Bonfire Night with Little Ones: Noise, Safety and Sparkler Alternatives
Bonfire Night with little ones can go either way. My eldest spent his first one in floods of tears with his hands over his ears. My youngest stood at the window shouting "AGAIN!" at every rocket. You know your child best, so here's how to make 5 November work for your family, whichever kind you've got.
Dealing with the noise
Fireworks are loud, and young children's ears are more sensitive than ours. A few ways to soften it:
- Ear defenders. Proper children's ear defenders (look for ones sized for babies or toddlers) are worth having. They're useful for festivals and loud events all year too.
- Watch from further back. The view is often just as good from the edge of a display, and the bangs are much gentler.
- Watch from indoors. Honestly, a window with a good view, the lights off and a mug of hot chocolate is the perfect first Bonfire Night for under-threes.
- Talk about it beforehand. Read a story, explain the bangs and let them practise covering their ears. Knowing what's coming helps enormously.
Organised displays vs garden fireworks
Organised public displays are the safest way to enjoy fireworks, with proper safety distances and trained people in charge. They're often earlier in the evening too, which helps with bedtimes. Lots of local displays in Kirklees run on the weekend nearest the 5th, so check what's on near you.
The sparkler rule
Sparklers burn at very high temperatures, far hotter than a cooking oven, and they cause a lot of injuries to children every year. The advice from safety organisations is clear: don't give sparklers to children under five. For older children:
- Put gloves on them, and light sparklers one at a time, at arm's length.
- Never let them run or wave sparklers near other people.
- Have a bucket of water ready and drop used sparklers straight in, hot end down. They stay hot for a long time after they go out.
Sparkler alternatives for little ones
- Glow sticks: bracelets, necklaces and wands all give the same "light in the dark" magic with zero risk.
- Torches: wave them in circles and spell names in the air. Take a long-exposure photo on your phone for proper sparkler-style pictures.
- A firework painting: splatter paint on black paper with a straw or an old toothbrush. Gorgeous, and you can do it before the main event.
Keeping warm
Standing still outside on a November night gets cold fast, especially for little ones in pushchairs. Layer up with a thermal vest, a warm jumper and a waterproof, then add a hat that covers the ears, mittens and wellies or waterproof boots for muddy fields. Bring a blanket for the buggy.
Don't forget the pets
If you've got a dog or cat, keep them inside with the curtains closed and some background noise on. Our whippet spends the whole night under a blanket on the sofa.
Your questions
Are fireworks too loud for babies?
Fireworks can be very loud for young children. Children's ear defenders, watching from further away or watching from indoors all help protect little ears.
What age can children hold sparklers?
Safety organisations advise that sparklers shouldn't be given to children under five. Older children should wear gloves, hold them at arm's length and drop used sparklers into a bucket of water.
What can toddlers do instead of sparklers?
Glow sticks, torches and firework splatter painting all give the same sense of magic without the burn risk.
Find warm layers in our hats, scarves and gloves and wellies collections. Stay safe and enjoy the show.
Lucy x
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