HOST A BACKYARD CAMPFIRE!

Looking for something inexpensive, simple, and fun to do this summer? Then consider having a backyard campfire complete with marshmallows, a sing-along and ghost stories. No matter what age your guests are, it's sure to be a big hit that everyone will want to do over and over again!

When I was growing up we used to go camping all the time. Whether it was upstate NY or on the beaches of Fire Island, there was always a campfire involved. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of singing around the campfire with family and friends. In fact, the picture above was taken just this summer while visiting my parents in the Adirondacks - in their backyard! No matter how old you are, campfires are fun and you don't have to travel farther than your backyard to create new memories!

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

BACKYARD 
No backyard?  No worries! Would someone you know be willing to share theirs? Is there a park or other similar place near you that permits campfires? You can call the local parks you know of and see if they allow fires or find parks in your state using America's State Parks.   Many parks already have fire pits ready and waiting to be used!

FIRE PIT
If you don't already have one then you can either buy one, or even better, make one yourself!

• Buy: Fire pits can cost anywhere from $50.00 and up.  I personally have the Fire Sense Bonfire portable. I've had it about 10 years now and it is still going strong! 

• DIY: Making your own fire pit is pretty easy as well. It can cost anywhere from nothing (except a little energy and time) to about $100 depending upon the kind you build.  Check out 12 DIY Fire Pits for Your Yard.

WOOD
Yes folks, you can't have a fire without something (usually wood) to burn.  

• Buy: Lowe's is currently selling Lost Coast Forest Firewood for $6.88 (.75 cubic feet).
• Find: Collect dead wood from around your yard and neighborhood.
• Recycle: Burn wood scraps from projects.  I would avoid burning CCA-pressure treated lumber which contains chromium, copper, and arsenic.  

SEATING
There are a lot of options here!

• Furniture you already have: folding chairs, beach chairs, etc.
  
• Guests can bring their own folding chairs (Check out Modell's Canvas Camp Chair for $9.99 with a carry bag!).
  
• Use blankets, towels, or even sit-upons!

CAMPFIRE SNACKS
In my opinion a backyard campfire is nothing without being able to roast marshmallows and make s'mores! Making them is pretty easy, but you do need a few things and being prepared ahead of time makes it very simple (And we all love simple, right?).  

• Purchase marshmallows, graham crackers, and Hershey chocolate bars. Keep an eye out for combination coupons - they have been in my Sunday paper several times this summer  so I am sure you can find them too!
  
• Preparing the s'mores ingredients ahead of time makes it ready-to-go and  makes a nice presentation as well!  

MARSHMALLOW STICKS
You can either make your own, improvise, have guests bring their own, or buy them!  

• Buy:  I actually have telescoping marshmallow sticks.  I bought a set of 8 and kept two for myself when I was making "Summer Fun" gift baskets (actually coolers filled with goodies) last year!  For a less expensive alternative you could purchase wooden sticks instead. They cost less for more, however they do not last long. 
• Improvise: use skewers or long oven meat forks. However, be extra careful about getting too close to the fire and since they are probably made of metal they will transfer heat to your hands so be careful about getting burned.  This is definitely not an option for children!
• Find and make your own!  If you live in an area with some trees or woods, you can probably find some good sticks to use. Make sure they are at least 24" long or more, especially for children.  

SING-ALONG SONGS
What's a campfire without an old fashioned sing-along? If you or your guests play an instrument, then even better!  We have a lot of guitar players in my family so besides the classic campfire songs we always sang a few oldies too! You can choose to sing whatever songs you want or even just listen to music, but I am not joking when I say sing-a-longs are fun!

• FREE PRINTABLE:   CAMPFIRE SING-ALONG SONGS & GHOST STORIES BOOKLET

GHOST STORIES
Depending upon the age of the guests, these can range from funny to scary.  Either way,  ghost stories have been told around campfires for a very long time....

• A very thorough collection of short ghost stories!
• FREE PRINTABLE:   CAMPFIRE SING-ALONG SONGS & GHOST STORIES BOOKLET

CAMPFIRE SAFETY
A few important things about fire safety (learn more at Smokey The Bear): 

• Have a bucket of sand and/or water nearby. 
  
• Never leave the fire unattended.
  
• Be sure to put out the fire properly when done.

CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW TO GO TO THE FREE PRINTABLE CAMPFIRE BOOKLET!

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