Our Favourite Bonfire Night Traditions
Bonfire Night is nearly here, and it’s one of our favourite times of year! There’s something rather magical about wrapping up in your cosiest layers, heading outside after dark and watching the night sky light up with a spectacular display of fireworks.
Add a roaring bonfire, a few toasted marshmallows, sticky fingers, rosy cheeks and a flask of something warm to drink, and you’ve got the perfect autumn evening.
Whether you’re heading to a big local fireworks display or having a cosy Bonfire Night at home, we’ve put together some of our favourite traditions and family-friendly activities to help you make the most of this wonderfully wintry celebration.
What is Bonfire Night?
Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, takes place on 5 November and commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament in an attempt to kill King James I. Guy Fawkes was arrested in the cellar beneath Parliament on 5 November, where barrels of gunpowder had been hidden.
The day subsequently became a commemoration, with bonfires traditionally being lit to mark the survival of the King. Over the years, celebrations evolved to include fireworks, sparklers and plenty of autumnal treats. Today, Bonfire Night is enjoyed by families across the country, with organised firework displays, community bonfires and cosy celebrations at home all forming part of the fun.
For little ones, though, you don't need to worry too much about the history! Bonfire Night is a wonderful excuse to get outside, enjoy the crisp autumn air and make some lovely family memories.
How to keep warm on Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night has one slight downside: it can be very chilly! Most celebrations take place outdoors after dark, so a few extra layers are definitely in order. The trick is to think cosy from head to toe. You want little adventurers to be warm enough to enjoy themselves, without being weighed down by so many layers that they can’t move.
A snuggly, waterproof coat is an absolute must. We love our Waterproof Parka Jacket, with its cosy sherpa lining and faux fur hood, or, for all-over protection from the elements, our 3-in-1 Scampsuit is a brilliant choice. Don't forget those extremities either. A colourful bobble hat is a Bonfire Night essential, and our cosy Trapper Hat will keep little ears snug while adding a splash of colour. For little toes, our Puddlestomper Wellies are perfect if the ground is damp or muddy, while our Snow Boots are a great option when temperatures really start to drop. And if you're expecting a particularly chilly evening, add a pair of Thermal Base Layers underneath. They're wonderfully cosy and, as an added bonus, can double up as pyjamas when you get home. Simply peel off the muddy outer layers, pop them straight into bed and you're ready for story time! Finally, don't forget a good pair of Waterproof Gloves. Cold fingers are no fun when you're trying to enjoy all the excitement.
Top tip: It can feel much colder when you're standing still watching fireworks than it does when you're running around. Pack an extra blanket and a flask of hot chocolate if you have room – you'll thank us later!
Our favourite Bonfire Night traditions
1) Watch a firework display and wave a sparkler around
Of course, no Bonfire Night would be complete without fireworks! One of the best ways to celebrate is to head along to an organised local display. There are firework evenings taking place all over the UK, ranging from small community events to huge spectaculars with music, fairground rides and enormous bonfires. Some venues, such as Alexandra Palace in London, have traditionally combined fireworks with live entertainment, fairground fun and a giant bonfire, making a real evening of it.
If you're taking younger children, remember that fireworks can be surprisingly loud. A pair of children's ear defenders can make all the difference for little ones who find the bangs a bit overwhelming. And if you're planning to use sparklers, make sure children are supervised by an adult and follow the safety guidance provided with them. For very young children, watching from a safe distance can be just as exciting.
Bonfire Night challenge: See if you can spot the biggest firework, the brightest colour and the one that makes the funniest shape!
2) Toast marshmallows (or go one step further and make s’mores)
Is there anything better than a warm, gooey marshmallow on a chilly autumn evening? Toasting marshmallows is one of our favourite Bonfire Night traditions. If you're at an organised event, check whether marshmallow toasting is permitted – otherwise, you can recreate the fun at home using a suitable outdoor fire pit or even your kitchen grill. You'll need marshmallows and wooden skewers. Avoid metal skewers, which can become extremely hot. Hold your marshmallow near the heat rather than directly in the flames and gently rotate it until it's golden brown and deliciously gooey.
