There’s something magical about sitting around a campfire on a warm summer night with your kids. The crackle of the flames, the glow against the trees, the smell of smoke lingering in the air—it all creates this perfect little bubble, a moment that feels timeless. For me, these campfire nights have become more than just an activity; they’re a way to connect with my kids in a world that constantly pulls us in different directions.
When I first started planning these evenings, I didn’t fully understand how much they’d mean to us as a family. I thought we’d roast some marshmallows, tell a few ghost stories, and call it a night. But over time, the campfire became so much more—it became a space where laughter was louder, stories were richer, and the bond between us grew stronger. If you’ve never spent an evening like this with your kids, let me tell you—there’s no better way to hit the pause button on life and focus on what truly matters.
The Ritual of Setting Up
The magic doesn’t just start when the fire is lit. In fact, some of the best moments happen before we even strike the first match. Gathering firewood, setting up chairs, and deciding on the perfect spot for the fire pit has become something of a ritual for us. My kids love to help, even if their “help” sometimes looks like carrying one tiny twig and declaring they’vedone enough.
For me, these little moments are gold. Watching my kids get involved, even in small ways, gives them a sense of ownership over the evening. And honestly, their excitement is contagious. They’ll argue over who gets to hold the flashlight, who gets to pick the first stick for roasting marshmallows, and even who gets to place the kindling just right. Every step feels like a team effort, even if I do most of the heavy lifting.
The Art of the Perfect S'more
Ah, s’mores. Is it even a campfire without them? I’ll admit, I think I get more excited about making s’mores than my kids do. There’s a kind of unspoken competition among us now—who can toast their marshmallow to that perfect golden-brown without setting it on fire? Spoiler: it’s never me. I’m the dad who inevitably ends up with a marshmallow engulfed in flames, while my kids giggle and make fun of me for being “impatient.”
But beyond the sticky fingers and slightly burned marshmallows, there’s something about sharing food around a fire that feels so primal and comforting. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, but it’s ours. Even when my youngest drops half his chocolate into the dirt or my oldest tries to sneak an extra marshmallow, it’s all part of the charm.
Campfire Stories, the Silly and the Spooky
As the fire settles into a steady glow, the storytelling begins. This is where the real bonding happens. When my kids were younger, the stories were mostly silly—tales about talking frogs or dinosaurs that loved pizza. Now that they’re older, they want me to tell spooky ghost stories, even though they’ll spend the rest of the night creeping into my room because they’re “totally not scared.”
Sometimes, though, the stories turn personal. I’ll share memories from my own childhood—like the time I accidentally broke my dad’s fishing rod or the summer I learned to ride a bike. It’s funny how much my kids love hearing about the times I messed up as a kid. I think it makes me seem more relatable to them, more human. And in return, they start opening up about their own little adventures and mishaps. It’s a circle of sharing, one that builds trust and understanding in the simplest yet most profound way.
The Stars as Our Ceiling
When the stories wind down and the fire starts to fade, we’ll lean back in our chairs and look up at the stars. Living in the city, we don’t get to see the night sky like this very often. Out here, away from the glow of streetlights, the stars feel endless. I keep a stargazing app on my phone, so we’ll try to spot constellations together. My kids are endlessly fascinated by the idea that some of the stars we’re looking at burned out millions of years ago but their light is only now reaching us.
This is when the conversations get deeper. There’s something about staring up at the vastness of the night sky that makes you wonder about life’s big questions. My kids have asked me everything from “Do you think aliens are real?” to “What do you think happens after we die?” These aren’t conversations I can always prepare for, but they’re some of the most meaningful ones we’ve ever had.
Lessons in Simplicity
What strikes me most about these campfire nights is how simple they are. No screens, no schedules, no distractions—just us, the fire, and the night. In a world that feels so fast-paced and overwhelming, these evenings remind me how little we really need to feel connected. It’s not about elaborate activities or expensive outings. It’s about presence, about being fully there with my kids in the moment.
I’ve noticed that my kids are more relaxed during these nights, too. They’re not checking their phones or worrying about school. They’re just kids, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the company of their dad. And for me, there’s no greater gift than that.
Carrying the Memories
As much as I love these nights, what I treasure most is knowing that my kids will carry these memories with them. Maybe one day, they’ll sit around a campfire with their own children and tell them about the times we did this together. Maybethey’ll remember how their marshmallows always fell off the stick or how their dad could never seem to toast one properly. Or maybe they’ll just remember the feeling of being loved and valued in those moments. Either way, these nights are a gift I hope they’ll hold onto forever.
Planning Your Own Campfire Night
If you’ve been thinking about doing something like this with your kids, I can’t recommend it enough. You don’t need to go far—your backyard or a local campsite works just fine. Bring some firewood, snacks, and maybe a blanket or two, and you’re set. The key isn’t perfection; it’s presence. Even if your fire doesn’t light on the first try or your marshmallows catch fire (trust me, it happens), your kids won’t care. What they’ll remember is that you were there, fully present, creating memories with them.
As a dad, it’s easy to feel like you need to plan big, elaborate outings to make an impact. But trust me, sometimes the simplest things leave the biggest impressions. A campfire, some marshmallows, and a little time are all you need. So light that fire, lean back, and watch the magic unfold. You won’t regret it.
