Make a Pie Pan Fire | Simple Fire-Building Activity for Kids
I may be a fire sign, but I admit I’ve never had an affinity for fire. I was that kid who was happy to have someone roast the marshmallows for me while I sat away from the open flames, thank you very much. But when I started work as a naturalist, fire-building became an unavoidable responsibility…which turned into a real boon! I finally picked up this quintessential outdoor skill that I could pass on to my students. As it turns out, the only thing more satisfying than eating a s'more is building the fire that roasts it!
With kids, I always begin fire-building with pie pan fires. These mini but mighty flames are easy to start, control, and extinguish; even my first-grade students can manage a pie pan fire! Give this activity a whirl the next time you’re craving a simple campfire moment with your family.
Materials
Pie Pan
Lighter
Gallon of water
Fire starter
Fire-building materials (see suggestions below)
S'mores supplies, yum!
Fire-Safety 101
Safety first! Confidently build a fire by reviewing these safety tips:
Clear the area: Build the fire on flat ground that’s clear of grass, leaves, or roots.
Have water ready: Keep at least a gallon of water nearby to safely extinguish the flames.
Keep a calm body: Remind kids that there can be no horseplay around an open flame. Sitting near the fire requires a calm body.
step one: Choose a Fire-building site
Place your pie-pan on flat ground that's devoid of debris. Placing the pie pan directly in a fire pit works to! Feel free to double up your pie pan to be extra safe.
Step Two: Gather Fire-building Materials
Send your kids in search of natural fire-building materials. They’ll want to look for items like:
Small Rocks: These will go in the corner of the pie pan to prevent it from blowing away.
Tinder: These are highly flammable materials used to start your fire. Look for dry grass, dry leaves, or pine needles.
Kindling: These are thin pieces of wood that make your fire grow. Look for twigs that are as wide as a match.
Fuel Wood: These are thick pieces of wood to sustain your fire. Look for sticks that are as wide as your thumb. Keep an extra stack of fuel wood that can be used to occasionally feed the fire.
Step Three: construct a pie pan fire
Put a rock in each corner of the pie pan. Now, you’re ready to construct a fire! Kids should arrange the materials as follows: tinder on the bottom, followed by the kindling, and ending with the fuel wood on top.
Step four: construct a pie pan fire
Light it up! Use a match to light the tinder. If the tinder is being difficult, add a little bit of fire starter to coax things along. Sustain the fire by periodically adding pieces of fuel wood.
Step Five: Extinguish the Flames
Slowly add water to the pie pan, being mindful of any embers that might’ve jumped out. Your pie pan is ready to be stored once it’s cool to the touch. As long as the bottom isn't too charred, you can store the pie pan and use it again!
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