Beach Bonfire Must-Haves

What to pack in your beach bonfire bag

All you need for the night to be #lit

Can you smell it? Sea salt meshed with smoke and the flames of a bonfire flickering. Melting marshmallows wafting through the smoky air. The summertime smiles. Takes you back to those warm nights on the sand, waves rolling in feet away, doesn’t it? Beach bonfires are a widely loved pastime, and for good reason. They spark more than firewood. One absolute necessity when it comes to having a bonfire on the beach? Knowing how to light the fire. Which is why we gathered around this (imagine it) bonfire today.

What to take to a beach bonfire

Pack these, along with your fire lighting supply kit.

• Garbage bags
• Bug spray
• Cooler filled with ice
• Charcoals and grilling tools (if grilling)
• Disposable dinnerware and cutlery
• Skewers (for s’mores of course)
• Mini First Aid kit
• Pop-up table
• Beach chairs and pillows
• Blankets (to keep warm!)
• Cleaning wipes
• Paper towels
• Flashlight
• Speaker (and a 🔥 playlist)
• Bin with a lid (so you can carry everything to the fire and keep sand out)
• Food storage bags or containers (to pack up leftovers)

Pro Tip: Store these things all together in your beach bin so they’re organized and ready to go. 

Supplies for a bonfire

Everything you need to actually start the fire. Looking to learn how to light a fire? 

• Long reach lighter
• Matches
• Firewood
• Fire starter
• Bucket or cooler (to put out hot ashes)
• Lump charcoals (if using a fire ring)
• Kindling

A Few Helpful Tips

How to make your beach bonfire experience as seamless as possible.

• Prepare all your food beforehand so it is all ready to pass around when you get things set up.
• Do your best to pack light succinctly (ahem, beach bin) in order to simplify your trek through the sand.
• Be sure to check the weather forecast beforehand and dress accordingly. The beach gets an extra chill at night, even close to a lit fire.
• Remember that anything that you wear will smell like fire smoke at the end of the night.
• Do not throw any trash into the bonfire—it can be harmful to the environment and wildlife. Hence, the garbage bags. 
• For food and drinks, stick to cans (no glass) and easy-open containers for a quick and easy clean-up.

Snacks to bring to a bonfire

Throw these on top of your must-have supply list that never expires

• S’mores: Marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate
• ~To spice up your s’more arrangement…How to Make a S’mores Board 
• Hot dogs: convenient to cook on skewers over the flames
• Hot dog buns
• Ketchup
• Chips, pretzels, popcorn: easy to pass around to share
• Carrots or grapes: a touch of fresh produce for finger foods

Extra Points for Stronger Flame

These playlists have your night taken care of. 

• The OC: a present day soundtrack
• pov: you’re a pogue 

If you’re needing the inside scoop on how to light a fire (and putting it out) responsibly, our team of experts has you covered. So call up the crew, scout out your beaches, and get out there to enjoy fresh air and warm summer nights. Beach bonfire time is just about here, and you are so ready for it. Go savor getting together with friends at your bonfire. 

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