This day helped us to imagine what life may have been like for our pioneer ancestors. It is best when planned during cooler months since using your fireplace sets the cozy mood for the day.

There is nothing extravagent involved, but it does require a small bit of planning, and a commitment to set one day aside to live like a pioneer (this will include no electric lights, and no TV - which may sound dreadful to some children.) Oh, and did I mention no running water (except for flush toilets.) I have to admit that I cheated on this a few time during the day when the kids were not looking.

Let me reassure you, when our family did this the day was quite successful; our children actually look forward to doing this again someday.

Use your imagination in planning your Pioneer Day; it can simply mean just playing games together by candlelight in front of the fireplace, or you can incooperate special meals, activities, costumes & crafts. On this day, the family commits to spending time together in a simple way; this alone will make it a memorable day.

Suggested supplies to assemble the day before:

Preparation:

      Visit your local library, and choose a book or two about pioneers to read to your children the day before so they will have some concept of what to expect on their Pioneer Day.

Activities for the day:

      Children gather wood for the fireplace if you have one

      Build your fire early in the day

      "Fetch water" (you could send them outside when they get up in the morning - yes, it may be cold, but this will make them more thankful for their modern day conveniences.) To do this, partially fill the 5-gallon bucket with water from the faucet; have each child carry it outside, around the house once. The remainder of the day use this bucket of water for washing hands & faces (you may want to change the water occasionally while the kids are not looking.)

      Select a craft or two to work on together. Try these crafts:

      Involve your children in baking your favorite cookies (try our White Velvet Cookie Recipe.)

      Have a fireside dinner: the concept is simple - break the rules for eating in the living room or family room; take any precautions necessary for messes (a plastic table cloth from the Dollar Store would work well if placed on the floor.) Serve a simple meal, like stew or sloppy joes, from a skillet set near the fireplace.

      Spend the evening playing favorite board games, reading stories aloud (perhaps Little House On The Prairie), and talking.

      The lights can come back on at bedtime or when it becomes too dark if you'd like.


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