Make a bonfire
Build a small supervised campfire with adult help: collect safe wood, arrange stones, light carefully, and learn fire safety rules and responsibilities.
Step-by-step guide to make a bonfire
Bonfire Night Safety | Firework Safety for kids!
Step 1
Find a flat open outdoor spot at least 5 meters away from trees tents and buildings.
Step 2
Ask an adult for permission and for them to stay and help you the whole time.
Step 3
Gather the materials listed and bring them to your chosen spot.
Step 4
Clear the ground inside a 2 meter circle by removing leaves twigs and any flammable material.
Step 5
Arrange the stones in a circle to make a fire ring.
Step 6
Put a small pile of tinder in the center of the stone ring.
Step 7
Build a teepee of kindling sticks over the tinder leaving gaps so air can flow.
Step 8
Ask your adult to explain and practice the three important safety rules with you.
Step 9
Have the adult light the tinder with the match or lighter while you stand back at a safe distance.
Step 10
Watch the fire carefully and add one larger piece of wood at a time as the flames grow steady.
Step 11
When you are finished using the fire have the adult slowly pour water over the flames and embers.
Step 12
Stir the ashes with the shovel or stick to spread them out.
Step 13
Check the ashes and stones with the back of your hand to make sure everything is cool to the touch.
Step 14
Put away all materials and restore the area so it looks like it did before you started.
Step 15
Share your finished campfire project on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find flat stones or don't have matches?
If you can't find flat stones for step 5, use a metal fire ring or dig a shallow circle and pack soil to form the ring, and if you don't have matches or a lighter ask the adult to bring a long barbecue lighter or approved fire starter to light the tinder in step 8.
The tinder won't catch—what should we do?
If the tinder in step 7 won't catch, replace any damp tinder with dry materials (paper, dry leaves, or commercial tinder), break kindling into thinner sticks, rebuild the teepee with gaps for airflow in step 9, and have the adult relight the tinder while you stand back at a safe distance in step 10.
How can I adapt this bonfire activity for a 4-year-old versus a 12-year-old?
For a 4-year-old, have the adult handle steps 6–12 while the child helps with safe jobs like clearing the 2 meter circle in step 4 and arranging stones in step 5, whereas a 12-year-old can build the teepee in step 9, practice the three safety rules in step 10, and add larger wood one piece at a time in step 11 under supervision.
How can we make the campfire more fun or unique before sharing on DIY.org?
To personalize and extend the project, decorate the stone ring before step 5, bring a metal grate to safely roast marshmallows or cook over the steady flames after step 11, take photos of the restored area in step 13, and share the finished project on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make a bonfire
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Facts about campfire safety
🌍 Campfires and unattended flames are a leading cause of human-started wildfires (around 80–85% in many regions).
🌲 Dry, dead wood burns cleaner and hotter; green wood makes lots of smoke and is harder to keep lit.
🔥 Humans have used controlled fire for hundreds of thousands of years to cook food and stay warm.
🧯 The 'fire triangle' shows a fire needs heat, fuel, and oxygen — remove one and the fire goes out.
💧 To fully put out a campfire, pour water, stir the ashes, and repeat until everything is cold to the touch.
How do you build a small supervised campfire with a child?
What materials do I need to make a supervised campfire with my child?
What ages is a supervised campfire activity suitable for?
What are important safety rules and benefits of doing a supervised campfire with children?
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