Building a fort using pillows, blankets or furniture is a very old game that allows you to create fabulous hiding places! You can easily build an ultra-fun fort in your bedroom with a few items already available in the house.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Build a fort with pillows
Step 1. Gather as many pillows and cushions as you can
Start with pillows. Ask your parents if you can use linen closet pillows, cushions and other similar accessories.
Step 2. Sort your pillows
Soft or fluffy pillows are great for your fort's floor. However, they are not suitable for walls. Cushions and other rigid or firm pillows, on the other hand, do the job perfectly.
Memory foam pillows are also a great choice for walls. They are strong and do not warp
Step 3. Choose the furniture to use for your fort
If you build your fort in your bedroom, you will be able to use your bed. Chairs, desks and dressers are also perfect. Ask your parents if you can take extra furniture from other rooms.
Step 4. Gather heavy objects to support your pillows
Large books are great as supports, but you can also use shoes, toys, or even canned foods (ask your parents for permission before picking them up, though). These items will help you keep your walls straight.
Step 5. Build the walls
There are two techniques you can choose from when building the walls. It all depends on the type of pillows available to you. Build your fort on the bed that will serve as a support.
- The "sandbox" technique is perfect for soft, fluffy pillows. Begin your construction by lining up pillows until you get the size of the fort you want. Then place a new row of pillows on top of the previous one and erect the wall of your fort. Be careful that your wall is not too high, as it could collapse.
- The “vertical support” technique is perfect if you have firm and rigid cushions like those on the sofa. Build your fort on the bed and erect the walls, lining up the cushions vertically. Put large books on either side of the cushions to support your fort.
- For even stronger walls, cover the cushions with a blanket that you reinforce with clothespins or paper clips. Then use heavy objects to support the walls.
Step 6. Build your roof
Use sheets for the roof, as they are light and light. There is therefore no risk of the fort collapsing under their weight. Stretch the sheets from side to side of the walls using sheet clips to tie them together if necessary.
- If you have a bunk bed, you can create a bunker! Put a sheet under the top bed mattress and pull it down to the walls. Use clothespins or leaf clips to secure the sheet to the edges of the cushions.
- Use sheets for the roof if you can find any. Fitted sheets are not suitable due to their elastic edges.
Step 7. Reinforce your roof with heavy objects such as books that will be used to secure the edges of the sheet
You also have the option of wedging the edges of the sheet with furniture such as the legs of your bed or your desk.
Step 8. Stock your fort
A fort needs provisions: take something to eat and drink to last long enough. If you plan to take refuge in your fort at night, you will also need a flashlight or other light sources. Finally, don't forget the books and games for fun.
Do not use candles or other flammable objects in your fort! The blankets burn very easily
Method 2 of 4: Build a teepee-shaped fort
Step 1. Provide yourself with long sticks or stakes
If you have a backyard, you will definitely find long sticks there. Have five or seven straight sticks measuring at least 1.5m. If you don't have a yard to collect sticks, ask your parents to buy you long sticks (or even curtain rods or brooms) from the nearest hardware store.
Step 2. Gather the rest of the equipment
You will need a string, rope, or rubber bands to keep the stakes together. You will also need sheets or blankets to form the walls of your teepee that you will secure using clothespins or sheet clips.
Step 3. Position the stakes to form a tripod
Position two stakes on the ground to form an inverted "V". Place another stake in the middle of the V to form a "W".
Step 4. Tie the stakes together
The best way to do this is to tie a capstan knot at the top of the stakes. If you don't know how to tie the stakes, simply run the rope under and around each stick. Let hang several inches of string.
If you are using rubber bands, put a few at the top of the stakes to tie them together
Step 5. Ask a friend to help you set up your teepee
You will have a hard time setting up your teepee on your own. Ask a friend or relatives to help you. Your fort will look like a camera tripod when standing. Position the feet so as to stabilize it.
Once the tripod is set up, place the other stakes. Use the rest of the rope to tie them up. You can reinforce everything with rubber bands
Step 6. Wrap the teepee in sheets
Use clothespins or sheet clips to secure the sheets to the stakes. Rope or string can also do the trick.
If your parents allow you to do so, punch holes in the sheets with an awl. This will make them easier to attach. However, only use old, unused sheets that you have requested from your parents
Step 7. Place a few pillows next to the teepee
It will be a comfortable place where you can rest.
Step 8. Bring back your provisions
Take something to eat and drink in your fort. You can also take books, games and, why not, a laptop with you.
To decorate the interior of your teepee, you can attach small light bulbs to the stakes
Method 3 of 4: Build a fort with blankets and furniture
Step 1. Gather everything you will need
For this type of fort, you will need as many pillows, blankets and sheets as you can find. You will also need some furniture that you can put together in a circle.
Ask an adult to help you with furniture such as the dresser. Don't try to move your bed; just build around it
Step 2. Move the furniture in a circle around the bed
The bed is definitely too big and too heavy to move so only move the other furniture in a circle using the bed as a starting point.
Chairs, desks and tables do the job perfectly. The same goes for bedside tables or dressers
Step 3. Fill openings in furniture with pillows
If you want to let in light, you can leave certain spaces, such as the underside of the chairs, as such. For a fully secure fort, seal all openings.
Step 4. Prepare the ground
Use pillows for a soft, comfortable floor. You can also use fluffy bath towels or down duvets if you have them. If you go for the pillows, cover them with a blanket for an even stronger fort.
Step 5. Raise your roof
Use sheets for the roof, as they are lighter than blankets. Secure them to furniture using heavy objects like books or using clothespins / paper clips.
- It is possible to insert the sheets in the drawers of the dresser and secure them with clothespins or sheet clips. In this way, you will obtain a roof that is sufficiently high and inclined.
- Slide part of the sheets forming the roof under your mattress for more security.
- If you are using furniture with a hard, flat surface such as desks or chair bottoms, you may be able to secure the sheets to it with books or other heavy things.
- Sheets can get stuck between heavy furniture and the wall. Slide them behind something heavy, like the head of your bed, and push it against the wall.
- Use rubber bands or string to secure sheets and blankets to chairs that have uprights or a pin such as kitchen chairs.
Step 6. Stock your fort
Take something to eat and drink in your fort. If you are using chairs or dressers, you can store your groceries under the chairs or in the drawers. You may also need a flashlight, laptop, books, and games. A friend will not be too many.
Method 4 of 4: Build other types of forts
Step 1. Make a stacked fort
If you have a bunk bed, it will be easy for you to quickly make a fort in your bedroom. Bring sheets or blankets that you will block under the top mattress. Keep the sheets on the floor on each side of the bed.
Step 2. Make a tunnel-shaped fort
This type of fort is very easy to make, although it is smaller than most other forts.
- Use two pieces of furniture that are large enough like a bed or a table and put them side by side.
- Put a sheet or blanket between the furniture to serve as a roof.
- Reinforce your roof by placing heavy objects on either side of the covers. Large books do the trick.
- Arrange pillows or cushions on the floor for even more comfort. Your fort is now ready!
Step 3. Make a fort with a beach umbrella
You can use a small umbrella even if there is not enough space. If you have different umbrellas, put them in a circle and cover them with sheets. There you have it, strong moment!
Advice
- If possible, use furniture that has a hard, flat surface for your fort. In this way, it will be possible to place books on it to fix the sheets serving as the roof.
- Ask a friend to help you. It is easier to build a fort with two people.