You’ll love this Little House on the Prairie Unit Study and fun punched tin lantern. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies page.
If you are anything like me, you grew up watching or reading about Laura Ingalls and her family’s adventures traveling westward from their first home in the little house in the big woods of Wisconsin.
I spent many hours imagining I was Laura with my trusty guard dog Jack, running along the banks of Plum creek, going into town, and feuding with Nellie Olsen.
If you too are eager to begin a Little House on the Prairie Unit Study with your kids, I have tons of great ideas to get you started.
Whether you settle in the prairie for a week or submerge yourself in all things Ingalls for a month or more you will find plenty here to keep you busy.
5 Little House on the Prairie Facts You May Not Have Known
- Laura Ingalls Wilder’s first book wasn’t published until 1932, 65 years after she was born.
- Laura was only 4’ 11” tall when she was fully grown, not particularly short for women of that time period, but it explains why Pa called her his” little half pint of cider half drunk up”.
- Laura’s first attempt at book writing about her life experiences was called Pioneer Girl, and it was initially rejected by publishers. Her daughter Rose suggested her mother rewrite it for the children. Clearly, it worked.
- Her longtime Missouri home, Rocky Ridge Farm, was turned into a museum.
- Laura’s father Charles was part of the Delano family. You might recognize the name – Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Laura was the fifth cousin once removed to FDR and a third cousin once removed to Ulysses S. Grant.
Pioneer Crafts and Activities
Then, add these books for beautiful literature.
Little House on the Prairie Unit Study Resources
Add some of these fun resources to ignite a love for learning about the Little House on the Prairie.
The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.
Readers around the world know and love Laura, the little girl born in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and raised in covered wagons and on wide open prairies. Now Little House fans can learn more about the remarkable story of the pioneer girl who would one day immortalize her adventures in the beloved Little House books in this, the first picture book biography book of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
With the My First Little House picture book series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books in these illustrated adaptations of the beloved series!
Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, and baby Carrie have traveled from the Big Woods to the prairie in their covered wagon, driving through tall grass until they found just the right spot for their new home. With the help of their kind neighbor, Mr. Edwards, Pa builds a snug little house for the family in the middle of the wide-open prairie.
The second book in the treasured Little House series, Farmer Boy is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of how her husband, Almanzo, grew up as a farmer boy far from the little house where Laura lived. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.
The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories. The Little House series has captivated millions of readers with its depiction of life on the American frontier.
While Laura Ingalls grows up on the prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. Here Almanzo and his brother and sisters help with the summer planting and fall harvest. In winter there is wood to be chopped and great slabs of ice to be cut from the river and stored. Time for fun comes when the jolly tin peddler visits, or best of all, when the fair comes to town.
Almanzo wishes for just one thing—his very own horse—and he must prove that he is ready for such a big responsibility.
With this cookbook, you can learn how to make classic frontier dishes like corn dodgers, mincemeat pie, cracklings, and pulled molasses candy. The book also includes excerpts from the Little House books, fascinating and thoroughly researched historical context, and details about the cooking methods that pioneers like Ma Ingalls used, as well as illustrations by beloved artist Garth Williams.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, based on her own childhood and later life, are still beloved classics almost a century after she began writing them. Now young readers will see just how similar Laura's true-life story was to her books. Born in 1867 in the "Big Woods" in Wisconsin, Laura experienced both the hardship and the adventure of living on the frontier. Her life and times are captured in engaging text and 80 black-and-white illustrations.
- Three Piece Set: Kid girls colonial dress, attached apron and bonnet.
A beautifully designed coloring book featuring classic artwork by Garth Williams and quotes from all nine original Little House books. Perfect for at-home creative time—return to the world of Little House with your kids...or enjoy on your own!
Join Laura Ingalls, her Ma and Pa, and her sisters, Mary, Carrie, and Grace, on their travels across the frontier as you color in your favorite pioneer characters and scenes and revisit this beloved series.
This 96-page coloring book offers hours of relaxing, stress-reducing pleasure.
Also, it’s fun learning about Laura’s life through the pages of her books, but here are some facts too.
About Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder (February 7, 1867 – February 10, 1957) was an American writer, mostly known for the Little House on the Prairie series of children’s books, published between 1932 and 1943, which were based on her childhood in a settler and pioneer family.
Moreover, she was born in Pepin, Wisconsin in the “little house in the big woods” in 1867.
She lived through huge changes in America. Her family moved several times traveling by covered wagon.
Little House books
The eight original Little House books are:
- Little House in the Big Woods (1932)
- Farmer Boy (1933) – about Almanzo Wilder growing up in New York
- Little House on the Prairie (1935)
- On the Banks of Plum Creek (1937)
- By the Shores of Silver Lake (1939)
- The Long Winter (1940)
- Little Town on the Prairie (1941)
- These Happy Golden Years (1943)
Moreover, there are many topics and words for your child to learn about pioneer life in America.
I’ve listed some below.
Vocabulary Words
Although it’s important to understand the words used, I wanted my kids to love learning about the expansion in American history; And to see history unfold through the eyes of a child.
