Campfire Confidence: Safe Ways to Introduce Fire to Young Children

There’s something truly magical about gathering around a fire. For children, a campfire sparks more than flames – it lights curiosity, builds confidence, and connects them with an ancient skill that humans have passed down for generations.

At The Wild Kids Club, fire isn’t just for grown-ups. We believe even the youngest explorers can learn to respect and understand fire through carefully guided, age-appropriate activities. Here’s how we help children build campfire confidence while keeping safety front and centre.

🔥 Why Teach Fire Safety to Children?

- Empowerment, not fear

Many children are naturally curious about fire. Giving them the tools and knowledge to engage safely helps them build a healthy respect for it, rather than fear.

- Life skills

Learning how fire is made and used teaches patience, responsibility, and practical problem-solving.

- Connection with nature

Fire is a key part of outdoor living – from warmth and cooking to storytelling and rituals. Sharing these moments helps children feel grounded and part of something timeless.

🧒 What Age Is Appropriate?

At The Wild Kids Club, we begin fire-related activities with children as young as two, depending on their gross motor skills. These early experiences aren’t about lighting fires – they’re about learning through observation, conversation, and helping with simple, safe tasks.

Preschoolers might:

- Help build the fire by collecting sticks, and building the fire ready to light.

- Learn about the fire triangle (fuel, heat, and air) through playful storytelling

- Toast marshmallows with help from an adult

Older children (ages 6+):

- Try advanced fire-starting with a fire steel under supervision

- Learn how to build a mini fire using safe techniques

- Cook simple snacks over the fire

🔐 How We Keep Fire Play Safe

1. Clear Boundaries

Every session begins with a child-friendly fire safety briefing. We always mark out a fire circle using logs – a clear zone children learn to respect and never enter without permission.

2. Supervision at All Times

An adult is always present and in control of the fire. Children are supported during hands-on tasks and are never left to approach or manage the fire alone.

3. Proper Tools and Techniques

We use fire steels instead of matches to engage older children safely. Kids are also taught the "Respect Position” – one knee down, one knee up – which offers balance and reduces the chance of sudden movements.

4. Emergency Readiness

We always have a bucket of water nearby, and a burns kit on hand – although we’ve never needed to use them!

🍡 Fire Activities Children Love

- Campfire Snacks

From damper bread on sticks to cheese-and-tomato wraps, fire turns cooking into an adventure.

- Mini Fire Challenges

Older children love building their own mini fire and sparking it to life – a popular activity in our fire-starting sessions.

🌿 Top Tips for Parents

Want to give your child a safe fire experience at home or on your next camping trip?

- 🔥 Start small – a tealight in a jam jar is a great visual aid to explain how fire works.

- 🗣️ Model safe behaviour – narrate your actions and explain why they matter.

- 👐 Let them help – gathering sticks or blowing gently on a flame gives them responsibility and excitement.

- 🚫 Repeat the rules – even if they’ve heard them before, repetition builds strong habits.

At The Wild Kids Club, we believe every child deserves the chance to connect with fire in a safe, respectful way. It’s not just about warmth or snacks – it’s about building life-long confidence, competence, and care.

👉 Want your child to build fire confidence with us?

Check out our upcoming sessions at www.thewildkidsclub.co.uk/book-online , where fire meets fun in the great outdoors!