Build a Fort at home

Our frame In the Starry Night Exhibit is a nice start for kids to make a tent or a fort. But kids can definitely build their own cozy fort at home too! Let’s re-create the same Museum fun at home!
 
This is a fun activity that whole families can do together! You can make the fort as small or as large as you like! Inside, you can watch movies, read books, play board games or just talk and have the most memorable and fun conversations!

Materials

  • light blankets, spare sheets, beach towels, and tablecloths
  • sofa cushions
  • laundry clips, clothespins, binder clips, or chip clips
  • string, wire, or yarn
  • Dictionaries, phone books, or other heavy (non-breakable) items

Instructions

  1. Make 2 rows of chairs with the backs facing each other. Chairs are a great option because their backs provide a high fort ceiling. Position the rows in front of a sofa, bed, or wall if you want the fort to be enclosed on the backside.
    • If you don’t have chairs to support your fort, see what other sturdy items are in the room. Laundry hampers, footstools, and boxes can serve as fort-building materials.
    • You can use furniture of different heights to create high and low places in the fort, which makes it extra fun to crawl around inside.
  2. Place blankets and pillows on the floor of the fort to make it comfortable. Then, place several cushions or pillows around the edges of the fort. Use extra blankets or sleeping bags in the fort.
  3. Drape a sheet or blanket over the furniture pieces. Drape a large sheet or blanket over the top of the fort so that it goes over the edges of the furniture. Pull the blanket or sheet taut so that it is not drooping down in the center of the fort’s ceiling.
  4. Secure the blankets with heavy objects or clothespins. The edges of the blanket will eventually slip off the furniture if you do not weigh them down. Grab a few books or other heavy objects and place them on the edges of the blanket. Clothespins may be enough to secure the edges of a sheet on some types of furniture.
  5. Add lights to the fort. If you want to read inside your fort or play board games, you may want to add some lights. Christmas lights look great. A flashlight works, too!
  6. Bring games, books, and other types of entertainment into the fort. If you plan to spend some time relaxing in your fort, make sure to bring a variety of fun items into it. Bring a few board or card games into the fort, or bring a good book. You could also bring a tablet or laptop into the fort if you want to watch a movie or play games.
  7. Stock your fort with snacks and drinks. You don’t want to have to leave the fort to get a drink of water or something to eat.