A great kit there.

Has DS practiced with the paper matches, they can be a bit tricky ?

I gave my kids a packet each and asked them to light all the matches - as a practice.

Ditto the strike anywheres (and regular matches too). They do lose patience, but I tried to keep then going for as long as it was "fun".

I've had a few years to practice all sort of matches, but the kids actually don't get much of a chance. Having a whole box (or more if they like), gives lots of practice at different holds and techniques.

Remember that its not "good enough" to strike the match, encourage him to hold it for at least a few seconds. I've seen kids strike a match, then throw it or drop it. Obviously, you need to hold a match long enough to light the tinder.

Great tips, Widget. thanks!!

He likes strike anywhere matches and is getting better at it. His patience is coming along too. (You're right about the rushing.) Paper matches are still new to him but he's having more success with them than the ferro rod though.

I love the idea of some good fun repetitious practice. :-)

The tinder is a great idea, Jac. But a bit bulky for my preferences. I'd suggest some of my tinder cubes. They're small, easy to make and burn for a long time. A great project for DW and you to spend time. If you'd like to know how to make them PM me. I' abit protective of the process lol. good move adding an ignition source

vacuum sealing works well also.

I made my fire kit in one of those old plastic sucrets containers. minin bic, liot's of matches both book and stick, a lot of tinder cubes, bitrhday candles, cotton, poor mans sparklite, ferro bar amd magnifying glass. Sealed with 3M electrical tape and haven't had to open it in the 4 years since.

Wait until DW discovers cattail fluff! LOL!

Mix in a dab of petroleum jelly (vaseline) with the cotton balls and they will easily catch fire from spark or flame, and burn for several minutes. Doubles as use for chapped lips etc too