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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

DIY Den Building/Blanket Fort Kit?

11 replies

Dreamwhisper · 22/07/2022 16:42

This year I want to make my DS who will be 5 at Christmas a DIY Den Building hamper type thing, for indoor use.

I've had a look at some predone kits but they either seem to flimsy for my boisterous boy (plus realistically this will be used by all 3 DC) or they're geared at outdoors and frankly seem pretty over priced (looking at the ones on NOTHS).

I've had a few different ideas of what materials and things to include, but just wondering if anyone had done this as a gift or if anyone just has experience of some good den building strategies?

We already have a teepee but now there are 3 and the older 2 will be 7 and 5 this Christmas, they have kind of outgrown it!

My plan is to put together in a nice box or bag or rucksack, with a couple of washing line wires or similar, some stick on wall hooks, and some large flat bed sheets. The idea is the initial set up would be to stick the wall hooks in strategic places in their room once they had opened it, and then when we are den building they would (with our help) tie the lines on and drape the sheets over lines in order to make various sized and shaped dens/blanket forts.

Was thinking of getting them some accessories too like a big cushion or bean bag each, fairy lights or a lantern, some walkie talkies?

What would you do if someone asked you to put an indoor den kit together? Am I missing an obvious reason why this wouldn't work at all??

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Dreamwhisper · 22/07/2022 16:45

Ah, I did just realise after writing that I would probably need something to secure the blankets so it's not a disaster every time they come in and out - bulldog clips?

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Mrsfussypants1 · 22/07/2022 21:14

I'm sorry I've got no good ideas, just wanted to say that sounds like an amazing gift idea, your boys are going to get so much use out of it all year round. I bought the pre made Aldi den kit in a rucksack for dgd a couple of months ago (around £17) for her birthday and it's been used every day, so I'll be following this thread on tips on how to use it indoors. She has an indoor/outdoor bean bag in there too. Aldi did have a few kids camping bits in which might be nice to go along with it, sleeping bags etc.

Dreamwhisper · 23/07/2022 08:23

Ah thank you Halo Yeah I'm really looking forward to it, have been planning it for a while!

If no one else posts I'll definitely pop any ideas on here Smile

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PuttingDownRoots · 24/07/2022 11:08

Bungee cords.

Dreamwhisper · 25/07/2022 12:54

PuttingDownRoots · 24/07/2022 11:08

Bungee cords.

Just googled those, they look perfect!! Thank you

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AxolotlEars · 28/07/2022 23:35

Best things for holding sheets for a den are the clamps that Poundland sell. They were 4 for a £1

Dreamwhisper · 29/07/2022 10:53

AxolotlEars · 28/07/2022 23:35

Best things for holding sheets for a den are the clamps that Poundland sell. They were 4 for a £1

Yesss those will work so much better than bull dog clips, I'm not DIY savvy at all so I had no idea these things existed!!

Might just go and have a wonder around B and Q and fill my basket, he will have a field day Grin

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Trivester · 30/07/2022 07:02

I’d try something lighter than a bedsheet which are surprisingly heavy. Maybe a length of lining material?

dudsville · 30/07/2022 07:43

I'm of no help, but your post took me on a little trip dien memory lane. I used to take the cushions off the sofa and line them up strategically against other bits of furniture and drape a sheet across. We also lived at the edge of a woods and there was a really deep hole under a tree and that was another den. I wonder why kids like this so much?

onedsrightnow · 02/08/2022 19:32

Just came across this thread, I'm thinking of similar for Christmas! I was thinking of buying one of those sail shades from b&q and then using the command hooks. Need to see how heavy the shade is though

Dreamwhisper · 02/08/2022 22:20

Ah thank you for the different suggestions re the material!

@dudsville they do all love it don't they? My DS will be soo excited to get a present that is not toys and looks very grown up with clamps and wires Grin

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