Kids absolutely love building forts and hideouts from any materials they can find. And that’s amazing because it’s so much more than just a fun activity! By doing this, they improve spatial thinking, express creativity, and learn to handle different tasks. So, when a new fort suddenly pops up in the middle of the playroom and you’re invited for a tea party with their toys, it’s pure magic.
If your child hasn’t experienced the joy of fort-building yet and the process requires your parental assistance, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to build a blanket fort. It’ll bring back memories of your own childhood and give you some great ideas to use today. So, don’t wait—let’s get building!
How to Build a Blanket Fort?
It’s very simple! The most important things you need are a great mood, creative thinking, and a little space at home for the structure to stand. Let’s get started:
Choose a Location
Ideally, move this activity to a dedicated playroom. That way, you can play today, and the fort will still be ready for visitors tomorrow. If there’s no separate playroom, choose a play corner in the child’s bedroom or in the living room.
Gather Materials
Next, gather everything you need to bring your blanket fort ideas to life.
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A blanket, sheet, large curtain, or tent fabric. It can be any lightweight fabric, preferably one that isn’t too slippery so it’s easy to fix and won’t slide off during play.
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A base for the “walls.” There are no limitations here—it could be chairs, a table, an ironing board, or any other furniture where you can drape the sheet to form a tent.
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Clips, pillows, ropes, or any fasteners to secure the sheet and prevent it from falling.
For extra comfort, you might also need some small blankets, cushions, plush toys, or other items to create a cozy atmosphere inside the fort.
Build the Base
The main part of how to build a blanket fort is preparing the base. You might need a few creative blanket fort ideas for this.
Chairs in Two Rows
Take 4 Preschool Cairs, preferably of the same height. Place them back-to-back in two rows. The distance between the rows depends on the size of the blanket—make sure it’s enough to cover the chairs completely and secure it well. The backs of the chairs will form a stable framework for the fort.
To prevent the “roof” from sagging in the middle, place a Child’s Coat Rack in the center or stretch a clothesline across. You can decorate the coat rack with fairy lights to create a magical atmosphere inside. The best part? It helps keep the roof raised, even if the chairs get bumped during play.
When the base is ready, you can lay down blankets, cushions, and other cozy materials. Sleeping bags or bean bags also work great if there’s enough space inside.
Mountain Tent
Place two Coat Racks a certain distance apart and drape a blanket over them. Stretch the blanket’s sides outward to create a tent-like structure. To keep the fort stable, secure the blanket edges with pillows or books.
Fort from a Children's Play Sofa
Build the fort’s walls from the sturdy blocks of a Children's Play Sofa. This is probably the easiest construction. All you have to do is throw a blanket over the top, and the space is immediately ready for play.
Under-the-Table Hideout
If you have a large dining table, simply drape a tablecloth over it so it reaches the floor on all sides. You can add a tunnel made from cardboard boxes or a play tunnel for an exciting entrance. This way, the child can crawl into the fort as if they’re entering through a special passage.
Secure the Blankets
Make sure the sheets or blankets won’t sag in the center or slide off the sides. This ensures that the kids can play inside without worrying about the fort collapsing.
If the structure is larger than the blanket, use several blankets and secure them tightly so they won’t fall. Heavy objects can be used to hold the edges down on the floor, while clips and ropes can keep the upper part in place. If the blankets are too heavy, switch to large sheets instead.
Check for Safety
No matter which blanket fort ideas you’re using, always ensure the construction is safe for play. Gently tug on the edges of the blankets to make sure they don’t pull the chairs or other furniture. If
Make It Cozy Inside
To decorate the inside of the fort, bring in some small cushions, kids’ blankets, and maybe string some fairy lights on the ceiling for ambiance. Alternatively, a small lantern with soft light works great. Don’t forget to add snacks, a few favorite toys, books, or even board games to make the time inside the fort extra special.
Ready-Made Blanket Fort Solutions from WoodandHearts
Looking for furniture that makes fort-building easier? Here are three perfect options:
1. Wooden Climbing Playhouse
The Wooden Playhouse is a ready-made fort for endless fun. You can cover it with blankets or sheets, decorate it with fairy lights or garlands, and place a gym mat underneath to create a soft, warm, and cozy hideout. There’s enough space inside for multiple kids to enjoy together! This magical hideaway is guaranteed to delight every child. Even better, it doubles as a climbing structure for physical activity, a creative workspace, and a place for imaginative play.
2. Climbing Arch with Tent
The Climbing Arch can also be transformed into a cozy hideout by covering it with a blanket. For added convenience, you can order the arch with a tent attachment available in various design options! At any moment, it can become the perfect little house for quiet play.
3. Climbing Triangle with Tent
Just like the arch, the Climbing Triangle comes with the option of a Tent. Inside, there’s plenty of room for toddlers to hide, watch a cartoon, or browse through a book.
Additionally, the Triangle or Arch can serve as a component in a larger fort when combined with other climbing structures, cardboard boxes, tunnels, or blanket-and-chair castles. The more building experiments you try, the more fun it gets!
Other Products That Work as Blanket Fort Bases
Similarly to the Wooden Playhouse, children can also play and build hideouts with other Montessori playgrounds:
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Indoor Jungle Gym. This super-functional and versatile climbing structure easily transforms into a playhouse. Just drape a blanket over it, make yourselves comfy on a gym mat underneath, and let the fun begin.
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Toddler Indoor Playground. Compact yet highly functional, this climbing structure offers the perfect base for a fort. Kids can use the lower section as a hideout or turn the top of the tower into an imaginative playhouse. The best part? Tomorrow, they can pick up the game right where they left off today.
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Large Indoor Playground. The Large Indoor Playground provides kids with built-in hideouts under both towers! It even features curtains on the windows for extra coziness. The greatest advantage is that this hideout doesn’t need to be dismantled—it’s always ready for playtime!
Enjoy the Magic!
Building a blanket fort is more than just play—it’s a wonderful opportunity to bond with your child, spark creativity, and create lasting memories. Try these tips today and let the adventures begin!