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Building with Blocks and Lego's Fort Building Playdough Activities

The World Of Exploration Play

Constructive Play 

As your child engages in constructive play, they see the ideas they imagine come to life. Let’s explore what construction play is all about!

What is constructive play?

A constructive play definition- Also known as construction play, is about manipulating, shaping, or constructing something. In other words, constructive play is creating and building with different types of materials.

It involves various methods such as putting together, taking apart, stacking, molding, sorting, and more. However, most important is that children are connecting and interacting with their environment.

Constructive play typically starts around the age of two, when children can focus on one activity for extended periods. Previously children have been through an exploratory phase using their senses for investigation and discovery.

Usually, this involves simple and repetitive actions, like banging blocks or moving blocks from place to place. This exploratory phase helps prepare them to begin constructing. During construction play, their movements are more purposeful.

They have moved from exploring the materials to creating something. Nowhere is this transition more evident than during the stages of block play, from simply knowing how a block feels to building a basic tower.

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Also on this Page:

Fort Building
Playdough Activities
Blocks & Legos Ideas

constructive play-3 girls playing in the sand box

Through constructive play, they get to see and feel things for themselves.

A key component of constructive play is that it is open-ended. That kids are using materials to creatively and intentionally build something.

The open-ended materials can take many forms, for example, playdough, sand, water, recycled materials, and all types of blocks for kids. Through construction play, children engage their imagination and creativity while sparking their curiosity.

Construction play is a form of hands-on inquiry where children, by nature, discover and explore things for themselves. They gather information, experiment, and questions while engaging in constructive play.

Kids build, stack, construct, and draw as they test various materials. For example, they can make a sandcastle, compose a sidewalk chalk mural, or build a city with blocks and loose parts.

Children learn through their interactions and experiences in the physical and social world.

constructive play-sidewalk chalk mural

Compose a sidewalk chalk mural

Benefits of constructive play

Constructive play offers an unlimited world of opportunities for exploration and discovery. Children experience using various materials and tools to put things together, test ideas, solve problems, and stretch their imaginations.

As we have discussed in other articles about block play, construction play shares many of the same benefits. The encouragement of constructive play is valuable because it reinforces open-ended, free play and allows children to be children. It will enable them to explore their own ideas and connect them to the world around them.

Here are some of the construction play benefits your child may experience:

Physical Development

Construction play requires the use of both fine and gross motor skills to build something. By strengthening these motor skills, fine motor and gross motor activities can better shape and control their environment, empowering them.

Social-emotional Development

Where the building happens, so will the children. Whether inside or out, kids love to create and build. Constructive play encourages group interaction and strengthens social skills.

There is something special about a group of kids working together to make something. This cooperative play is where they learn teamwork and collaboration. By working together, they learn to take turns, share, and take risks. They build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment while learning to control their emotions.

Cognitive Development

Construction play encourages cognitive development by allowing kids to regulate and control their thinking. It requires trial and error. As children think, plan, and assess their actions, they develop problem-solving skills.

The way a child approaches their building with persistence to overcome any problems. They experiment with different materials finding new ways to use them. They try new methods and modify them when needed if something doesn’t work. This is problem-solving at its best.

Language Development

Constructive play helps kids become better communicators. They expand their vocabulary by using building words like over, under, and on top.

Placing signs around the construction play zone increases the connection between the written and spoken word. The encouragement of an adult who engages with open-ended questions supports language development.

Hands-on Exploration And Curiosity

Kids absorb information better through hands-on exploration rather than formal instruction. They learn to connect to their world and explore how materials can represent different objects (i.e., a stack of blocks becomes a skyscraper). Through constructive play, they get to see and feel things for themselves.

Imagination And Creativity

Construction play ignites your child’s imagination and creativity. Children use their creativity for planning and designing their creations. At the same time, they use their imaginations to create imaginary worlds, which leads to pretend play.

Creative and constructive play works best when you…

Now that we know what constructive play is and why it is important let’s look at how we can support and encourage it. Most importantly, we must understand and believe in the value of this type of play and ALL kinds of play.

Play comes naturally, and we should advocate for children to be children as long as possible—enough time each day needs to be allotted for play, including construction play. Our children should be encouraged to enjoy, explore, and experience the thrill of constructive play.

Provide Adult Support

We can support constructive play by:

  • Providing spaces that are safe, accessible, and full of open-ended materials

  • Encouraging construction play activities, whether inside or outside

  • Having interaction with children and asking open-ended questions

  • Helping them document their discoveries and creations

  • NOT directing it, but merely providing support to the play

  • Getting down on their level models the importance of playtime for your child

constructive play-mother and son playing with wooden stacking blocks

Encouraging constructive play activities inside and out

Add Inspiring Materials

Constructive play is essential for young children. What’s important here is to supply a variety of materials that are open-ended with no specific outcome. Where the kids control and determine how they are used to create something.

Continually adding new and stimulating elements while removing others keeps it fresh and exciting. Keep developmental stages and choking hazards in mind when sourcing your materials.

