How to build a blanket fort that stays up

A blanket fort is one of those projects that kids love for the building and for what happens inside. It takes about 20 minutes, uses things you already own, and turns an ordinary afternoon into a secret hideout.

The usual problem is collapse. Here's how to build one that stays up, and what to do once it does.

What you need

• 2 to 4 blankets (a large, lightweight blanket or sheet works best)
• Chairs, the backs of couches or tables to make the frame
• Clothespins, binder clips or heavy books to hold the blankets in place
• Pillows and cushions for the floor
• A flashlight or string lights, for the inside

How to build it

1. Pick a spot. A corner is easiest because you only need to build two sides. Make sure there's clear floor around it.
2. Make the frame. Set two or three chairs a few feet apart, or use a sofa and a chair. The blanket will drape between them.
3. Drape the roof. Lay a large blanket over the frame. A lightweight sheet is easier to pull taut than a heavy comforter.
4. Hold it in place. Clip the corners to the chair backs. Put heavy books on the blanket edges where they meet the floor.
5. Make the walls. Hang more blankets from the roof or the sides and clip them down.
6. Furnish the inside. Cushions on the floor, a few books, a flashlight and a snack. Done.

Tips for a fort that stays up

• Use a lightweight roof. Heavy blankets sag and pull the chairs in. A sheet or thin blanket stays taut.
• Clip, don't tuck. Clothespins and binder clips hold better than tucking, and you can adjust them.
• Make a ridge. A broom handle laid across two chair backs holds the middle up so it doesn't droop.
• Add a floor. Cushions make it comfortable and stop it feeling like a tent on bare tile.
• Let them design it. The wobbles and fixes are part of the fun. Hand them the clips.

Safe fort-building

• Keep forts away from stairs, fireplaces and heaters.
• Don't use string lights that get hot. Battery lights are safest.
• Check the frame is steady before anyone crawls in, and keep heavy objects out of the roof.
• Keep an open side so you can see and hear each other.

What to do inside

• Read a story with a flashlight. Take turns picking a book, or make one up together.
• Camp out. Pack a snack, "go to sleep" and wake up to a pretend sunrise.
• Make a library or shop. Stock it with books or toys and take turns being the owner.
• Listen. Put on quiet music or an audiobook and see who stays awake.
• Tell a story. Start with "Once upon a time there was a very small..." and let them finish it.

If it stalls

If they lose interest in the building, let them be the "architect" and just hold the blanket where they tell you. If the fort collapses, that's not a failure. Try again, or turn the fallen fort into something new, like a cave.

Why it's worth the effort

Building a fort mixes planning, balance, problem-solving and imagination. Kids experiment, adjust and try again, which is the same cycle they'll use for all kinds of problems later. It's also a calm, cozy place to be together once the building is done.

For a more energetic afternoon, try floor is lava. Or head to the full list of things to do with kids.