Magical Campfire Moments

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Overview

Subject Area: Music
Year Group: Reception (Ages 4–5)
Lesson Duration: 15 minutes
Group Size: 11 pupils
Curriculum Link:
Expressive Arts and Design – Being Imaginative and Expressive
(Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, Department for Education UK)

Children should be encouraged to explore and engage in music making and movement in imaginative ways. Through songs and instrument play, they express their understanding of the world and experiences around them.

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Learning Intentions

By the end of this session, pupils will:

• Join in with a repetitive campfire-style song using voice and actions.
• Explore vocal sounds and rhythm through natural outdoor surroundings.
• Develop a sense of group participation and musical creativity.
• Use basic percussion instruments creatively to enhance a musical story.

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Resources Needed

• Mini 'pretend' campfire setup (LED tealight candles placed safely in a circle of stones)
• Natural materials collected beforehand (sticks, leaves, pinecones – enough for 1 set each)
• 3–4 hand percussion instruments (e.g., mini tambourines, shakers)
• Soft forest-themed rug or seating mats arranged in circle
• Puppets (e.g. owl, fox, hedgehog – optional for extended storytelling)
• Outdoor-safe speaker to quietly play soft forest ambience (optional)

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Session Breakdown

🌲 1. Welcome to the Forest Campfire (2 minutes)

• Lead children in quietly gathering around the 'campfire'.
• Create a magical atmosphere: dim surroundings if indoors or find a shaded area if outside.
• Begin with the phrase: "Imagine we're deep in the forest under the stars..."
• Brief breathing game: ask children to listen to the forest sounds (play light ambience) and take a few calm breaths.

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🐾 2. Intro Song: “In the Forest Tonight” (5 minutes)

This is a teacher-created, repetitive call-and-response campfire song to a steady beat.

🎵 Tune reference: Similar to a slow ‘Down by the Bay’ pace
(Use a soft drum or clapping to keep timing.)

Verse 1:
"In the forest tonight, what do I hear?"
Children repeat
"I hear an owl, hoo-hoo! Over here!"
Children sing and cup hands like owl wings

Verse 2:
"In the forest tonight, what do I spy?"
Children repeat
"A fox with a flicky tail running by..."
Children swish arms like tails

Continue with more animals (hedgehog / badger / rabbit). Encourage silly movements and big voices.

EYFS Link: Builds confidence in vocal exploration and expressive movement.

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🪵 3. Forest Sound Orchestra (4 minutes)

Explore Percussion and Natural Sound-Making

🔸 Give children either:

• A natural material (stick, leaf, pinecone), or
• A classroom percussion instrument.

Group Task:

• One child is the 'conductor' (with a feather stick).
• Teacher demonstrates: tap sticks together gently = raindrop sounds.
• Shake leaves = rustling wind.
• Tap pinecone = crunchy forest floor.
• Instruments mimic forest sounds.

Encourage experimenting: "Can your pinecone sound like a tiny hedgehog snuffling through leaves?"

Children play together softly while ‘conductor’ leads with small hand signals. Rotate conductors once or twice.

EYFS Link: Develops coordination and understanding of sound qualities.

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🔥 4. Reflect and Sway Goodbye Song (4 minutes)

Song: “Goodnight, Forest” (soft lullaby-style song)

🎵 Lyrics (Repeat-after-me style):

"Goodnight trees, goodnight sky,
Goodnight birds that fly so high.
Goodnight fox, badger too,_
The forest sleeps, and so do you..."_

• Children gently sway side to side
• Humming optional for quiet ending
• End with 'shhhhh' sounds and a slow ‘snuffing out’ of imaginary fire

EYFS Link: Supports transitions and emotional regulation through calming musical closure.

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Extension & Cross-Curricular Links

• Literacy: Retell forest stories or create class forest songbook with drawings.
• PSE (Personal, Social, Emotional): Discuss feelings linked to sounds – “How did the owl make you feel?”
• Science: Explore real woodland animal sounds in next lesson.

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Differentiation

For EAL / SEN learners:

• Use gestures and puppets to support understanding and participation.
• Encourage vocal exploration without pressure to sing full words.
• Allow rhythmic participation through tapping or swaying.

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Assessment for Learning (AfL)

Observe and note:

• Participation in call-and-response and group singing
• Ability to use vocal sounds expressively
• Interaction with peers during forest orchestra
• Creative responses using natural materials

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Teacher Wow Factor ✨

This immersive mini music adventure blends imagination, nature and rhythm into an unforgettable forest school-inspired experience. Whether used indoors or integrated with outdoor learning, the active storytelling and playful sound exploration anchor young children’s musical development in vivid, exciting ways. This isn’t just a song session – it’s a journey through pine trees, under stars, with foxes and owls as our choir.

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Tip: Create a ‘Forest Music Memory Bag’ with natural items used in the lesson. Children can revisit these during child-led exploration time.