Making Forts
Making forts guarantees kids a private spot to play. Try the ideas from this easy outdoor activity for kids -- and build a summer fort in a private corner of the backyard. Let the kids make their own improvements, and they'll have a place to play with their friends.
What You'll Need:
- Building materials (cardboard boxes, discarded lumber)
- Pruners
- Adult help or permission
- Safe scissors
- Strong tape
- Old tarp
- Woodworking tools (optional)
Shrub Fort
Step 1: Find a gap between a large shrub and a house wall or fence.
Step 2: Get permission to use pruners to trim up the underlying branches if you need to make more space.
Step 3: Lay down an old tarp as a ground cover.
Refrigerator Box Fort
Step 1: Ask an appliance store to save you a refrigerator box. (You may have to pick the box up right away; most stores collapse their boxes immediately.)
Step 2: Turn the box on its side and cut windows in the side to make a low fort.
Step 3: If you have two or more boxes, cut them open down one seam and tape them together to form a larger fort.
Step 4: Cover the top with a cardboard roof, and cut windows and doors in the side.
Step 5: Lay down a tarp for a floor.
Wood and Cardboard Fort
Step 1: Find some old lumber, and nail it together to form a frame for your fort. (Get an adult to help.)
Step 2: Cut cardboard to fit as walls, and nail it in place.
Step 3: Lay down a tarp on the floor.
Tent Fort
Step 1: Ask to use a discarded tarp or tent for your fort.
Step 2: Set the tarp up in a secluded spot in your yard, such as behind a tree.
Step 3: To make a pup tent, sling a tarp over a rope stretched horizontally.
Why stay inside when you could be singing in the rain? Check on the next page for some fun outdoor rainy day activities.
