Did you ever build forts as a kid? Do your kids build forts now? We often use blankets to create forts and we lay them over chairs and tables to create a fun hideout.
In our latest YouTube videos, we show you how our family built the ultimate cardboard fort.
In part one, we used left over boxes from the holidays and some boxes that were donated to us from a family move to create our fort. The kids actually inspired and launched this project on their own by creating individual cardboard forts. They had so much fun we decided to combine our forces to create the ultimate fort!
In part two of this project, we show you how the kids embellished their city! Although Matt and I helped a lot during the building phase, this step of the project we stepped back. The kids got to work and make it their own! It worked out that each kid had one section to stylize as their own.
At times one child would help another with something for “their” section or they would point out ideas to one another. It was so fun to see their collaboration.
If you haven’t watched the video (or maybe you have but written instructions help you!), here is a list of some basic craft items that you might need to get you started. As always though, feel free to make this project your own. You do not need all these supplies to make a box fort. We have also made box forts with just one box and a marker. That’s it. The possibilities are endless.
Supplies:
- cardboard boxes
- hot glue gun (with glue sticks)
- school glue
- packaging tape
- box cutter
- scissors
- colorful paper (construction paper, scrapbook paper, etc)
- markers
- buttons
- pom poms
- regiments left over from other craft projects
Basic Steps:
- Use the box cutter, scissors, hot glue, and packaging tape to construct a cardboard fort. Depending on the number and size of boxes you give your child will alter the size of your fort. Moving boxes and Wardrobe work great because they are thick, sturdy cardboard. One box could be enough! Depending on the size and number of kids you can size out your fort as needed. If recycled boxes aren’t an option for you, all of the big box home improvement store carry them. One tip to keep in mind as you build your fort is cutting on the folds/flaps of the cardboard will be easier than cutting directly into the cardboard. You can strategically use that tip as you help build.
- Paint your cardboard house. This is fun step in getting creative. The colors of your fort can be wacky and fun. The personality of your kids will also play in to if they want traditional colors or possibly a purple house. We often use leftover latex paint from different house project. You know, those less than half-a-gallon buckets that have been sitting in the garage for a year… those work great. We also buy sample paints from the paint store for about $4. That gives you about 8oz of latex paint that should cover 20-25 sq ft.
- The next step is to embellish your fort. Use all the crafty bits you have around your house to cut, draw, and glue onto your fort to personalize it. This process can go on for hours, be built on for days after, or be considered done as soon as your artists are tired.
- The final step is to play! Play, imagine, and let those kids enjoy their fort!
We loved seeing our kids’ imaginations come alive. Everyone thinks differently and it can be seen in art. I know I would never have thought to rip up blue paper to create water, but Reagan did. Her creativity encourages me and makes me want to create.
Art can be circular and encouraging like that!
What do you think!? Would you paint in your living room too!? Or did you shudder when we did that!?
We had a blast making this fort and we hope you too can make a fort sometime! Save a few boxes for the next rainy, cold, indoor day. This project could help you! We spent two days as a family one weekend dreaming and creating together – and that to us is the biggest win!
If you give it a try, we would love to see your fort! Tag us on social media with #spoonfulofimagination so we can see your creativity at work. Oh and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and click on the “Bell” icon so that you can the very first notification when we upload a new video.
Thanks so much friends!
Do you have a child who is fascinated with things in the kitchen? How about the pot holders? We do. Random, I know. What can I say? One of our sons uses them anytime he is warming up stuff or toasting things in the kitchen. I’ve tried to show him he’s not in a real danger zone with his warming duties, but he loves the pot holders. Maybe it makes him feel like a real chef!? It’s one of those easy parent-child issues that doesn’t really matter, so we’ve embraced the pot holder fetish.
I started out by gathering a ton of supplies. Next, I had to consider what type of animal or creature to make! A monster or dinosaur were my first ideas because you could get super creative with colors and textures. With Thanksgiving coming up, I decided to make a turkey (knowing my first grader would have a blast with him).
I started by cutting out the turkey’s beak. After placing it where it should go, I decided it needed to be a bit bigger. It helped me to cut out several of my pieces from the felt and just place them where they would go, before hot gluing them in place. This checked scale and placement before I committed to it.
After I had my main design, I hot glued the felt pieces in place and started playing with more materials. I added googly eyes and feathers for more fun textures.
I loved it so much, I started snapping pictures to send to my husband immediately. I knew this turkey needed someone besides me to talk to, so I whipped up a horse to be his friend.
My favorite part of the horse is the eyelashes! They are the side of a feather.
What do you think!? Do you need to create some pot holder puppets as well!? I don’t think these will be used with our toaster oven, but they sure make a fun toy! Let your imagination go wild! What creature would you make??
Do you exchange valentines with your kids? We do. I love helping them make valentines for their friends, but I get really excited to see what they make each other.
I made a little accordion fan with just plain white paper to test the length of paper I needed to make the size fan I wanted. After I cut my paper to size, I folded them into accordion fans.
I then glued popsicle sticks on the inside flaps of my fans to give them a little weight and stability.
Next, I placed drops of glue in the folds at one end of the fan and used a clothes pin to hold the folds in place while the glue dried. This allowed for my fan to always look like a fan, even when it’s not being used.
While the glue was drying, I printed out a little message and used my 2″ hole puncher to cut them out. The final step was using some string to attach my cards to the fan.
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day or keep it simple, and more kid centered too!?