Feeling adventurous? Turn your marshmallows into s'mores! Place a biscuit on a piece of foil, add a couple of chunks of chocolate and your toasted marshmallow, then top with another biscuit. Wrap everything loosely in foil and warm until the chocolate becomes wonderfully melty.
Just remember that toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate can be very hot, so give little ones' treats a chance to cool before they tuck in.
3) Eat a toffee apple (or make some yourself)
Sticky, sweet and gloriously autumnal, toffee apples are practically made for Bonfire Night. You can buy them ready-made, but making your own can be a lovely family activity too. Take a Granny Smith apple, carefully push a lolly stick into the top and coat it in homemade caramel. Once the coating has set, you can decorate your apples with sprinkles, chopped nuts or colourful sweets.
For younger children who might struggle with a whole toffee apple, try slicing an apple into smaller pieces instead. Dip the pieces in melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles for a bite-sized Bonfire Night treat. Just be mindful that hard toffee and whole toffee apples can be difficult for younger children to eat safely.
4) Make some fireworks themed pictures
You don't have to wait until it gets dark to enjoy the fireworks! Have a go at making your own Firework pictures. You'll need some black card, brightly coloured paint and an empty toilet roll. Cut strips around one end of the toilet roll, then dip the cut end into paint and stamp it onto the black card. Twist the cardboard slightly as you stamp to create different firework shapes and experiment with lots of different colours. Once the paint has dried, add a little glitter glue or some star-shaped sequins for extra sparkle.
For younger children, this is a brilliant opportunity to talk about the different colours and shapes they might see in the sky later that evening. And don't worry about keeping things neat – the best fireworks are the ones that explode in every direction!
5) Make some traditional parkin
If there's one cake that belongs on the Bonfire Night table, it's parkin. This deliciously sticky Yorkshire treat is traditionally made with oatmeal, black treacle or molasses, syrup and warming spices. It's wonderfully autumnal and makes the perfect accompaniment to a mug of hot chocolate. Parkin has a long association with Bonfire Night and is thought to date back centuries. Get the children involved with measuring ingredients, stirring the mixture and, most importantly, licking the spoon afterwards!
We love serving little squares of parkin slightly warm, perhaps with a dollop of cream or alongside a steaming mug of cocoa.
6) Bob for apples
Prepare to get soggy! Apple bobbing is a classic autumn game and a brilliant way to keep children entertained before the fireworks begin. Simply fill a large bowl with water and add a selection of apples. The challenge is to pick up an apple using only your mouth, with hands firmly behind your back. It's an old-fashioned game that is guaranteed to produce plenty of giggles – although we'd recommend doing it outside or putting down plenty of towels first!
For younger children, you could adapt the game by floating small toys in a shallow tray and letting them scoop them out with a cup or ladle instead.
Bonfire Night safety tips
While Bonfire Night is lots of fun, it's important to take extra care around fireworks, bonfires and sparklers.
If you're attending an organised display, follow the event's safety instructions and keep children close by. Stay well back from bonfires and fireworks, and make sure little ones understand that fireworks aren't toys. Sparklers should always be handled by adults or older children who can follow appropriate safety guidance, and children should never be left unsupervised around a bonfire or fire.
If your little one is nervous about fireworks, don't worry. The bangs and flashes can be a lot to take in, particularly for younger children. Ear defenders, a favourite teddy, a warm blanket and a spot a little further away from the action can all help. And remember: there's no rule saying you have to stay until the very last firework. If everyone is getting cold, tired or overwhelmed, head home, get into those cosy pyjamas and enjoy the rest of the evening indoors.
Ready for a muddy Bonfire Night?
Whether you're watching fireworks under a starry sky, toasting marshmallows around a fire, making glittery fireworks at the kitchen table or simply snuggling up with hot chocolate at home, Bonfire Night is all about making memories together. So wrap up warm, embrace the crisp autumn air and don't worry too much about muddy knees or sticky fingers – that's what washing machines are for!
We hope you have a brilliant Bonfire Night with your family. And if you take any photos of your little adventurers enjoying the celebrations in their Muddy Puddles waterproofs, remember to tag us @muddypuddlesuk – we love seeing your outdoor adventures!