  • Wooden unit blocks

  • All types of blocks in varying shapes, sizes, and materials

  • Block props (i.e., vehicles, animals, people, signs, cogs, and wheels)

  • Train or car tracks

  • Water and water toys

  • Sand and sand toys

  • Modeling materials (i.e., playdough or clay)

  • Loose materials (i.e., pieces of fabric, vinyl, ribbon, or balls of wool)

  • Natural materials (i.e., shells, leaves, bark, sticks, and stones)

  • Art materials (i.e., easels, brushes, paint, markers, crayons, chalk, paper)

  • Craft materials (i.e., buttons, googly eyes, popsicle sticks, string, sequins)

  • Recycled materials (i.e., boxes, milk crates, mosaic tile pieces, clean PVC pipe pieces)

  • Wood pieces (i.e., clean in a variety of shapes and sizes) and strong glue

  • Tools (i.e., measuring tape, clipboard, pencils, stapler, scissors, tape)

  • Wagons or buckets to move the materials around

  • Camera and sketching materials for documenting their creations

Play Indoors or Outdoors

Constructive play should not be limited to just indoor block play. Again, the premise of construction play is about your child’s interaction with their environment. Changing how the materials and your child interact encourages a variety of constructive play.

For example:

  • Taking the blocks outside

  • Bringing natural elements inside

  • Mixing sectors like:

  • Block play with science

  • Math with language activities

  • Recycled materials with art

Taking the easels and paints outside adds an additional dimension to the play. Additionally, encouraging children to use traditional materials in new and innovative ways creates more opportunities for construction play. For example, painting on a fence or drawing with chalk on the sidewalk.

Engineer rivers and dams in the mud or sand

Blend It with Imaginative Play

Children have a natural tendency to combine construction play with imaginative play. As they build and create, they begin to try on and test how they experience the world. For instance, they may stack a few blocks, add some animals, and call it a zoo.

From there, they pretended how they would spend their day at the zoo. Or they might make something entirely imaginary, like an amusement park on Mars. This is the time to entertain their fantasy and ask them about their amusement park and Mars.

What is important is that your child is using their imagination with no rules or expectations.

Create Time and Space

Constructive play requires time. Allowing enough time for your child to create without interruptions is essential. Creating a block center and outdoor space for other materials is beneficial. Adding, combining, and changing elements creates an environment conducive to constructive play.

Induct Their Creations Into The “Hall of Fame”

While some of their constructions may be able to last for a while, most of them will be temporary in nature. However difficult this might be for some, it is an essential part of the learning experience. To help bridge the learning curve:

  • Take a picture

  • Make a video

  • Have your child draw or sketch their creations

  • Record what they say about their creations

Constructive play examples

We tend to go straight to block play and traditional building sets when we think of construction play. Yet, constructive play activities also include many other options.

Expand construction play by inviting your child to experience one or more of the activities below.

  • Assemble an outside fort with tires, hay bales, milk crates, and other large boxes

  • Build an inside hide-out from sheets, blankets, tables, and chairs. Construct a tunnel from recycled boxes and other materials

  • Create art from natural materials found on a nature walk.

  • Design and build a city with wooden building blocks, train and road tracks

  • Engineer rivers and dams in the mud or sand with plastic pipe pieces

  • Inspire children to draw building ideas with a clipboard, paper, and pencil

  • Make something using scraps of wood and strong glue to introduce woodworking

  • Organize and construct an obstacle course

  • Sculpt sandcastles

  • Set up construction challenges that encourage collaboration and problem-solving

  • Shape something from playdough and craft materials

Do you have a favorite memory of building or creating something?

I do; I loved visiting my aunt’s house, which had all the great wooden building toys. She had Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs, something we did not have at our home. See, she had two boys, and I was a girl.

To this day, one of my favorite kids’ activities is building with blocks. Whether it is giant blocks, magnetic blocks, or wooden unit blocks, I love seeing my ideas come to life.

wooden toy blocks-wooden toy blocks - wooden building blocks

Why not open the world of constructive play with some building sets of your own?
Button 1 Early Childhood Construction Play
Now you all know your children better than I do. I know that my children rarely mouthed anything so with careful supervision, they were able to play with small objects from a young age but my children are not like everyone's so use your own judgement about when to introduce play like this to your child.  

Simple & Challenging Blocks And Building Ideas 

Blocks are as important today as they were a century ago. As essential tools children use in their play, blocks also play a vital role in their development.

We have assembled simple block activities for toddlers and preschoolers that support their play and development.

Block Play And Child Development

The link between block play and child development is undeniable. The benefits of kids playing with blocks are priceless. In a previous post, we discussed the value of block play in your child’s early years. Read our detailed post on the benefits of block play.

Through block play, children build skills in the following development domains:

block activities for toddlers and preschoolers-block play-two toddlers playing with colorful blocks

Children Playing With Blocks

We want to be clear that open-ended and unstructured play is still a critical part of block play. Kids need free time to build and develop their imagination and creativity. So, be flexible. Start with a plan, but let your children take the lead. Keep it fun, and let them be imaginative!

Give children toys that are powered by their imagination, not by batteries.

H. Jackson Brown

What’s important is keeping a balance between child-led play and adult-guided activities. This interaction builds cooperation between children and adults while encouraging adults to play.

Block play for toddlers is usually simple. Typically, a 2-year-old can build a 4+ block tower, while a 3-year-old may build a 6+ tower. Keep these general milestones in mind when planning your block activities for toddlers.

Block Sorting and Matching Activities

You can find sorting and matching block activities for toddlers in the blog post “When Do Kids Learn Colors?”

