Teaching kids to make a fire can be so much fun using candy! I updated this post from 2015 with lots of new and better resources for you!
This past weekend’s camping trip with our Girl Scout Troop to Sky High Ranch was so much fun. We learned so much about the outdoors and camping, including how to build a fire to make our own s’mores. The awesome staff used candy to teach the concepts and the girls loved it so much. I took lots of pictures and am excited to share it with you. I highly recommend this for teaching Girl Scouts and all kids the basics for building a log cabin style fire. This is the best fire to teach kids because it has a great solid and sound structure for cooking and providing heat.
The steps in how to build a campfire with candy are awesome because once it is done – you have a delicious sweet treat for the kids.
Candies and Foods Needed To Build A Candy Campfire
- Graham Crackers Broken in Half (To Make Squares)
- Large Marshmallows
- Lollipops
- Coconut
- Small Pretzel Rods
- Tootsie Rolls
- Candy
- Red Hots
Step By Step Directions
One by one, you add them and share with your kiddos the steps to building a fire. Explain how each candy represents a step in building a fire or what it means to the fire.
Learn how to build a candy campfire with this step-by-step tutorial. This activity is perfect for camping with kids!
Pass the pieces of candy out one at a time and explain what they represent. This is a great time to talk about fire safety as well as how to build a campfire.
- The Graham Cracker is the fire circle area.
- A large Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallow represents the water bucket.
- A lollipop represents the critter stick (so little creatures don’t drown in the water).
- Coconut represents tinder.
- Pretzels represent kindling.
- Tootsie rolls represent the logs.
- Candy corn and red hots represents the flames and fire.
Isn’t is awesome! After the candy fires, we built our first real troop fire and it was a total success. We used it to make banana s’mores and keep warm. Of course they ran around in the woods all sugared up for a while first.
More Great Camping Ideas For Kids
Here are loads more ideas for camping with ideas if getting creative is part of your plan!
And if you just want more awesome crafts (many that would work for camping trips too) – here you go.
To reinforce the concepts, I created a word search that you can download FREE and share. Be sure to talk about SAFETY!
Best Ways to Use Free Printables
You might have seen this list from me before but I think it is worth sharing over and over. Sometimes the people in the back need to hear things a few times, right? There are so many great ways to use free printables. Here are some of my favorites.
- Print them and mail in an envelope with a stamp. Snail mail rocks.
- Batch some up to make an activity book. This is great for a road trip!
- Print and use at a place setting on the table to create a conversation starter.
- Add them to goody bags. By the way, goody bags are not just for birthday parties.
- Package them up with your favorite markers and crayons to give as a gift.
- Drop a few off at the local coffee shop with fun pencils to spread some happy.
- Cut them up to make cards, gift wrap and decorations.
BEST Tools For Working With Free Printables
These are my favorite tools and art supplies to use with free printables and why I love them too.
- Printer – This Laser Printer is inexpensive and works like a charm. It even works with Alexa. Bonus!
- Scissors – Lots of printables can be cut up to create decorations and cards and things like that.
- Markers and Crayons – All thing ooly work the best for me. I LOVE all of their markers, pencils and crayons.
- Colored Pencils – For adult coloring, PRISM makes the colored pencils that I love to use most.
- Twine – For creating banners and garlands from printables, I love this twine best.
- Adhesive – Lots of printables have pieces that get cut out and put together. This is my fave tape runner!
What is a Log Cabin Fire Used For?
The log cabin fire is also known as the criss-cross fire. It is one of the most popular set-ups for getting a fire started when camping or exploring. It is basically a criss-cross build of smaller to medium sized pieces of dry wood that either can burn down to create a quick cooking fire from boiling/frying on the flames or simple cooking on the coals. It is a great fire for making s’mores around the campfire circle and singing songs. Teachings kids How To Build a Campfire can give them a skill that will last a lifetime.
Cheers and Happy All Things Camping,
Laura
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