build a fort kit DIY (update)

We originally posted this tutorial a year ago in September, & it quickly became a favorite online, at Birthday parties, & in our home.  So I was thrilled when given the opportunity to make a video tutorial with KinCommunity featuring the beloved fort kit.  Click the video below and find out why!
https://web.archive.org/web/20130523004828if_/http://www.youtube.com/embed/Lm_EI3wF_Vw?rel=0
Irresistible, yes?  Doesn’t that make you want to scribble a list of all the young children in your life to make kits for!?

Here’s the scoop (you prob already know this)…  kids love building forts, but doing so typically leads to tearing apart every bed in the house & the inevitable tears that come when blankets collapse.  That is why the kits are so great.  The ties help it stay up & it’s far more pleasant to fold a couple sheets and wrangling some clips than put all the beds back together.  Plus sheets, being so light weight, are the choice of fort building champions.  For sure.

Bonus; they are fun to put together outside for playtime, summer reading, a picnic or family photo ops.

Enough chatting your ear off….  Written instructions are below and  you can download the coral tags (HERE) & green tags (HERE).

Before those of you that don’t own a sewing machine let it stop you from putting one together, think of someone you know that DOES have a sewing machine, give them a call & ask if they have 15 minutes to help you sew ribbon to the corners of a sheet.  Most likely they will be delighted to help, curious about your project, & answer with a big, “hellz, yeah!”

Continue to read for written instructions, pin for safe keeping & let me know if you have any questions!

XO . Rae
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( R E P O S T )

our boys + their friends and building {weather with legos or blankets} go hand in hand.  so when espen’s friend brady invited him to his 6th birthday party, a fort building kit seemed fitting.  it ended up being a big hit with the boys and was quick and painless to put together.  you can head on over to brady’s mom’s blog to see pictures of the built fort + read below for the tutorial.

first, gather the supplies.

INCLUDED IN THIS KIT WAS:  2 flat sheets, a lantern, laundry clips, rope, hefty ribbon (for ties), tags (click to download coral or green) and a bag, pillow case or tote to hold all the goodies.  i purchased a sheet set from target for $14, but exchanged the fitted sheet for a flat one from our linen closet.

next, cut 6 to 10 long strips of heavy ribbon or strips from an old t-shirt, 16″ long.  then, find the center of each strip and pin to the corner and sides of your sheets {see drawing above}.  then sew each strip in place going back and forth several times.

lastly, stuff the goods into your bag, write a thoughtful note to the recipient and head out the door with a handmade gift that kid-os and mamas are sure to gush over!

please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for items to include in the fort kit by leaving a comment below….  i would love to hear from you!