Find and prepare the fire pit
Hosting a campfire with children is exciting and the kids take part with great enthusiasm. But before you can start making the fire, it's important that you find the right fire pit and prepare it: Choose a spot away from easily flammable surroundings like dry grass or the forest floor. A sandy or rocky surface is ideal. Gather well-dried logs in various sizes, sticks and branches and set everything out. Here the kids can really help out as a team. When edging the fire pit with larger stones, you should lend a hand and support the kids. Once everything is in place, you can get started!
How are the sparks created?
The fire steel is made of a magnesium alloy. When you scrape it hard with the metal striker, tiny metal shavings are released that spark from the friction. These sparks make your tinder glow and – voilà – the fire can take hold. Before you start scraping, you need something that will catch the small, hot sparks. So here's a tip: first make a few fine shavings. It's quite simple: With the striker or a knife, shave off small, paper-thin magnesium shavings from the rod, form the shavings into a small pile and place your tinder directly next to it so the spark can jump across.
Lighting the campfire yourself with the firesteel - a great experience for young and old.
More fire-starting aids
In addition to the magnesium shavings, a few other aids will help the wood catch fire faster: Use birch bark to start a fire, because it contains natural oils and ignites immediately – even when slightly damp. A wax-soaked cotton ball brings the sparks to fly immediately. And wood shavings, crumpled newspaper (with as little printer ink as possible and uncoated), egg cartons in small pieces or unprinted cardboard provide somewhat longer smoldering.
A hot tip for true outdoor pros: Prepare your tinder bundle well – airy, but tight enough to hold the heat. Then: grab the cord, set the scraper tool and scrape vigorously! First you'll see small flashes of light, then the warm glow and soon the flame will be blazing, really getting your outdoor experience going.
Dry birch bark is especially good for kindling.
In addition to shavings and bark, you can also prepare sticks with the knife and whittle shavings.
Under the logs you can see a cotton ball soaked in wax.
The campfire is burning – what now?
You need to make sure your fire doesn't go out and always add fuel in time. To avoid smothering the fire, it's best to work from small to large: after the first shavings come thicker branches and logs.
What could be cozier than sitting together at the campfire and telling each other adventure stories? Enjoy the special atmosphere that the crackling fire gives off! And maybe you'll even spot dancing figures in the flames?
And don't forget: Safety first! So always keep a little water or some sand ready for extinguishing before going home, and make sure the campfire is really out.
A must-have for any outdoor gear
This fire starter for children is the ultimate flint for little adventurers, who want to learn how to (of course under supervision) start a fire. The fire starter is easy to handle, but requires some force to strike and is particularly robust. Ideal for camping trips, campfires with children, or simply to create unforgettable moments.
