Little House Party Activities

The Little House party was lots of old-fashioned fun.  Not only that, but this party was a do-it-yourself kind of party...thrifty fun!

After climbing, walking, and balancing on the stumps upon arrival, the party guests enjoyed individual bags of popcorn and the picture book Winter Days in the Big Woods.  (Read which of the activities below are related to Winter Days in the Big Woods!)

The popcorn was served in paper bags. 

Then Big Sister passed out the pioneer aprons so that we could get to work.

 We made homemade butter.  The girls were instructed to shake until they were tired and then to pass it on to a friend.  While shaking the homemade butter, we continued to work.  (I used a plastic peanut butter jar to make the butter.  Just pour in whipping cream, a touch of salt, and a marble.  Then shake until no more shaking can happen.)

 We went to the "vegetable garden" to gather vegetables in our aprons.    Prior to the guests' arrival, I had scattered potatoes, onions, carrots, and sweet potatoes throughout our flowerbed to create the vegetable garden.  We collected the vegetables one at a time, and then ran to the bucket to place them inside it.  Then we gathered 'round and identified the vegetables.

Then it was wash time!  I had a wicker laundry basket of laundry that "needed" to be washed.  I had collected enough washcloths for each guest to wash two.  If I were to do it again, I would have had enough for three or four turns each!  The children really enjoyed washing with the washboard!

Then we went inside to go shopping at Big Sister's Mercantile.  It was a penny store that Big Sister managed.  Click the link to read about it in more detail.

The little pioneers tried their butter on crackers and enjoyed it.  (Some asked for more.)  Then we had a light meal and dessert.  Dessert was pie (instead of cake) and ice cream.  We wrapped up with some fiddle music and a bit of dancing.  While dancing, one of the girls asked me if there was any more work to do.  Apparently, work can be fun!

As for decorations, we spent most of our time outside.  I had a large quilt spread on the grass.  Some wooden blocks (that Grandpa cut for us) were there to enjoy.  We were going to eat on the quilt, too, but it was a tad chilly.  The gift table had a quilt on top, as did the book display table.  We had Big Sister's new nine-book Little House set displayed, along with several picture books from the library.

A huge thanks for some big help with this party!  Grandpa and Donna provided the wooden stumps for us.  My sweet mother-in-law was able to visit unexpectedly and helped prepare the food and kept Little Sister busy during the party.  Aunt Janice provided the washboard.  Thank you, everyone!!

You might be interested in our other Little House Party Ideas.
~ Little House Birthday Party 
~ Little House Party Invitation
~ Little House Book Activities
~ Little House Dress, Apron, and Bonnet
~ Little House Mercantile Store
~ Felt Costume Braids/Laura Ingalls Costume
~ Little House Birthday Party Food

~ Annette {This Simple Mom}