Structural engineering question. How does one build a den????

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

An outdoor den, that is. For a 7 year old and his mates. I've got a tarpaulin and various poles but don't really know where to start.

I need to be able to take it down again, obviously, but would like something which will withstand a bit of rain.

I know it sounds stupid but I really don't have a clue and am looking for inspiration!

Part of the fun surely is in the building of a den. Does DS not have any ideas?

I'd go for a scout tent shape and lots of square lashing

I think I got a bit carried away.

When I was a kid I used to build dens in the summer with old dust sheets and garden canes. I used to use clothes pegs to attach the sheets to the canes and push the canes into the ground.

A teepee?

You lash the poles at the top - then add in horizontals about half way down

Or do you have 2 trees? You can stretch a line between them & do something clever with the tarpaulin

Google forest schools & look at shelters

Think I put the poles upright in a square. Then had a flat sheet across the top and side wall sheets. Must have been quite big as I can rememebr taking a sun longer in it for a bed.

sun lounger

Stripeyknickers, did the sheets stay out there all summer?

MMOC - I think most people made new dens everyday, rather than make a permanant one and leave it outside. Ours used to be made with a widebreaker, rotary arm clothes airer and plenty of blankets.

lol, I got all excited about a possible structural engineering question there

but I have no experience of den building as I am reliably informed by DH and DS1 that den building, like fire making and barbecues is Man's Work.

But.....look here

and here

or depending on how big your own house is...some plans available here

oh, and the one DH and DS made two summers ago was constructed from some long thin branches that had been thinned out of our magnolia tree, some of those roll up garden screens and beach mats and an old shower curtain for the roof....and string; lots and lots of string.

I made the sign for above the door as it was clear my technical prowess wasn't called for.

Had to bring in the sheets every night, but it was only a 5minute job the next mornign to peg them on again.