The Little House books have always been favorites in our family. I think I read The Long Winter aloud to my children at least four times! It’s the perfect book to curl up with as a family when the snow is flying outside.
One year, while reading The Long Winter, my kids were building little models of the Ingalls family’s cabin. They discovered that our living room was almost exactly the same size as the cabin where all five family members lived!
So, naturally, we moved all the furniture out and tried living in that one room for 24 hours. Talk about eye-opening!
We enjoyed the Little House series over many years, rereading quite a few of the books along the way. These books remain some of our all-time favorite family read-alouds.
This Learning with Little House Gift Guide is filled with wonderful books, games, and activities for kids to bring the stories to life and keep the learning going long after you’ve finished reading.
From my family to yours. ❤️
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Learning with Little House Books
The Little House stories open the door to so many wonderful learning adventures! Here are some favorite books to explore pioneer life, traditional skills, and the history behind the stories.
The Complete Little House – These are the books that started it all. They capture the imaginations of children and adults alike. This nine-book boxed set tells the story of pioneer life in America.
Little House Picture Books – My youngest loved to read through these shorter stories with lots of pictures while we were reading the series aloud with my older children. Great titles like Sugar Snow, County Fair and Christmas in the Big Woods.
The World of Little House – We had so much fun with this book! Full of maps and timelines, crafts and activities, plus the floor plans of each of Laura’s houses.
The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder – This book follows the wagon trail of the Little House series, with maps and excerpts from the books and Laura’s letters and diaries. Also shows Laura’s deep connection with the natural world,
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography – Hidden away since the 1930s, this autobiography tells the true stories of Laura’s pioneer life.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography – Stories of Laura’s pioneer days from her childhood to her marriage to Almanzo and life with her daughter, Rose.
Little Author in the Big Woods – A sweet biography for younger children with wonderful pictures and descriptions of life on the homestead.
Learning with Little House Games & Activities
Bring the stories to life with hands-on activities and games inspired by the Little House books! These are wonderful ways to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and keep the learning going long after you’ve finished reading.
The Little House Cookbook – Features over 100 recipes of dishes mentioned in the Little House books. A classic glimpse into meals of the pioneer days. My kids loved making the maple snow candy every winter.
My Little House Crafts Book – With instructions for 18 different projects, this book shares many of the crafts Laura made in the books, most of which can be made from materials you’ll have around your house.
Lincoln Logs – All-wood building blocks in a tin bucket. These were my favorite as a little girl!
Checkers – Classic game with a wooden playing board and wooden pieces.
Jump Rope – Braided cotton jump rope with wooden handles for hours of fun.
Potholder Weaving Loom – This kit includes a metal loom and cotton loops to make 6 potholders. We still use some of these potholders in our house that my children made over 15 years ago!
Old-fashioned Ice Cream Maker – Have fun making homemade ice cream just like Almanzo did in Farmer Boy.
Reading Little House with a Broader Perspective
The Little House books have been treasured read-alouds in many families, including mine. But it’s also important to recognize that these stories tell history from the perspective of white settlers and include some troubling portrayals of Indigenous peoples.
As homeschooling parents, we have an opportunity to explore these stories thoughtfully with our children. We can enjoy the wonderful storytelling while also asking questions, discussing what life was like for different groups of people, and learning about the Indigenous communities whose homelands became part of the westward expansion of the United States.
One way to broaden the conversation is to read books written by Indigenous authors, sharing their histories, cultures, and experiences in their own voices.
After all, learning about history means exploring more than one perspective. And good books can open the door to meaningful conversations!
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich – Set in the 1840s, the story follows a young Ojibwe girl named Omakayas and her family. This book is a wonderful companion to Little House, exploring family life, seasonal rhythms, and history from an Indigenous perspective.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom – A beautifully illustrated picture book celebrating Indigenous leadership in protecting the natural world. Especially appropriate for families who value connections to nature.
The People Shall Continue by Simon J. Ortiz – A powerful introduction to Indigenous history, including colonization, displacement, resilience, and the continuing lives of Native communities told in the rhythms of traditional oral narrative.
Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer & Monique Gray Smith – What if a book could invite you to slow down, pay attention, and see the natural world in a new way? Adapted by Monique Gray Smith for teen and young adult readers, this book brings Robin Wall Kimmerer’s acclaimed Braiding Sweetgrass to a new generation of readers in an accessible and inviting format.
Enjoy these books, games, and activities with your children!
And don’t forget to share this gift guide with grandparents and friends looking for thoughtful birthday or holiday gifts.
I hope your family finds as much joy in learning with Little House as ours did over the years!
Want more gift ideas? Explore my Gift Guides & Book Lists for Simple Natural Families for more family favorites.
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