A backyard fire pit is perfect for relaxing, bonding, and fun activities with friends and family. A well-lit fire pit offers a campfire feel, transforming your backyard into a new environment. What are some of the best ways to utilize your fire pit for a calm relaxing evening?
There are several ways that you can utilize your fire pit, either with a loved one or with friends and family. You can choose to watch the night sky, have a cookout, or play some games with your children. One thing is sure; you can never be bored if you properly take advantage of your firepit.
If you are looking for the best way to spend your time around a firepit, be it alone, with a loved one, or with family, this is the best piece for you. We have taken the liberty to compile seven of the best things you can do around the firepit that are both cozy and fun.
1. Telling Ghost Stories
You can use your fire pit to get the whole camping experience right in your backyard. Setting up a tent is only necessary if you are up to it, as the fire is enough. Gather around with friends or family with some snacks in the cover of darkness and bond over scary stories.
There are several ghost stories and urban legends you can tell in the dark, aided by the night sounds, the cracking fire, and a slow chilly breeze. Ghost stories are also an excellent way to pass on knowledge from one generation to the next, as some stories are culture-specific and best passed on through word of mouth.
2. Playing Games
There are a good number of games that you can play around your fire pit, the best of them being card and board games. However, charades is another fun option if you have enough space. Have you ever tried Monopoly outside at night? Have you tried to play some poker as the fire crackles away? Your fire pit will allow you to do this and so much more.
On game night, you can bring your friends and family together for a healthy competition around the fire pit. To add some fun to the game night, you can include stakes, make different rules for the game, and even add some truth or dare to the mix. This will help you have fun, enjoy your game night to the fullest and get the most out of your fire pit.
Bonus tip: Set up string lights or other outdoor lights to help illuminate your cards and board games so that you can play throughout the night without straining your eyes.
3. Watching the Sunset and Stargazing
A fire pit can become your best asset during those cold, clear nights. If you utilize it properly, you can change the cold seasons from glum to entertaining. A romantic evening is also an excellent way to get the most out of your firepit. You can enjoy the sunset with your loved one even on a cold evening, as the fire will help keep you warm.
As the darkness sets in and night encompasses your home, you can take up stargazing. You can do this simply by staring at the stars as you cuddle with your loved one under a blanket. You can go a step further and add a telescope, then try to identify stars, constellations, and meteorites in the night sky. This is an activity that you can even do with your children as you teach them about space.
4. Toasting Marshmallows
Simplicity is vital if you want to enjoy a fire pit. You can get the best experience by toasting marshmallows with friends and family. You can also go the extra length and make s’mores. They are easy to make, and the kids can also participate in making their snacks as it offers them a sense of accomplishment.
To make a good s’more, you only need chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshmallows.
Procedure
- Put the marshmallows in the fire pit and toast them till ready.
- Take two graham crackers and add a piece of chocolate on top of each.
- Take out the ready marshmallow and assemble your s’more.
- The s’more should have a graham cracker as the base, a bit of chocolate on top, a marshmallow, another piece of chocolate on top, and a graham cracker to sandwich everything.
S’mores are a treat you can enjoy with your children as you warm yourselves around the fire and even make it into a date night activity to make the marshmallows, assemble the s’mores and share them as you commemorate the milestones in your relationship.
5. Having a Family Cookout
You can use a fire pit in many ways, one of the most fun being a cookout. A good time to do this is in the evening as night is about to set.
The best way to get the most out of the experience is to have a cookout competition with your friends, family, or significant other. Once the fire pit is lit and ready, you can opt for a vegan cookout, roast some steaks and various assortments of meat, or simply cook with a pot suspended over the fire.
A cookout is an excellent way to bond with your family in an activity that requires coordination, safety, and trust. You can even go the extra mile and have a complete barbecue party in your fire pit.
Competition over who makes the best food can make the experience memorable and, with time, help the family come up with a new tradition.
Just be careful to keep the fire in control to avoid burning the house or yard. You should also monitor yourself and your children to prevent accidents. As a rule of thumb, cook your food to completion before eating to avoid food poisoning.
6. Listening to Music
Nothing helps in relaxation and fun more than music. Coupling your music with a night out around your fire pit is an excellent idea. You can choose from many genres you and your partner enjoy and let the groove take you away. You can even turn it into a party by adding an amplification device like a portable speaker.
To add an extra kick to your backyard music session, clear out a small space close to the fire pit and add some slow, soothing, or instrumental music. This should set the perfect tone for a night of slow dancing, cuddling with your partner, or simply heart-to-heart talk. It is an excellent option for a single night around the fire pit, a romantic night, or even a family night.
Make sure that your homeowners’ association legally permits you to amplify music and make sure not to irritate your neighbors.
7. Watching a Movie
The best way to experience movies is in an ambient environment. The glow from your fire pit, the sounds of insects at night, and the still silence of darkness set the perfect mood for a movie night outdoors. You can go for a simplistic view and carry your laptop or portable monitor if it is just you or your partner. If you are going for a family movie night around the fire pit, you can project the movie against a background like a white sheet.
You can add some popcorn and cold drinks to the night and turn it into a movie marathon. The best option for a fire pit movie marathon is horror, thriller, or slasher movies, as the darkness and night sounds will add to the fright factor.
In Summary, Here’s What’s Important!
A backyard fire pit is an excellent addition to your home and can provide many opportunities for fun and relaxation with your loved ones. Whether you want to tell ghost stories, play games, watch the sunset, toast marshmallows, have a family cookout, or listen to music, a fire pit can offer you an experience you will never forget. Utilizing your fire pit to its fullest potential can help create lasting memories with friends and family. So, go ahead and light up that fire pit, and enjoy a cozy and fun evening with your loved ones.
