How to Build a Bonfire

Do you know how to build a bonfire? Bonfires are always crowd favorites. They instantly create the feeling of solidarity and togetherness in groups, plus the warmth and charm of nature makes everything extra special.

Making a Bonfire

People will typically associate a bonfire with an unforgettable night of enjoyment. Bonfires are created to last the whole night and oftentimes into the early hours of the morning as well.

They are staples at Halloween, Christmas, New Years and other festive events the world. Bonfires create an atmosphere conducive for fun and merriment. People will never get bored making Smores or telling ghost stories around the fire.

Directions for How to Build a Bonfire

Here is how to build a bonfire and some fun ideas on interesting things to do around it:

For the bonfire, you will need a tinder, kindling, and logs.

First, create a large fire pit to contain the bonfire. Make sure it is in a safe place. It should be built away from overhanging trees, structures, and your camping gear. Use rocks to create a fire ring with a diameter of at least four to five feet. Next, dig a pit with a depth of about 12-18 inches.

Laying the Logs

Then you must lay two logs that are parallel to each other on the pit’s center. Leave about a foot of space in between them. The logs you should use must be approximately 12-18 inches long.

Next, place a huge pile of tinder composed of bark, balled up sheets of newspaper, and wood chips in between the two logs. This will serve as the fire starter. Make sure you have enough tinder to create a large flame that will ignite the kindling.

Kindling

Next, gather a bundle of kindling composed of dry, small sticks –about the size of a pencil. Place the bundle on top of the tinder and leaning at an angle that is against one of the two logs. Lean two additional bundles of kindling just across the first bundle you laid. Leave enough room for you to stretch your arm to light the tinder.

You then lay two more additional logs on top of the pile you have created. Position it in a perpendicular angle to the first layer of logs you have laid. Fill in the gaps of the new logs with large pieces of kindling. Repeat this process until you have created a knee-high stack of wood.

Place long pieces of kindling, arranged vertically. Create a tepee using three or four long logs surrounding the structure. Add longer pieces of kindling around it. Again, leave enough room for you to reach in when tinder will be lighted.

Light the Tinder

Finally, you can then reach in to light the tinder. Do not bump any side of the structure. Lightly fan or blow on the tinder in order to fuel the flame. That’s it! You have just created a bonfire.

Fun Bonfire Activities

Now that you know how to build a bonfire, here are some fun bonfire activities you may want to try:

Have an outdoor barbecue around the bonfire. You can grill some chicken, lobster, and sausages. Open a few bottles of good wine to go with it. You can also opt to roast some hotdogs and marshmallows on skewers. Bring some graham crackers and chocolate bars for the bonfire staple, smores.
For a more enticing bonfire, you can add some colored chemical powder to the flames. Such colored power can be purchased at any department store. It makes a more dramatic environment for ghost storytelling.
Bring a guitar! Sing some fun songs around the bonfire. Take turns in singing your favorite songs. You can also play name-that-tune!
You can also bring a deck of cards and play some card games around the bonfire. Go traditional with a game of spin the bottle, charades, or Taboo or play some great trivia games.
For a bit of a wild and crazy game, toss in a ripe watermelon into the bonfire. After the watermelon explodes, ask your friends to go around and find pieces of the fruit. The one who collects the most fruit pieces wins a prize.