Skip to main content

How to build the best kids blanket fort this summer

When kids are out of school, they’re exploring the world. They’re experimenting with different things and doing a whole lot of imagining, and you might be ready for them to stop taking everything apart as they try to find ways to expend that freedom-loving energy.

Blanket forts are a childhood staple. Building them helps your child develop critical cognitive skills, and playing in one can help reduce screen time and alleviate boredom. Blanket forts are surprisingly easy to construct once you’ve gotten the hang of the basic structure, so listen up! We’ve got everything you need to know about building a blanket fort your kids will love.

Blanket fort safety

Before we get started, keep these things in mind:

  • Avoid building blanket forts with crawling babies or toddlers who can hurt themselves.
  • Move obstacles out of the way, so you’re less likely to experience an injury.
  • Use string or twine to build height. Save heavy weights like books for securing the bottom edges of the fort.
  • Supervise children during play and immediately remove any collapsed sections.

Blanket fort basics

blanket forts for kids
Freeograph/Shutterstock

You must master the basics before you can begin experimenting. Here’s what you need to know about building a blanket fort that doesn’t immediately collapse.

Light sheets on top

Yes, we know — it’s called a blanket fort. But putting your blankets as the structure of your fort will only get you a stiflingly hot fort that’s likely to cave in at any minute. Save those blankets for building up the base and snuggling in for a good book.

Light sheets on top allow you to build peaks and angles, giving you so much more flexibility in your design. Master those shapes, and you’ll be a legendary blanket fort builder.

Use creative materials

Take a look around your house to see what you could use. If your child has a tunnel toy, use it for a secret entrance. If you have a tall coat rack, use it to build height into one of your blanket fort sections.

Once you see the materials at hand in your house, you can unleash your creativity. The crucial aspects of building a fort involve not only supports but the innovative use of materials to create doorways, arches, and other features.

Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Make room

Move smaller furniture away from the space. Lightweight furniture that will topple over is also not recommended. You may be able to use smaller furniture to create entrances instead of trying to use them as supports.

You’ll also want to remove any small items you don’t want crushed accidentally, or that could pose a tripping hazard. You’ve already got blankets and pillows throughout the space, so clear it of other items that may cause stubbed toes and tears.

Practice makes perfect

When you first start building, start with a simple shape. Squares are often the easiest to manage. Once you master a simple form, you can add other elements to expand. Don’t be upset if you can’t build a world-record-worthy fort on your first day.

Some blanket fort ideas

If you aren’t sure where to start, here are a few ideas. You can build them in a range of time frames from just a few minutes to a couple of hours.

The table fort

Luckily, anything can be used as a piece of support. If your child is asking for a blanket fort and you don’t have the time, experience, or materials to build something elaborate, take a good look at your kitchen table.

Drape a sheet over your table so that it covers all sides down to the floor. Arrange pillows and blankets underneath and tape a paper sign to the front announcing whose fort it is or who is allowed inside.

This takes just a few minutes and can please children for hours. Small tables are a perfect nook, while long tables may be appropriate for a family-size fort. And the best part? Cleanup takes just a few minutes too.

The table fort concept is also useful for any piece of furniture that could create space. If your child has a bunk bed, use the same method to cover the sides of the bed. If you’ve got a kitchen island or even a taller coffee table, the same rules apply.

blanket fort
Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock

Clothesline fort

A simple clothesline can create another unique blanket fort that’s easy to set up and take down. Attach a clothesline from one wall to another, whether across a room or simply in a small corner section. Drape a sheet over the clothesline and use books, toys, or other weighted objects to draw out the edges into a tent shape.

Make sure your clothesline is sturdy enough and won’t stretch under the weight of the sheet. Yarn won’t be appropriate, but nylon or real clothesline can hold the weight.

Corner fort

Use a corner of your room to build a fort with a single high point. Attach your sheet to the corner of the room using the corner of the sheet and anchor it by pulling the other edges to the side. 

Use two chairs or two side tables to create an entrance at the very front and use books to hold the sheet in place. If you can hang a small hook in the corner so that you can tie up the sheet, this could help anchor the fort in place. 

Avoid the temptation to load up heavy books onto the sheet to try to hold it. Books can slide off the top shelf and hit little heads. The safest method is a small hook for tying the twine or rope.

Building and experimenting with blanket forts

Building blanket forts is a wonderful way to bond with children and have a little fun yourself. You can practice and get creative each time, creating bigger and better forts. Spend some time imagining what you could build and get your children involved. And the most important part? Get into the fort with your children yourself. It’s time to learn to play.

Editors' Recommendations

NewFolks
7 fun outdoor fall games kids can play
Get your children outside to play these fall games and enjoy the cooler weather
Kids playing outside In leaves.

Even if the autumn season still brings the occasional warm, sunny day where you live, fall brings plenty of crisp, fresh air that's perfect for outdoor games. It's a season that so many people love because of the cooler temperatures and the beauty of the changing leaves. It's the perfect time to throw on a sweater and get the kids off the couch and out of the house to play fun fall games.

Kids love to be outside, especially if there are awesome games for them to play. If you've been looking for outdoor games for your kids to play this fall, check out these creative ideas. And parents, you are more than welcome to join the kiddos in any of these outdoor games to make beautiful autumn memories.

Read more
10 fun fall activities the whole family will enjoy
Embrace the fall season with these family-friendly, fun activities
Boy laying in a pile of leaves

Although many of us are sad when summer finally comes to an end, we quickly get excited when we realize that fall has finally arrived! After all, autumn is such a fantastic season. Pumpkins line the outdoor displays of stores, Halloween merchandise starts to fill the shelves, and it's the perfect time to bring out those comfy sweaters that had been packed away all summer. Let's not forget that it's finally pumpkin spice season once again, too! It's also a wonderful time of the year to engage in some good old-fashioned fun with the whole family.

Fall gives families so many activities that can be done indoors and out. From pumpkin picking to bobbing for apples, there is quite an array of activities for fall. Here are some of our favorite family fall activities you can try with your own family.

Read more
Fun fall bucket list activities to do with kids
While waiting for cooler weather, look over the ultimate fall bucket list every child will want to complete
A family enjoying lying in the leaves.

Fall is here, and we are bursting to tell you about some amazingly fun things to do with your kids during what we think is the most wonderful time of the year. Sorry, Christmas. From the gorgeous colors that make every picture Insta-worthy to the fact that everything doesn’t turn into a sweaty mess — it's all fabulous.

Planning fall activities kids want to do is one of our favorite things to do! While we wait for the weather to get just right, check out this fall bucket list of awesome activities that kids and parents will both love to do.

Read more