The project does not take a lot of time to construct and is an easy way to get even the youngest child involved.
Older children can roll and staple the logs and place the tissue paper in the middle for the fire, while younger kids can arrange the logs in the fire or pick the perfect place to build it. But building the campfire will not be what creates the memories, it will be what happens around it.
Things to do Around the Paper Campfire
Singing camp songs or telling stories is a great way to pass a few hours together. There are also several chants that are fun and allow everyone to be involved, such as "Going on a Lion Hunt," which is a story that includes motions. There is a chorus that repeats several times that makes it easy to learn.
The campfire can also be used for decorations at an event or for a theme party, but since it is made of paper it will not hold up high traffic for many days.
Paper campfires can also be useful when an outdoor event has been cancelled due to weather. Throw together this simple fire and make s’mores in the microwave.
Material Needed for Campfire
- Brown construction paper or other wood colors
- Stapler and staples
- Red, yellow and orange tissue paper
- Indoor Christmas lights (red works best but any lights will do)
Making a Paper Campfire
- Role each piece of construction paper to where two ends are slightly overlapping and staple to create a cylinder. It does not matter which two ends because logs come in all sizes and lengths.
- To add dimension to the logs, draw lines and circles to create the appearance of bark and knots in the wood.
- Place the Christmas lights in a bundle on the floor. Make such there is an outlet near by to plug the lights into. If the lights have been used before, check to make sure they work.
- Find the center of the red tissue paper and tuck it into the bundle of lights. This allows the tissue paper to stand up, creating the flames. More than one piece will probably be needed.
- In the same way, add the yellow and orange tissue paper to the middle of the red tissue paper.
- Arrange the logs around the flames. If there are several logs, some can be placed under or within the Christmas lights. There is no right way to do this and in a natural campfire the logs and branches go in every which way.
- Plug in the lights and enjoy the homemade campfire.
A paper campfire is a quick and easy way to add a little something to an activity or theme room. It may not replace the outdoor excitement of a campfire, but with a little imagination it can make a good substitute and kids will still have a lot of fun.
