There's nothing quite like gathering around a bonfire with family and friends as the leaves change color and the weather gets cooler. If you're planning on throwing a backyard bonfire party this fall, here are a few tips to make sure it's one your guests will never forget!
Plan For Your Party Ahead of Time
The key to any great party is in the planning. Make sure you give yourself enough time to get everything done by creating a timeline of what needs to be done when. This will help you stay organized and on track as the big day approaches.
Unfortunately no one has quite figured out how to guarantee good weather, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pay attention to the multi-day forecasts as you think about planning your bonfire. If it's been really dry lately it may NOT actually be a great time to have a fire. Check with the town and local fire departments to see if there are any ordinances prohibiting fire due to dry weather.
On the other hand, you don't want everything too wet, either. Wet wood doesn't burn as well, and no one likes sitting in a muddy yard. Half the fun of a bonfire is sitting on the ground close to the fire and no one will do that if the ground is wet. And of course no one want's to be actively rained on either.
So it's a bit of Goldilocks situation here - you don't want it too dry and you don't want it too wet. But if you see a weekend that's juuuuust right, it's time to plan the bonfire!
Choose the Right Location For Your Party
Not all backyards are created equal! When picking a spot for your bonfire, make sure it's far enough away from your house and any other structures that could catch fire. Hot embers float into the sky and can travel farther than you think, which can cause fires in places you wouldn't have guessed. So it's important to really pay attention not only where the fire itself will be, but all of the surroundings that could come into play when the embers start flying.
We talked about paying attention to the weather in the section above, but another piece of that is the wind. Having your bonfire in an open field is nice because it gives you a lot of space, but if there is no protection from the wind, or you've got a particularly windy day, you'll need a lot more open space around the fire to negate the danger of flying embers. Before you invite everyone to your bonfire try and pay attention to how much wind your intended area gets, and what's around it.
Ideally you want an open space that isn't too windy. This will give you enough space for your guests to move around, access food and drink, play games, and be a safe distance from the bonfire. You'll also want to make sure that there's a clear path to an exit in case of an emergency.
Build (or buy) the Perfect Bonfire Pit
When it comes to deciding whether to buy a fire pit or build your own, there are a few things you should consider. The first is cost. If you have a tight budget, then buying a fire pit is probably the better option. However, if you're willing to spend a little bit more, then building your own fire pit can be a great way to add value to your home.
Another thing to consider is time. If you're short on time, then buying a fire pit is the way to go. However, if you have some extra time on your hands and you're looking for a fun project, then building your own fire pit can be a great way to spend some quality time with friends or family.
Finally, you'll need to think about skill level. If you're not handy or don't have much experience working with tools, then buying a fire pit is probably the best option. However, if you're confident in your ability to follow instructions and you're looking for a challenge, then building your own fire pit can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Keep in mind that whether you're buying your pit or building one, a good bonfire pit will help contain your fire and make clean-up a breeze. If you're building your own, make sure the walls are at least 2 feet high and made of fire-resistant material like bricks or stone. If you're buying one, look for one that's made of durable steel that can withstand high temperatures.
Stock Up On Wood
You'll obviously need wood to keep your bonfire going, so make sure you have enough on hand! A good rule of thumb is 1-2 pieces of wood per person per hour (depending on the size of the logs).
If you have trees on your property you can typically find downed trees and fallen branches just by walking around and gathering them from the ground. Remember that you want the wood to be seasoned. If you cut down a tree on Friday for a fire on Saturday, the wood will be too wet to burn well. Ideally you want wood that has been down for two seasons or longer.
Plenty of stores sell wood, although this can be a more expensive option. The bundles tend to be smaller and meant for a smaller campfire, not a giant bonfire. This could be a good option to get your larger bonfire started if you've got some of your own wood at home already.
Pallets tend to be a bonfires best friend. They are made of wood, obviously, which burns well, but the fact that they are so open means that air can travel around and through them really well, which is exactly what you need for a good fire. Business and individuals sell pallets, and you can often find them quite cheap on local buy/sell marketplaces online. And if you're lucky, you may be able to pick up used pallets from local businesses for free. Remember, they're fuel for your bonfire, so they can be broken, ugly, or whatever. They'll all burn great.
The last option is to find people on your local marketplaces that have fallen trees on their property that they want to get rid of. Some folks want to sell you the wood, but there are many people who will advertise "free wood!" if you come and take it away for them. If you've got a truck and a buddy this can be your absolute best bet to get a lot of wood for free. Typically they've had a tree fall from a storm or something and it's been sitting on their property for awhile. This means the wood is probably seasoned enough to burn well, and if you can put in a little sweat equity you can get all the fuel you need for your bonfire without spending a dime.
Make Sure You Have Enough Seating
Bonfires are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, but they can also be a bit of a pain if you don't have the right chairs. Traditional camp chairs are often too low to the ground to be comfortable for long periods of time, and folding lawn chairs can be a bit flimsy. So what's the best type of chair for a bonfire? Our favorite option is an Adirondack chair.
These sturdy chairs are designed for comfort, with a high back and wide arm rests. They're also usually made from weather-resistant materials like cedar or teak, so you don't have to worry about them getting ruined by the weather. Best of all, they come in a variety of styles to fit any décor, so you can find the perfect chair for your next bonfire.
