If there is one thing children like, that’s to have their hideout place. This is their special space where they plan adventures and share secrets. But also, these are great places to have a sleepover with your kid or tell them fairy tales.
Over the years, the forts were even sort of included when you decorate the children room. For example, many sellers offer bunk bed with space underneath perfect for a fort. There are also pre-made solutions in different child-appealing shapes like castle or wigwam.
However, nothing can beat the homemade fort you built together with your children. They can be the architects and you can do the hard “construction” work. Or you can even surprise them and build one as your secret DIY project. With all that in mind, here are some ideas which might be fun for the whole family.
-
Sew the fort
If you’re handy with the sewing machine, you can build a fort with thread and needle basically. Use materials such as old tablecloths, sheets, and clothes to create the walls. The height and size depend on your kids but make sure that they have enough space there to move comfortably. That way the fort won’t get destroyed easily.
Additionally, buy some thin plastic rods, like those used for tents to make the frame. Sew the materials so that you leave enough space to insert the rods. Or you can sew the material with needle and thread around them.
To create windows, use thick nylon and glue it on the deliberately left hole in the sewn wall. The doors can roll up to create the entrance and be let down for privacy.
-
Cardboard castle
Cardboard is great material to build a fort. You can easily assemble it when needed and fold it to gain more space. It’s practically perfect for smaller homes and you can recycle it when you’re kids get bored with it.
Draw the shapes you want on the cardboard and cut them out with the scissors or scalpel. Create different parts of the castle simply by cutting the cardboard in different height. Make small windows and a massive opening.
Give your kids some felt pens and let them draw bricks, stones, and ornaments on their castle. Later on glue the sides together and staple them if needed. Have in mind though that this fort doesn’t have a roof, so you can drop a white linen above to improvise. Or you can go to an extra effort and build one.
-
The room turned into a fort
For those of us with smaller homes, it’s not easy to create a fort. Space is limited and fort would only be an inconvenience. But there is also a solution for this, so don’t worry. With a lot of fun to build, some extra time and creativity you can turn the whole room into one magnificent fort.
This kind of fort is perfect for movie time with your kids or birthday party and sleepovers. Take the sheets of all colors and tie them on the edges creating one enormous piece.
Use small nail-in hooks on the walls and secure this big piece with some thin rope. Do the same on the ceiling so the piece wouldn’t hang in the middle. Place some sheets on the windows to create the real effect of being inside a fort and not in a room.
When you turn on the lights, you’ll have different colors illuminating the room because of the different sheets you used. Put blankets, cushions, and pillows on the ground to make it comfy and warm. And the fort is ready to use.
-
Hanging fort
Another very useful and practical type of fort is the one you just hang from the ceiling. This is also perfect for those with limited space since you can remove it at the will of you need to. Nail-in hook is also what you’ll need here, but except that there is not much need for tools.
You can make the fort from old curtains or buy material which is light and comfortable to the touch. If you plan to install string lights inside, then you can choose thicker materials. Otherwise, use a more transparent one and position the fort near the window and place a lamp beside it for the evenings.
Make a shape your kid wants, like a cone or more a rectangular one by nailing the hooks in the appropriate way. Put some comfortable and plush cushions, as well as a small stool, to serve as a table. Create enough space so they can have friends over and hang in the fort together.
However, make sure that they don’t slouch over that table to do their homework or that the lamp is not too close to the fort. Also, the material should fall outwards so kids wouldn’t sit on it and knock down the fort.
-
Lighted hideout
As we said before, every kid likes to have a hideout. They consider it their safe place or go there when they’re mad. But also, this space can be a place where your kids read and do their homework. And for that, they’ll need light.
Lighted forts are actually pretty common today since the offer of led lighting on the market is rich and diverse. You can use them in different shapes, colors, and types. The most popular ones are those on the string you can hang inside the fort. Since LED lights don’t get heated up your child will be safe from fires and won’t have to use the flashlight to read.
If the fort is rectangular, place the lights along the sides. If it more resembles a wigwam, then hang them from the center and pin them to the sides. Don’t let them go down all the way, so your kids wouldn’t sit on the lights and injure themselves.
Finally
Building a fort is a perfect way to get in touch with your inner child. It’s a perfect space to have quality time and fun with your kids. And the best thing about, it is that you can change the shape of your fort how many times you want and based on your kids’ interests at the time.