Construct a Blanket Fort Using Command Hooks
The first time my 6 year old daughter tried to make a fort out of blankets, she had the joyful ambitions of a child. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the structural engineering skills because it all collapsed within three minutes and she cried.
The downside to most blanket forts is the foundation: the pieces of furniture that hold the blankets. My child used kitchen stools, they are quite a decent height, but can easily topple over with any hasty movements (for example, the child gets up and runs to the bathroom). I decided to do a little research to build the best blanket fort to enjoy for hours, if not days. The method that amazed me the most? Using command interceptors.
Command hooks allow you to anchor the fort to a wall or ceiling, which means you don’t have to worry about your child being crushed by a tipping chair, floor lamp or flowerpot. They also give you the ability to make your fort as big or small as you want. And of course the hooks are removable – you can try different designs in different parts of the house and choose the perfect design. (Room corners are especially good for creating cozy corners.)
To build a simple fort, you will need:
- Command interceptors. I used one small wire hook , but the number of hooks you use depends on how you want your fort to look.
- A thread. I used baker’s twine, but fishing line or any sturdy rope will work.
- Lightweight sheets and blankets. Muslin swaddling blankets are great for summer forts.
- Clothespins
1) Attach the Command hook to the wall or ceiling.
2) Tie one end of the rope to the Command hook and the other end to the other hook or a secure base. (I tied the other end to the railing of the stairs.) Make sure the rope is tight.
3) Throw the string over the blanket. Hold the fabric in place with clothespins.
4) Hold the base of the fort in place by attaching the ends of the blankets to rugs, gluing them to sofa cushions, etc.
5) Make a door to your fort by adding more blankets and clothespins.
This weekend my kids and I hung out for hours in our fort, read books and played at the hairdresser’s. I will probably continue like this for a while longer – I’ll come back to it myself when I need a Zen moment. Hey, it’s peaceful there.