Celebrating 50 Years of Little House on the Prairie

Fifty years ago, “Little House on the Prairie” first aired on television, captivating audiences with its heartwarming portrayal of frontier life and timeless themes of family, community, resilience and the American Spirit. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved book series, the show followed the adventures and challenges faced by the Ingalls family as they settled in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, during the 1870s. With its memorable characters, touching storylines, and messages of love, hope, and perseverance, “Little House on the Prairie” became a cultural phenomenon, leaving a lasting impact on generations of viewers and solidifying its place as a classic in television history.

It’s no secret here at AmericanMom that we are big, big fans of Little House on the Prairie. So it’s fitting that we’ve curated some fun ways to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the TV show’s debut! Here are some ways you can dive back into the Little House world and celebrate this beloved series.

  1. Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion & Festival: If you happen live or be in the area, the festival is March 22, 23 & 24 in Simi Valley, California. There will be set tours, a cast reunion, interactive workshops, and more! Get your tickets here.
  2. Watch (Rewatch) Party: Organize a watch or rewatch party of classic episodes with family and friends, complete with themed snacks like Laura’s favorites homemade buttered bread, apple pies or Johnnycakes. Serve themed drinks such as “Laura’s Lemonade” or “Pa’s Punch” along with traditional refreshments like root beer and homemade treats.
  3. Book Club: Start a family book club focused on reading and discussing Laura Ingalls Wilder’s original Little House book series, sharing insights and memories from the stories with your children. We also highly recommend the audio version narrated by Cherry Jones.
  4. Walk Down Memory Lane:  Here’s a list of the classic themes and storylines that might trigger a fond memory for you or help you to pick out an episode or two to watch with your children or grandchildren.
  • Laura and Nellie’s Rivalry: The ongoing rivalry between Laura Ingalls and Nellie Oleson, especially their infamous fight in the mud, is a standout moment in the series.
  • The Lord is My Shepherd – Laura Meets God: Laura explores faith and resilience on a mountainside as the Ingalls family faces hardship and tragedy with the loss of a child.
  • The Ingalls’ First Christmas: The family’s first Christmas on the prairie, where they come together to celebrate despite challenges, is a classic holiday episode.
  • Nellie’s Redemption: Nellie’s transformation from a spoiled brat and prairie bully to a more empathetic person, is a notable moment in the series.
  • Pa’s Wisdom: Charles Ingalls’ wise and comforting advice to his children throughout the series, such as his talks about life, love, and perseverance, are memorable and meaningful.
  1. Quotes to Connect, Reflect and Inspire You. “Half-Pint” was full of wisdom, humor and wonder. These quotes reflect Laura’s resilience, love for her family, appreciation for simple joys, and belief in hard work and honesty. All of these quotes from the series are timeless and good reminders of what matters most. Here are ten of our favorite Laura Ingalls Wilder quotes from the series.
  • “The longer we live, the more we can realize that nothing matters very much after all except love and kindness.”
  • “Home is the nicest word there is.”
  • “It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
  • “The world is always better off with one more smile.”
  • “The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
  • “It is not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.”
  • “A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”
  • “Every job is good if you do your best and work hard. A man who works hard stinks only to the ones that have nothing to do but smell.”
  • “A little house well filled with love is better than a palace with a cold heart.”
  • “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.”

“Little House on the Prairie” continues to resonate with audiences today, offering timeless life lessons that remain relevant in our modern world. Highlighting values such as resilience, family, community, simple joys and the significance of hard work and integrity.

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