Building indoor forts is a timeless pastime that is still a popular activity for kids today. Here’s a list of the basic supplies you need to get started as well as our top tips for how to create an extra special fort with your little one.
Supplies:
- Sheets and/or blankets
- Pillows, blow-up mattresses and/or furniture cushions
- Painter’s tape or command hooks
- Stacks of heavy books
Top 10 Fort Tips:
- Create your fort near a window so you can enjoy lots of natural light. If this is not an option, grab a flashlight!
- Use command hooks on walls or painters tape on furniture to hang sheets/blankets and provide more height to your fort.
- Use stacks of books to make walls or to serve as an anchor for sheets.
- Gather large cardboard boxes (refrigerator boxes are great!) and create tunnels going to and from the fort. Hula hoops can also make fun passageways! Place a row of hoops (standing vertically) alongside a wall and attach each hoop to the wall and the floor with painter’s tape. Then, cover them with sheets to form a tunnel.
- Use rolled newspaper sheets as “support beams.” Tape them together to create your desired length. (Looking for something a little more stable? Try PVC pipes!)
- Utilize closet tension or shower curtain rods to help create a sturdy roof or walls.
- Use appropriate, kid-friendly furniture to create a lookout tower.
- Incorporate an art project into your fort-building activity by making a sign for the entrance or art for the inside.
- Create a fort survival kit with flashlights or glow sticks, snacks, books, crayons and other fun activities for children.
- Encourage your child to use the fort for special activities like reading or drawing.
Note: Forts can be fun for parents and kids alike, but safety should always be a top priority! With that in mind, please use caution when constructing a fort with your child. Make sure little ones only use safe fort-building materials and that they only play near or inside stable structures.
