Bonfire Small World

This winter themed small world activity for toddlers and older children is particularly great as it gets colder and darker in the afternoons. It is also a great sensory idea for younger babies but obviously care would need to be taken with them. This activity is a great stimulus for imaginative play and developing language and understanding of the world around us.

Set Up

So for this winter small world idea I used items that I already had at home. I used some tissue paper, battery operated fairy lights, logs, sticks and mini marshmallows. I also put our pop up beach tent next to it, so that we could pretend that we were camping.

Both the girls were so excited when they saw the bonfire set up I had created for them. Both were keen to get a closer look straight away and instantly had an explore. Before long the imaginative play began. I really enjoyed playing with them and we had to huddle up in the tent as it was cold and raining outside. F put the blanket over her head to tend to the fire! They played so nicely together, telling each other to be quick, hurry before the storm comes!

Their imaginations always astounds me. M was teaching F how to keep the fire alight and ordered me to collect some more dry wood. It was such a brilliant opportunity to develop both their language. As it got dark the fire really came to life and we found ourselves snuggling up in the tent reading stories that had been scavenged from the kitchen across the river! A brilliantly simple winter themed small world idea that sparks children’s imagination and helps develop their language.