A fire pit can be a great addition to your backyard in any season, but a fire in autumn has a special coziness to it. The nights are getting cooler, the kids are back in school, leaves are starting to fall, and you’re ready to relax. Making s’mores is always a popular activity, but what else can you do for fun? Read on for just a few of the many, many ways you can entertain yourselves around a fire pit .

This is a great option if you have a patio table near the fire pit. There are card games for every age level, from Go Fish to Gin Rummy. And you don’t have to stick with the regular 52-card deck, either! The game industry is booming, and as a result you’re sure to find a game for even the pickiest player. Popular options include Apples to Apples, Uno, or any one of the dozens of games focused around pop culture.

S’mores aren’t the only snack you can make using a fire pit. Popcorn is a great, healthy snack that can be enjoyed by all—and like s’mores, making it is half the fun. You can use a pot from your kitchen, or invest in a popper (like this one ) designed for use over a fire. Just add oil and popcorn kernals.

Depending on how much light your fire throws off and how late you’re staying out, playing yard games can be a good way to spend some quality time by the fire pit. Be sure you’re a safe distance away, and then set up your volleyball net, cornhole game, or set of lawn darts. As an added bonus, many yard games are easy enough for even the little ones to play, or can be adapted for any ability level.

Perhaps you’re feeling in a solitary mood. Writing by a crackling fire can be very relaxing, and the white noise can drown out noisy interruptions from the neighborhood. Whether you’re journaling about your life or writing poetry or short stories, a fire pit can be the perfect place to to find your focus.

With smart speakers, you can have music wherever you go. You can choose music for a backdrop to your conversations, or find campfire songs for kids to sing along to. Just keep the noise at a level that won’t bother the neighbors. If you’d rather go for something acoustic, guitars are a classic choice and can prompt a sing-along with your family or friends.

If you have the lawn space, setting up some tents and camping in the backyard is fun for kids of all ages. If they’re old enough, maybe invite some of their friends over for the campout. You can cook hot dogs on the fire, roast marshmallows as the stars come out and the fire turns to embers, and in the morning, rekindle the flames and toast bagels. Little ones will enjoy the novelty and adventure of sleeping outdoors, and you can make it into an event by having other outdoor activities available for them all evening.

Memory and word games are classic fireside activities. For example, there’s the “picnic” game, where players start with “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing . . .”, continuing play by choosing items in order with the letters of the alphabet, having to remember what the previous players said. (This one is especially popular with kids.) There are also word games that you can pass around a fire, such as Catchphrase.

Stories and jokes are practically a must at any fire with family or friends. Sitting by a fire pit tends to draw out stories from folks, whether of camping trips and vacations, funny stories from work, memorable events from childhood, or whatever else comes to mind. Cracking jokes is another time-honored tradition, occurring naturally as people unwind and relax from the day. No fire is complete without them.

Another way to relax after a long day or week is simply to watch the sunset. Build a fire in your fire pit, get comfy, and just observe the world around you.

What else would you add to this list? Does it inspire you to install your own fire pit?

If you’re ready to spend your evenings relaxing by the fire, give us a call at 763-568-7251 or use our quick quote system to get in touch. Our experts have over 15 years of experience installing patios and fire pits, and we’d love to hear from you.

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