Block Bowling

Have each person build their own block tower. First, stand close, and as it gets easier, move further back. Then, use different balls (i.e., tennis, soccer, bouncy, Wiffle) to knock them down.

This could also be played outside with giant building blocks in good weather.

Counting And Stacking Blocks

Create sheets of paper with numbers using 0-9—one number per page. If you want to use them repeatedly, laminating will protect them. You could also use floor tiles with numbers written on them.

Next, have your child start creating corresponding towers. 0 blocks go on the 0; a 1-block tower goes on the 1; a 2-block tower goes on the 2; and so on. Younger toddlers may only be able to complete up to 4 or 5 towers. Use the number of sheets to match your child’s skill level.

Tower Building

Here is a twist on a classic. Take turns with your child and create different types of towers. For example, why not create one using the largest number of blocks instead of the tallest tower? Or how about the most exciting or creative tower?

This activity stretches your kid’s imagination and creativity.

Roll A Block Tower

This game is fun for toddlers and preschoolers to strengthen their counting and fine motor skills. Start with some snap-together blocks like the Building Toys – Plus Plus® BIG and a die. The goal is to see who can build the tallest tower before the blocks run out. 

Taking turns, players roll the die and then stack the same number of blocks on their tower. When all the blocks are gone, the winner has the tallest tower. While the idea is to stack them on top of the other, your child may choose to be creative and go wide and tall.

Remember, it is not about the “right” way but that they are using their fine motor skills and counting. Are you looking for more ways to build fine motor coordination? Check out our post on Fine Motor Activities For Preschoolers and Toddlers.

Block Floor Puzzles

Using painter’s tape (please test it first before putting it on your floor), mark off a square or rectangle on your floor. Usually, about one to two feet works well, but it depends on how many blocks you have to fill it in and your time frame.

Then, let the kids fill in the square with their blocks. They may also want to stack them, which is fine until they run out of blocks. At this point, you can suggest they go back and use those to complete filling in the square.

Block Activities 

Use your imagination when planning your block play activities for kids. As your kids’ skills increase, their block play will become more complex. Now is an excellent time to add more block-center materials for imaginative play.

Explore this post on “Making The Best Blocks Play Area” for block prop ideas found around the house for free or purchased inexpensively

Building Blocks Maze

Using blocks and other props from your block play area, have your child create a maze on the floor. The complexity will vary by age. Have your child blow lightweight balls (i.e., ping pong, pom-poms, or other hollow, light plastic balls) through the maze using a short, wide straw.

Pushing cars through the maze using their hands (not the straw) is also fun.

Block Obstacle Course

Here is an adaptation of the above maze for toy vehicles or balls. Create an obstacle course using blocks and other items found around the house. Add things of interest, like cardboard tubes for tunnels and cookie sheets make fantastic ramps. 

By including magnetic blocks like Tegu Blocks, they can create obstructions on the sloping ramp that will stay in place. Watching the cars or balls bounce off the obstacles on their way down the ramp is a lot of fun!

Fill In Block Shapes

Take 5 or 10 square blocks and create the block shapes. Create different patterns with the blocks on a sheet of paper and trace each one, creating an open design.

Next, give your child either the 5 or 10 blocks you used and ask if they know how to fit them into the shape. You can create several layouts for variety, increasing the number of blocks as your child becomes more proficient.

Block Measuring

Kids love to measure things! One fun way to get them involved is to have them stack blocks to measure things.

  • The height of a table or a chair

  • End to end to measure a doorway or the length of a couch

  • How many blocks tall is their truck or doll?

  • Have them measure other children or you. Lie on the floor and line up blocks from head to toe. Then they can count how many blocks tall they are.

Block Rainbow

For this activity, it is helpful to have pictures of rainbows available to visualize. For younger children, draft a rainbow on a large sheet of paper. Let older kids draw their own rainbow.

Next, have them sort some colorful blocks by color. Then, by placing the colored blocks along the matching color arc, have them build the block rainbow.

Block Play and Art

Using blocks in unusual ways models creativity for our kids. For this activity, colorful, simple-shaped blocks work best. Have your child build a quick design using the blocks.

Next, your child will recreate the design with paper and paint. By encouraging them to tell you what they see, you can discuss colors, shapes, and relationship vocabulary (i.e., on top, next to, under).

Shape Blocks And Picture Cards

Build some designs using the shape blocks. Create simple and more complex ones (multiple blocks of the same color, unusually stacked, or multiple layers). Now, take a picture of each model and print them out in color. You can attach them to an index card for stability, and if you plan to use them repeatedly, lamination helps keep them in good shape. 

Invite your child to build and match the picture cards. Then, photograph it and create a card with their model! Once they master it, you can ask them to develop their own design. 

Block Picture Cards Variation

As your preschooler’s building skills develop, you can create a more intricate version of the picture cards using real-life photos of famous formations—for example, the White House, Eiffel Tower, Machu Picchu, or Big Ben to inspire.

Simply print out pictures from the internet and display them in their block area. Have too many to show individually? Hole-punch them and tie them together like a book.

Extending Block Play

Is your child bored with building the same old things? Which, by the way, is perfectly OK.

Are they in a rut?

Kids need time to be bored;
That is how creativity is born.

