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Many national holidays around the world incorporate fireworks, so we've compiled this Sensory Guide to Fireworks and Bonfires. Here in the UK, 5 November is Bonfire Night, which usually sees a few days of large public and smaller private fireworks displays and bonfires. However, for parents and carers of children with sensory processing or sensory integration differences, these bright, loud, and unpredictable celebrations can be overwhelming. We've collated some tips and alternatives that you can try to better manage such celebrations.

Preparing Your Child

Educate Them: In the days leading up to Bonfire Night (or other celebrations which use fireworks), explain to your child what to expect during fireworks displays and bonfires. You can find helpful, downloadable social stories online. While some are specific to July 4th celebrations, like this social story, they still offer valuable insights.

Use Visuals: For younger children, picture books like Daniel Tiger's First Fireworks,* can help familiarise them with what watching a firework display involves. This short video from CBeebies is a nice introduction to watching fireworks. This is a lovely episode, also from CBeebies, which follows Bing the bunny and his friend learning how to use ear muffs so they can better tolerate the noise of fireworks.

Safety First: Ensure your child understands the safety rules surrounding fireworks displays, including not approaching the fire or where fireworks are lit and not picking up used fireworks or sparklers from the ground.

Physical Activities: Engage in plenty of physical activities with your child, especially those involving resistance exercises, in the days leading up to the event. Heavy work activities, such as these, can help prepare their sensory system for the sensory overload of fireworks.

During the Fireworks

Choose a Safe Spot: Plan where to watch the fireworks from, considering your child's sensitivity to loud noises. Options include watching from inside your home, a distant vantage point, or even the comfort of your car to muffle the sounds.

Comfort Clothing: If your child benefits from deep-pressure touch, consider having them wear tight-fitting clothes like a thermal vest, exercise leggings, or compression stockings. They might also find comfort in carrying a weighted backpack.

Sensory Kit: Prepare a sensory kit with your child's favourite fidgets, sensory toys, special blanket, drinks and snacks. These can help to reduce the focus on the noise of the fireworks.

Ear Protection: If your child can tolerate it, provide ear defenders, ear muffs, earplugs, or headphones to dull the sounds of the event.

Be Ready to Leave: Be prepared to calmly leave the situation if your child becomes overwhelmed. Prepare others in your party that this may be a possibility.

Bedtime Routine: Recognise that the sensory stimulation may be exhausting for your child, so be patient if they struggle with their bedtime routine during fireworks season.

Alternatives to Fireworks

Consider Alternatives: You may decide to avoid fireworks altogether if your child simply finds them distressing. Make a plan for what you are going to do instead, particularly if there are likely to be local private displays near your home; for example, you could close the curtains and play music or have the TV on.

Televised Displays: Look for fireworks displays on the TV or the internet, such as this one, - you can watch with the sound off or completely turn them off if they become overwhelming or boring. 

Fireworks Apps: Explore apps that allow your child to create and set off animated fireworks in a controlled and fun way. 

Sensory Activities at Home:

Replicate sensory experiences associated with fireworks at home using glitter wands* or by creating your own sparkly sensory bottles (tutorial here).

Messy play firework activities are a good way to support tactile sensitivities. This tutorial explains how to make paintbrushes from spaghetti, which can be used to paint firework pictures.

We like this sensory play activity because it can be linked to a fire safety theme: create a bonfire out of shaving foam and coloured powder and then ask your child to extinguish it with a spray bottle of water. 

Make a colourful, kinetic display by combining milk, food colouring and soap: tutorial here. 

Create colourful, fizzing fireworks with only kitchen cupboard ingredients: tutorial here.

This activity is fun, self-regulating and uses oral motor skills: squeeze blobs of paint onto a large piece of paper and ask your child to use a straw to blow the paint around the paper, creating fireworks from the paint.

By following the tips and alternatives in this sensory guide to fireworks and Bonfire Night, you can help ensure that such celebrations are a more manageable experience for both you and your child. 

*Affiliate link: Sensory Integration Education may earn a commission (at zero cost to you) when you purchase by clicking on an affiliate link. SIE is a not-for-profit organisation providing sensory integration training, supporting research and working to raise awareness of sensory processing and integration challenges.