Firework Activities for Kids: Creative Projects, Experiments and Crafts

Activities for kids Parenting tips Early Primary (6–8 Years) Middle Childhood (9–11 Years) Preschool Age (3–6 Years) Preteens (12–14 Years)

By  Pastory Team  |  15.12.2025  |  Upd. 15.12.2025

For children, the sheer excitement of fireworks and the dramatic glow of a bonfire can spark incredible wonder and curiosity. While real fireworks displays, like those for Bonfire Night (the 5th of November), Chinese New Year, Diwali, or the 4th of July, are thrilling, they require strict safety precautions and adult supervision. The good news is that we can capture that brilliant, fleeting magic through safe, engaging, and age-appropriate firework-themed activities and crafts for kids right at home or in the classroom.

This resource is designed to gather the best, most impactful firework-themed projects for children. We’ll cover everything from simple firework crafts for kids and firework activities for early years to stimulating STEM experiments and festive bonfire night activities for children. Every idea focuses on fostering creativity, building crucial fine motor skills, and ensuring a safe, joyful play experience for kids of all ages, including toddler-friendly options. Let’s get crafty and make some fantastic, colourful “explosions” that children will love!

Firework Crafts for Kids

Crafting is a fantastic way to introduce new textures, practice following simple instructions, and allow children to get creative with vibrant colour palettes. These classic craft activities use simple supplies you likely already have on hand and are perfect for an afternoon of fun or classroom celebration.

Spinning Top Firework Painting

This dynamic art project is a guaranteed hit for developing a sense of cause and effect.

• Materials: Spinning top, cardstock or thick paper (black paper works best for a night themed look), paint (fluorescent or metallic colours are ideal).
• Process: Place dots of bright paint onto the paper. Dip the tip of the spinning top into the paint, then let older children (and supervised younger ones) set it spinning! The centrifugal force will create beautiful, radial paint bursts that perfectly mimic the shape of a spectacular fireworks display. It’s a messy but incredibly rewarding activity.

Fork Fireworks Art

A wonderful example of how everyday items can become unique art tools.

• Process: Dip the tines of a plastic or metal fork into thick paint. Stamp the fork onto paper from a central point, radiating outward. By overlapping different colours, children can explore colour blending and create a series of vibrant “booms.” This simple craft idea is excellent for preschoolers.

Cupcake Liner Fireworks

These layered creations are easy to assemble and make great table decorations for a New Year’s Eve party or firework night.

• Process: Flatten and fold various sizes of colourful cupcake liners in half or quarters. Glue them onto cardstock, layering them from largest to smallest to form a layered spark shape. Encourage kids to add a touch of glue and glitter for a brilliant sparkler effect.

Toilet Paper Tube Fireworks

Recycling kitchen essentials into art is a core principle of good crafting. This is a brilliant firework art technique.

• Process: Take a toilet paper roll or a cardboard tube and cut several evenly spaced slits (about halfway up the tube) around one end. Fan out the cut pieces. Dip the end into paint and use it as a stamp. The tube acts like a brush, creating multiple lines that radiate from the center, forming a unique firework effect.

Salt Painting Fireworks

This salt art technique results in beautiful, raised, and sparkly lines that children love to touch and look at. It’s a brilliant fine motor activity.

Firework Activities for Early Years

For toddlers and preschoolers, activities should focus on sensory exploration, developing fine motor skills, and simple, safe engagement. These ideas are perfect for young children to learn in a fun, hands-on way.

Glittery Glowstick Tag

An active, night-themed game that simulates sparkling trails. This is perfect for when you celebrate bonfire night safely outdoors.

• Process: Give each child a few glowsticks (ensure they are properly sealed and safe). In a safe, enclosed outdoor area, play a simple game of tag or hide-and-seek where the glowsticks become their temporary “sparkle trail.” It allows them to experience the night-sky theme with movement and light.

Sparkly Pompom Sorting

Sorting activities are fundamental for early cognitive development.

