5th of November celebrations go by several names in the UK. Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night or Guy Fawkes are all well-known and used to refer to the traditional celebration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot back in 1605. Keep the children happy, guests entertained, fed and safe on the 5th of November and have a cracking time!
Free Activities for Children for Bonfire Night
A great website that features the history of the Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes, with plenty of free activities including stencils, colouring and how to make shiny, child-friendly sparklers!
Bonfirenight.net features a detailed but accessible history of the Gunpowder Plot, rhymes and chants and warming, tasty recipes.
Recipes for Bonfire Night
Hosting a Fireworks Party? This website is packed full of tasty recipes that will keep the cold away! With sweet chilli bangers, garlic bacon butties and cheesy bean potatoes to name but a few, these tasty treats will warm the cockles of any reveller who is feeling the cold!
Fancy serving serving some traditional Firework Night fayre? Find out how to make and serve Toffee apples, parkin and roast chestnuts.
Party Games for Bonfire Night
Apple bobbing is a traditional Hallowe'en game that is also popular at Bonfire Night parties. It involves filling a large bowl or bucket with water and placing several apple inside which will then float. Guests take it in turns to try to seize an apple using just their teeth - hands must be kept behind their backs at all times.
Safety on Bonfire Night
It should go without saying that safety issues should be paramount when organising any party that involves fireworks and bonfires. Make sure that family members, guests and pets are kept safe by ALWAYS following the Firework Code.
- When buying fireworks, make sure they comply with BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use "Indoor, Garden or Display"
- Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
- Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately
- NEVER put fireworks in your pocket
- Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or hand lamp NEVER use a naked flame
- Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
- Stand well back and NEVER return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face
- Ensure that all chidren with fireworks are well supervised
- NEVER throw fireworks
- Keep all pets and animals indoors
- Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished
