The cold season has its own kind of magic: clouds of breath in the air, rustling leaves under boots, and that special moment when the first fire crackles in the woods or in the garden. These are exactly the moments the new DIY project from Gabrielle from kindwaldundwiese is for – a warm, meaningful project that fits perfectly into autumn, winter, and the Christmas season.
After Gabrielle has already enchanted us with grass hearts, gnome huts, reed boats, and a natural material barefoot path, today she shows us a project that turns small, everyday scraps into something useful and beautiful: heart-shaped fire starters – made from natural materials, candle remnants, and toilet paper rolls. "A sustainable DIY that is not only practical but also a gift full of warmth," as Gabrielle says.
What do you need?
The idea came up relatively spontaneously. "Our children generally love to experiment with fire and are allowed to. We accompany and support them. I myself once made birch tar in school during a Stone Age project and found it totally fascinating," Gabrielle explains. She then showed the children. Making fire starters from toilet rolls is a classic. "One of the kids knew how to shape them into hearts from school. So one thing led to another."
For these fire starters, you use materials you either already have at home or find during a walk – truly in the spirit of a sustainable crafting adventure:
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Empty toilet paper rolls
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Rubber bands
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Natural materials that burn well: birch bark (only from deadwood!), larch cones, sawdust, small wood shavings
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Candle stubs or wax remnants
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An old tin can for melting the wax
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A baking sheet or container with some sand
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A bread knife for cutting
"We only use things that are already available or that you find while walking," Gabrielle clarifies. "Birch bark burns very well thanks to its oils – it was used to light fires even in the Stone Age. And candle remnants get a second life this way."
Here’s how it's done: heart by heart
1. Gather & prepare natural materials: Break or cut birch bark (only from deadwood!), cones, and sawdust into small pieces. Let everything dry thoroughly – the drier, the better.
2. Shape the toilet roll into a heart: Press the roll flat, trace the edges, then indent one side and shape the other into a point – this creates a heart. Secure it with a rubber band.
3. Fill the hearts: Loosely fill the heart shape with the dry natural materials.
4. Prepare the sand bed: Put a little sand in a sheet pan and stand the hearts in it. This prevents wax from leaking out.
5. Melt the wax: Warm the candle remnants in an old tin can in a water bath until they are liquid.
6. Pour the wax: Carefully pour the liquid wax into the filled hearts.
7. Let it set: Wait briefly until the wax is firm but not yet hard.
8. Cut them up: Cut the rolls into small heart fire starters with a bread knife.
9. Decorate & gift: Fill them into a jar, decorate with jute string, berries, greenery, or cones – perfect as a gift or for cozy evenings by the fire.
Tips & tricks
"The drier the materials, the better the fire starters burn," says Gabrielle. Her children even let the collected natural materials dry on the heater for a day.
A bread knife cuts the still-slightly-warm wax particularly cleanly. “The project is suitable for various age groups: Smaller kids are great at helping with the gathering, filling, and shaping. However, the hot wax should be poured by an older kid or an adult. Plan enough time – the project can take place over several afternoons.
Suitable for all ages
This DIY is suitable for children from about 4 years old until well into their teenage years, and actually for everyone who loves fire, nature, and cozy winter evenings. "It's a project where everyone can help," says Gabrielle. Younger children collect cones and bark or help with shaping the hearts, while older ones cut and pour the wax – of course, under supervision.
And important: Perfection is not the goal here. "Even if the hearts turn out a little crooked, the main thing is it's fun!"
Why this project is special
What Gabrielle loves most about it? "That you spend a lot of time outside for it – while gathering, while pouring, and later at the fire. And we especially like the idea of giving the gift of beautiful campfire moments with it, especially in the darkest time of the year". The kids are proud when "their heart" later starts a fire. "And they were completely fascinated that birch bark even burns when it’s not completely dry," Gabrielle shares.
At the same time, they learn so much: about fire, natural materials, recycling, and Stone Age knowledge, without it feeling like learning. The fine motor tasks (folding, filling, cutting) improve their dexterity, and gathering brings movement and mindfulness.
Shared winter moments
While gathering and crafting together, children learn to see materials with new eyes: What does birch bark feel like? Which cones are dry enough? What burns best? "Being outside instantly connects us as a family," says Gabrielle. "The kids are calmer, more curious – and having your own fire after crafting is, of course, the highlight. The sausages taste especially good then!" The pre-Christmas season is a challenge for families, especially those with several children, Gabrielle finds. It can quickly become too much. "We, too, have to plan very well and sometimes consciously do without things in favor of more time together".
Having time for and with each other, moving closer together, and enjoying the small things is what makes the Advent season special for her. "Projects like this are part of that for us: creating together, being outside, making something meaningful, and bringing joy to others," she summarizes.
A little heart that gives warmth
Whether for the Christmas season, as a gift, "we have already given the heart fire starters multiple times, to grandparents, friends, and neighbors. They are always a huge hit!" – for cozy campfires, or as a nature project with children – these small heart starters bring warmth to the cold season. And they remind us how much joy is in the simple things: gathering, creating, being outside, and lighting a fire together.
A small project – with a big impact.