By adding a few simple props to the block play area, you can inspire your child’s building activities. Remember, these are not meant to be adult-guided activities but add a new perspective to encourage kids in their block play ideas.

Here are a few fun fall block play activities to bust the boredom.

Block Activity: Build A City or Town

Encourage your child to visualize their own town or city. What are some of their favorite places? Where would they build them? It is important not to stifle their creativity with too much reality but rather let their imagination soar.

Here are a few props to add:

  • books about cities and towns

  • a book about vehicles

  • cars and trucks

  • construction vehicles

  • transportation vehicles

  • block play people and pets

  • traffic signs purchased or homemade

  • business signs- some premade (school, library, playground, bakery, grocery store, gas station, fire station, police station, etc.); more can be made based on the child’s request

  • natural elements like stones, leaves, and small trees for creating parks and landscape

  • interlocking road or train tracks (black masking tape makes an inexpensive, quick, and easy alternative)

  • photographs of cities, parks, and playgrounds

Block Activity: Build A Zoo

Has your child been to the zoo? Encourage them to think about that time. If they haven’t been, ask them to imagine it. What would they want to see? Adding some of the following props will stimulate their imaginations.

  • books about the zoo

  • block play people

  • animals of all types

  • zoo and animal signs

  • craft sticks make perfect fences

  • fabric pieces or paper strips in blue for water

  • create cold spaces by wrapping some blocks in aluminum foil

  • natural elements like stones, leaves, and small trees for creating animal habitats

  • pictures of zoos

Block Activity: Build An Airport or Transportation Hub

Has your child ever been to an airport? Train or bus station? If so, what was it like? If not, have them picture it. Adding some of the following props will spark their creativity.

  • books about airports and other transportation

  • block play people

  • airplanes, trains, buses, and other transportation vehicles

  • cars, trucks, and construction vehicles

  • repair or maintenance shops

  • airport signs purchased or homemade

  • interlocking road tracks (use black masking tape to define runways)

  • photos of airports, train or bus stations

tegu toys magnetic wooden blocks stacker


wooden toy blocks-wooden building blocks

Are you looking to expand your block play area? Block activities for toddlers and preschoolers increase the benefits of block play and are a wonderful way to spend quality time with your child. Explore our wooden building blocks, giant building blocks, blocks for toddlers, magnetic blocks, and magnetic wooden blocks for safe and creative play.


Block Play is Important Work

200 of the Most Incredible Lego Activities

Frugal Fun Pinterest Page for Tons of Lego Fun

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Intro to Architecture for Kids with LEGO

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Printable Roads for Awesome Imaginative Play.

Do your kids love playing with cars? These free printable roads make playing with cars even more fun!


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Free Printable Imaginative Play Mats

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More Printable Imaginative Play Mats! 

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DIY Blocks Kids Will LOVE TO CREATE WITH!

Every kid should have at least one good set of building blocks. Block play stimulates learning in all domains and is researched to lead toward academic success. 

Enjoy making one of these sets or find inspiration to create your own! Click on the links to see the tutorial for each set.

The Best DIY Blocks for Kids:
For Baby

 The Best DIY Blocks for Kids:
Alphabet Blocks

 The Best DIY Blocks for Kids:
Recycled Blocks

 The Best DIY Blocks for Kids:
Plain Wood

 The Best DIY Blocks for Kids:
Specialty

DIY Blocks for Kids:
Colored & Painted

 DIY Blocks for Kids:
Houses, Cities & People

 DIY Blocks for Kids:
Natural & Outdoor

 The Best DIY Blocks for Kids:
Puzzles & Games

These DIY puzzles are made of blocks that can be incorporated into block play for even more fun!

 Every kid should have at least one good set of blocks. These DIY blocks for kids make it easy to have enough for everyone. Enjoy making one of these sets or find inspiration to create your own!Your kids may also like to have their own sand and water table, chalkboard, mud kitchen or sandbox… click on the links to learn how more!

Incredible Forts for Kids (That You Can Actually Build)

Who needs an iPad when you've one of these?

a cardboard outdoor fort for kids

Whether it’s a superhero hideout or a cool reading nook, outdoor forts bring magic and wonder to everyone in on the action. Even more, they make super summer projects for kids. We’ve found 15 outdoor forts for kids and the best part? You won’t need an engineering degree to pull it off. From tree forts and teepees to A-frames and twigs, here’s where you find out everything you need to know about how to build a fort.

Kid forts indoors: a guide to creativity and comfort

Indoor Fort Building For Kids: At Home Children's Activity


10 kids indoor fort ideas to transform your living room - TODAY

Building a fort inside is a classic childhood activity that sparks imagination and provides a cozy hideaway. Whether you're using household items or a dedicated fort-building kit, there are endless possibilities for creating a fun and comfortable indoor fort.

Materials you'll need

  • Foundation: Start by choosing a sturdy base. Chairs, couches, tables, or even walls can serve as the framework for your fort.

  • Coverings: Sheets are a great option for the roof and walls of your fort, as they are lightweight and allow some light to filter through. Blankets, quilts, and beach towels can also be used to add warmth and softness.

  • Structure & Support:Pillows and Cushions: Essential for building walls, propping up blankets, and adding comfort.

  • Clips & Clamps: Clothespins, binder clips, or even rubber bands can help secure blankets to furniture or to each other, preventing your fort from collapsing.

