Fire Lighting

Fire lighting is the outdoor skill of starting a fire safely from scratch, usually without matches or a lighter. You make a spark or an ember, catch it in dry tinder and then add kindling and bigger sticks until the fire burns by itself. People have been making fire for many thousands of years, and it's a wonderful skill to learn together.

Every fire needs heat, fuel and oxygen. This is called the fire triangle, and it's a simple way for children to understand fire. Take away any one of the three and the fire goes out, which is exactly how we put one out safely too.

Fuel is added in stages. Tinder is the light, fluffy material that catches a spark, like birch bark, dry grass or cotton wool. Kindling (a word we're rather fond of) means thin, dry twigs about the thickness of a pencil. Bigger sticks and logs only go on once the kindling is burning well.

A fire steel, also called a ferro rod, is the easiest way to start. You scrape it firmly with a metal striker and it sends out a shower of hot sparks, even on a damp day.

Flint and steel is the traditional method. Striking the two together makes tiny sparks that land on char cloth and begin to glow.

Friction fire is the trickiest. With a bow drill, a wooden spindle spins against a wooden board until it makes a glowing ember. It takes practice and teamwork, which makes it very satisfying when it works.

Every session begins with fire safety, so everyone knows where to kneel, how the fire is kept contained and how to put it out. Your Activity Leader then shows you how to gather and prepare tinder, build a small teepee of kindling and use the striker. Everyone gets a turn. Watching your child's face when their first spark catches and a thin wisp of smoke curls up is something special.

Yes, when it's done with care and close supervision. Learning how fire works, and how to respect it, helps children feel confident and sensible around campfires. It takes patience and gentle breaths rather than strength, so younger ones can often do more than you'd expect. Working as a team to keep a tiny flame alive is a lovely thing to share.

Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes are best. Natural fabrics like cotton and wool are a good choice near a fire, as some synthetic fabrics can melt. Tie back long hair, and tuck away scarves, hoodie strings and anything loose.

You might also like Survival Skills, Shelter Building and Wood Whittling.

See all Camp Kindling activities