There’s something magical about a campfire, isn’t there? The crackle, the glow, the way everyone instinctively leans in a little closer — it’s the heart of so many great camping memories. Many of us consider it the highlight of a camping trip.
But here’s the thing: campfires are only fun when they’re safe. And when you’ve got kids around, a little extra awareness goes a long way. So, let’s walk through campfire safety in a way that feels natural, doable, and still leaves plenty of room for s’mores.
Believe it or not, campfire safety starts before you ever strike a match. If you’re chopping wood, keep kids well out of the “swing zone” — accidents happen fast, and axes are no joke.
And if you’d rather skip the lumberjack moment altogether, grab a bag of kindling from the park you’re visiting. Don’t bring wood from home, or another park, as you could be transporting bugs in the imported wood, which would then infect the forest of your new park. For a couple of dollars extra, it’s easy, safe, and your back will thank you. Plus leaving wood at your site is a way of “paying it forward”. We’ve benefited from leftover firewood and are happy to do so for the next family.
A lot of people think bigger is better. Not true with campfires. Small fires are safer, easier to control, and much easier to put out when you’re done. And here’s a legal must‑know: your fire can’t be more than one metre high or wide. Having said that, one metre by one metre is more than enough for a family campfire.
This is also a great moment to teach kids why we use designated fire pits and why we never grab sticks or logs from the forest floor — it protects the ecosystem and keeps the fire contained.
Lighting the fire? That’s strictly an adults-only job. Matches and lighters stay out of little hands, always. Showing them “how” to do it themselves while you’re around, could mean they’ll be confident to try it when you’re not.
Once the fire is going, the real job begins. Keeping everyone safe while still enjoying the moment. Kids should always be supervised around a fire, no matter how responsible they seem. If you can’t keep an eye on them, don’t light the fire yet.
For toddlers and very young kids, the rule is even tighter: keep them within arm’s reach at all times when the fire is lit.
A few more smart habits:
- Never leave the fire unattended — not even for a minute
- Set chairs a safe distance back
- Make a “walk, don’t run” rule around the fire
- Teach kids to walk behind the circle of chairs, not between them and the flames
- Keep a bucket of water nearby — it’s your best friend if embers misbehave or you need to put the fire out quickly
theotherkev
Campfire marshmallows
Kids love roasting marshmallows — honestly, adults do too. But those gooey sugar bombs can turn into flaming comets if someone gets too excited.
A few kid-friendly tips:
- Use long roasting sticks to keep little hands farther from the heat
- No waving or flinging marshmallows around — they can be very hot and sticky when they catch fire
- Encourage blowing on them instead of shaking them to cool them down
A safe campfire isn’t about rules for the sake of rules — it’s about making sure the moments you remember are the ones filled with laughter, stories, and sticky marshmallow fingers… not close calls.
If you follow these simple habits, you’ll be well on your way to creating warm, glowing memories that last long after the embers fade.