However, I’ve listed some below to add another language arts element.
- wandered
- massacre
- scorched
- huddled
- brindle
- papoose
- trotted
- beholden
- staggering
- rummaged
- yonder
- molasses
Next, look at these hands on fun ideas.
15 Little House on the Prairie Unit Study Hands-on Ideas
Play the Oregon Trail Online Game to give your child an idea of the route and the hardships those moving westward faced.
Make a Fun No Sew Pioneer Rag Doll just like little girls like Laura played with during those times.
It makes a lovely handicraft activity as well as a sweet keepsake of your study.
Create Fun Pioneer Peg Dolls to represent each of the characters in the book.
Try your hand at Pioneer Living and Cloth Dyeing using the same things that the pioneers would have to color fabric.
Make Maple Snow Candy and enjoy a taste of those days.
In addition, history overlaps quite a bit and though the original is tied to Daniel Boone you can recreate this Edible Log Cabin as an art project and a yummy snack.
Create a Native American cradleboard or papoose.
If you really want to get a taste of pioneer history, Make Butter and Hardtack to sample.
Do a Hands-on Fun Shrunken Head Apple Craft.
Grab these fun 10 Westward Expansion History Fun Coloring Pages
Enjoy a picnic outdoors with a lunch pail- wrap sandwiches and other items in waxed or brown paper, tie it up with a string, and carry it out in a tin bucket. Spread out a colorful piece of fabric or a quilt to enjoy your supper.
Learn the information on the Free Westward Ho History Cards
Do your lessons on small personal blackboards just like the girls did at home or in their little one-room schoolhouse.
Look at pictures of a pioneer house then and compare them to how we live today.
In addition, look at some more unit studies and topics which go along with this theme.
More American History Unit Studies
Next, these unit study ideas either happened at the same time Laura lived or before her birth so your child understands this period in American history.
- BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook
- Lewis and Clark Fun Homeschool Unit Study and Lapbook
- Native Americans The Plains Indians Unit Study & Lapbook
- The Trail of Tears 1820 – 1845 Unit Study & Lapbook
- Daniel Boone – North American Explorer
Too, not only does Laura describe terrifying events about wolves, but there would have been plenty of wildlife to learn about.
More Best Homeschool Unit Studies
- Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano
- Solar System Unit Study and Hands-on Planets Activity
- Charlotte’s Web Homeschool Unit Study and Fun Hands-on Ideas
- Homeschool Unit Study Ideas | Lewis and Clark Exploration Lapbook
- Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities
- Little House on The Prairie Unit Study and Fun Punched Tin Lantern
Wildlife on the Prairie
Look at this list of wildlife to learn about.
- Coyotes
- Bison
- Wolves
- White tail Deer and grab my Deer Unit Study Ideas.
- Black Bear and grab my ideas here Black Bear Unit Study and Fun Edible Bear Poop.
- Beavers and grab my ideas here Build a Fun Beaver Dam.
Moreover, look at my Lewis and Clark Unit Study which has more information about the flora and fauna along the route.
Finally, look at this next hands-on idea to add your fun Little House on the Prairie Unit Study.
How to Make a Punched Tin Lantern
Supplies needed:
- A clean empty vegetable can
- Hammer
- Nails of a few different sizes
- Small hand towel
- Dry erase marker
- Wire
- Needle nose pliers
- Battery-operated candle or small glass votive
Directions:
First, check to be sure that there are no sharp spots on the lantern where the top was removed.
Trim them off by going over the edges with a can opener again or with a metal file.
Also, if there is any remaining adhesive, you can remove it by running a hot blow dryer over the spot and pulling it off while it is still warm.
Fill the tin can with water and freeze until completely solid.
Draw out your design on one side with a fine-tipped marker like a sharpie.
Carefully tape a nail through the lines of your design with the hammer and continue all over the design placing holes around ¼” or less apart.
You can also use a Phillips head screwdriver or an awl if you have one for something with a handle.
Flip and repeat your designs on the other sides the same way wherever you would like it.
Punch a hole through on either side near the top for the handle.
Take a strand of jewelry wire and double it for added thickness.
Run it through one hole and twist the ends around the wire with needle nose pliers tucking in the sharp ends.
Next, run the wire as high as you would like the handle to be upwards and then down to the other side. Push it through and twist the wires again to close.
Allow the ice to melt but you can speed this process up by running hot water in and over the lantern or placing it outside in the sun.
Dry the lantern and add a candle to the inside. What do you think, ready to start your own unit study?
What ages can you use this unit study with?
Hey Miranda,
I normally create my unit studies for multiple ages so you can tweak it up or down but too another way is I used the age the books is for.. So this is about 4th to 6th grade..
Too if you’ve never used the book for a unit study you can still adjust to the age of your child. I feel hands-on ideas are fun for all ages..it makes learning stick..
Thank you so much for getting back to me. This is great.
I have multiple aged… hoping to tweak it so my 7th and 9th grader can join in, at least a little.