Shared by Sue Leon, as Guest Blogger.

In this segment of Camping Simply Homemade, I am going to show you how you can make, yes make, some essential pieces of supplies you might need when camping, whether in an RV, tent or in one of the Virginia State Park yurts.

And, it's one that even your children can get into making. Besides, this will help keep them busy, after an initial prep.

Let’s make a “fire kiss,” kissing a fire? No, a simple and basic fire starter.

Meet the fire kiss 

This fire starter is in fact, probably the easiest and safest that you can fix up at home. So, come on and let's get started.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

This is all you need to make homemade fire kisses for your next camping trip

Supplies needed are simple...old tapered candle/s OR a block of household wax (usually sold in a box of 4 blocks near canning supplies at your store) and lastly, some wax paper. Just two simple items you probably have around your home.

STEP ONE

First, if you’re using a tapered candle, score with a knife and break off at 1-inch increments. If you’re using the block wax, I usually score lengthwise the entire block then score at inch 1-inch increments and break/snap apart. 

Now for the wax paper. Take a length of about 6 inches or so off the roll and tear it lengthwise, so you have 2 pieces of wax paper 6 inches long.

Now…here’s where the fun begins

STEP TWO

Place one piece of wax or candle in the middle of the bottom of your wax paper that you just tore. Begin to roll the wax, along with the wax paper to the end, then twist one side of the wax paper in one direction and the other side in the opposite direction.

Roll the wax in the wax paper

STEP THREE

Twist each end tightly. What you have left looks like a piece of old-fashioned salt water taffy. How fun was that? You can keep your crew busy for some time making a nice supply of fire starters and just store them in a zip-lock bag or a container (like an old coffee can with a lid) and have them available any time you’re ready to make a fire.

Twist the ends like a piece of saltwater taffy

BUILD YOUR FIRE

When we build fires, we’ll put 3-4 of these “fire kisses” as we form the framework of our wood. When a match is struck to ignite one of these little jewels, you have the start of a good flame. It will completely burn away and leave no residual.

And, they also work just as well if you have a cabin woodburning fireplace. You can skip using those instant light logs and have your homemade fire starters to use in its place. Works just the same.

Now put those fire kisses to good use, and roast marshmallows together

When you’re thinking about the holidays, who doesn’t love a homemade gift that is actually usable? If you’re looking for a constructive activity that your children can do, they can make a bunch of “fire kisses” that can be put in a pretty container to give as a gift to family members (especially if they have a fireplace). They certainly will make some happy campers.

Here’s to memories filled with footprints!