With winter here, you bet I’m already summer dreaming – which led me to make this campfire craft!
There are plenty of opportunities for bonfires of course during winter, but it’s just not the same vibe as a campfire..
And this past camping season, my son REALLY enjoyed camping and helping to make them – everything from gathering the kindling, helping to carry the wood we brought, and of course telling stories around it!
I really wanted to do some sort of “camping night” at our house once a month to break up winter a bit… but it had to glow!
Related: Another camping craft for kids that is equally awesome and glowing – a fun and easy glowing camp lantern!
I came across these cute flickering electric lights when I was doing some Halloween crafts, and thought they’d make a perfect campfire!
So I scraped together some stuff that was around me, got some paint, and went to work to create this camping magic!
Materials needed to create a glowing campfire!
- Plastic clear container with hollow bottom – something not too big, and preferably that is sort of tall or has texture (this helps the “flames” look more real!) I really love those cherry tomato tops that are
dome shaped , but you could also just cut the top half off of a water bottle! - Flickering electric tea light – You can find these at most craft stores, or if you prefer to stay home
here they are on Amazon! Make sure to get the short ones, and having an orange tint (like the ones I linked) make it even more flame like! - Orange and Yellow Paint + Brush – Painting on flames and having the light shine through looks awesome!
- EXTRAS I liked getting some rocks from outside to act as a fire ring, as well as some twigs, cotton balls and cardboard for s’mores!
Directions to making your own campfire craft!
You don’t have to be an artist to make a campfire painting on your container – just putting alternating colors of reds, oranges and yellows is fine! Obviously the older the kids, the cooler this can look!
- Prep your plastic clear container
If you have a water bottle, cut off the top half and remove the screw top. If you have a cherry tomato container, peel off any stickers!
- Paint on your flames!
I started out by making flame outlines with yellow, then while it was still wet, adding in the red and sort of filling the flame in while mixing it together. But, to be honest, if you just squiggle lines of flame colors, I think everyone will get what you’re trying to do!
- Set the “campfire” over your electric tea light candle, and let the camp magic happens! Make a fire ring by putting rocks around the edges of the container to make it even more real!
I do think that the rocks are the icing on the cake – if you don’t have any rocks near you check out a craft store or just buy some online here
Done! Don’t forget to pin this for your next camping themed party, and check out these other camping crafts!
Camping Crafts
Here are some other camping activities you'll love to do with your kids!
DIY Kids Camping Tradition: A Creative Campsite Sign!
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These fun kids camping toys are great for use anywhere - campfire sets for at home, play camping tents for the campground, and even barbie camping sets! There's some camping toy each kid will love here!
Cute Camping Craft For Kids: Glowing Camping Lantern (Made from a Water Bottle!)
Bring your next camping themed party or classroom week to life with this GLOWING camping lantern! It's really easy to make, and kids will love having their very own camping lantern craft!
13 Best Camping Books for Toddlers that Will Get Them Excited for that Camp Trip!
Get the kids excited about camping with these cute camping books! Toddlers, preschoolers and older will love these camping themed picture books that illustrate the magic of camping!
Rock Rescue Nature Sensory Bin
I know it sounds simple, but it's an amazing sensory play experience for kids to play with rocks and water! Let them "rescue the rocks" so that you can get some chores (or relax time!) in and not feel guilty!
5 Fun Scavenger Hunts to Play at Camp! [Free Printables!]
Outdoor Scavenger Hunts are PERFECT to play with kids while camping and hiking! These four printable outdoor scavenger hunts are best for camping, and focus on abcs, sensory, experiences and of course your traditional scavenger hunt!
Easy and Fun Summer Camp Necklace Craft
Celebrate your next family camp trip or summer camp with friends and make these pretty (and EASY!) camping necklaces! Make a camp necklace with your favorite memory with this fun DIY!
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