Campfires can be so fun and fascinating for many tots and preschoolers.

These Montessori-inspired activities are sure to excite young ones before, during, and after camping experiences.

Activities and printables focus on campfires and s'mores in kid friendly ways that are not scary.

I chose to use s'mores themed foods as manipulatives to add extra sensory experiences to activities.

Campfire Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables

S is for S'more Do-a-Dot Page

In this activity a child uses the tweezers to place s'mores ingredients on the dots. If tweezers are too challenging, a child can simply use her hands.

A child can choose to use just one ingredient or all three ingredients.

Chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and Golden Grahams are provided.

When I choose to use food as a manipulative, and I'm working with more than one child, I will provide small cups of ingredients that each child can handle and enjoy eating afterwards.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

S'mores Nomenclature Cards

In this activity a child learns the names of the ingredients used to make a s'more through a simple nomenclature card activity.

A teacher or caregiver can also add a real graham cracker, chocolate bar, and marshmallow to the activity to encourage young tots to match up ingredients to the right picture.

One could also use the cards to create a simple matching game.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

Which S'more is the Same?

In this activity a child uses a mini marshmallow to mark the s'more that matches the s'more on the left.

Any marker will do, but I though mini marshmallows could be super fun.

This activity encourages comparison and is a stepping stone to understanding math concepts, especially patterns.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

Which S'more is Different?

In this activity a child marks the s'more that looks different using a chocolate chip. 

Just like the previous activity, any marker can be used.

This activity encourages comparison and is a great way to prepare for other math concepts like patterns.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

FREE Campfire Patterns for Kids

When a child is ready to be introduced to patterns, this printable is perfect to go along with other campfire activities.

The teacher or caregiver cuts out each pattern strip, cutting off the last image.

Then the child matches the last image to the correct pattern.

Source: This is a Subscriber's Only Freebie. For your free copy, follow the directions at the bottom of this post.

Campfire Shape Match Up

In this activity a child matches the campfire shapes.

This can be done by simply matching cards, or through a memory game.

The cards can also be used as nomenclature cards.

Please be aware that some children are very sensitive to fire. 

I chose to create a shape themed activity, in hopes that the fires would seem less scary.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

Campfire Pin Poking Activity

In this activity a child uses the pin poker to poke out the campfire on the card. 

Be sure that children are supervised when completing this activity for safety.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

Campfire Painting Activity

In this activity, the child uses the paint provided to paint the campfire.

Brown is provided for the logs. Red, orange, and yellow are available to paint fire.

I love that this activity encourages mixing colors and painting within the lines.

Source: The printable for this activity is from our Campfire Printable Pack.

Campfire Activities for Kids with Free Printables

If you're looking for more challenging campfire activities, be sure to check our campfire activities for elementary learners.

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Enjoying a campfire is one of my favorite summer activities. My children enjoy it as well, especially if there are s'mores involved.

I couldn't resist creating several Campfire Activities for Kids with Free Printables for all to enjoy.

These activities and printables are perfect for ALL children in Montessori preschool and elementary classrooms, no matter a child's skills or abilities.

The campfire activities are a perfect introduction to different campfire concepts and are a great way to learn, practice, and review language and math concepts.

They are an excellent addition to a camping unit!

Campfire Activities for Kids with Free Printables

S'more Spelling Activity

There are so many different ways to practice spelling, but this is one of my youngest's favorites.

She checks each square to see if it matches the word at the top of the page. If it does match, she marks it with s'mores ingredients. 

If the word doesn't match the spelling of the word at the top of the page, she leaves it blank or draws an X through it.

I chose to use Golden Grahams, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips as markers in this activity to add an extra sensory experience to the activity.

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

S'mores Writing Strips

There are some kids who love to write. My youngest is one of those kids. 

These writing strips are a great way for every child to practice, whether they choose to trace or write on their own.

In this activity kids can practice writing the ingredients for s'mores!

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

S'mores Making Blue Series Language Activity

In this activity kids create s'mores by spelling words with ingredients.

There is a control provided if necessary. 

All words are Montessori blue series words, which means that they each include a short vowel sound and consonant blends.

Each word included in this activity is related to camping in some way.

 

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

Campfire Wood Addition Clip Cards

In this activity kids add wood to the pile, preparing for a campfire. 

The twig pieces are used as counters. 

Mini clothespins are used to mark answers.

I chose to focus on simple addition facts for my youngest, but many are included in the printable to enjoy.

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

S'mores Subtraction Clip Cards

In this activity kids use the white glass beads to cover up s'mores that are being subtracted from the problem. 

I like to tell my youngest she's covering up all of the s'mores she's eaten. Lol.

Kids then mark answers with the mini clothespins.

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

Types of Campfire Cooking Nomenclature Cards

Campfires can be used for cooking in so many different ways. This activity introduces children to multiple options.

I'm using these printables as simple nomenclature cards, but they can be used in others ways.

As extensions to this activity, we will be attempting to prepare food in each of the different ways presented on these cards.

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

Building a Campfire Activity

In this activity kids use the sticks (and stones) to build the "fires" that are in each picture. 

Several different types of fires are introduced through the cards in this activity.

The cards can also be used as simple nomenclature cards.

Source: This printable is included in our Campfire Printable Pack.

FREE Campfire Clip Cards

To further learn, practice, and review the types of campfires there are, we've created clip cards for kids.

These clip cards come with one set of control cards to use in case children need the extra help.

