How to Introduce Littles to Campfires (Without Waiting Until They’re “Older”)

Someone said to me recently (and I've had this conversation in a variety of different contexts), “I can’t wait until my little kids are big kids so we can finally do fun family things like camping, campfires, hunting, and hikes.”

Yikes. That's the sort of tragic way of thinking that makes a lot of couples think they NEVER want kids. Like having kids is the death of all fun and adventure...forever.

And I get it. Little kids feel unpredictable. Big things like cliffs and fire just don't feel cohesive with a little person with very little impulse control. Outdoor adventures feel easier when kids are older, more aware, and better listeners.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to wait. You just need to start smaller - and smarter. And now.

I’m a big advocate for introducing kids to outdoor adventures (or any "big thing") early. Not because it’s magical or sentimental, but because it’s practical. The sooner their little minds are wired to believe that this big/hard/scary/unnatural thing is just a normal part of their life, the better.

(Don't let me get on my soapbox, cause I won't get off.)

Campfires, hikes, and outdoor skills are learned behaviors. Sticking it out through cold, uncomfortable days takes experience. Surviving an 18 hour road trip so you can all sleep on the ground in a tent isn't going to be the easiest thing you've ever done if you don't practice. The earlier kids are exposed, the more natural they become and the sooner they became significantly more competent at whatever it is you're exposing them to.

Campfires especially are not something to delay - they’re something to teach.

Why Experiencing Campfires Early (As With All Adventures) Is Actually Better

When kids grow up around campfires:

• Fires become normal, not novel (making it way less appealing to push limits)

• Boundaries feel familiar instead of restrictive

• Listening around risk becomes a habit, not a fight

• Outdoor confidence grows from an early age

  
  

Waiting until kids are “old enough” often means:

• More curiosity with less supervision

• Bigger reactions to rules

• Less opportunity to practice safely

• More ego over being a "big kid" that may cause a negative response

Little kids don’t need to do things perfectly (and most won't even come close by the 5th time), but they do need repetition. It's how their little minds process the world.

Practical Tips for Introducing Littles to Campfires

This isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being prepared and aware. There was probably a day when your growing baby discovered the oven. But many episodes of repeated instruction (and maybe a few minor natural consequences) later, they've probably forgotten all about it because the novelty is gone. The same thing applies to fires and all big outdoor adventures.

1. Start SMALL

You don’t need a roaring bonfire that you sit around for hours.

Start with:

• A gas fire table that can easily be turned on and off

• A small backyard fire pit or outdoor fireplace

Smaller fires for shorter periods of time (under 30 minutes is great for small children) are easier for kids to understand and respect and more manageable for you as the parent to handle in the early teaching moments. You want to build positive associations early on so they know that fire is something to enjoy.

Use these small opportunities to grow their understanding. Encourage them to feel the heat but as they get closer, turn up the drama and remind them, "Hot! Ouch! Better to keep our hands back here." But always keep it positive. Fire isn't something to fear, it's a tool and something to enjoy...when you keep the right boundaries.

2. Set the Boundary Before the Fire Is Lit

This matters.

Before the fire starts:

• Show them the perimeter (the fire ring, the rocks, etc)

• Point out where they can and cannot go and what they should and should not touch

• Use consistent language every time (“This side is safe, this side is not”)

  
  

Kids do better when expectations are clear before excitement kicks in.

3. Give Littles a “Job”

Idle kids drift toward trouble.

Give them a role:

• Holding roasting sticks

• Passing cups

• Gathering kindling (away from the fire)

• Sitting on a designated blanket or log to pass out the marshmallows

Purpose keeps them engaged and focused. Remember that kids love a sense of belonging, so rather than keeping them away from it, make them a part of it in a way that naturally keeps them holding to their boundaries you've set.

4. Practice Fire Safety as a Skill, Not a Lecture

Fire safety doesn’t need to be dramatic. Even writing "fire safety" makes me think of the "stop, drop, and roll" exercises we did back in 2nd grade. But this doesn't have to be a presentation. Naturally set the example as something that YOU do, so they should too.

Model:

• Calm movement

• Clear instruction

• Predictable rules

• Respecting boundaries

As with so many things in parenting, be their role model (and encourage other adults and big kids to do the same.) Try to be consistent every single time. If you tell them not to touch the fire ring, try not to touch the fire ring. If you don't want them throwing things in the fire, don't throw things in the fire. Repetition is how safety becomes second nature.

5. Expect Movement, Not Stillness

Little kids won’t sit perfectly still by a fire. I know - that's the dream, just to gaze nostalgically into the flames under a crisp, starry sky. But let's be real.

Plan for:

• Standing

• Wandering

• Climbing in and out of chairs

Design the setup around realistic behavior, not ideal behavior. Set chairs, benches, or logs further away to make room for them to safely move.

6. Use Campfires as Training Grounds for Bigger Adventures

Teaching toddlers and young kids to respect a campfire isn't just about the fire.

It's about:

• Learning boundaries

• Practicing listening

• Building outdoor awareness

• Growing confidence around risk

These skills translate directly to:

• Camping

• Hiking

• Hunting

• Outdoor cooking

• Outdoor play of all kinds

Roasting Marshmallows On The Fire

Smore Family Fun

Toddler Enjoy Smore

Don’t Wait — Adjust

You don’t need to wait until kids are older to enjoy campfires, hikes, and outdoor family traditions. In fact, don't wait!

You just need to:

• Set your own expectations

• Express the appropriate boundaries

• Increase repetition

• Start smaller

• Practice often

  
  

One final note - although safety is obviously a big concern, especially when introducing littles to campfires, you don't want to forget to make these experiences joyful, fun, and meaningful. This isn't about making sure they get their "Campfire Safety Badge;" this is just another piece of making outdoor family memories together.

These early experiences are the groundwork for everything that comes later. Make these big moments and experiences something second nature to them by the time some people are just beginning to expose their kids. Start now. Train along the way.

And enjoy outdoor family life - not someday, but today.