Backyard Bonfire Must-Haves

Backyard bonfires are fun for kids of all ages! You can tell ghost stories, have a camp out and sing campfire songs, cook hot dogs and smores all while sitting around the fire. All you need to do is gather up some dry wood and store it in a dry place until it’s ready to be used, make sure you have a few necessities, and then you’re ready to go. It can be as fancy or relaxed as you like! Check out the list below to find out the backyard bonfire must-haves to make your next bonfire fun for the whole family.

1. First, you’re going to want to make sure you have a fire pit or fire ring setup to contain the fire.

2. You can’t have a fire without wood! Make sure you have enough to last the duration you plan on having your backyard bonfire and that it is kept in a dry location until your ready to use it. When building your fire, start with the tinder and stand it in a tee-pee shape in the center of your pit. Then, make a tee-pee out of kindling over the tinder, then parallel logs on two sides of the tee-pee. When building your fire make sure you leave some gaps for oxygen to escape.

3. Once the bonfire is setup, strike a match or fire striker and light the fire.

4. Make sure you have a supply of water nearby to put out the fire completely once you are finished or in case of emergency.

5. You’ll want to have a cooler to store plenty of drinks and food for your bonfire.

6. Speaking of food, you’ll want to have enough plates, utensils, and toaster forks for everyone to roast marshmallows, hot dogs, or whatever you’re serving that has to be cooked on the fire.

7. Don’t forget the can coolers to keep your drinks cold once they’re out of the cooler!

8. Have plenty of seating for everyone. Mix it up with chairs and hammocks for a real laid back vibe.

9. Place a basket somewhere nearby and fill it with blankets, just in case it gets chilly.

10. Finally, have a selections of backyard games for everyone to play. Kids of all ages will love Bocce, Jenga, and glow-in-the-dark Frisbee Golf.

Before having your bonfire, make sure that you find out if bonfires are legal and if it’s limited to certain times of the year in your area. Also, find out if you need a permit to build one and if so, get one.

Gear up for Summer Fun with Ramsey Outdoors!