Source: This printable is a Subscriber's Only Freebie. For your free copy, follow the directions below.

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2. Subscribe to our free newsletter.

3. Open the thank you message you receive in your e-mail, after subscribing. (Be sure to check your spam folder, as sometimes it ends up there.)

4. Click the confirmation link in the thank you message.

5. Once the confirmation is complete, you will receive another e-mail message with the Subscriber Only Freebies.

6. Click on the link.

7. Select the Minimalism, Montessori, or Mental Health Printables Library.

8. Find the printable pack you are looking for listed in alphabetical order, click on it, and voila!

We hope you enjoy your free printable.

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An outdoor carnival party for kids can be so much fun, except when weather doesn't cooperate. 

In those situations an indoor carnival party for kids can be just as fun!

Part of our rainy day Memorial Day celebration last year included an indoor carnival party at our home.

The kids had an absolute blast.

Here are all the details!

An Indoor Carnival Party for Kids

Our indoor carnival party for kids included six different carnival games set up throughout the main floor of our home.

All used very simple materials that we had on hand at home or could easily pick up at Walmart or local dollar store without breaking the bank.

Kids could play each game as many times as they wanted to earn desired prizes.

Games were designed for our youngest to enjoy, but our teens enjoyed them as well, putting their own twist on each game.

Soda Pop Toss

The object of the Soda Pop Toss was to place rings on soda bottles.

Each time a ring landed over a soda bottle, a ticket was given. 

I had been worried that this would be too easy for my teens, but they were so creative, coming up with ways to make the Soda Pop Toss more challenging. 

Pool rings were used and worked perfectly for our Soda Pop Toss! 

The FREE Carnival Sign for the Soda Pop Toss and all of our indoor carnival party games came from Carnival Savers.

At the end of the party, each kid received a soda to drink with dinner.

Pluck a Duck

The Pluck a Duck game was definitely designed for our youngest. 

Each duck had a number written on the bottom of it. 

The goal of the game was to find the two ducks with matching numbers.

For every pair of ducks that was found, a ticket was given.

We found rubber ducks at Walmart and our local dollar store. I would have included more, had I been able to find more locally.

Pin Drop

In order to play the Pin Drop game, you need a jar or cup and clothespins. 

Kids drop the pins and try to have them land in the jar.

For every pin that lands in the jar, a ticket is given.

Our youngest dropped the clothespins from a lower point than our teens did.

Once again, my teens found a way to make this game super fun and challenging.

It was one of the hardest games for our youngest.

Bean Bag Toss

All of my kids enjoyed the bean bag toss.

My teens had fun thinking of fun ways to make the game more challenging as they went along.

In this game, kids received the number of tickets that was written on each bucket, each time their bean bag landed in that bucket.

I just love these ten gallon buckets. We use them for so many things. 

Our bean bags are old, but still work great.

Can Knock Down

We do not usually have a lot of cans at our home, but at the time of this party, we did have a lot of empty water bottles.

We used empty water bottles and a NERF gun for this activity. 

Having lots of NERF Bullets on hand helped a lot.

The kids would try to shoot each empty water bottle, causing it to fall down.

For every water bottle that fell, a ticket would be given. 

My youngest loved this game. My teens had so much fun making this game as challenging as they could.

Fish Bowl

The fish bowl game may have been the most challenging for the kids, especially our youngest, but all really enjoyed it. 

My husband and I went back and forth about adding actual fish to the bowls, but decided against it as our youngest would worry about hurting the fish.

A dead fish would be catastrophe. 

The objective of this game was to land as many ping pong balls as possible into the cups of water provided.

Cups were located at one end of the table. Kids were required to throw from the other end of the table. 

For every cup that landed in a cup of water, a ticket was given.

Carnival Party Prizes

Ten tickets could be handed in for one prize.

I picked up five small prizes for each one of the kids at the local dollar store and Walmart.

We used FREE Raffle Tickets from Freebie Finding Mom.

My teen boys are very much into football cards right now, so I made a few of those available.

They still collect Hot Wheels cars as well, which is always a fun cheap prize.

One teen boy has made it a goal to read all of the classics, so I couldn't resist adding one of those as a prize when I found it for $2.

To diversify treats, I also added in a box of candy for my teen boys.

The girls' prizes were a bit different.

My youngest runs errands with us each week and always finds items she desperately wants at our local dollar store and Walmart. 

It was super easy to pick up some of these items for her to pick as prizes, after every ten tickets.

She was so excited about every single one of her prizes.

My other daughter is huge into making beaded necklaces and always loves new supplies.

She turned tickets in for string and beads, as well as a box of candy.

Carnival Eats and Treats

I wanted to make sure that our food was also carnival themed.

Popcorn was served for all those who could have it. 

Chips were served in place of popcorn for the one who couldn't have it due to special dietary needs.

The FREE DIY Movie Popcorn Boxes came from Make and Takes.

Dinner was part of our Indoor Carnival Party. 

Diet-friendly corn dogs, corn on the cob, and watermelon were served. 

Everyone loved the food!

For dessert I made homemade diet-friendly funnel cake.

A variety of toppings were provided to meet dietary needs.

Those that could, opted for powdered sugar topping.

The Funnel Cake recipe is from Lil' Luna. 

Our Indoor Carnival Party for Kids was such a success and so much fun!

Every kid in the house, including teens had fun.

The food was great.

All loved their prizes.

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