Fire Rescue Activity Bin

May 4^th is National Firefighter’s Day, and it’s a great time to teach your kids about the importance of fire safety. This fire rescue activity bin idea is a great way to educate young children in a fun and hands-on way!

In every community, there are unsung heroes who stand ready to protect and serve, often at a moment’s notice (and many in a volunteer capacity). National Firefighters Day is a day that we honor brave men and women who dedicate their time and even risk their lives to keeping us safe from the dangers of fire.

As parents, teaching our children about the history and development of fire rescue can instill in them a sense of gratitude, respect, and even inspire future generations of firefighters. So, before we jump into the fire rescue bin activity, here are some interesting facts about the development of fire rescue over time!

Facts about the History of Fire Rescue

Ancient Beginnings: Firefighting has roots dating back to ancient civilizations. Early firefighters used buckets, leather bags, and animal skins filled with water to combat fires. In ancient Rome, a rudimentary form of firefighting involved citizens forming bucket brigades to douse flames.

You could encourage your children to create their own “ancient” firefighting tools using household items like cups, buckets, and sponges. They can have fun pretending to extinguish imaginary fires in the backyard!

The Great Fire of London: One of the most significant events in the history of firefighting occurred in 1666 with the Great Fire of London. This devastating blaze destroyed a large part of the city, leading to the implementation of firefighting regulations and the formation of the world’s first organized fire department, known as the London Fire Brigade.

A great educational activity for older children might be to construct a miniature cardboard model of London. You could even “reenact” the Great Fire using tissue paper flames (not real flames, of course). Discuss the importance of fire safety measures in preventing such disasters.

The Industrial Revolution and Fire Technology: The Industrial Revolution brought about advancements in fire technology, including the invention of steam-powered fire engines and the development of modern firefighting equipment such as hoses, hydrants, and protective gear. These innovations revolutionized firefighting techniques and greatly improved the efficiency of fire rescue operations.

Here’s another fire rescue activity idea that is great for homeschooling families: Organize a visit to your local fire station, where your children can learn about the modern equipment used by firefighters today. They might even have the opportunity to see a fire engine up close and meet real-life heroes!

A book I remember reading as a child (and rereading several times!), which I would recommend, is Blitz: The Story of a Horse. It is about a horse that pulled a fire wagon back in the days before fire engines and follows the journeys of the horse.

The Rise of Professional Fire Departments: As urban populations grew, so did the need for professional fire departments. In the 19th century, cities across the globe established dedicated fire brigades staffed by trained firefighters. In many communities, volunteer firefighters respond to emergencies. In fact, 65% of firefighters in the United States are volunteers!

You could encourage your children to create thank-you cards or drawings for their local firefighters, expressing appreciation for their service to the community. Delivering these tokens of gratitude to the fire station can foster a sense of connection and admiration.

Blitz, the Story of a Horse

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Blitz is a fast and spirited fire horse, but when his partner pulling the fire wagon is killed in a terrible accident and his owner is badly injured, Blitz is sold to a flower peddler who is not as kind. He is, in fact, abusive. Will poor Blitz ever be well-treated again? Illustrated by James Dwyer.

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Okay, on to making a fire rescue bin! This is a terrific activity for young children.

Fire Rescue Activity Sensory Bin Materials

Sensory Tray Bin (you can also use any bin or tray that works for you)
Fire Protection Vehicles and Accessories (you can often find plastic sets at your local dollar store or discount stores)

You’ll want to make paper cutouts of the following:

F, I, R, and E letters
Paper cutouts of fire
Paper cutouts of fire protection accessories

Printed Task Cards

Here are some ideas for sensory fillers:

Shredded orange, yellow and red paper
Orange, yellow, and red pompoms
Orange, yellow, and red blocks

Directions for the Fire Rescue Sensory Bin

Step One: Gather and prepare all the materials needed.
Step Two: Find a suitable container or sensory bin. Make sure it can accommodate the vehicles and the fire rescue activities. You can also use three small containers for the 3 tasks.
Step Three: In one container of the bin, scatter the fire cutouts. Make sure they are hidden within the shredded paper.

Step Four: In another container, place fire protection accessory cutouts, such as the fire extinguisher, fire alarm, axe, first aid kit, and fire hydrant. You can spread them out among the blocks.

Step Five: In the third container, put the red, orange, and yellow pom poms. Hide the toy letters “F,” “I,” “R,” and “E” among the papers.

Step Six: Position all the fire protection vehicles and get the printed task cards.

Step Seven: Using the task cards, encourage the child to engage in each activity, promoting hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and imaginative play.