Bonfire-themed activities at Rowans Nursery, Sutton Coldfield are exactly what we’ll be offering this Wednesday. The day will be full of colour, curiosity and calm — at Rowans we turn that excitement into creative learning. During the day we’ll run simple, staff-led activities that are fun, safe and linked to early learning goals so every child can join in and feel confident.
What we’ll do
- Firework art. Children will paint, collage and use safe sparkly materials to make bright firework pictures — great for fine motor skills and colour recognition. See related craft ideas on our Pumpkin decorating for toddlers page.
- Light and shadow play. Using child-safe torches and LED lanterns, children will explore shadows and reflections to learn simple science words like “bright”, “dim” and “glow”.
- Story time about safety and light. Short, age-appropriate stories help children understand why we celebrate and how to stay safe near fire and fireworks.
- Quiet craft corners. For children who prefer calmer activities, we’ll provide sensory stations with textured paper and drawing tools.
- Fire safety practice. A gentle, age-appropriate explanation of routines followed by a short drill so children learn the steps: listen, walk calmly and meet at a safe spot.
Why it matters (EYFS learning in action)
Each activity links to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): communication and language, personal, social and emotional development (PSED), physical development and expressive arts & design. Group crafts build turn-taking and teamwork; stories build vocabulary; safety routines build confidence. Read more about our approach on Our EYFS approach.
Bonfire-themed activities at Rowans Nursery:
Safety first — what parents should know
We keep the day calm and nursery-friendly:
- All of our Bonfire Themed activities at Rowans Nursery are supervised by DBS-checked staff and take place indoors or in securely supervised outdoor areas.
- We do not use real fireworks or open flames — only LED tealights, torches and battery lanterns.
- We run a short, simple fire drill so children know what to do in an emergency.
- If your child is sensitive to loud noises, tell staff in advance and we’ll offer quieter spaces and alternative activities. For information about sessions and childcare support see our Childcare funding page.
What to bring
- Warm layers and a waterproof coat — we may use the garden for short activities.
- Named wellies if you have them (for outdoor play).
- Any comfort item your child uses at nursery for reassurance.
- Please tell staff about any worries, recent experiences or sensory needs so we can plan accordingly.
Photos and memories
We’ll photograph children’s artwork and activities for the nursery gallery. If you’d prefer your child not to be photographed, please tell a member of staff in advance. See past events in our News & Events gallery or browse more seasonal posts on our Autumn nursery events page.
Quick reminders for parents
- Tell staff about noise sensitivities or any recent changes affecting your child.
- Dress children in layers for the weather.
- If you need to collect early for an evening event, let us know so we can keep the day calm.
Want to join in?
If you’d like to view a short display of the children’s firework artwork, speak to a member of staff and we’ll arrange a safe, socially-distanced viewing time with a hot drink. To arrange a visit:
Primary CTA — Book a tour & see our Bonfire gallery:
Book a tour (Contact page) • Call 0121 354 1752 • info@rowans-nursery.com
You might also find these pages useful:
- Open Week & visits — reserve a place at our next session.
- Pumpkin decorating for toddlers — try a simple activity at home.
- Easy DIY Halloween costumes for toddlers — quick ideas to join in the fun.
- Holiday Club — info if you need care during school holidays.
- Gallery — more photos of our seasonal activities.
Further reading & official guidance
- RoSPA — Firework safety tips for families.
- GOV.UK — Official fire safety guidance for celebrations.
