Let’s Celebrate Bonfire Night!

On the 5th November, thousands of people throughout the UK prepare themselves for a spectacularly-sparkling time and celebrate Bonfire Night which is an annual event dedicated to bonfires, fireworks and celebrations!

Bonfire Night commemorates the discovery of the famous gunpowder plot planned by Guy Fawkes. On the 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes intended to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and in doing so assassinate King James I! However, the plot was foiled the night before and parliament was saved!

Each year since, Bonfire Night is usually celebrated at large organised events where big bonfires are built, effigies of Guy Fawkes are burnt and extravagant displays of fireworks are let off to remember this day in history.

To help you celebrate Bonfire Night in the classroom, we have a fantastic fireworks-themed resource that you can use, try out our ‘Sparkler’ Activity in Literacy/English, available in:

  • England: F2 and Year 2
  • Scotland: Early*** and First***
  • Wales: Reception and Year 3
  • N. Ireland: P1 and P4

We’ve also created a list of brilliant Bonfire Night related words that you can use alongside our Word Search and Speed Read tool located in our English/Literacy Topic Tools.

  • Bang
  • Bonfire
  • Crackle
  • Exciting
  • Explode
  • Fireworks
  • Gunpowder
  • Guy Fawkes
  • Noisy
  • November
  • Parliament
  • Plot
  • Remember
  • Safety
  • Sparklers
  • Treason
  • Whizz
  • Whoosh 

You can also use our ready-made Bonfire Night word search with your class that is available to print now! Click here to access it. 

A Traditional Bonfire Night Poem

The following poem is a traditional rhyme which is associated with Bonfire Night. Why not also use this in class by reading it with your students?

Remember, remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot…

Have fun celebrating this night! Remember to stay safe and follow the Firework Code!