Today we are making a campfire craft! This campfire craft is so easy to make and budget-friendly. Kids of all ages ages can help put together this pretend campfire. And the best part is, this campfire craft also promotes pretend play! You can make this simple, but fun, campfire craft whether you’re at home or in the classroom.
Campfire Craft
I won’t lie. I love this campfire craft. It’s been around for ever. I first saw this campfire craft as a kid many years ago at VBS (vacation bible school for those who don’t know.) And it was fun pretending to be around a campfire and telling stories. Which makes this great for little kids like babies, toddlers, and even preschool kids who may be a little young to really enjoy the great outdoors and real fire.
Plus, this campfire craft is a great way to promote pretend play. Whether you have a pretend campsite, learning about fire safety (remember fire safety week at school), or just needing a fun craft, this campfire craft is perfect! Older kids can enjoy this campfire craft as well as I’ve seen them used in classrooms as well. So follow these easy steps to make your very one campfire.
Related: Check out our camping coloring pages!
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Supplies Needed To Make This Campfire Craft
How To Make This Super Fun Campfire Craft
Step 1
Cut the paper towel rolls in half.
Step 2
Lay your paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls on the cardstock and cut out how much you need to completely roll it up. Tape up the seam.
Step 3
Fold the excess cardstock and tape over the edge.
Repeat for all the paper tubes.
Step 4
Using brown and black paint, dip your fork into the paint and gently run the painted fork prongs across the brown paper.
Step 5
Now, grab your tissue paper and pull out a red square.
Then lay an orange square on top.
Then a yellow square on top of those 2.
Step 6
Bunch the tissue paper up like a bouquet of flowers. Repeat Steps 4-6 one more time.
Step 7
Add your second tissue paper “bouquet” into the middle of the first to make an extra thick fire.
Step 8
Take a cotton ball and start fluffing it out until it’s more pillow shape and fluffy.
Step 9
Add the fluffy “marshmallow” to your stick.
Step 10
Put your fire logs out. I used the longer paper towel rolls to make a 4 point cross and added 2 on the outside.
Step 11
Add the tissue paper fire to the middle section of your cross.
Step 12
Pretend to roast marshmallows!
Make This Campfire Craft Your Own
I’ve seen many variations of this craft. Some people use foam or cloth for the flames. Whatever you have on hand should work. I’ve also seen people covering up the log holes with paper. You can do that if you want.
I have also seen some really cool things with people using tea lights to make it light up and using a fan to make the “flames” move.
Do whatever suits your fancy. This is your campfire, make it anyway you want and change what you need to fit your child’s needs.
Our Experience With This Campfire Craft
We love camping crafts. My family are big campers. And so many of the camping crafts we do are met with enthusiasm which makes these crafts more fun. Plus, beyond fine motor skills practice, this fun activity also promotes imaginative play. And in a world of screens, imaginative play time is so important.
Easy camping crafts are fun because you can pair them up with play tents, camping toys, and it’s a great way to unwind with your kids. Once you finish this easy campfire craft, it creates a fun way to read to your kids before bed and it uses simple and cheap craft supplies and that always is a plus.
Materials
- Tissue Paper Squares- Red, Orange, Yellow
- Tape
- Brown Cardstock Or Construction Paper
- Paper Towel Rolls
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Black and Brown Paint
- Plastic Fork
- Cotton Balls
- Sticks
- Scissors
Instructions
- Cut the paper towel rolls in half.
- Lay your paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls on the cardstock and cut out how much you need to completely roll it up.
- Tape up the seam.
- Fold the excess cardstock and tape over the edge.
- Repeat for all the paper tubes.
- Using brown and black paint, dip your fork into the paint and gently run the painted fork prongs across the brown paper.
- Now, grab your tissue paper and pull out a red square.
- Then lay an orange square on top.
- Then a yellow square on top of those 2.
- Bunch the tissue paper up like a bouquet of flowers. Repeat
- Steps 4-6 one more time.
- Add your second tissue paper “bouquet” into the middle of the first to make an extra thick fire.
- Take a cotton ball and start fluffing it out until it’s more pillow shape and fluffy.
- Add the fluffy “marshmallow” to your stick.
- Put your fire logs out. I used the longer paper towel rolls to make a 4 point cross and added 2 on the outside.
- Add the tissue paper fire to the middle section of your cross.
- Pretend to roast marshmallows!
More Camping Crafts From Kids Activities Blog
How did your campfire craft turn out? Did you make cotton marshmallows or use real ones?