Every year, on November 5th, people in the UK gather to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night. It’s a time for fireworks, bonfires, and lots of fun! But do you know why we celebrate it? Let’s explore the story behind Guy Fawkes Night, its traditions, and how we can have fun celebrating it in school.
The story of Guy Fawkes Night goes back over 400 years to the year 1605. A man named Guy Fawkes was part of a group of people who were unhappy with the way the government was treating them. They made a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, where important government meetings take place. They wanted to stop King James I from making decisions they didn’t like.
But before the group could go through with their plan, it was discovered! Guy Fawkes was caught trying to light barrels of gunpowder that were hidden beneath the Parliament building. He was arrested, and the plan was stopped. Everyone in England was so relieved that the King was safe, they started celebrating every year on November 5th with bonfires and fireworks.
Since then, Guy Fawkes Night has been a fun and exciting tradition where people light up the night sky to remember that the plot was stopped, and the country was kept safe.
There are lots of traditions that make Guy Fawkes Night special, and preschoolers can join in on the fun too! Here are some of the things we do on November 5th:
Bonfires: One of the main parts of the celebration is lighting a big bonfire. In the past, people would even make a model of Guy Fawkes, called "the Guy," and put it on top of the bonfire to remember the failed plot. Today, bonfires are still a big part of the night, and they help bring communities together for warmth and fun.
Fireworks: Fireworks are a huge part of Guy Fawkes Night! The colorful displays in the sky represent the gunpowder that was supposed to blow up the Parliament. Instead of danger, we now use fireworks to create beautiful lights in the night. While big fireworks displays are for grown-ups, preschoolers can enjoy watching the safe and exciting colors with their families.
Eating Tasty Treats: On Bonfire Night, people like to eat warm and yummy foods, such as baked potatoes, toffee apples, and hot chocolate. These treats are perfect for staying cozy during the chilly November evenings.
Sparklers: Sparklers are small hand-held fireworks that create bright, twinkling lights when waved around. With close supervision, preschoolers can safely enjoy writing their names in the air with sparklers.
"Remember, Remember" Poem: One fun tradition is reciting a special poem that reminds everyone of the history of Guy Fawkes Night. The poem goes like this:
Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot!
We see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Even if we don’t have a big bonfire in school, there are lots of fun ways to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night with preschoolers:
Firework Crafts: We can create our own pretend fireworks using arts and crafts! Preschoolers can use colorful paints, glitter, and black paper to make their own sparkly fireworks. These crafts will brighten up our classroom just like the night sky.
Building Mini Bonfires: We can build small, safe "bonfires" indoors by using sticks and tissue paper. This will give us the cozy feel of a bonfire without the flames. Preschoolers can even sit around the bonfire to sing songs or listen to stories.
Guy Fawkes Puppets: Children can make their own little "Guy" puppets using paper bags or paper rolls. This is a fun way to learn about the character behind the story of the celebration.
Sparklers Art: While real sparklers can be tricky for little hands, we can make pretend sparklers with pipe cleaners or straws and ribbons. Children can wave them around just like the real thing!
Bonfire Songs and Poems: We can learn some fun songs and rhymes related to Bonfire Night. Singing the "Remember, Remember" poem or other songs about fireworks can help bring the magic of the celebration into the classroom.
Tasty Treats: We can make some of the yummy treats people enjoy on Bonfire Night, like apple slices dipped in caramel or hot chocolate with marshmallows. It's a tasty way to celebrate!
Guy Fawkes Night is all about coming together to enjoy the warmth of a bonfire and the beauty of fireworks. In school, we can celebrate safely with fun crafts, tasty treats, and by learning about the history of this exciting night. Through our activities, preschoolers can learn about a part of British history and have a wonderful time sharing in the traditions of this special celebration.
So, let’s get ready to light up the classroom with our creativity and celebrate Guy Fawkes Night together!