There are so many fun activities that come with fall – and having friends and family over for a bonfire is one of my personal favorites! Here are some tips for hosting the perfect backyard bonfire.

Food

Bonfire food should be simple and delicious. The best part is that the guests can make their own! Instead of the classic hot dog roasting, try providing ingredients for tin foil meal. This recipe requires a bit of prep work – cut up vegetables, meat and potatoes, add some marinade and wrap them in tin foil. Set them in the fire for 30-45 minutes and when they’re finished, enjoy a hearty meal straight from the campfire!

If you’re looking for a new spin on campfire desserts, try an apple pie packet (sticking with the tin foil meal idea). Apple pie and fall go perfectly together, so why not try an apple pie over the campfire! All you’ll need is apples, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cranberries or raisins. Thrown them together in some tin foil and bake them in the campfire for a sweet treat at your bonfire party.

Decorations

For any party, decorations can set the mood and transform a setting. Since you’ll be outdoors at night, lights are the easiest way to set the atmosphere. Try using string lights around the trees surrounding your bonfire or patio or tea lights floating in mason jars.

As a special touch, set out a few blankets for your guests to keep cozy while roasting marshmallows or sipping cider!

Fire

You can’t have a bonfire without a roaring fire! The safest way to have a bonfire is inside a fire pit – either one you’ve made or purchased from the store. Once you have your location picked out and your pit set up, make sure you have the supplies you need to get the fire started. You’ll need plenty of wood, kindling and even a starter log to get you going. There are lots of good ways to start a fire, and no matter how you build it, make sure you place your logs around the kindling, leaving spaces for oxygen to escape. Try building a teepee out of kindling around the wood and start the fire in the middle of the teepee. You can use a starter log to help get the fire going quickly.

Once your fire is started, make sure you never leave it unattended and put it out completely before heading inside for the night. Learn more about building a bonfire here.

What are your favorite bonfire staples?