In Little Town on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder shares the simple joys of celebrating the Fourth of July with her family on the open prairie. Their celebrations weren’t full of fireworks or fancy food—but they were filled with community, patriotism, and a picnic lunch wrapped in brown paper.
Now it’s your turn to imagine what you would bring along if you were heading out for a prairie picnic in 1880s Dakota Territory!
What You’ll Do
This creative activity gives you the chance to design your own pioneer picnic basket by imagining what foods and treats you’d pack, where you’d go, and what your basket might look like. Just like Laura and Mary, you’ll make choices based on what would have been available in pioneer times—no plastic sandwich bags or store-bought cupcakes here!
How to Use the Worksheet
Draw your picnic basket
In the big box at the top of the worksheet, decorate your own basket. Maybe it has a checkered cloth, a patchwork quilt lining, or a lid tied with twine.Choose your picnic foods
Circle the pioneer-friendly foods you’d pack—like hard-boiled eggs, berries, and lemonade—and add a few ideas of your own.Pick your picnic spot
Would you sit beside a creek, under a shady tree, or in a wide-open meadow? Choose your favorite and imagine the prairie around you.Write about your picnic adventure
Use the lines to describe what you packed, who came with you, and what you saw, heard, and tasted on your picnic.Color and decorate
Make your page colorful! Add flowers, food, sunshine, or even a prairie bonnet if you’d like.
Learn While You Create
This activity blends reading comprehension, creative writing, historical understanding, and art—all in one fun, hands-on project. It pairs beautifully with a reading of Little Town on the Prairie or a lesson on pioneer life and early American holidays like the Fourth of July.
Bonus Idea: Pack a Real Pioneer Picnic!
Once your basket is complete, try recreating a real pioneer-style picnic:
Buttered bread wrapped in brown paper
Lemonade made from scratch
Cold fruit or cheese
A picnic blanket on the grass
Then sit outside and enjoy—just like Laura did!
Download the Activity Worksheet Here: 4th of July Picnic Little House Activity
