Did you have a fort when you were a kid? If so, you will know just how much fun they are. For kids, forts are magical places to use their imaginations and enjoy hours of free play. Whether they are pretending to be king or queen of the castle or using their fort as a top-secret den, kids can enjoy hours of old-fashioned fun playing in a fort – with no grown-ups allowed!
Building a fort is the perfect opportunity for kids, both big and small, to put their creativity to the test. From basic forts to impressive feats of construction genius, there are so many ways to create a fort. The only limit is their imagination. You don’t need to be a carpenter or have a Ph.D. in engineering to build an impressive fort for your kids. Check out these fantastic fort ideas for inspiration.
Indoor Kids Forts
Teepee Fort
A teepee fort can be used either indoors or outside, so they offer fun whatever the weather. All you need is four wooden dowels of equal length, some rope, and fabric. Simply create the frame by crossing the dowels at the top to make a pyramid shape and tie them together using the rope. Next, cover the frame with the fabric. If the kids want to make the teepee a long-lasting fort, you can help by screwing the dowels together and attaching the fabric around the frame by sewing it in place.
Blanket Fort
A good old blanket is always a hit with kids. But be warned; they will need to raid your linen closet for this one! Simply draping some blankets and bed sheets over the back of chairs or over the dining table will create the perfect indoor hideout.
Cardboard Fort
Creating a cardboard fort is one of the simplest ways to make a fort, but also one of the most fun! All you need is some large pieces of cardboard and some sticky tape to fix the pieces together, and you are good to go. Kids may need a little help with fixing together the sides and cutting out the door and windows. Finally, once the structure has been made, kids can get stuck in decorating the fort. Using colored pens, crayons, paint, or stickers will make the den totally unique.
Outdoor Fort Ideas
Playset Fort
Combining a playset with a fort is every kid’s dream come true. Hiding out in the den and slipping down the slide will make outside play so much fun. So, why not build one in your backyard for tons of outdoor adventures? Taking on this ambitious project will definitely require some planning. But when complete, your kids are going to love it!
Outdoor Playhouse Den
Imaginary play will be much more exciting with a playhouse den. Kids can role-play until their heart’s content inside an adorable wooden playhouse. Building this playhouse will take time, but your kids will love you for it! Deck out the inside with furniture to earn extra brownie points and maximize their fun.
Stick Fort
A stick fort can be built without you needing to spend a single dime. Building your stick fort around a tree trunk is an excellent way to give it some extra support and will make it easier to keep in place while you construct it. Collect some logs of roughly equal length and lean them at an angle against the tree trunk to create a teepee shape. Continue doing this until you are happy with the level of coverage you have, and don’t forget to leave an entrance to get in and out of your new stick fort. Finally, secure the logs in place by tying them with rope at the top.
Did you hear about the fort made out of doors?
It was called fort knocks!