  • Weights: Heavy books or even stuffed animals can be used to hold down sheets and blankets and keep them in place.

  • Optional Enhancements: Wooden dowels or broomsticks can be used to create a taller, more tent-like structure.

  • Interior Decorations: String lights, glow sticks, stuffed animals, and other cozy touches can transform your fort into a magical retreat. 

Fort building ideas

  • Crazy Forts! Building Kit: This kit comes with geometrically precise, solid plastic balls and reinforced sticks to create a variety of structures. You can build a castle, secret cave, spaceship, and more, and then cover it with a blanket or sheet. Available at Barnes & Noble for 54.99USD or on eBay for 19.99USD.

  • Air Fort Beach Ball Indoor Play Tent: This unique inflatable fort works with any standard box fan and inflates in under 30 seconds. It's a great option for quick and easy setup and cleanup, and it's durable and breathable. Available on Amazon.com - Seller for 49.95USD or from AirFort for a discounted price of 38.99USD.

  • Pillow and Blanket Fort: A classic and easy option that utilizes household items you already have. Use chairs, couches, and pillows to create the structure, then drape blankets over the top to create a cozy space. Don't forget to add some string lights for extra ambiance!

  • Themed Forts: Encourage creativity by building forts with a specific theme in mind. For example, a castle fort with towers and turrets made from pillows, or a teepee fort decorated with drawings or cutouts of animals. 

Tips for building

  • Choose a location with sturdy furniture that can serve as a strong foundation.

  • Use lightweight sheets for the roof and walls to prevent the fort from becoming too heavy or collapsing.

  • Secure sheets and blankets with clips, clamps, or heavy objects to keep them in place.

  • Add blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags for a comfortable and cozy interior.

  • Include decorations like string lights, glow sticks, and stuffed animals to personalize the space. 

No matter which method you choose, building an indoor fort is a fun and engaging activity that encourages imagination and creativity for children of all ages. It's a great way to create a special hideaway for reading, playing games, or simply relaxing.

Are you ready to build with your Kids?

Cardboard Box Fort

A cardboard box fort works just as well outside as inside (during the warm months), and we can't get over the toy bin and spyglass that have been added to the sides. 

A-Frame Playhouse Fort

A-Frame outdoor fort for kids

At Home With Ashley

A is for amazing! Whether you build this sturdy A-frame playhouse yourself or make it a woodworking project for kids, the end result is astonishing. We love the step-by-step over At Home With Ashley which includes all the supplies you’ll need. 

Easy No-Sew Fort

no-sew outdoor fort for kids

Raising Whasians

With a little bit of imagination, mama Christie over at Raising Whasians made this no-sew kids' outdoor fort. Throw in a flashlight, books and your little camper's favorite things, and you have a backyard oasis.

Mid-Century Play Fort

Mid-Century outdoor fort for kids

A Beautiful House

Looking for a modern outdoor fort for kids? Then this is your playhouse. We love the creativity used over at A Beautiful Mess to build this sleek yellow play fort. It even has a swing set and a slide. 

A Homemade House

Babble Dabble Do

Kids can take fort design into their own hands with this amazing idea from Babble Dabble Do. They’ll love putting it together and painting it themselves. 

Keep It Simple

Clean Rachel Wolf

Bring the spirit of an indoor blanket fort outside with this easy-to-make version from Clean Rachel Wolf. After all, the less time you spend setting it up, the more time the kids will have to play.

Up in the Trees

DIY outdoor fort for kids

Hands On As We Grow

If you’ve got good trees in your backyard and DIY skills, then this tree fort from Hands On As We Grow might be the perfect fit for you. It’s the kind of fort that can be made in a weekend and added to as time goes on. 

A Cozy Teepee

Mama. Papa. Bubba.

Take a cue from Mama. Papa. Bubba. and craft this cute teepee in your backyard. With bamboo stakes, a king-sized sheet and clothespins, it’ll come together in five minutes. 

Just Hanging Around

hula hoop outdoor fort for kids

Ikat Bag

This fort from Ikat Bag just might be your kiddo’s new favorite hangout spot. You can pick up everything you’ll need to make it at the hardware store, and your cozy tent will be ready in no time. 

A-Frame Tent

Babble Dabble Do

Try out this A-frame tent from Babble Dabble Do, made with a convenient fort-building kit. The building process is a great way to teach kids about architecture, and the hangout area doesn’t hurt either. 

Twig Fort

use sticks to make an outdoor fort for kids

Little City Farm

How cool is this twig fort by Little City Farm? It’s a project for kids since you can get your whole crew involved in gradually finding the twigs and building this outdoor fort. 

Outdoor Reading Nook

Desde My Ventana

If you’ve got a little bookworm on your hands, encourage them to get outside by crafting a cute fort like this one from Desde My Ventana. With pillows, a stack of books, and a few snacks on hand, they’ll be set for the whole afternoon.

Hallway-house

All you need is three tension rods and a piece of fabric to turn any hallway or doorway into a fort.

Just make sure you don't build your hallway-house at the entrance to the kitchen if it's almost dinner time.

Get instructions here: ikatbag

9 creative indoor forts

Photo: ikatbag

Tablecloth play house

Tea parties are even more fun when they take place underneath the table instead of above it.