• Process: Provide a collection of firework-bright pompoms (with added glitter or metallic threads if possible) and several small containers. Ask children to sort them by colour, size, or texture. This simple activity is great for fine motor skills development.

Bonfire Collage for Preschoolers

A simple, textural project to introduce the bonfire concept.

• Process: Use cut-up pieces of orange, red, and yellow tissue paper, yarn, or wool to represent the flames. Children can stick these onto a piece of card. Add small, brown sticks or strips of brown paper at the base to represent the wood. This simple bonfire craft is ideal for small hands.

Handprint Bonfire Craft

A lovely keepsake craft idea.

• Process: Trace and cut out several handprints from red, orange, and yellow paper. Layer these handprints, slightly overlapping, to create a textured, layered flame shape on a piece of cardstock. Add brown paper “logs” underneath. This is a very personal themed craft.

Firework STEM Experiments

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) projects themed around fireworks can be educational and exciting. These are safe, child-friendly ways to explore concepts like density, chemical reactions, and colour theory.

Fireworks in a Jar Experiment

A classic, visually stunning demonstration of density.

• Process: Fill a clear jar or tall glass about two-thirds full of warm water. In a separate small bowl, mix a few tablespoons of cooking oil with several drops of various food colourings. Pour the oil/colour mixture slowly into the water. As the coloured droplets sink through the oil layer into the water, they dissolve and create beautiful, cascading streams – just like fireworks in a jar. This demonstrates that oil and water don’t mix and have different densities.

Fizzing Fireworks in a Jar

Introducing a safe, effervescent chemical reaction.

• Process: Layer a small amount of baking soda at the bottom of a jar. Drip different coloured vinegar solutions (vinegar mixed with food colouring) over the baking soda using a pipette or teaspoon. The acid-base reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will produce colourful fizzing eruptions that resemble small bursts.

Water and Oil Fireworks Project

Exploring emulsification and layering effects.

• Process: This is similar to the first experiment, but focus on observing how the oil sits on top and how stirring can briefly mix the two liquids (emulsification) before they separate again. Discuss why the oil forms droplets, leading to a visual “floating firework” effect.

Chalk Fireworks Outdoors

Combining movement, visual art, and basic physics.

• Process: On pavement or a safe outdoor surface, draw the basic shape of a firework burst using chalk. Next, take chalk dust (by scraping the chalk) and gently blow it across the design, observing how airflow changes the lines. This is a fun and active art project.

Edible Firework Treats for Kids

Safe, celebratory treats are perfect for a New Year’s Eve celebration or a bonfire night gathering. Remember to consider allergies and age-appropriate chewing safety.

Edible Sparklers

A festive, simple, and satisfying treat.

• Process: Dip one end of breadsticks or pretzels into melted chocolate. Immediately dip the chocolate-covered end into colourful sprinkles, edible glitter, or sugar strands. Let them set on baking paper. These are fun to wave (gently!) before eating.

Firework Biscuits

Simple biscuits become a festive canvas.

• Process: Bake or purchase plain round biscuits. Use bright icing to create swirled or dotted firework prints. A simple technique is to spread a base colour, then pipe concentric circles of contrasting icing, and drag a toothpick from the center outward to create a starburst pattern.

Toffee Apples for Kids

A classic bonfire night treat adapted for safety.

• Safety Note: Traditional hard toffee can be a choking hazard for younger children.
• Alternative Method: Instead of hard toffee, use melted chocolate or a simple caramel dip (ensure it’s not too hot) for dipping small apple slices or chunks. Press in chopped nuts, sprinkles, or mini marshmallows for a festive coating.

Recycled Firework Projects

Involving kids in eco-friendly crafts is a great way to teach resourcefulness and sustainability.

Recycled Rockets

Building a rocket from household materials is a fantastic themed activity that promotes problem-solving.

• Process: Use toilet paper rolls or kitchen roll cardboard tube rockets for the body. Attach a cone shape (cut from cardboard or plastic) to the top. Decorate with foil, paint, or strips of coloured paper. Adding pipe cleaner “flames” to the bottom is a playful touch.

