17 outdoor activities for Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night doesn’t have to be all big bangs and bright lights.

Whether you’re heading to a local display, having fun in your garden or just wrapping up warm to go stargazing, there’s loads of fun to be had outside.

If you’re heading out to jump in puddles, toast marshmallows or just enjoy some fresh air, it’s a good idea to wrap up warm. Did you know Girlguiding members can save at least 10% at GO Outdoors? From wellies and waterproofs to headtorches and gloves, it’s a great chance to get everything you need for your next outdoor adventure – even camping stoves for hot chocolate!

To help you get inspired, here are 17 fun, simple and seasonal activities to turn Bonfire Night (and day!) into an outdoor adventure to remember, remember:

1. Make hot chocolate outdoors: set up a safe cooking stove and let the girls help stir hot chocolate in a pan. Add toppings like marshmallows, sprinkles or whipped cream for a warming winter treat.
2. Cook on a winter barbecue or campfire: swap the summer BBQ for a Bonfire Night version. You could cook sausages, toast spiced fruit on sticks, veggie skewers, or jacket potatoes wrapped in foil. You’ll find more outdoor cooking ideas with GO Outdoors.
3. Get messy with firework pictures: put on an old jumper, head outside and get ready to make a mess. Let girls use black paper and chalks, paint splatters, or even toothbrushes to create colourful firework art.
4. Create chocolate apples: melt chocolate on a camping stove, and carefully let girls dip their apples. Roll them in sprinkles or crushed biscuits (or other toppings) for a delicious Bonfire Night treat.
5. Build a wildlife hotel: if you’re clearing leaves or logs from your bonfire space, stack them in a quiet corner to create a temporary shelter. Add pinecones, bricks, bark, or straw to make it even more inviting. Hedgehogs, frogs and insects will appreciate a safe space to hide.
6. Play pin the tail on the firework: a fun twist on a classic game! Draw a big firework rocket on cardboard and have blindfolded players try to ‘pin’ the tail or flames on it.
7. Try light painting: wrap up warm, head outside and give out torches. Try to write your name or make shapes in the air while taking long-exposure photos (using a phone app or camera).
8. Make a glow-in-the-dark treasure hunt: Hide glow-in-the-dark stars around the space and see who can find the most.
9. Have a Catherine wheel spinning race: spin like a firework and see who can turn for the longest. Or see who can spin across the space without falling over.
10. Make some fizzy fireworks: mix baking soda, food colouring and vinegar in small cups or trays outside for a safe chemical reaction. It fizzes and bubbles like a mini firework display.
11. Go on a winter walk to watch fireworks: pop on your coat, grab a scarf and head out for a short evening walk. Find a quiet spot with a good view and enjoy the fireworks from a distance. It’s often calmer and just as magical.
12. Have a firewood relay race: get into teams and race to collect tinder, kindling and logs, then bring them back to your ‘campfire’ base. The team with the largest firewood pile, wins!
13. Make shadow puppet fireworks: cut out rockets, stars or swirls from card and tape them to sticks. Get girls to shine a torch onto a wall or tent to create your own shadowy firework display.
14. Try a s’mores biscuit experiment: everyone loves a classic s’more, but which biscuit makes the best one? Set up a safe cooking source and try melting marshmallows and chocolate between different types of biscuits. Digestives, cookies, jammy dodgers, rich tea, chocolate hobnobs – the choice is yours!
15. Play torch tag: pick one girl to be ‘it’ and give them a torch. Everyone else moves around or hides. If the torch beam lands on you, you’re caught and it’s your turn next.
16. Do firework yoga: grab a yoga mat and try playful poses like ‘rocket launch’ (crouching down, then reaching up as high as you can), ‘catherine wheel’ (arms wide, slowly turning), or ‘falling star’ (stretching low to touch your toes). It’s a fun, calming way to wind down after a loud night.
17. Decorate bird-safe windows: fireworks and flashing lights can disorient birds. Add stickers, paper cut-outs or painted shapes to windows to prevent bird collisions and help protect them.

Check out our campfire and firework guidance on our adventure activity finder.