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Step Back in Time: Host a Little House on the Prairie Party

Step back in time with a Little House on the Prairie–themed party featuring rustic decor, hearty pioneer foods, and fun old-fashioned activities inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved stories.

It’s funny how a book can linger in your heart long after you’ve turned the final page. For me, Little House on the Prairie is one of those books — well, actually, series of books — that never really left me.

And I feel sure I’m not the only one. (Can I get an amen?)

Maybe it’s the way Laura Ingalls Wilder captured the prairie’s wide-open skies, or the warmth of Pa’s fiddle echoing through a lamplit cabin. Or maybe it’s the feeling that life was simpler back then, even though it was also harder in oh, so many ways. (Can you even imagine living without electricity, running water, or cell phones? Hello!)

Let’s Visit Walnut Grove

Whatever the reason, I’ve always loved revisiting Walnut Grove in my imagination. When the television show came out in 1974 I was only 15 years old. But I was glued to the series, and so were most of the girls I knew, regardless of their age.

Every so often, I get the itch to bring a little of that old-fashioned charm into my own home. This time, I decided to make it the centerpiece of a themed party — one filled with rustic decor, hearty food, and simple pioneer games that bring friends and family together.

If you’ve ever wished you could step into Laura’s world (minus the harsh winters and the outhouse), here’s how to host a Little House on the Prairie party that will warm hearts and fill bellies.


Setting the Scene

When guests step through your door, you want them to feel as though they’ve crossed into a simpler time. That doesn’t mean you need to transform your home into a log cabin (though if you happen to have one, I’m officially jealous). With a few thoughtful touches, you can create a prairie-inspired atmosphere that’s both charming and cozy.

Table Settings:

  • Start with a gingham tablecloth — red and white or blue and white both work beautifully.
  • Use enamel camping plates (those speckled blue or white ones) for a pioneer feel.
  • Set out mason jar mugs for drinks, tying a bit of twine or ribbon around each one.
  • For silverware, wrap utensils in cloth napkins and tie with twine.

Centerpieces & Decor:

  • Arrange wildflowers (daisies, black-eyed Susans, or sunflowers) in tin cans or mason jars.
  • Place small hay bales along the table or around the room.
  • Set up LED lanterns to give that warm glow without the fire hazard.
  • If you have a quilt, drape it over the back of a chair or use it as a table runner.

A Simple Backdrop Idea:
Create a sign that says “Welcome to Walnut Grove” or “The Ingalls Homestead” and hang it near your entry. Guests will love snapping photos in front of it.


The Food (Pioneer-Style Comfort)

Laura’s family didn’t eat fancy meals, but what they did have was filling, flavorful, and made with love. You can recreate that feeling with a menu of hearty comfort foods.

Main Dishes:

  • Hearty Stew or Soup: A beef and vegetable stew served in rustic bowls or small cast-iron pots.
  • Homemade Bread: Perfect for dunking in stew or slathering with butter.

Sides:

Desserts:

  • Molasses Cookies or Ginger Snaps: Just like Ma might have baked.
  • Individual Apple Pies or Turnovers: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to break character.
  • Maple Candy on Snow or Maple Fudge: For an authentic touch, pour boiled maple syrup over crushed ice to make chewy candy (a fun activity for kids!).

Drinks

Pioneers didn’t have soda, but you can serve drinks that feel period-appropriate:

  • Fresh lemonade
  • Iced tea (sweet or unsweetened) in mason jars
  • Hot cider for cooler weather

Fun & Games on the Prairie

One of the best parts of a Little House party is the chance to get everyone up and moving — no phones, no video games, just good old-fashioned fun.

Butter-Making Station:

  • Fill small mason jars halfway with heavy cream.
  • Hand them to kids (or grown-ups) to shake until it turns into butter.
  • Spread the freshly made butter on warm bread or cornbread.

Pioneer Games:

  • Sack Races — Use old pillowcases or burlap sacks.
  • Horseshoe Toss — You can buy an inexpensive set online.
  • Beanbag Toss — Toss into old baskets or buckets.

Craft Corner:

  • Make cornhusk dolls or simple rag dolls with fabric scraps.
  • Have a “decorate your own bonnet” table with ribbons and fabric flowers.

Storytime:
Set aside a few minutes for a read-aloud from Little House in the Big Woods. Choose a chapter where Pa plays his fiddle or Ma bakes — something that captures the heart of the series.


Dressing the Part

Encourage guests to wear pioneer-style clothing.

  • For Women & Girls: Calico dresses, aprons, and bonnets.
  • For Men & Boys: Suspenders, button-up shirts, and straw hats.

Keep a few extra hats, aprons, or bandanas on hand for those who arrive without costumes.


A Note on Music

The Little House world comes alive with music, so why not create a playlist? Include fiddle tunes, bluegrass, or even the Little House on the Prairie TV theme song for a touch of nostalgia.


A Party with Heart

At its core, this party is about more than just gingham and cornbread. It’s about slowing down, gathering together, and appreciating life’s simple pleasures — just as the Ingalls family did.

As the lanterns flicker and the sound of laughter fills the air, you might just find yourself transported to that little cabin on the prairie. And you may realize that, while the world has changed in countless ways, the joy of community and the warmth of a shared meal never go out of style.

BONUS ELEMENTS FOR LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE PARTY

Pioneer Trivia to Share at Your Party

Place these on little tent cards around your food table or activity stations so guests learn while they mingle.

  • Laura’s Real Life: Laura Ingalls Wilder based the books on her own childhood in the late 1800s.
  • Maple Candy Tradition: In Little House in the Big Woods, the Ingalls family poured hot maple syrup into pans of snow to make candy.
  • The Fiddle: Pa’s fiddle was a treasured possession and often brought the family together for dancing and singing.
  • Gingham Everywhere: Gingham fabric was cheap, durable, and easy to make — perfect for tablecloths, aprons, and dresses.

Quick Party Prep Timeline

(Add as a sidebar graphic for Pinterest appeal)

1 Week Before:

  • Send invitations (paper or email).
  • Order any props, decor, or tableware online.
  • Plan your menu and gather recipes.

2–3 Days Before:

  • Bake cookies or pie crusts ahead and freeze if needed.
  • Set up your backdrop/sign and centerpiece.
  • Prep craft kits for kids (cornhusk dolls, butter-making jars).

Party Morning:

  • Set tables and arrange decor.
  • Cook stew or main dish.
  • Prepare fresh bread or cornbread.
  • Fill mason jars with cream for butter-making.

Printable Quote Card Idea

Offer your attendees a free downloadable PDF of these quotes, formatted on pretty vintage paper backgrounds:

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder
“Home is the nicest word there is.” — Laura Ingalls Wilder


Before you go: If you’re into literary themed parties, I’ve got quite a few to enjoy! Just click the images to be taken to the posts. You’re going to have so much fun!