Little House on the Prairie Lifestyle

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories are particularly resonant today with their themes of enjoying simple, home-made pleasures, respecting the natural world, and cultivating community bonds. This Lifestyle section brings you recipes, DIYs, crafts, and more inspired by Little House on the Prairie. Browse the articles below or click here for a complete index.

Old-Fashioned Farmer Boy Ice Cream Recipe (With Blueberry Variation)

“‘Let’s make ice-cream!’ Royal shouted. Eliza Jane loved ice-cream….They set the pail in a tub and packed the snowy crushed ice around it, with salt, and they covered it all with a blanket. Every few minutes they took off the blanket and uncovered the pail, and stirred the freezing ice-cream.” Farmer Boy If you’ve ever…

Little House on the Prairie Inspired Family Picnic

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” Laura Ingalls Wilder When I think about the simple things in life, I picture lazy days spent in the sunshine, and summer picnics with my family. An old-fashioned picnic is a perfect time to…

Pioneer Era Games Laura Ingalls May Have Played

Have you ever wondered what games pioneer children played? Laura Ingalls Wilder describes many games and activities in her books, and research shows us a few other games that children played during this era. Here you’ll see a full list of games and activities from the “Pioneer Era” that require either easily made items or…

How to Throw a Little House on the Prairie Birthday Party

My kiddos love “Little House on the Prairie”. When it comes to television entertainment, I am always cautious about what my children are watching. I relax when I hear the “Little House on the Prairie” theme song and see Laura Ingalls skipping through the fields as they start to watch the next episode. These timeless…

Laura’s Wedding Cake Recipe – Traditional and Blueberry Topping Variation

“That afternoon the finished black cashmere was carefully pressed, and then Ma made a big, white cake. Laura helped her by beating the egg whites on a platter with a fork, until Ma said they were stiff enough. “My arm is stiffer,” Laura ruefully laughed, rubbing her aching right arm. “This cake must be just…

DIY Maple Sugar Candy

“At last, as Grandma stirred, the syrup in the saucer turned into little grains like sand, and Grandma called: ‘Quick girls! It’s graining!’ Aunt Ruby and Aunt Docia and Ma left the dance and came running. They set out pans, big pans, and little pans, and as fast as Grandma filled them with the syrup,…