CraftsToddlersPreschoolers25 Comments
BUILD A FORT!
Today is a simple, easy task that every one can do with whatever they have on hand.
And every child I know loves building forts!
Building it is almost more fun than playing in it, so let the kids take part in that as well!
Let them lead you where to place objects, such as blankets, tables, cushions, pillows, etc.
Their imaginations will be running before you know it.
Henry created rooms for us to sleep in, added pillows to each of our rooms so we had beds.
Then we all did our bedtime routine and read books and pretended to sleep!
Before long, Henry was adding more objects to our fort play.
The flashlight, in particular, is super fun in a dark fort!
DAY 1 CHALLENGE:
Spend (at least) 15 minutes of uninterrupted time building a fort, and playing in it, with your kids!
IDEAS OF OBJECTS TO USE:
- blankets
- sheets
- couch cushions (and the couch!)
- tables (card table, end table, etc)
- pillows (either to hold blankets in place, or to use as imaginary play)
- objects, or toys, to add to your child’s imagination!
Please share what your fort became today (and what you used to build it), here in the comments, and be inspired by more ideas on The Play Network.
This ‘Challenge’ is meant to get you started, to spark your creativity with your kids (and their creativity!). I’m excited to see where this activity takes you and your kids today!
Tomorrow, The Imagination Tree has your challenge for Day 3!
Be sure to sign up to receive reminders for the 30 Days to Play Hands on Challenge:
Here’s a badge for you to share that you’re taking part in the Play Challenge!
Share it and be proud to play!
Yesterday was the kickoff to the 30 Days to Hands on Play Challenge, so if you missed that, see what this challenge is all about and how you can join in!
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Build a fort says
I really like seeing parents doing these types of things with their children instead of being locked being a tv or video game. So great for the imagination.
startupbabies says
hi there jamie,
i love your blog. i have subscried to your email and joined the 30 day hands on play challenge.
i will also be sharing your great work on my blog and will be linking back to this blog as i go through the 30 day challenge. thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and your methods. they are so useful and so enriching. thanks for helping us to be better moms. more power to you, your family, and your blog :)
Jamie says
Oh thank you. I look forward to reading how you go through the challenge. I can’t really be credited to helping you become a better mom, just giving you some tools to do so. You’re already a great mom just for wanting to do it.
2flowerslearn.com says
I love this activity. I grew up doing this regularly and love sharing it with my kids!
[email protected] says
We finally built our fort and had so much fun. Thanks for the inspiration. http://lessonslearntjournal.com/?p=1618#
Emma @sciencesparkss says
A fort and a torch is just the best fun for everyone. I love it!
Thanks for linking to Fun Sparks. xx
CountryFunMaine says
Not doing this challenge this time, but love the idea. Checked in today and saw you made forts. Got me smiling as we had also made forts. I posted pictures of ours. We love making forts inside and out. Enjoying checking out all the ideas and links here as usual.
Esther says
We combined Day 2 and Day3 Challenge!
http://creativitymypassion.blogspot.com/2011/11/30-days-to-hands-on-play-build-fort-and.html
Kimira Curic says
Here is the update on our pride rock/ cave
http://anjalicuric.blogspot.com/2011/11/pride-rock-and-our-fort.html
Enyo @ Motherhood Looms says
So, we kind of had some hiccups in our little adventure. :) Rather than write a blog post in your comments, here's my blog post on the challenge:
Kimira Curic says
Havent done it yet, but we did a pride Rock impersonation on the bed yesterday http://anjalicuric.blogspot.com/2011/11/effort-to-be-more-hands-on-update.html
Michelle says
I was a day behind, but wanted to catch up, so we built our fort before bedtime. It was my first go, and K is only 13 months old so not much help. :) But she was very interested in what I was doing on the floor under the sheets. I hate lots of fun with her just watching her wonder what the heck I was doing. We then commenced "reading" a picture book in our fort for a bit before our dogs joined us! I have a pic, but not uploaded. Thanks for the challenge!
Jen says
My younger child and I had therapy playgroup this morning, and when I picked up my older child from my parents', she and her grandfather had made a fort from the dining room table and afghans!
This afternoon, the kids and I built one from a playpen on its side, dining chairs, couch cushions and blankets. We hid from a monster, "took naps", made up stories, had pretend tea and cookies, etc, for a good 45 minutes. Then I was the monster and chased them around only to torture them with kisses and tickles when they got caught! Good times!
Ruth says
What a great start. We loved it. Heres our take on the fort.
Charlotte says
So much fun!
SarahElisabeth says
My little boy wasn't so interested in the fort but spent a happy time building a one legged Duplo "Eiffel da Tower". I've blogged about it here
http://weshallobtaindeliveringgrace.blogspot.com/2011/11/update.html
JDaniel4's Mom says
We will be building a fort tomorrow!
rainydaymum says
What a great idea – it's something I haven't done really inside with J and T but we will make one tomorrow (catching up on an evening so will be a day behind on the challenge most of the time :( )
Amanda@The Educators' Spin On It says
My little ones created this morning a fort using natural playscape materials. Come check it out.
Kim@The Educators' Spin On It says
What a great way to start if off, we were building all afternoon! Thanks for encouraging everyone!
RedTedArt says
We LOVE building dens and houses and forts! Will make sure we make another one tomorrow (sorry, only just catching up this evening)… esp with a little torch inside. They will love that!
Maggy
MizFlurry says
My blog post is written in Dutch, but I still want to share the pictures. We had a lot of fun :)
http://mizflurry.blogspot.com/2011/11/hands-on-play-challenge-dag-2-bouw-een.html
Stace says
Oh man! I can't believe that I've never thought to do this with Colby. What was I thinking? So excited to try this after nap!
Terri says
Oh yes! We'll be doing this today! It's supposed to be cold, windy and rainy outside… a perfect day for a fort.
Anna @ The Imagination Tree says
Love it! And can't wait to get our fort built when Pop wakes up form her nap!