10 Ways to Celebrate Laura Ingalls Wilder's Birthday

Laura Ingalls was born on February 7, 1867 to Charles and Caroline Ingalls in Pepin, Wisconsin.

She wrote about her childhood in the Little House books. They've helped generations of readers (young and old) understand pioneer history in a personal way.

Here are ten to celebrate the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

1. Bake a vinegar pie.

Seriously, vinegar pies are better than you might suspect.

2. Make maple snow candy.

If you have snow and real maple syrup, you have to try maple snow candy!

3. Make pancake people for breakfast (or lunch or supper).

People-shaped pancakes (pancake men) are just fun!

4. Make popcorn balls (with or without molasses).

Popcorn balls are always a special treat!

5. Bake soda crackers.

Soda crackers were a such a surprise! I expected them to be like Saltines, but I loved them even more.

6. Bake an apple pie.

We sometimes celebrate birthdays with apple pies instead of cake!

7. Read a Little House book or a book about Little House.

What Little House book will you read this month? Or maybe you'll read about the Little House books. The Beautiful Snow, The Three Faces of Nellie, or The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion might be a book for you.

8. Read the other writings of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I love reading the articles Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote for the Missouri Ruralist. My favorite collection is still Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist: Writing from the Ozarks.

9. Read a biography about Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Whether it's Pulitzer prize-winning Prairie Fires, A Prairie Faith, or Wilder's annotated autobiography called Pioneer Girl, you can't go wrong.

10. Read a historical fiction book with a different pioneer perspective.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her family's story in the Little House books. There are other books to explore about American's pioneer history from other perspectives. (And here is another book I recommend!)

OR...just have a pioneer birthday party!

Check out these ideas for a pioneer Little House birthday party...for kids or adults!

Or maybe you'll just sip a cup of tea while reading your favorite chapter from Little House to celebrate the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Annette Whipple writes nonfiction books for children, including The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide which includes history, discussion, photographs, and 75 activities so readers can "live like Laura." Learn more about her books and presentations at www.AnnetteWhipple.com.