Pioneer Sleepover
Pioneer Sleepover
Enjoy the simple pleasures while you imagine the life of our pioneer ancestors. This will surely be a unique and memorable candlelight birthday celebration.
Invitations:
The date on the invitation will be [Your Child's Birthday], 1875
Designate a time for pick-up the following day..."Your folks can round you up after the rooster crows & morning vittles have been served" (give an exact time).
Bring sleeping bag & pillow
Costume is encouraged but not required.
To set the mood, at least the host parent should be in some sort of costume...bonnet, apron, etc.
In the evening hours, turn the lights down low or completely off if you have enough light from candles and lanterns to safely play games and work on selected crafts.
Caution! Do not leave children unattended in a room where there are candles or lanterns burning.
Games:
Fetch A Pail Of Water Relay Race: If the weather permits, take the party outdoors to "Fetch Water". Explain that families of long ago did not have the luxury & convenience of running water, and pioneer children were often assigned the chore of bringing water from a well or stream to the house.
What's That Thing?: Find a book from your local library which has photographs of tools and toys used in Pioneer Days. Show the pictures to the group and see who is first to guess what the tool or toy was used for.
Bake a batch of our White Velvet Cookies ahead of time. Provide assorted cookie decorations and frosting during party time for guests to work in the kitchen decorating their cookies.
Meal Time:
For inspiration in planning this party, visit My Little House On The Prairie Homepage of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Suggested Supplies: many of which can be purchased at a Dollar StoreInvite guests to step back in time for a candlelight birthday celebration at your "Little House On The Prairie"
Party Favors:
Tin cups
A new bucket (plastic or light weight metal) - thoroughly washed and then used for dipping drinks with tin cups
2 buckets for the "Fetch A Pail Of Water" relay race
Party favors - see our suggestions
Candles
Hurricane lantern
2 Red & white checkered plastic tablecloths
Rent or buy "Little House On The Prairie" video
Additional supplies needed for selected activities & crafts
Place party favors in small wicker baskets (one for each child).
Some suggestions are:
Small chalk boards (found at a Dollar Store)
In preparation, visit your local library and choose a picture book about pioneers to read to the children at the beginning of the party (perhaps gathering in front of a ling fireplace would be cozy).
Chalk
Small candle holder for hand-made candle
Marbles
Jacks
Little House On The Prairie paperback book
Crafts & Activities: Select 2 to 3 craftsCandy Jar Guessing Game: Find a glass jar with a screw-on lid. Fill the jar with jellybeans or hard candy which you have counted...write the number of jellybeans on a small piece of paper, fold it and tape to the inside of the jar lid.
As each guest arrives, have them examine the jar and guess the number of jellybeans (write their answers on a piece of paper next to their name). The winner will be announced at the end of the party and will take the candy jar home.
Divide the children into 2 teams. Partially fill 2 buckets with water (one bucket for each team). When the race begins, each team member is to carry their bucket of water one lap around your house (or any other course which you designate), then passing it to the next member of the team and so on until all players have carried the water. The winners are the team who completes the "chore" first.
Candle Dipping
Bedtime:
Have a fireside dinner: break the rules and eat in the living room or family room in front of the fireplace if you have one...if not, have a dinner by candlelight or lantern. Take any precautions necessary fro messes (a plastic table cloth would work well if placed on the floor near the fireplace). Serve a simple meal, like stew or sloppy joes dipped from a skillet set near the fireplace. Dip drinks from a clean bucket with tin cups.
When it comes time to curl up in their sleeping bags and wind down, pop a movie such as "Little House On The Prairie" into the VCR.