Set up a simple blanket tent outside (or a blanket fort indoors), build a pretend campfire from red and orange paper or fabric scraps, and tell stories, sing songs, or roast pretend marshmallows on sticks around it.
What you need
- a blanket for a tent
- red and orange paper or fabric scraps for the fire
- sticks (optional, for pretend marshmallow roasting)
How to do it
- 1Drape a blanket over furniture or a clothesline outside to make a simple tent.
- 2Arrange red and orange paper scraps in a small circle as a pretend campfire.
- 3"Gather round the fire — who wants to tell a story?" Take turns telling short, made-up tales.
- 4Roast pretend marshmallows on sticks and settle in for a 'sleepover' under the tent before packing up.
Variations
- If outdoor space isn't available: the whole scene works just as well as an indoor blanket fort.
- How it ends: one last 'goodnight' story and 'putting out the fire' (tidying the paper scraps away) closes the campsite for the day.
💡 Parent tip
This is a genuinely good wind-down activity before bedtime — the calm, story-led format naturally slows the evening.
What your child develops
- Storytelling and narrative skill — inventing and telling a short story builds language and sequencing
- Imaginative role-play — camping is an accessible, low-cost adventure fantasy
- Shared ritual — a repeatable 'campfire' routine can become a favourite evening activity
Safety notes
- Use only pretend materials for the 'fire' — no real flames or heat sources.
More for “Outdoor & nature”
See allHerb Garden Smell Walk
Crush a leaf from five different herbs and guess which is which by smell alone.
Ages 3–910–25 min
Water Paintbrush Walls
A paintbrush dipped in plain water, 'painted' onto a fence or pavement, and watching the picture vanish as it dries.
Ages 1–410–20 minHousehold items
Sand Scoop and Pour
A bucket of sand, a few cups, and the endless satisfaction of pouring it from one container into another.
Ages 1–410–30 minHousehold items