9 creative indoor forts

Photo: Kids Decor

Teepee

For all you sewing devotees out there, check out this homemade teepee!

Thankfully, because it's an indoor teepee, your kids won't have to worry about any bison wandering past in the night!

Get the instructions here: Smile and Wave

9 creative indoor forts

Photo: Smile and Wave

A-frame tent

By simply changing the fabric on this A-frame tent, you can customize the fort so your polka-dot-obsessed toddler will be extra pleased during playtime.

Get the instructions here: Grosgrain Fabulous

9 creative indoor forts

Photo: Grosgrain Fabulous

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50 Best Backyard Forts for Kids

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30 Super Fun Fort Building Ideas

Some Of Our Favorite Indoor Forts That You Can Buy

Don’t have a lot of extra blankets and pillows to build an indoor fort? No problem! You can buy these awesome indoor fort kits to build the biggest and bestest indoor forts for your kids!

More Great Fort and Playhouse Ideas From Kids Activities Blog

Which indoor fort will you be building? I think the sheet and fan indoor fort is the easiest to build!

AMAZING DIY Kids Forts!

When my now 11 year old daughter was very little, she absolutely loved forts.  It didn’t really matter what they were made of – elaborate with sheets, blankets, and Christmas lights … or as simple as a box.  It was something about having a place of her own.  

Mama Papa Bubba

There's no structure more stable than your table! Take a cue from Mama Papa Bubba and put together a quick hideaway using a bedsheet and a table.

— with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

How to Build a Blanket Fort at Home

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A simple guide to making the coziest, coolest fort in your room

Everyone needs a good fort, whether it’s a secret lair, a grand castle, or deep, dark cave. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make your own fort out of things you have around your home, like blankets, sheets, pillows, books—whatever you can find! We’ll show you how to set up your own basic fort, give you some ideas on other ways to build your perfect hideaway, and let you in on how to deck it out to make it comfy, cozy, and stocked with snacks.

Things You Should Know

  • Drape a lightweight blanket or sheet over 2 rows of chairs with the backs facing each other. Then secure the blanket with heavy objects or clothespins.

  • Use tension curtain rods, clotheslines, or even a table as the ceiling of your fort.

  • Stock your fort with games, snacks, string lights, and a fan. That way, you can hunker down for a long time before you have to leave!

Method1

Building an Easy Fort

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Step 1 Set up 2 rows of chairs with the backs facing each other.

  1. Set up 2 rows of chairs with the backs facing each other. Chairs are a great option since their backs provide a high ceiling for a fort, giving you plenty of room inside. Position the rows of chairs in front of a sofa, bed, or a wall if you want the fort to have a back wall. Space the rows of chairs about 4 to 6 ft (1.2 to 1.8 m) apart, but adjust them depending on the size of your blanket.[1]If you don’t have chairs to support your fort, look for other sturdy, tall items nearby. Laundry hampers, bunk beds, ottomans, and heavy boxes are prime fort-building materials, so long as they won’t easily fall over

    Tip: Your blanket fort will need to have enough room for you to crawl and play in, so choose an area with plenty of space and avoid blocking doorways. The living room, dining room, or bedroom are all good options.

Step 2 Place blankets and pillows on the floor of the fort to make it comfortable.

  1. Place blankets and pillows on the floor of the fort to make it comfortable. Fold a comforter or other fluffy blanket in half and lay it down, or layer a few blankets to add cushioning to the bottom of the fort. Then, place several cushions or pillows around the edges of the fort.[2]Also place extra blankets or sleeping bags in the fort to cover yourself up.If the ceiling of your fort is high enough, place a few low chairs or stools in the fort for sitting, such as bean bag chairs or ottomans.

Step 3 Drape a sheet or blanket over the furniture pieces.

  1. Drape a sheet or blanket over the furniture pieces. Hang a large sheet or a lightweight 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’s not drooping down in the center of the fort’s ceiling.[3]

    Layer more than 1 sheet or blanket over the furniture to provide a darker environment inside of the fort.Use a light-colored sheet to allow some light into the inside of the fort, or use a dark-colored sheet or blanket to make it darker in the fort.

Step 4 Secure the blankets with heavy objects or clothespins.

  1. Secure the blankets with heavy objects or clothespins. The edges of the blanket will eventually slip off the furniture if you don’t weigh them down. Grab a few books or other heavy objects and place them on the edges of the blanket. Clothespins or rubber bands are also great ways to secure the edges of a sheet onto some types of furniture. For example, if you’re using a couch as part of your fort, clip the sheet’s edges to the fabric on the couch using a clothespin.[4]Propping large pillows or couch cushions against the fort’s framework can also help to secure the blankets.

Method2

Other Ways to Build a Fort

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Step 1 Use an extendable curtain rod to support the ceiling in a small space.

  1. 1Use an extendable curtain rod to support the ceiling in a small space. If you are building the fort in a hallway, closet, or other small space, use a tension rod as a support for the ceiling of your fort. Extend the tension rod over the center of where you want the fort’s ceiling to be. Then, drape your blanket or sheet over the rod. Use smaller pieces of furniture to support the lower portion of the sheet or blanket.[5]This fort is perfect if you want to create a ceiling that is high enough to walk under.Make sure that the blanket or sheet you use is long enough to reach the floor. Or, set up the rod low enough that your blanket can touch the floor.

