If they are too young for the high school football game scene, you can create a perfect age-appropriate event for them. An old-fashioned campfire is a fabulous way to involve kids of varying ages, to provide a safe yet engaging event, and to feed everyone -- all at the same time!
Concept
Straight out of a Norman Rockwell drawing, this summer campfire event will include kids cooking over a campfire on a late summer evening, catching fireflies in "lanterns," and gazing at the constellations.
Invitation
To create a cute yet inexpensive invitation, simply print out the details on your computer's printer onto nature-inspired paper. Possible choices are a simple parchment print or a paper that has leaves imbedded in it. Roll the invitation around a twig (approximately ten inches in length) and tie it with a string. Make sure to include instructions to bring the twig to the bonfire --- each guest will add fuel to the fire!
Set Up
The fire should be pre-built before the event. If you have a stand-alone fire pit, this would be a great opportunity to give it a whirl. If not, you can build an inexpensive temporary fire pit in your yard. Ideally, place the fire pit in an open area, away from trees, buildings and with plenty of open space all around the fire for the guests. You can create a fire pit by ringing an area with stones or pavers stacked at least 16” high.
Remove all the grass inside the ring, cover the dirt with sand, and you have a functional fire pit. If you do not want to remove the grass, you can create a more temporary fire pit by laying patio blocks directly on a level portion of grass. Create a ring on top of the blocks using stones or pavers, and thickly layer sand to cover the inside of the ring and any cracks in between the patio blocks. As long as the fire pit is removed within a few days, the grass that’s been covered by it should rebound.
Place a table off to the side that will hold all the food and beverage items and service pieces. This is the location for the jumbo thermos of lemonade, cups, cooler of wieners, basket of hotdog buns, condiments, and plastic containers of graham cracker squares, marshmallows and chocolate bars.
Before the event, select and prepare the sticks (branches or true campfire forks) that will be used for roasting the wieners and marshmallows. Be sure to have an extra couple of sticks, because nobody wants to share during the party!
Food & Beverage
Simple fare is the choice for this event: hotdogs, s’mores and lemonade
Implementation
Light the fire 15 minutes before the event, so that the guests won’t have to wait to cook their meals. Schedule at least two adults to be present at the fire for the duration of the event. They will help the kids add their invitation twigs to the fire, cook their food, maintain the fire, and ensure the kids’ safety around the fire.
After cooking their meals, let the kids catch fireflies and create temporary lanterns. While you can use a traditional Mason jar with holes punched in the lid, consider using inexpensive plastic quart containers. You can punch holes in the lids or directly into the container. Either way, make sure the kids release their fireflies before the party ends!
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