If the ground isn't too wet you can always go with the tried and true blanket. Throw down a blanket and now you can sit or lie down anywhere you want! Some people like to be extra fun and creative and bring bean bag chairs or pillows for extreme comfort, which is great. We still recommend throwing a blanket down first under these softer seating options. And beware of the material of these things as well. Some materials can melt or catch fire easily if too close to the bonfire, so make sure you stay far enough away from the flames that your bean bag chair doesn't become a molten blob of melted plastic. That's no fun to sit on.
Don't Forget the Snacks!
When it comes to bonfire snacks, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the food should be easy to eat with your hands. Secondly, it should be durable enough to withstand being heated up in the fire. And lastly, it should be something that everyone will enjoy. With those criteria in mind, here are a few great bonfire snacks:
Marshmallows
An all-time classic that can be roasted over the fire or simply eaten straight out of the bag. These are a critical part of s'mores, which are necessary at every bonfire, and are coming up on our list. Make sure you have sticks, or skewers, or some good method of roasting the marshmallows without getting too close to the fire. You can buy long wooden marshmallow sticks from most grocery stores, and they have really nice metal, telescoping skewers that are perfect for roasting marshmallows at a bonfire.
Hot dogs
Another classic that can be grilled or roasted over the fire. Again, use your sticks or skewers for these, and don't forget all the condiments and stuff that go well with fire roasted hot dogs.
S'mores
These need no introduction, but in case you've been under a rock your whole life, s'mores are a delicious treat made with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Cook the marshmallows over the fire and then sandwich them between the graham crackers and chocolate.
Don't feel like you're limited to the traditional ingredients though. Try using a peanut butter cup instead of just chocolate (or in addition to the chocolate!) to get a whole new take on s'mores. Really any candy that can melt when hot is an absolutely amazing idea when making these. And while graham crackers are absolutely fantastic, any crunchy food can work great as the "bread" in your dessert sandwich. Think pop-tarts as one option and let us know what you think once you try it :)
Fruits and vegetables
For a healthier option, try grilling some fruits and vegetables over the fire; great choices include grapes, apples, watermelon, mushrooms, peppers, and zucchini. And if you want just the raw versions with some dipping sauces or hummus, that's great too. Not EVERYTHING has to be fire-cooked, but trying something new is always fun!
Popcorn
We always cook popcorn in a microwave (or at least we always did in my house) but the few times we cooked it on the stove, or over a fire, it always seemed to taste better. Popcorn is great because it's easy to share with a lot of people and it's also easy to cook. Just don't leave it over the fire too long, because we all know that burnt popcorn smell will last forever.
Make Sure Your Bonfire Party is Safe
Safety should always be your number one priority when working with fire! Make sure you have plenty of water on hand in case of an emergency, and that all flammable materials are kept far away from the fire pit.
Access to an outdoor hose is always great, and having a pile of sand is another great option. When the bonfire is over and you're done for the night, spread out any remaining coals in the fire pit to help it die off, and spray the whole pit with some water. You can throw sand on top as well to ensure no embers are left and nothing is floating into the air still.
We already talked about having a clear exit in case anything goes wrong on the bonfire, but do make sure there is space for everyone to leave the area quickly if necessary.
Play Games & Have Fun At Your Party
Once everything is set-up and ready to go, it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the party! Roast some marshmallows, tell some stories, and create lasting memories with your friends and family around the glowing embers of your bonfire. The typical activity at a bonfire is just sitting, eating, drinking, and talking, but it's nice to include some activities as well for folks that want to get up and do something while they enjoy the fire. Some easy backyard games are a great option here.
One of the best things about a bonfire party is that there are endless possibilities for backyard games. If you’re looking for some fun ideas, here are a few classics that are sure to get your guests moving and laughing:
Potato Sack Race: This one is always a hit with kids and adults alike. All you need is a couple of large potato sacks and some clear space. Line up your guests in pairs and have them jump into the sacks, then race to the finish line!
Water Balloon Toss: This game is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer night. Fill up water balloons and divide your guests into teams of two. Each team member must take turns tossing the balloon to their partner, without dropping it!
Scavenger Hunt: This is a great game for larger groups. Hide small objects around your backyard and give your guests a list of items to find. The first team to find all of the items wins!
Relay Race: This classic game is always a fun way to get your guests moving. Divide your group into teams and set up a course with simple obstacles like hula hoops or cones. Each team member must complete the course before handing off the baton to the next teammate.
Cornhole: A great game for your bonfire party, especially since there are lights you can put on your boards to make them easy to see at night. Typically they go around the edges of the board and inside the hole so players know exactly where to throw the bags. This can be a great casual game to play near the fire as you hang out with friends. You can even make your cornhole boards custom with your own designs!
Ladder Toss: A more challenging game for your party, ladder toss can be played with two or four people. The object of the game is to throw the bolas (two balls connected by a string) over the rungs of the ladder and around the posts. The first team to reach 21 points wins.
Charades: This game is perfect for a bonfire party because it can be played entirely outdoors. Divide your guests into teams and have them take turns acting out popular movies, TV shows, or songs. The first team to guess correctly wins!
These are just a few ideas for fun backyard games to play at your next bonfire party. With a little creativity, you’re sure to come up with even more great ideas!
Start Planning Your Bonfire Party Today
Fireside fun doesn't have to end when summer does! Gather your closest friends and family and throw the ultimate fall backyard bonfire party because fall is the perfect time to gather around a roaring bonfire with loved ones! By following these tips, you'll be able to throw an epic party that everyone will be talking about long after autumn has come and gone. So what are you waiting for? Start planning today!