Cook on a campfire
Cook simple campfire meals like foil packet vegetables and toasted marshmallows while practicing safe fire setup, adult supervision, and basic outdoor cooking techniques.
About this activity
Cook simple campfire meals like foil packet vegetables and toasted marshmallows while practicing safe fire setup, adult supervision, and basic outdoor cooking techniques.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a flat safe spot away from bushes and lay out all your materials so they are easy to reach.
- 2
Step 2
Put the bucket of water next to the spot and clear sticks and leaves from about two meters around the area.
- 3
Step 3
Ask an adult to build and light the campfire until there is a steady bed of hot coals.
- 4
Step 4
Put on your heatproof gloves before you get close to the fire.
- 5
Step 5
Use tongs with an adult to move coals into a flat bed for cooking.
- 6
Step 6
Tear a piece of tin foil about twice as big as a plate and place it shiny side up on the plate.
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Step 7
Put a handful of pre-cut vegetables in the center of the foil and drizzle a little olive oil or butter over them.
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Step 8
Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over the vegetables and fold the foil into a tight sealed packet.
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Step 9
Ask an adult to place the foil packet on the hot coals or on a grill over the fire.
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Step 10
Skewer a marshmallow on a long stick and hold it a little above the flames while an adult watches.
- 11
Step 11
Slowly rotate the stick so the marshmallow browns evenly on all sides.
- 12
Step 12
Slide the toasted marshmallow off the stick onto a plate and let it cool for a few seconds.
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Step 13
Ask an adult to lift a foil packet with tongs and open it away from your face to check the vegetables and let them cool a bit.
- 14
Step 14
Ask an adult to fully put out the fire by pouring water on the coals and stirring until the ashes are cool to the touch.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo and short description of your campfire meal on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I teach my child to cook simple meals on a campfire?
Start by choosing a safe, contained fire pit and demonstrate how adults build and tend a small fire. For foil-packet vegetables: chop veggies, toss with oil and seasoning, seal in heavy-duty foil, and place on hot coals, turning occasionally until tender. For marshmallows: use long skewers and roast at a distance, rotating slowly. Keep clear rules, model safe behavior, check food temperature, and always supervise closely while kids practice.
What materials do I need to cook foil packet vegetables and marshmallows on a campfire with kids?
You’ll need a safe fire pit or ring, matches or a lighter, kindling and fuel, a water bucket or extinguisher, heavy-duty aluminum foil, vegetables and seasonings, oil, long skewers or metal roasting forks, tongs, heatproof gloves, a cutting board and knife for adult use, plates and napkins, and a basic first-aid kit. Bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer for cleanup and a thermometer to check hot food if possible.
What ages is campfire cooking suitable for?
Campfire cooking is adaptable: toddlers (0–3) should observe only. Ages 4–6 can help assemble foil packets and practice safe steps with close adult guidance. Ages 7–10 can roast marshmallows with supervision and learn simple fire safety rules. Ages 11+ can take on more responsibility—managing low flames and turning packets—still under adult oversight. Tailor tasks to each child’s maturity, motor skills, and ability to follow safety instructions.
What safety tips should I follow when cooking on a campfire with children?
Keep the fire small and contained, establish a clear boundary, and station an adult solely to supervise flames. Use long-handled tools, heatproof gloves, and metal skewers. Keep a water bucket and shovel nearby and teach kids never to run around the fire. Avoid loose clothing, check food temperatures before serving, and fully extinguish coals when finished. Have a basic first-aid kit and explain emergency steps to older children in advance.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have tin foil, heatproof gloves, or long skewers?
If you don't have tin foil, cook the pre-cut vegetables in a small cast-iron pan or enamel mug over the hot coals, use thick oven mitts if you lack heatproof gloves, and replace wooden skewers with metal skewers or a long metal roasting fork for the marshmallow while an adult supervises.
What should we do if the foil packet burns or the vegetables are undercooked, or if the marshmallow catches fire?
If the foil packet is burning, move it with tongs to cooler coals or a grill, open it away from your face to check doneness and return it for a few more minutes if undercooked, and if the marshmallow flames up hold the skewer higher above the flames and slowly rotate until it browns.
How can we adapt the activity for younger kids, older children, and teens?
For toddlers let them help lay out materials and pass pre-cut vegetables, for younger kids (5–8) have them drizzle oil and fold the foil with close adult guidance, for older children (9–12) let them use tongs to position packets with supervision, and teens can manage timing, photograph the meal, and upload the photo to DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the campfire cooking to make it more fun or tasty?
Customize the foil packet by adding sliced cheese, herbs, or pre-cooked sausage, try a sweet foil packet with apple and cinnamon, experiment with different vegetables or marinades before sealing, or make s'mores after toasting marshmallows and then share the finished meal photo on DIY.org.