Looking for fun, free, indoor kids activities? Build a fort!

If you are looking for something fun for your kids to do this weekend, consider letting them build a fort! There are surprising benefits of fort building for kids.

It's a time of year that requires many of us to be inside with our kids more than we would generally prefer. Finding activities that are beneficial and engaging can be challenging. Fort building is a great option that is beneficial for children and will keep them busy and engaged for a while. The best part, the kids will love it!

Reasons to Build a Fort:

According to Tinkergarten, Your Morning Basket, and North Shore Pediatric Therapy, building a fort is beneficial because kids can:

1. Explore early STEM concepts

2. Practice problem solving

3. Practice planning and decision making

4. Practice Collaboration

5. Use Creativity

6. Persistence (when they have to re-build when it falls or gets disrupted from play)

7. Have a calming effect because the inside is generally less stimulating than the outside world

8. Facilitates imaginary play

9. Improve core and upper extremity strength as they play in the tent

10. A sense of accomplishment when they see what they build.

Ideas for Fort Building:

So maybe you are sold on the idea, but not sure where to start? Consider some of the following ideas to help you get started:

First, get your children in on the brainstorming - planning and using inventive ways to use materials you already have is good for them.

But, I have a few ideas for materials to help you guide them:

1. Table chairs

2. Bar stools

3. The dining room table

4. Couches

5. A playpen

6. An unplugged and sturdy lamp

7. Bed sheets

8. Blankets

9. Beach Towels

10. Clothespins or chip clips- so helpful in keeping the sheets/blankets in place

11. Bed pillow

12. Couch pillows

13. Cardboard boxes

Once they have created their fort, I recommend letting them decorate it and furnish it in whatever way makes them happy. Maybe you still have Christmas lights out they can use, they may want to put a sleeping bag or nap mat in there or all of their favorite stuffies. This is another activity in of itself and will keep them engaged and busy even longer.

The Fort is Built, Now What:

Now it's time for playtime in the fort! There are so many things that kids can do in their newly built fort and it will be extra fun because it's in a fort!

1. Read

2. Build an obstacle course

3. Pretend play

4. Play a board game

5. Listen to music

6. Design tunnels within the fort

7. Have a tea-party

8. Tell stories

9. Journaling

10. Crafts

11. Play a digital game or watch a movie (if you are allowing screen time)

Depending on the age of your children, they may need some help in building their fort. But hopefully, this will be a fun and beneficial activity that will keep them engaged and having a blast for quite some time.

My husband and I recently built a fort with my 1.5 year old and we all had a blast. We used the playpen and some bar stools to clothespin sheets to. Then we filled it with pillows and blankets. We had story time and listened to music in it. We left it up all weekend so he could come back to it. Parker was definitely a little young for the activity but he had fun because we were all spending time together doing something different. It was a good way to mix things up, especially because I get sick of being stuck inside. So I hope you and your kids can have so much fun building a fort!

Remember Mama, you are doing a great job! You got this!