7 fun ideas to try with the kids on Bonfire Night as fireworks displays are cancelled

Bonfire night is going to look a little different this year. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, many large scale firework displays have been cancelled, and with all areas of the UK under some kind of lockdown restrictions, we’re going to have to look a little closer to home for our entertainment. Here are some ideas as to how you can celebrate Bonfire Night in a Covid-secure way. Bonfire Night baking Taking place in early November, Bonfire Night is often coupled with brisk temperatures and wintry conditions. That’s why it’s often recommended to wrap up warm, and where could be warmer than the family kitchen? Make some bonfire cupcakes or the traditional toffee apples to enjoy at home; BBC Food has a round-up of autumnal treats perfect for the occasion, from vegan sausage rolls to homemade fudge. Make your own fireworks We’re not talking about real explosive fireworks of course, but kids will love constructing their own firework replicas from common households items. A toilet roll tube could make the perfect body for a ‘rocket’, and just imagine what you could do with some colourful paper and glitter glue. PVA all the way. Bonfire art Why not start an art session with the kids, encouraging them to make Bonfire Night-inspired art? You could even focus on using charcoal for some on brand smokey pieces. Why not take your art club online, utilising the power of WhatsApp to connect with friends that you otherwise might not be able to see this year? Utilise the darkness Why not make use of the evening's drawing in earlier, with some games that make use of the premature darkness? Set up some glow in the dark games like ring toss or bowling using glow sticks, or create a spooky tableau for kids to explore from within the safety of your own home. Watch a virtual firework display Just about every activity under the sun has moved online in some form this year, and that now extends to fireworks displays. For instance, Lancashire Fire and Rescue will be hosting a virtual firework display on their Facebook page this year for residents to enjoy. The virtual event will include a firework display, a bonfire, interviews with firefighters, demonstrations from fire dogs, and even a bedtime story from a firefighter. Check online for similar events local to you (though, with the power of the internet you can enjoy fireworks displays from around the world). Your own firework display Of course, you could always host your own bonfire night. You might not be able to have members of another household over, but you could always get in a bundle of fireworks, toss some wood on the pyre and get cosy. This extends to making you own ‘guy’ (an effigy of Guy Fawkes), a crafting project that is sure to keep the kids occupied for a long time. Why not burn a crude replica of your favourite (or least favourite) celeb? Stay safe Above all, make sure you stay safe. With many organised events cancelled across the country due to coronavirus, emergency services are preparing for a busier night than usual. Many councils and fire services are calling on people not to have bonfires in their gardens, and anyone planning to have a fireworks display at home is asked to do so respectfully and safely. Think of vulnerable neighbours, children and pets in the area, and do not let off fireworks late at night. Always make sure you buy fireworks with a CE mark, don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks, and always follow the instructions for use carefully. A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, the Scotsman