Eco-Friendly Bonfire Night: Simple Crafts and Activities for Families

Bonfire Night is a wonderful British tradition, and we've discovered that some of the most magical celebrations come from getting creative with natural and recycled materials. Here are our favourite eco-friendly activities that create just as much spectacle, without the environmental impact.

Cardboard Tube Firework Stamps

What you need:

• Toilet roll or kitchen roll tubes

• Non-toxic washable paint

• Black or dark blue paper

• White paint (to make colours pop)

How to do it:

1. Cut one end of the tube into strips about 5cm deep

2. Fan the strips outward like a flower opening

3. Dip the cut end into paint

4. Stamp onto dark paper to create explosive bursts

Top tip: Add a touch of white paint to your colours to make them really pop against the dark background. Watch your child's face as they lift the tube and see the starburst pattern appear!

Straw-Blown Firework Art

What you need:

• Washable paint mixed with water (3:1 ratio)

• Dark coloured paper

• Paper straws (not plastic)

How to do it:

1. Mix paint with water until runny but still colourful

2. Drop a small blob onto dark paper

3. Blow through the straw at the paint to spread it across the page

4. Create unique firework trail patterns

Safety note: Make sure children understand they're blowing out, not sucking in! The paint spreads in fantastic, unpredictable patterns that look like fireworks trailing across the sky. Each one is unique, which leads to wonderful conversations about how no two fireworks are ever the same.

Mud Kitchen Bonfire Stew

What you need:

• Outdoor mud kitchen or large tray

• Mud and water

• Fallen autumn leaves (red, orange, yellow)

• Sticks and pinecones

• Clear bowls and spoons

  
  

How to do it:

1. Gather red and orange leaves for "flames"

2. Collect yellow leaves for "embers"

3. Find sticks for "logs"

4. Mix everything together in bowls to create "Bonfire Night Stew"

   
   

What children learn: Seasonal cycles, natural materials, sensory exploration

Why we love it: This activity grounds the celebration in something real and immediate. The children are using materials that nature has shed naturally, learning about autumn whilst having tremendous fun. The timing is perfect—November leaves are abundant in every shade of red, orange, and gold you can imagine.

Real Stargazing

What you need:

• Clear November evening

• Warm clothes and blankets

• Stargazing app (optional but helpful)

  
  

How to do it: Simply step outside, look up, and enjoy the night sky. Use a basic app to identify constellations, planets, and even the International Space Station passing overhead.

Why it matters: Away from the smoke of traditional bonfires, November skies are often brilliantly clear. The stars you're looking at are the same ones people were watching in 1605, the same ones that will be here long after we're gone. It's humbling and inspiring in equal measure, and it connects children to something permanent and awe-inspiring.

Top tip: Even in suburban gardens, you can spot several constellations and sometimes even planets. Make it cosy with hot chocolate and warm blankets, and watch as your children ask questions about space, distance, and wonder.

Creating Your Own Magic

The beauty of an eco-friendly Bonfire Night is that it becomes more personal, more creative, and often more memorable than shop-bought celebrations. You're creating something together, learning together, and making memories that last far longer than any firework display.

These activities encourage creativity, develop fine motor skills, teach children about nature and science, and foster that deep sense of wonder that comes from making rather than consuming.

At Nature Makers, we believe that connecting children with nature whilst being creative is one of the most valuable gifts we can give them. Our mindful nature art, craft and play experiences run throughout the UK, helping families create these magical moments whilst respecting our precious planet.

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Ready to discover more nature-based activities and join a community of families who value eco-conscious creativity?

Find your nearest Nature Makers class: www.nature-makers.co.uk/classes

Book a party or special event: www.nature-makers.co.uk/parties