• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • News
  • General Store
  • Little House on the Prairie Books
    • Little House in the Big Woods
    • Farmer Boy
    • Little House on the Prairie
    • On the Banks of Plum Creek
    • By the Shores of Silver Lake
    • The Long Winter
    • Little Town on the Prairie
    • These Happy Golden Years
    • The First Four Years
    • On the Way Home
    • West From Home
    • Boxed Sets & Special Editions
  • Other Little House Books
    • Little House Chapter Books
  • Other Series
    • The Martha Years – Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Great Grandmother
    • The Charlotte Years – Laura’s Grandmother
    • The Caroline Years – Little House Series about Laura’s Mother
    • The Rose Years – Books About Laura’s Daughter
  • Teachers & Homeschool Printables
    • Little House in the Big Woods
    • Farmer Boy
    • Little House on the Prairie
    • On the Banks of Plum Creek
    • By the Shores of Silver Lake
    • The Long Winter
    • Little Town on the Prairie
    • These Happy Golden Years
    • The First Four Years
    • Entire Series Worksheets
    • Unit Studies For Homeschoolers & Teachers
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Music
  • Crafts & Activities
  • Recipes
  • Research
  • Family & Friends
  • TV Series
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Little House on the Prairie TV Series
  • Historical Sites
    • Pepin, Wisconsin
    • Rothville, Missouri
    • Independence, Kansas
    • Walnut Grove, Minnesota
    • Burr Oak, Iowa
    • De Smet, South Dakota
    • Vinton, Iowa
    • Spring Valley, Minnesota
    • Westville, Florida
    • Mansfield, Missouri
    • Malone, New York
    • Cuba, New York
    • Keystone, South Dakota
    • Pomona, California

Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House on the Prairie Definitive Guide

Laura Ingalls Wilder & the Little House Books

Home » Little House on the Prairie Crafts & Activities » Packing Your Covered Wagon – Little House Pioneer Activity

Packing Your Covered Wagon – Little House Pioneer Activity

Pioneers traveling by covered wagon had to be very careful of their wagon’s weight. Even a few pounds heavier could mean the trip would be much more difficult for the oxen or horses. This is why the men and women would walk beside the wagon instead of inside it.

The typical journey by covered wagon was five months long, and they would need to pack enough supplies and equipment for the entire five months.

Below are the supplies that a typical Pioneer family traveling west across the United States might take on their covered wagon journey.  Pretend you are a pioneer planning your long journey to the frontier. Make a list of what you would take in your covered wagon, keeping in mind that the wagon will carry only 2,000 pounds before the weight becomes too much. When you are done, compare your list with friends.

Be sure to pack enough food for each person in your family. Click here to see the recommendations of food for each person, then see how much weight you have left for everything else!

Download the Packing Your Covered Wagon Planning Worksheet. (or use the reference below)

 

ToolsWeight in Pounds
ax15
shovel12
hatchet9
hammer7
hoe3
anvil150
grinding stone 75
animal trap15
rope4

 

 

Personal ItemsWeight in Pounds
doll2
jump rope 1
marbles 1
family Bible2
books2
hunting knife1
bag of clothes40 
fiddle2
snowshoes8
rifle10
pistol7
first aid kit3

 

 

FoodWeight in Pounds
flour150
tea10
salt50 
sugar50
coffee100
bacon40
dried fruit100
dried beans100
cornmeal10
spit peas100
oatmeal8
vinegar25
pickles50
dried beef25
salt pork5
assorted spices5
barrel of water 350
vegetables5

 

 

Household GoodsWeight in Pounds
coffee grinder5
rug40
bedding 20
mirror40 
dutch oven70
butter churn40
table and 4 chairs200
piano900
organ2000
baby cradle75
wooden bucket10
bedpan2
butter mold 1
rocking chair50
pitcher and bowl5
cooking stove700
cooling utensils2
stool10
spinning wheel80
lantern4
clock1
10 candles1
set of dishes40

 

 

Share your love of Little House

Related Posts:

  • Covered Wagon Journal Activity Page
    Covered Wagon Journal Activity Page
  • Recommended Food Per Person for a Covered Wagon Journey West
    Recommended Food Per Person for a Covered Wagon Journey West
  • What did families eat while travelling in a covered wagon?
    What did families eat while travelling in a covered wagon?
  • Little House Design Your Own Patchwork Quilt Printable
    Little House Design Your Own Patchwork Quilt Printable
  • Paddle Your Own Canoe Lyrics
    Paddle Your Own Canoe Lyrics
  • How to Grind Wheat - Little House Pioneer Activity
    How to Grind Wheat - Little House Pioneer Activity

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

General Store

  • Biographies, Research, Letters & Articles (32)
  • Collectibles (23)
  • Collector Books & Boxed Sets (10)
  • Cookbooks (5)
  • Crafts (6)
  • Dolls (21)
  • Home Decor (2)
  • Homeschool Resources (22)
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder Quilting Patterns & Fabric (18)
  • Little House Book Series (1)
  • Little House on the Prairie TV Series (19)
  • Other Pioneer Books (19)
  • Pioneer Clothing for Cosplay, Reenactments, Dressing Up & Costumes (126)
  • Pioneer Food (11)
  • Pioneer Living (8)
  • Related Little House Book Series (5)
  • Sewing Patterns (15)

Free Little House in the Big Woods Unit Study

… Our free exclusive unit study for Little House in the Big Woods with 32 worksheets plus additional activities, recipes, songs and more. about Free Little House in the Big Woods Unit Study

Sew Little House Costumes

… Patterns for making pioneer dresses, bonnets, aprons and mores for women & girls about Sewing Little House on the Prairie Pioneer Costumes

Little House Collector’s Editions

… Discover special editions and boxed sets of the Little House Books about Boxed Sets & Special Editions of the Little House Books

Some of our posts contain affiliate links and we will receive an affiliate commission for purchases. This is a great way to support what we do and see more great content!

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Visit our new General Store for books about Laura and pioneer life, along with DVDs, pioneer food, sewing and quilting. Dismiss