Safety Precaution: Make sure that the rod is secure before you hang a sheet or blanket on it. Test it by tugging gently on the center to make sure it doesn’t fall.

Step 2 Extend a clothesline across the room for an extra-large fort.

  1. Extend a clothesline across the room for an extra-large fort. If you want a large, long fort, then string a clothesline from 1 end of your living room or bedroom to the other. Tie the line to wall hooks or sturdy, tall furniture. Then, drape blankets and use smaller pieces of furniture to keep the blankets from caving in. This will allow you to create a fort that can span the entire length of a room. If you need more stability, simply tie on more strings![6]

  2. For a wider fort, set up 2 clotheslines running parallel to each other and hang the blankets over both of them. Drape a sheet from an outdoor clothesline to make a quick and easy outdoor fort.

Step 3 Drape a blanket over a 4-legged table.

  1. Drape a blanket over a 4-legged table. A quick and easy way to make a fort is to use a table as your base. Pull the chairs away from a 4-legged table and drape a large blanket over it, and voila! Your fort is complete! If you need to, hang a blanket over the sides of the table and place a heavy object on top to keep them in place.[7]

  2. Make sure to choose a table that is high enough for you to fit underneath.Use a blanket that is large enough to cover all 4 sides of the table.

Method3

Making Your Fort Comfortable and Fun

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Step 1 Add lights to the fort to let you see when you’re inside.

  1. 1Add lights to the fort to let you see when you’re inside. If you want to read inside your fort, or play board games with siblings or friends, you’ll need to add some lights. Christmas or string lights look great, and they come in all sorts of colors. String the lights across the ceiling of the fort, or place them on the ground around the edges of the fort.[8]

  2. Also place a few flameless candles or a battery-powered lantern inside of the fort.A flashlight works, too! Use it to light up your face while telling a spooky story.Make sure your lights don’t burn too hot, which could be a fire hazard.

Step 2 Create tunnels with boxes and additional blankets.

  1. Create tunnels with boxes and additional blankets. If you have an empty box lying around, use it to connect your fort to a second fort, or simply make a tunnel going into the fort, like the entrance to a beaver dam. Open up the top and bottom of the box and lay it on its side at the edge of the fort. Then, drape a blanket over the box to help it blend in with your fort.[9]Place multiple boxes in a row to make a long tunnel into and out of your fort.

Step 3 Place a fan at the end of the opening to keep the space cool.

  1. 3Place a fan at the end of the opening to keep the space cool. Forts can get pretty hot, especially after a busy day of adventuring. Place a fan in front of the opening to the fort to help circulate air throughout it.[10]

  2. Avoid hanging any blankets behind the fan—they may get stuck in it and break it.Using a fan is also a great way to make an inflatable fan fort.

Step 4 Bring games, books, and other types of entertainment into the fort.

  1. Bring games, books, and other types of entertainment into the fort. If you plan to spend a lot of 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 if you will have friends or siblings in there with you, or bring a good book if you will be in the fort alone. You could also bring a tablet or laptop into the fort if you want to watch a movie or play games.[11]Make an opening that faces a TV, so you can watch movies from the comfort of your fort.Tip: Avoid bringing too many items or large bulky items into the fort. These will clutter the space and make it harder to move around.

Step 5 Stock your fort with snacks and drinks.

  1. 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! Put some non-perishable drinks and snacks in the fort so you won’t have to go in search of food and drink for a while. Some good options include:

  2. Whole fruit, such as oranges, apples, or bananas, Pretzels, Chips, Crackers, Cookies, Beef jerky, Juice boxes, Water bottles

How to Play with Them when they Ask- and enjoy it!!!

DIY Outdoor Playscapes and Play Station Ideas!

Earlier this week I wrote about the importance of playing and learning outside.  If you missed it, you will definitely want to stop by and see why it is so important that your children and students spend time outside.  One of the challenges that many parents and teachers face is not having access to a forest or other large natural area to play and learn in.  Today, I am sharing dozens of ideas of DIY natural playscapes and outdoor learning stations!

There are ideas in here for every size, space, and budget!  I hope you feel inspired after looking through here to find something that and your children or students can enjoy.  Even a simple garden area will get kids outside and experiencing some of the other benefits I talked about here.  The best part about these ideas is that you can tie them in to any curriculum at any age level!  If you want specific ideas, I'd love to brainstorm with you.  

25+ DIY Playscapes & Outdoor Learning Station Ideas!

Logs & Stumps at Happy Hooligans:

6 Unique Ways to Use Scrap Wood at Teach Preschool:

Water Science Station at JDaniel4sMom:

Outdoor Cooking & Creation Center at The Preschool Toolbox

DIY Outdoor Sound Wall at Fun at Home With Kids:

Outdoor Chalkboards at Doodlebuds:

Montessori-inspired Outdoor Environment at Living Montessori Now:

Pallet Playhouse at the Orange Farm House:

DIY Water Wall at Tinkerlab:

DIY Water Wall at Familylicious:

Small Garden Spaces for Kids at At Home With Ali:

DIY Slide Hill at Your Modern Family:

Outdoor "Geoboards" 

Recycled Outdoor Music Station from My Nearest & Dearest:

Outdoor Kitchen at Adventures at Home With Mum:

Movable Road at And Next Comes L

"State of the Art" Playscape at Teach Preschool:

An Imagination Stage at The Educators' Spin on It:

Musical Spoons at Sun Hats & Wellie Boots:

DIY Water Wall at Frogs, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails:

Mud Kitchen at Messy Little Monster:

Creating a Magical Children's Garden at Little Mountain Haven

Gardening With Kids at Dirt and Boogers:

Easy Children's Vegetable Garden at Better Homes & Garden:

20 Playful Ideas for Using Pallets at Let the Children Play

It’s all about fostering a love for nature while having fun in the backyard!

