Nothing can push your mothering creativity like the long days of summer.  When I hear my son start quoting air freshener commercials I know it’s time to shut off the TV and force a little good-ol-fashioned fort making. 

I wasn’t up for destroying the living room, so we used a corner of a bedroom instead.   First, we rearranged the furniture to create a nook.  We used bookcases, but kitchen chairs or dressers would work too.  Next, I grabbed a spare twin sheet from under my son’s mattress (thanks for the comment on that, by the way). 

The big problem with your average blanket fort is all the slippage.  To keep the blankets in place, I grabbed a few adhesive hooks from the junk drawer.  I used 3M Command Adhesive because they’re easy to remove and reposition.  I placed the hooks on the wall above the nook and on the bookcases.  Then, I used simple binder clips to grab the sheet and hook it to the walls and furniture. 

Over the last four days the fort has been well-used.  It’s been a circus tent, a makeover salon, and a transformer hideout.  The hooks are still holding strong and I haven’t heard about the wonders of ‘Air Wick Freshmatic Minis’ in days.  That’s a win-win for me.  Just thought I’d pass it on. 

Share This

This classic, no set-up, game is a big hit with all age groups.  I’ve used it for everything from family home evenings to combined mutual activities.  It’s a classic.

Set Up:
Divide your group into two teams of any size (recommended minimum is 4 per team).   Gather 5-10 blankets, sheets, or sleeping bags.  You’ll need one neutral person to act as a referee and be the blanket coverer.Objective:
To acquire the most points in a pre-determined number of rounds.  Points are acquired by tricking the other team into thinking there are more or less team members under the blankets.  How to Play:
Instruct the first team to go to a separate room.  The remaining team has three minutes to create a structure with any number of team members.  For example, two people stand in the center and form an arch with their arms.  Other team members hide around their legs.  The referee then covers the entire structure with blankets.  Any remaining team members not under the blankets hide in or near the room.  The referee then calls the other team in.  They are not allowed to touch the blankets.  They have two minutes to make an official guess.  Once they’ve agreed on a number, the referee announces it and the team comes out from under the blankets.Scoring:
If the team guessed the correct number of people.  They earn 3 points.  For every number they’re off (either high or low), the opposing team gains a point.  The team with the highest point total at the end of the game wins.

Share This