'I love fireworks.' 'I hate bangers.' 'The bonfire's warm and crackly.'
'It's dark and a bit scary.'
Whatever children think of bonfire night many will be visiting firework displays or having a bonfire party in their own garden.
While out-of-school clubs may not be able to hold an outdoor bonfire party, an indoor version can recreate all the colour and fun of the real thing.
Bonfire
The bonfire can be assembled gradually, on a large plastic mat or sheeting, and kept out of the way until bonfire night. Children and playworkers should go outdoors to collect large branches and sticks, or they can make a mound from cardboard boxes and trays.
Tissue paper, coloured cellophane, foil and brightly painted paper will make a variety of flames. Ask children to think about the colour of fire so that they use blue, green, white and gold as well as red, yellow and orange to make a vibrant display. Attach the flames to the wood or card base, so that they stick up and out.
Suggest children write words that describe the sounds of a fire, in jagged word balloons, for instance snap, bang, crackle, sizzle, or puff, to attach to some of the flames.
Finally, embers can be added by sticking red or gold tin foil around the base of the fire.
Fireworks
Run a firework factory in the days before the party to ensure that there is a good display of fireworks on the day. To make sparklers, combine different coloured lametta (thin foil strands used to decorate Christmas trees) and cut a wad, about 12cm in length. Tape it tightly in the middle, and then attach it to the end of a piece of dowelling, wrapping it securely and fluffing up the strands.
A paper plate painted with fluorescent patterns, fastened to a cardboard tube with a paper fastener makes a great Catherine wheel. A rocket can be made by adding a cone to a cardboard tube or drinks bottle.
The fireworks can be displayed on party night and children can demonstrate them with sound effects.
A guy can also be made to sit on the fire.
Party night
On 5 November set up the room with the fire in the centre and space for the children to sit around it with their sparklers. Dim the lights and use lamplight if possible. A spotlight on the fire (using a lamp or large torch) is effective in a darkened room.
Singing and word games will keep children happy while they wait for bonfire tea.
A good adaptation of a bonfire song (sung to 'London's Burning') is: Bonfire's burning, bonfire's burning
Getting hotter, getting hotter
Fire fire! Fire fire!
Rocket's whizzing, rocket's whizzing.
Sparklers fizzing, sparklers fizzing.
This can be sung as a round. Another great song is the old campfire favourite 'Ging Gang Goolie' which children find hilarious. Ask the children to also suggest songs.
Stories can be told, with everyone taking turns to make up a section.
Slightly scary stories are always good for bonfire night. Alternatively encourage everyone to say just one word at a time which leads to some strange tales.
The memory game 'I went to market' can be changed to 'I went to a bonfire party and saw...' Each child has to recount everything everyone else listed, before adding their own suggestion.
Tea time
Soup in cups, followed by jacket potato and barbeque beans is a good choice. Use paper bowls and cups with plastic forks and eat around the fire. Children could also have toffee apples - made earlier in the week - or pretend to toast marshmallows.
Clubs that do not have access to cooking facilities could serve roly-poly hot dogs - cold pre-cooked sausages smeared with ketchup and wrapped in sliced bread which has been flattened with a rolling pin. Hot chocolate is also popular - especially if served with squirty cream, marshmallows and mini flake bars.
Party's over
After tea, the guy can be brought out and added to the fire, and children could walk around the bonfire singing a final song.
At the end of the session, parents may be surprised to be greeted by children telling them what a fantastic bonfire party they have just been to. Playworkers may have to reassure them that no health and safety regulations were broken!
