A time to celebrate together
As the cold nights draw in, many of us are looking forward to an evening of dazzling technicoloured skies, crunchy toffee apples and quality time spent celebrating with family this Bonfire Night.
Some children love nothing more than the magic of fireworks— however, not everyone is comfortable around this night. For some children, especially young children, those with sensory needs, and children living with the effects of trauma, Bonfire Night and other celebrations which involve the use of Fireworks can be overwhelming or frightening.
Let’s take a look at some ways to be mindful of your foster child’s needs this Guy Fawkes Night, and some tips to help you enjoy a fun and safe Bonfire Night at home as a family.
How to enjoy Bonfire Night together as a family
Talk about the event in advance
Prepare your young person for Bonfire Night by ensuring they know when the event will be happening, as well as what to expect. Ask them about their feelings and how they’d like to celebrate this year.
Perhaps they’re eager to go to their first fireworks display, or maybe they’d feel better watching from the house while the night sky lights up outside your window. Whatever you decide to do, talk your child through a clear plan of how you’ll be celebrating as a family.
Learn together
Discovering the history behind Bonfire Night can be a great way to help your young person understand the tradition and can be a great way of celebrating from home. BBC Bitesize has some really great resources and activities to help you learn about Bonfire Night together.
If you enjoy getting crafty, you could instead create a beautiful art project together. Our favourite Bonfire Night art projects for kids include painting a fireworks display using blow pens and glitter, or making a firework-themed sensory ribbon ring toy.
Celebrate in your own way
There are no rules when it comes to how you and your family celebrate Bonfire Night. If you’d prefer to stay indoors and have a cosy autumn night in, that’s a perfectly valid choice. There are plenty of fun traditions you can enjoy inside your home, including apple bobbing and toasting marshmallows— or you could invent some new traditions of your own, like building a blanket fort or having a movie night!
Prepare a calming bedtime routine
Whether your child is excited or uncertain about Bonfire Night, everyone in your household will likely experience a disturbed sleep, whether than be because of noise, excitement, staying up late to celebrate or anxiety. It’s important to wind down before bed to make sure everyone can get good quality rest and feel refreshed the next morning.
You could spend some quality time with your foster child by doing something calming like colouring or watching a show together while enjoying a warm drink before bed. Items like noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys or a weighted blanket can also help to bring comfort to your young person before bedtime.
If your young person is anxious about sleeping alone through the night, you could help to ease their discomfort by practising mindful breathing with them before bedtime, reading to them until they fall asleep, ensuring they have their favourite cuddly toy and a night-light, and by sitting outside of their bedroom door until they fall asleep.
Keep your pets safe on Bonfire Night
If you have family pets, one way to help ease your child’s anxiety around Bonfire Night is to let them know that pets can get nervous and scared around fireworks, too. Pets are wonderful companions for foster children, and knowing that their furry friends might be sharing their emotions can help children to normalise how they’re feeling and feel less alone.
Perhaps you could ask your foster child to take on the responsibility of caring for your pets for the night. ‘Gamifying’ the evening in this way can be a great distraction and may help them to feel more brave as they redirect their focus to ensuring your family pets are feeling safe and loved. Comforting cuddles aren’t just good for your pets— they can be hugely comforting to your foster child, too!
Top tips for a successful Bonfire Night at home
If you choose to have a celebration at home by setting off fireworks in your back garden, here are some more ways in which you can ensure that everyone has a safe, fun night.
Firework safety.
Ensuring that every member of your family is aware of how to stay safe around fireworks is extremely important, whether you’re lighting a Catherine wheel at home or heading out to watch a professional firework display. Follow instructions carefully and never allow children near fireworks. Never attempt to relight a ‘dud’ firework, and ensure that fireworks are properly disposed of after use.
Always buy your fireworks from verified retailers, such as a pop-up fireworks shop or your local supermarket. Firework selection boxes are a great value option for families, and will be more varied and long-lasting than buying individually priced larger items. Once purchased, store fireworks in their original packaging, somewhere dry, away from heat sources and locked away from children.
Buy your fireworks in advance.
Retailers will usually begin popping up a week or two before Bonfire Night. Small items, like sparklers and low-noise kits, are the most sought after. We recommend that you buy them early— if you head to the shops for these in-demand items on November 4th, there’s a good chance you’ll leave disappointed!
Invest in low-noise options.
Low-noise fireworks kits are a great low-cost and kid-friendly way of introducing fireworks to your foster children. Catherine wheels, sparklers and fountains all allow for a beautiful light display without overly distressing sounds. Many retailers also offer barcodes you can scan before purchasing, so you can show your little one what to expect and help to ease any nerves.
Keep warm.
Blankets, jumpers and cosy items are all essentials on Bonfire Night; just be sure to keep them well away from any potential sources of ignition!
Keep pets inside.
RSPCA guidance reminds us all that pets should be kept inside on Bonfire Night, with small pets and cats usually prefer to be left alone with regular check-ins, whereas dogs might be more sociable and might be distracted from the noise with toys and lots of affection.
Stock up on yummy treats— or make your own!
No Bonfire Night is complete without some tasty treats. Campfire-style baked potatoes, candy apples and yummy bonfire toffees are all classics on Guy Fawkes Night. Toasty hot chocolates will help to keep you and the family warm— don’t forget the marshmallows!
Take things at your child’s pace.
If you believe the child in your care is becoming overwhelmed, have somewhere quiet prepared with some comforts to help calm and reassure them. If you decide to celebrate outside the family home by attending a local bonfire or fireworks display, have a plan to remove your young person from the situation just encase it becomes too much.
Remember, remember…
However you choose to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, you should make the night your own in whatever way feels comfortable for you and your foster children. Whether that means marvelling at a local firework’s display or watching from the windows with a comforting cup of hot chocolate, from everybody here at FCA, we’re wishing you a safe and fun Bonfire Night!
