How to Build an Indoor Campfire

One of our favorite “staycations” is an indoor campout. A key component of a successful indoor campout is the ambiance you create.

If you have a fireplace, building a fire inside to enjoy can be straightforward. If not, you can construct your own indoor fire using items you may already have in your home or that you can buy fairly inexpensively.

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My kids say I am extra, but I just really enjoy being creative and expressing myself artistically. Here are the steps I follow to build our indoor campfire.

First, collect your firewood. We cut empty paper towel tubes in half to create our logs. Empty toilet paper rolls also work well. Set aside.

You will also need something more sturdy with some height for your center base. I use a wood candle holder.

Next, it is time to light your fire. Take 1-2 strands of Christmas lights to begin constructing the flames. Make a small pile in a circle around whatever you are using as the base of your fire.

Then begin wrapping the lights around the base, moving toward the top. Make another small cluster of lights at the top. If you have excess lights left, begin moving back down the base and add to the pile at the base.

Now it is time to add color to the fire. Use red, orange, and yellow tissue paper to create flames. Grab the middle of a piece of tissue paper and form it into a flame shape. Tuck the tissue paper into the strand of lights. Continue until the fire is fully formed, fluffing and shaping as you go.