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Building the Ultimate Blanket Fort
Childhood is a creative time. It’s a time to eat sandwiches with ice cream, to make abstract works of art with finger paint and to build fortresses, castles and lairs with blankets, sheets and couch cushions. While there are no set instructions for making a blanket fort, here are some tips and techniques that are sure to help you and your child build a fantastic chateau using items you already have at home.
Built on Blankets
Built on Blankets
Your Family Room is an ideal place to start building. Some things you will need are blankets, sheets, pillows, couch cushions, sleeping bags and rugs. Typically, you’ll want to use higher surfaces such as chairs, brooms, table tops or the top sides of couches for structural support and additional headroom. To really spark the magic, strew some leftover holiday lights along the inside walls. Or, your little ones can create the ultimate bubble by setting up a sheet wall and then turning on a fan to create an inflated look inside. Be sure that the makeshift walls are secure from the top and bottom to successfully pull this off. You can also clip together multiple sheets and hang them along a clothes line that’s attached to a sofa or table using chip clips.
Flat Roof Fort
This technique involves a number of chairs, clothes pins and a few blankets. Simply arrange the chairs in two rows facing opposite one another. Spread a blanket over the top, attaching the edges to the backs of the chairs with clothes pins. Here’s another tip: expand your rooftop by fastening the edges together using safety pins, clothes pins or chip clips. Then, add walls to the fort by attaching smaller blankets to either end of the fort.
Teepee of Tapestries
Although the teepee isn’t a “fort” per se, it is definitely a crowd favorite that is simple to set up. Arrange the chairs in two rows facing opposite each other. Drape the blanket over the chair tops with enough fabric covering the seats. Hold down the fort by placing books or other heavy objects on the seats. Then, raise the roof by placing a pole – a broom handle will work just fine – in the middle of the fort, and place pillows or boxes around the base for support.
Whether the kids are having a sleepover or you’re looking for a way to escape the summer heat with the family, a blanket fort is always a fun idea. So, gather all the sheets you can find, turn your couches inside out and help your kiddos build a cozy castle!
