Bonfire Night, celebrated every year on November 5th, is a time of dazzling fireworks, glowing bonfires, and cozy family gatherings. While the night is bursting with excitement, it’s also a brilliant opportunity to weave reading and storytelling into your celebrations. From tales of the night sky to firework-inspired poetry, books can add an extra spark of imagination and learning to this special evening.

By bringing reading into your Bonfire Night traditions, you can create meaningful moments together while nurturing your child’s love of books. Here are some fun and simple ways to combine fireworks, family, and fantastic stories!

Why Reading Fits Perfectly with Bonfire Night

Special occasions like Bonfire Night create wonderful opportunities to explore stories and ideas as a family. Making books part of your celebration can help children connect reading with joy and curiosity. Here’s why it works so well:

  • Encourages family bonding: Reading together before or after the fireworks builds lasting memories.
  • Brings history to life: Learning about the Gunpowder Plot helps children understand the story behind the celebration.
  • Inspires creativity: Fireworks and autumn evenings set the perfect scene for storytelling, poetry, and imagination.
  • Supports learning: Talking about books linked to Bonfire Night can expand vocabulary and spark curiosity about history.

Want more ways to make reading engaging? Visit our Helping Children Learn to Read guide for ideas and inspiration.

Fun Reading Activities for Bonfire Night

1. Storytelling by the Fire

There’s something magical about sharing stories beside a glowing fire. Whether you’re reading from a book or telling your own tale, it’s a wonderful way to end the evening.

  • Choose adventure stories or folktales inspired by fire, stars, or the night sky.
  • Use a torch or lantern for a cozy, storytelling glow.
  • Encourage your child to invent their own Bonfire Night story to share with the family.

2. Firework Poetry

Fireworks are full of sights and sounds that can be turned into creative writing! Poetry is a fun way for children to describe what they see in the sky.

  • Help them use descriptive language — “The fireworks bloomed like golden flowers in the dark.”
  • Create an acrostic poem using the word FIREWORKS.
  • Read a few short poems about light, stars, or autumn to inspire their own writing.

3. Make Firework-Themed Bookmarks

Turn craft time into a reading activity by creating firework-inspired bookmarks.

  • Use black card and bright chalk or metallic pens to draw firework bursts.
  • Write a favourite quote or poem line on each bookmark.
  • Laminating them makes a fun keepsake for future storytimes.

4. Discover the History Behind Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night has a fascinating history connected to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Reading about this event helps children see history come alive.

  • Find age-appropriate books about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.
  • Talk about the reasons behind the tradition and how it’s changed over time.
  • Encourage older children to write a short news report or diary entry from the perspective of someone in 1605!

Looking for historical reads? Explore our Book Bands to find the right level for your child.

How Reading Chest Can Help Light Up Reading

Keeping a variety of books at home makes it easy to bring reading into every celebration. With Reading Chest, your child can explore a world of stories delivered straight to your door.

  • Our book band system ensures every child receives books perfectly matched to their reading level.
  • Flexible book swaps keep things fresh, exciting, and perfectly timed for seasonal reading.
  • Parents can find plenty of tips on choosing books to match their child’s interests and confidence.

Make Reading Part of the Celebration

Bonfire Night isn’t just about fireworks — it’s also a wonderful opportunity to connect through stories, creativity, and learning. Whether you’re reading by the fire, crafting colourful bookmarks, or exploring the history behind the tradition, books can make the night even more memorable.

Looking for more ways to encourage your child’s reading journey? Learn more about Reading Chest and how we help families make reading a daily adventure.

Join the Fun!

We’d love to see how your family is combining reading and Bonfire Night fun! Share your book-inspired celebrations with us on Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram. Let’s light up the night with stories, sparks, and imagination! 💛