Wildfire season is upon us (if it ever left), and it’s always a good time to learn more about the research that goes into understanding, using, preventing, and fighting fires.
We have lots of articles about fire science topics (explore more here), but coming up with fire-related activities to do with kids can be a challenge!
Here are some highlights of some of the great activities we have that can help you teach about different aspects of fire science. And don’t worry – all of these activities can be done safely, no fire necessary.
For Middle and High School
Design a mascot, brainstorm a fire prevention campaign, explore fire’s impact on trees, research weather conditions, and more!
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In “Knock on Wood,” you learned that prescribed fires are an important management tool used by land managers. Prescribed fires are different than wildland fires and have a variety of...
FACTivity – Knock on Wood
In “Knock on Wood,” you learned that prescribed fires are an important management tool used by land managers. Prescribed fires are different than wildland fires and have a variety of... -
Results from “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” showed that specific climate conditions were linked to very large wildland fires. The link was most clear when analyzing biophysical observations. These biophysical...
FACTivity – Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
Results from “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire” showed that specific climate conditions were linked to very large wildland fires. The link was most clear when analyzing biophysical observations. These biophysical... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How would I use technology to communicate wildland fire safety in the year 2050? Materials: Paper Pencil Poster board Markers Internet...
FACTivity – Fire and Water
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How would I use technology to communicate wildland fire safety in the year 2050? Materials: Paper Pencil Poster board Markers Internet... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How do yearly weather conditions affect the way a tree’s growth rings look? The objective of this FACTivity is to learn...
FACTivity – It’s a Small World
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How do yearly weather conditions affect the way a tree’s growth rings look? The objective of this FACTivity is to learn... -
In this FACTivity, each student will answer the questions: What barriers might you face if you had to quickly escape from a fire in your home? Ho do mirrors affect...
FACTivity – Smoke and Mirrors
In this FACTivity, each student will answer the questions: What barriers might you face if you had to quickly escape from a fire in your home? Ho do mirrors affect...
For Elementary School
Draw a fire prevention rule for Smokey, play Smokey Bingo, identify fire safety tools, and more!
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A fun activity to pair with the Smokey Bear reading challenge or any of our Smokey Bear resources!
Smokey Bear Reading Challenge – Bingo
A fun activity to pair with the Smokey Bear reading challenge or any of our Smokey Bear resources! -
Choose one of Smokey Bear’s rules for fire prevention and illustrate it. You can send Smokey Bear your finished drawing at Smokey Bear, Washington DC 20252. He has his own...
Try This! – Meet Smokey Bear’s Team
Choose one of Smokey Bear’s rules for fire prevention and illustrate it. You can send Smokey Bear your finished drawing at Smokey Bear, Washington DC 20252. He has his own... -
Examine the pictures and describe how each would be useful in a fire. Then look around your classroom or home and make a plan for what you would do if...
Try This! – Meet Dr. Goodrick!
Examine the pictures and describe how each would be useful in a fire. Then look around your classroom or home and make a plan for what you would do if... -
Color in the firefighter bee!
Coloring Page – Meet Dr. Goodrick!
Color in the firefighter bee!

And Don't Forget the Coloring Books!
We offer two different fire-related coloring books – one for the advanced colorist and one for the younger crowd. Download and print individual pages or order sets of 25 or more!
You can also explore our fire-related articles and publications here. And be sure to check out our Smokey Bear page for more from our favorite wildfire prevention specialist.