Free printable Bonfire Night activities for kids
Something to do before the fireworks start. Four free A4 pages to print: the story of the Gunpowder Plot to read aloud, an easy Bonfire Night word search, a fireworks night spotter to take outside, and a design-your-own-firework page. For ages 4 to 12. No sign-up.
Download the free PDF (4 pages)
What's in the free PDF
- Page 1: The Gunpowder Plot, 1605, a short story to read aloud, with "Remember, remember the fifth of November".
- Page 2: Bonfire Night word search (easy), 8 words across and down.
- Page 3: Fireworks night spotter, 16 things to tick off at the display or in the garden, plus a score-your-favourite-firework box.
- Page 4: Design a firework display, a drawing page with a town skyline.
The Gunpowder Plot story for kids
Read it aloud before the fireworks start. It takes about 3 minutes.
More than 400 years ago, in 1605, England had a king called James I. He was also King James VI of Scotland.
A group of 13 men were angry that Catholics like them were being treated unfairly. Their leader was Robert Catesby. They made a secret plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament while the King was inside, at the State Opening of Parliament on 5 November.
The plotters rented a cellar right underneath the House of Lords and filled it with 36 barrels of gunpowder, hidden under firewood and coal. A soldier called Guy Fawkes, born in York, was given the job of guarding the gunpowder and lighting the fuse.
But someone sent a letter to Lord Monteagle, warning him to stay away from Parliament. The letter was shown to the King's men, and the cellars were searched.
Just after midnight on 5 November, Guy Fawkes was caught with the gunpowder, matches and a lantern. At first he told the guards his name was John Johnson. The plot had failed.
That night, people in London lit bonfires to celebrate that the King was safe. A law made 5 November a day of thanksgiving, and people have lit bonfires and set off fireworks on that date ever since.
Even today, before the King or Queen opens Parliament, the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. It's a tradition from 1605, just in case.
The old rhyme
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Bonfire Night word search words
The easy word search hides these 8 words: Bonfire, Rocket, Spark, Guy, Bang, Smoke, Flame, Night.
Fireworks night spotter list
Tick each one you see:
- A rocket that whistles
- A Catherine wheel
- A Roman candle
- A fountain firework
- A red firework
- A green firework
- A blue firework
- A gold, glittery one
- Someone writing their name with a sparkler
- A guy on the bonfire
- A toffee apple
- A cup of hot chocolate
- Someone in wellies
- A glow stick
- Somebody saying 'Ooooh!'
- The moon
A safe Bonfire Night
- Don't give sparklers to children under 5. Older children should wear gloves, hold them at arm's length, and put them hot end down in a bucket of water when they finish.
- Check a bonfire for hedgehogs just before you light it.
- Keep dogs and cats indoors with the curtains closed, and walk dogs before it gets dark.
- An organised display is the safest way to enjoy fireworks.
Having friends round for half-term too? The Halloween Party Games Pack is ready to print as well.
Questions
Are these Bonfire Night activities really free?
Yes. It's a free 4-page A4 PDF with no sign-up and no email needed: the Gunpowder Plot story, an easy word search, a fireworks night spotter and a design-a-firework drawing page. Print as many copies as you need for your own family, class or group.
What age are the activities for?
The story is written to read aloud to children aged about 4 to 12 and takes around 3 minutes. The easy word search has 8 words going across and down only, for ages 5 and up. The spotter and the drawing page work for any age.
How do I explain Bonfire Night to a child?
Read the Gunpowder Plot story on this page: in 1605 a group of plotters hid 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords, Guy Fawkes was caught guarding them just after midnight on 5 November, and people lit bonfires to celebrate that the King was safe. That's why we have bonfires and fireworks on 5 November.
Can teachers and group leaders use them?
Yes. They suit a Gunpowder Plot lesson in the first week back after half-term, or a Brownies, Rainbows, Beavers or Cubs session. Photocopy as many as you need for your own class or group; please don't resell them.
Where do I get the rest of the pack?
These 4 pages come from the Bonfire Night Family Activity Pack (£2.49): 22 A4 pages including a 20-question quiz with answers, 12 bingo cards and a caller sheet, a tricky word search, firework colours science, would-you-rather cards, award certificates and a safety and pets page for grown-ups. Bonfire Night is Thursday 5 November 2026.
Written with AI assistance and checked by the TCH Works team.