Luke and Lila build forts all the time and I decided to save my linen closet from being frequently ravaged and make them a fort building kit. We made one for friends as well. A fort building kit makes a great handmade gift for kids, especially when you want to encourage imaginative play. Plus, it can be made with an old pillowcase and a quick trip to the dollar store, making it a super affordable gift idea.
These kits are so fun to put together. I made a drawstring bag from a thrifted pillowcase and a shoelace {I simply sewed a little casing at the top of the pillowcase for the string to pull through} …
… and added a stenciled label. I made the stencil on my cutting machine and, using red craft paint, painted the letters onto muslin. The label is sewn on with raw edges which will get raggy over time {you may have noticed my affinity for raggy edges}.
Inside the bag are all the supplies needed to build a great fort: a large thrifted sheet or two {king and queen size are the best}, a set of clothespins, suctions cups with hooks, plastic clips, rope, and a flashlight. Everything but the sheet can be found at the local dollar store. The variety of supplies make it easy to build a fort almost anywhere!
I love this fort kit and seeing the imaginative fort creations Luke and Lila have built with it has made it even more fun.
I love, love, love this. The raggy edges are perfect. Now I really want to do this project for the next round of birthdays!
This is a very cute idea – have a 5 year olds birthday coming up – might be perfect.
I feel behind times. I followed the link from your post to pinterest. I see a new addiction on the horizon! What a wonderful idea! Better than anything I have come up with to manage all the items I want to revisist. Thank you for sharing!
I think EVERY kid in the planet needs this now! How awesome!
This is AWE-some!! I have three boys. I really need to make one of these!! Or two, or three ; )
Jaimee @ craft-interrupted.blogspot.com
This is one of the best ideas I have seen in a while! What a great birthday gift it will make for some of Kate’s friends!
Jessica
How cute! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’d love to have you visit our first linky party this Thursday! It’s a party specifically for kids and teenagers craft and other ideas, so your idea will be absolutely perfect! Hope you’ll stop by!
bearrabbitbear.blogspot.com
So where was this fabulous idea when my grandkids were young?? Well, not to let a good idea get lost, I have a GREAT granddaughter who’s gonna get one of these!!! Thanks SO much for sharing?
Great idea! So cute! I’m sharing your project, photo and your button on my website. Wishing you blessings.
This is such a great idea. I loved building forts when I was little and my son is just getting old enough to help out. I would love it if you would stop by and share at the link party going on right now at Lines Across My Face.
OMG too cute, and my 8 year olds b-day is Monday, he would love this.
I have a fun any linky goes party that I would love for you to join too! This week linkers could even win a pair of silver earrings just by linking. Hope you will come.
What a great idea. I love that as a party loot bag too.
This is awesome! I wish my daughter was old enough for this!
This is a fun idea! Congrats on your win at CSI!
A great idea until you give your 8 year old a rope and he ties it around his neck pretending to be a dog (: Maybe my kid is not so smart.