during the opening weekend.  Be the first to witness a sneak peak of the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganzas!
Clownin' Around with the Dessel Clan
Dessel Clan
Experience the excitement and laughs brought to us by renowned PRCA rodeo clown, Allan Dessel and his talented clan all the way from Cherokee, Iowa.
Top Hogs of the Wild West
Top Hogs
Watch your favorite barnyard animals perform thrilling tricks, act out hysterical impressions and even ride a skateboard!  Kids will have the exclusive opportunity to meet the brilliant pigs after the performance.
Xtreme Dogs Pat & Chat
Xtreme Dogs Pat & Chat
Dog lovers unite! Get an exclusive, up close preview patting & chatting some of our Xtreme Dogs! Man’s best friend thrills audiences with their athletic prowess and surprisingly unbelievable antics.
Wild West Show Preview
Wild West Show Preview
Swing on by the Ames Activity Pavilion to get a first look at the best of the west!  The Wild West Show Preview is an exclusive taster of what you will be able to see during the thrilling show held in the Cinch Arena in the Events Center!
Sheep Shearing
Sheep Shearing
Watch as one of the best professionals in the industry showcases the process of shearing a sheep effortlessly! Don’t miss this one, it’s always a fan favorite.
Stick Horse Grand Prix
Stick Horse Grand Prix
presented by: Time to saddle up for the National Western’s Stick Horse Grand Prix!   Read More
Stick Horse Rodeo
Stick Horse Rodeo
presented by: The National Western Stick Horse Rodeo is perfect for your favorite buckaroos!  Read More
Westernaires Trick & Fancy Ropers
Wild West Show Preview
One of the favorite varieties of casual recreation in the Old West, the Westernaires trick roping team makes the challenging artform of rope spinning appear amazingly easy.  These young performers work with a variety of sizes of rope in complicated tricks in an exhibition of skill which has made them favorites in their travels all over North America.  
Swing & Line Dancing with Country KickUp
Wild West Show Preview
Join Country KickUp in learning how to country swing & line dance! We will be teaching beginner, intermediate, & advanced lessons. ALL skill levels are welcome, no partner is required to participate, & we are SO excited to dance with you! Country Kickup’s 501c3 proceeds are donated to charities across Colorado – find out more at countrykickup.com
Denver Area Square & Round Dancing Demo
Wild West Show Preview
Join the Denver Area Square & Round Dance Council as they demonstrate the art of the dance! DAS&RDC is a non-profit organization. No fancy footwork required, learn these unique dances with some of the experts. It's dancing with a Mile High Attitude!