Cardboard Tube Rockets

Simple step-by-step assembly focused on decoration.

• Process: Decorate the tube with bright paper. Cut out simple fins from the card and glue them to the side of the tube. This simple structure allows children to explore design and stability.

Foil Sparkler Craft

A safe, indoor substitute for the real thing.

• Process: Cut long strips of silver or gold foil. Glue one end of the foil strips to a wooden skewer or a sturdy straw. Twist the foil strips slightly to give them a textured, crinkled look. These safe, shiny sticks can be waved around during imaginative play.

Play-Based Firework Activities

These activities transform the excitement of fireworks into active, imaginative, and sensory play.

Simon Says Firework Edition

A fun, active game that uses movement to mimic firework actions.

• Prompts: “Simon says crackle” (wiggle fingers quickly). “Simon says bang” (stomp feet and shout). “Simon says sparkle” (twirl slowly with wide, shimmering arms). “Simon says be a rocket” (crouch down and jump up high).

Sparkler Sticks for Safe Pretend Play

Creating safe, tactile sparkler alternatives for toddlers.

• Process: Tie several long, thin strips of bright, shiny ribbon or tulle to the end of a wooden dowel or sturdy stick. These can be waved rapidly to simulate the movement of a sparkler without any heat risk. This is a very simple fun activity.

Sticky Wall Firework Activity

A great mess-free option for exploring shapes and colours.

• Process: Secure a large piece of contact paper (sticky side facing out) onto a wall or window. Cut out various shapes from colourful foam or paper. Children place the shapes onto the sticky surface to form firework bursts, working on shape recognition and hand-eye coordination.

Seasonal Bonfire Night Ideas for Families

Linking these projects to the tradition of Bonfire Night or other firework holidays makes them even more meaningful.

Bonfire-Themed Sensory Tray

A rich sensory experience that engages multiple senses.

• Materials: Dyed orange and red rice, sand, or dried pasta; small sticks or twigs; mini toy logs; red and yellow acrylic jewels; small cups or scoops.
• Process: Combine the materials in a tray. Children can use the tools to scoop, pour, and arrange the items, creating their own miniature, safe bonfires.

Catherine Wheel Paper Plate Craft

A classic bonfire night craft that encourages circular patterns.

• Process: Use a paper plate as a base. Paint or glue strips of paper, pipe cleaners, or foil in a spiral pattern from the center outwards to represent the spinning motion of a Catherine wheel.

Firework Art Techniques for Kids

These techniques move beyond simple paint and paper, using alternative media to create dazzling textures and effects.

Fireworks with Beads and Play Dough

Adding a tactile, 3D element to art.

• Process: Provide a flattened piece of dark play dough. Encourage children to press colourful beads (collection of firework colours) into the dough, arranging them in radiating patterns to create 3D firework shapes. This is great for fine motor skills practice.

Paper Plate Firework Scenes

Creating dynamic, multi-layered artwork.

• Process: Children paint the paper plate a dark colour. Once dry, they can layer materials like painted tissue paper, yarn, glitter, or foil strips onto the plate to create a detailed, dynamic firework scene. This is a fantastic fun learning experience.

Safety Tips for Firework-Themed Play

While these activities are designed to be safe, adult supervision is key, particularly with younger children, messy materials, and small components.

Safe Materials Checklist

Always prioritize safety and non-toxicity.

• Non-toxic, washable paint and glue.
• Child-safe items for sensory play (ensure small parts are avoided for toddlers).
• Food-grade ingredients for edible craft activities.

Supervision Guidance for Families

• Experiments: Always supervise STEM experiments that involve chemicals (like vinegar/baking soda) or heat (even if minimal).
• Edibles: Supervise all creation of edible sparklers and other treats to ensure safe preparation and consumption.
• Glitter: While fun, glitter can be easily ingested or get into eyes; supervise its use closely.

Outdoor Activity Precautions

• Ensure any outdoor play area for games like Glowstick Tag is safe, enclosed, and free of hazards.
• Check that chalk dust is not inhaled during Chalk Fireworks and that hands are washed after use.

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