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After moving to a new house, my friends's family decided to make some DIY improvements to the backyard including this string life project. This allows your children to play outside after dark.
  • On the back of the shed we created a framed chalkboard area. 
  • The children write on the back of the shed with chalk and the rain will wash it away!  
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Easy ways to get your kids outside everyday

This may contain: two children swinging on swings with text overlay that reads 20 ways to play outside with kids
20 Ways to Play Outside With Kids
Create a fun and exciting backyard playground for your child or your daycare for free or for few dollars!  You don’t need expensive toys and fancy equipment to have an outdoor play area that will thrill your kids.  These inexpensive ideas for a backyard play space will make your yard the funnest place in the neighbourhood.

There’s our play-house, and sandbox, which are popular for sure. However having an extraordinary outdoor play space doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Be sure to grab our printable list of 100 Fun Things To Do At Home This Summer too! Your kids will never be bored again!

Click the links or photos below for the full instructions for each play yard feature.

Mobile Mud Pit
mud pit in a wheelbarrow

Alternatively, you can buy this mud pie kitchen on Amazon.

Re-purpose an old white board

white board in the backyard

Here, we’re painting with mud on International Mud Day.

Backyard Balance Beam

homemade-balance-beam-happy-hooligans

Click here to see more of our outdoor balancing activities for toddlers and preschoolers.

Homemade Water Wall

water wall activity

 See how I made our water wall here.

25 ways to make a Swing

horizonal tire swing

If your vehicle is due for new tires – perfect!  If not, check with a local garage or service station.  They may happily donate one to your backyard project. 

Rocks and Stones

rocks for open-ended outdoor play

They’re kind of our backyard version of the building block – completely open-ended, they can be whatever the hooligans want them to be.  See 10 ways that we use our stones and rocks here.

Sand Wall

toddler sand wall in sandbox

Much like the water wall, our sand wall is also made entirely out of scraps and recyclables. It’s positioned in our sandbox, and it’s provided loads of entertainment over the years.  Read about our sandbox and sand wall here.

Artificial Flowers

artificial flowers for play in the backyard

 Check out one of my favourite artificial flower activities here.

DIY WATER TABLE/SENSORY TABLES 

DIY WATER TABLE

You can check out the way we use it for our water activities here.

Hoses and Funnels

Hose and funnel run through chain link fence

 Read all about our hose and funnel runs here.

Thrift Shop Coffee Table

used coffee table as activity table

Big enough for a crowd to gather around and water and paint spills don’t matter at all.  See it in action here.

DIY Water Slide

DIY water slide

See how to make your own waterside here.

Add “running water” to your outdoor play space
water jug in the play yard

 See some of the ways we use ours here.

And there you have it!

18 inexpensive, super-fun, super-cool things you can add to your outdoor play space this summer!  Your kids (and your neighbours’ kids) will love you for it!

Rock shapes
Summer activities for kids and outdoor spaces {Welcome to Mommyhood} #summer, #summeractivitiesforkids

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DIY Mud Kitchen for Kids

This simple DIY mud kitchen for kids is the perfect solution. Creating this easy outdoor activity gives kids all the fun and joy of a traditional mud kitchen.

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Try making an ice table sensory bin. This simple sensory activity is perfect on warm sunny days when kids need a little boost to get outside.

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Create a DIY water table for big kids using PVC pipe and a storage container. This DIY project will keep kids playing and entertained.

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CORNMEAL CONSTRUCTION SITE - Check out this awesome sensory bin; an easy indoor activity; easy construction activity; sensory bin; toddler activity; preschool activity; construction themed sensory bin from Busy Toddler
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CREATION STATION: Making treasures from trash. Easy indoor activity; recycled activity; preschool STEM activity; toddler STEM activity; quick and easy activity; working with recyclables; kids activity; rainy day activity; recycled sensory bin activity from Busy Toddler
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GLOW BATH: An awesome glow stick bath is the perfect toddler activity! Make bath time fun again with this quick and easy toddler activity from Busy Toddler
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RECYCLED SENSORY BIN: A quick and easy toddler activity; toddlers will love this easy sensory bin activity; fun indoor activity; simple activitiy from Busy Toddler
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RAINBOW POURING STATION: A quick and easy kids activity that holds little attention spans - this is the best indoor activity for kids stuck at home. A great indoor activity for toddlers and preschoolers - kids love playing with water in this activity from Busy Toddler
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Constructing Incredible Small World Playscapes  

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Felt 'Natural Habitat' Small World Play

These 'natural habitat's' were handmade out of acrylic felt. This small

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DIY Small World Play Mat - Play Learn Inspire

Small world play is a wonderful addition to any preschool or kindergarten program. This DIY play mat is guaranteed to be a hit!
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