Fall is the perfect time for a bonfire! The nights in Minnesota begin to cool down and get crisp and cozy hoodies or flannels are completely de la mode. Of course, bonfires usually are celebrated in a couple of different ways. Adult bonfires are one thing, but family friendly bonfires are just as much fun.

In fact, as part of an abandoned Cousin Camp Day, I had planned several different activities and, of course, delicious S’Mores!

One of the activities I wanted to do was to look at how metals in the fire change color; an introduction to chemistry in a very low-key environment.

I purchased a five pack of Go Fire Color Flames at WalMart for $5.96.

Amazon had a few different brands but Magic Campfire had a pack of 5 for $6.99.

Essentially what these packets contain different metals that turn the colors. According to www.campfiredude.com the different colors can be attributed to these metals:

• Potassium Chloride, or water softener salt to explain to kids where it is found, is Purple
• Copper Chloride makes Blue.
• Borax, which can often be used in laundry, turns Light Green
• Copper Sulfate, which is used as a root killer, makes Green Flame along with Alum
• Strontium and Lithium Chloride make the flame Red
• Calcium Chloride turns Orange
• Sodium Chloride, or table salt, turns yellow
• Epsom Salts, or Magnesium sulfate, turn white

For older kids you could even try putting a pile of salt on a paper plate and throwing it in to see if it works to produce the yellowish flames.

Before you add the metals, you are going to want to make sure to make your S’mores! Let’s face it, you can make a s’more in the microwave – but they never turn out as well as when you can get that caramelization on the outside!

You are going to want to invest in some s’more sticks. Honestly, I still have the pair I bought in college at Target. Now, you can find a slew of different types ranging from this four pack at WalMart for $2.98 (You will need to have oven mitts to hold onto them as they are all metal!) They are also only 20” long and do not extend, so they require constant supervision of children or adult use only.

I know people get creative and up the ante on the chocolate by adding Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or maybe toasting a Peep.  The marshmallows you could choose alone are extensive like these Color Changing Marshmallows for toasting or the Jumbo edition of the classic. The only adaptation I make to the classic is using Cinnamon Graham Crackers instead of plain. A little extra flavor without corrupting the classic melty goodness.

There are other ways to enjoy the flavor beyond just the bonfire too.

I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to the Marshmallowy goodness, as a matter of fact. A few different ideas you may want to try, if roasting marshmallows is a bit risky with your clientele are these versions:

S’Mores Dip from Play, Party, Plan

Ingredients

• 3 cups milk chocolate chocolate chips (semi-sweet may also be used)
• 10 ounces large marshmallows (enough to fill the pan)
• graham crackers and other dipping items (fruit, cookies, pretzels, etc)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly in the bottom of a 9" cast-iron skillet or 9" cake pan, then top with marshmallows. Press the marshmallows down onto the chocolate chips.

3 cups milk chocolate chocolate chips,10 ounces large marshmallows

3. Bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
4. When the marshmallows are golden brown, remove the pan from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes so the chocolate will melt completely.
5. Serve warm with graham crackers or your favorite dipping items such as fruit, cookies, or pretzels.

If that sounds a bit too communal, you could also make Britni’s recipe for S’mores bars on the website Play, Party, Plan:

• 1 cup butter at room temperature

½ cup brown sugar

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

2 ⅔ cups flour

• ⅓ cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 12 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• 2 Hershey milk chocolate bars
• 1 ½ cups marshmallow fluff

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light.

1 cup butter,1/2 cup brown sugar,1 cup sugar

4. Add eggs and vanilla and beat.

3 large eggs,2 tsp vanilla extract

5. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.

2 2/3 cups flour,1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs,2 tsp baking powder,1/2 tsp salt

6. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix on a low speed until combined.
7. Divide dough in half and press half of the dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
8. Place Reese's peanut butter cups in rows on the dough then fill in the gaps with Hershey chocolate bar pieces.

12 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups,2 Hershey milk chocolate bars

9. Spread marshmallow fluff on top of the chocolate, making sure to cover all of it.

1 1/2 cups marshmallow fluff

10. Place remaining dough on top of the marshmallow in a single layer.
11. Bake for 30 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
12. Allow bars to cool completely then cut into bars.

Tips & Notes:

Line the baking dish with parchment paper, with a bit of extra on the ends, so that when your bars are done, you can simply pull the parchment paper out and cut out of the dish.

Flatten the remaining dough before you put it on top then just patch it together to cover most of the marshmallow. It doesn’t need to be totally covered.

Cool completely before cutting into the bars. I know you’ll want to eat them right away but they need to cool or you’ll burn your little tongue on the marshmallow and they may fall apart.