Remember, remember the 5th of November?
The Fall season is packed full of fun celebrations to have as a family, and once you’ve recovered from celebrating Halloween, Bonfire Night is the next big event on the calendar.
Bonfire Night can be an exciting time of year for the whole family and this November you may be considering taking your toddler to their very first bonfire display. As entertaining as fireworks can be, the unfamiliar smells, sights and sounds of Bonfire Night can also be a little overwhelming. If you want to ensure that your child’s first bonfire night to go without a hitch, here are some helpful hints and tips for celebrating bonfire night with a toddler.
Wrap up warm
Standing around in the cold waiting for the fireworks to start can cause your child to get cold very quickly, so you need to make sure they are dressed appropriately for the weather. Layering up clothing is the best way to trap heat against their body, along with a warm, waterproof coat, woolly hat and thick pair of gloves. As it will be very dark when the display starts, clothes with bright colours or reflective panels are also recommended, helping ensure visibility at all times.
Consider using ear defenders
Some fireworks can be extremely loud, so if you child is very young, it may be sensible to invest in a pair of small ear defenders. Not only will ear defenders help protect your child’s hearing, but prevent them from becoming scared or distressed when a particularly loud firework explodes above their heads.
Keep away from the fire
As tempting as it may be to get closer to the comforting warmth of the open fire, you should position yourself further away when visiting a fireworks display with a toddler. The smoke can be bad for their lungs, so instead find yourself an elevated position. This way you are safely away from the generated ash and soot and your child can get a great view above the crowds without needing to crane their neck.
Look out for early displays
Firework displays that start late in the evening tend to be noisier, where as some public displays offer child/autism friendly displays that are not only on earlier in the evening, but quieter and less jumpy for little ones too. These displays tend to focus more on the pretty colours and fun designs rather than noisy rockets and explosions.
Keep your toddler close
Organised displays can get incredibly busy, so ensure you keep them close at all times. You should also be prepared that at some point, their legs will get tired and you may end up carrying them on your shoulders. If you have a back carrier this may help, or an all-terrain pushchair that can navigate across muddy embankments.
Sound too stressful?
If all this sounds a bit too much like hard work, why not celebrate Bonfire Night at home instead? Whether it’s some sparklers held at a distance or making gooey marshmallow smores, there are plenty of ways to create a parental controlled in the comfort of your own yard. Get some friends around and split the cost to enjoy a fun, safe and budget friendly Bonfire Night celebration.
