How to Build a Fort in Your Room

Step 1: Pick your spot Choose an area on the floor between two pieces of furniture (like your bed and dresser, or desk and chair), clear the space, and put down a blanket for the floor.
Step 2: Construct the walls Use your furniture to prop up the couch cushions in a way that forms three walls. Use large boxes or squares of cardboard to add extra rooms.
TIP: Try not to block the doorway.
Step 3: Make the roof Drape a blanket or sheet over the fort’s walls. You also can tie the corners of sheets to pieces of furniture.
Step 4: Strengthen your structure Use some heavy objects—like hardcover books—to pin down each corner of the blanket. If your fort is big enough, put some pillows inside to make it comfy.
Step 5: Enter your fort Grab a playmate, snacks, flashlight, games, or whatever else you’d like, and prepare to defend your fort!
TIP: Don’t put the heavy objects too close to the inside of the fort—you don’t want them to fall in on you when you enter!
Step 6: Ask for permission Get the okay from your mom or dad to use couch cushions, blankets, and pillows to build a fort in your room.
FACT: Francis Scott Key was inspired to write ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ after witnessing the attack on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry.

Lessons in this Guide