This is a collaborative post
I feel that indoor den-building is a key parental skill. I can absolutely guarantee that if I build one, there will be joy on my children’s faces when they find it, and then giggles and contentment for some time to come – a bonus for me and for them! I like to prepare it secretly, whenever possible, as the surprise element makes it all the more exciting.
So, here’s my Indoor Den-Building in 5 Easy Steps guide to creating a successful den…
Indoor Den Building
The Den-Building Space Decision
Make it as big as you can afford to use, bearing in mind they’ll want that den up for some time, and pop down a play-mat or similar for added indoor fun.
The Chair Positioning
Crucial. Ideally, use a few chairs of differing heights. Physics qualifications help here, as you need to get just the right distances apart to make a good size den, without the roof collapsing, or pegs shooting off if too tight – see next stage..
The Blanket Drape
A tricky one. You’ll find it will keep flopping and flapping about as you drag chairs and try to fix it. I’d recommend using pegs, so hoping your chairs will accommodate them. Yes, the pegs will ping right off when the toddler starts tugging on the blanket, but it’s all part of the experience. If you also have a play-tent, now’s the time to maximise it and add an extension to the den. It becomes a two room affair then! Just make sure that when you finish up, you properly fold your blankets to keep things nice after the chaos!
The Interior Design
Now, you’d be forgiven for thinking that den-building is complete at step 3, as I have left it there in the past and still had two very contented small ones. But, to really crank that excitement up a notch, you need to kit out the inside, too. In this case, I popped a few cars and trains on the play mat, and then set up a little tea party inside the tent. I can assure you that such added touches are very well-received.
The Fun
Please, whatever you do, don’t leave it at step 4. Get in there with them and play yourself. A parent is usually a little ones favourite toy of all. It is fun, and if I don’t go in, I don’t get to see these little faces…
Hope this has helped? Happy den-building!
For other boredom-busters, you might also like Our Top 5 Rainy Day Activities, 9 Bargain Activities for Kids and Painting Fun Without Paintbrushes. Check out the Kids Activities category for a whole heap more, too!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post
Lol very good tips!! Pur chairs don’t really accommodate pegs so the blanket slips off very easily! So much good fun to be had with a den though, and we’ve been thinking about getting a play tent too. Love the pictures of the kiddies enjoying the den 🙂 xx #thethemegame
Dens are fabulous, & my pair love that little tent, too. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I love this – what a great den! Thanks for the inspiration – I can see Milin and I having hours of fun x
Delighted to inspire! X
Homemade dens have been a sanity-saver on many a rainy-day! I’ve never thought to focus on decorating inside too – we’ll have to give that one a try next time!
Oh yes – my two love that extra element!
I love this. brings back so many memories of growing up and building forts as we call it in america. With the living room furniture. Used to make my mother go mad but we loved doing it after school and on weekend. I can’t wait until my two are a little older and we can do things like this. Lovely and fun. #letkidsbekids
I loved doing it with my brother, too. Lots of happy memories!
Such cute pictures of your two with their wee heads peeking out! So sweet. And that is the den to end all dens! We have the same tent, but will definitely have to make this porch/annex/awning construction over the Easter holidays. There’s one day’s activities planned! 😉 Brilliant post lovely lady xx
Yes, do it! If you’re den-building, think big! X
My little ones love making dens too. When I was little my mum used to turn the kitchen table upside down so i could pretend it was a boat!
They sounds like a lot of fun – must try that!
My three are den addicts! It always seems to be the first thing they do when they get home. All the cushions and blankets in the house get used and the living room is transformed in a campsite! Your play room looks so organised, I am impressed (and secretly wish we had a play room, too!). x Mel
Oh yes, blankets & cushions are in their play tent right now! The play room has to be like that for my sanity!
Now that’s where my den building has been going wrong-I’ve not made it big enough to accommodate a fully grown adult! I have to squeeze half in, half out 🙂 #TheThemeGame
Think bigger!! X
I love this room! I wish my house is as pretty! We use the table for our den. Just cover it with a blanket. =) #letkidsbekids
So simple! But, my son keeps banging his head when he’s under the table, so this den is safer until he figured out not to do that!
Love this post! We love making dens too. I use laundry airers for the entrance. Trouble is, baby 3 rampages in and pulls it all down…x
Hmm, Little Man has been known to do that, too! Thanks x
Great tips. My kids love a bit of den building too. I never thought to add their play tent to it, thanks for the idea! It looks like your two love it.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Yes, extensions go down well! Thanks for hosting x
This is brilliant! Love it 🙂 It wouldn’t have occurred to me to build it for them as a surprise! #LetKidsBeKids
Oh, I do love the surprise element. Adds to the excitement & means I can build it without them getting in the way 😉
I love that you get right in there wth them to join in the fun and more importantly to capture the moment! We tend to make more dens for the ponies and babies (and currently teletubbies) than we do for the real life household members!
That’s a sweet idea, too. Make it big enough and there’s room for all of you!
We built a den a few weeks back, it was fun. Looks like your two had a good time x
Dens are always a winner here! X
I really like the idea of building a den on a play mat, so it’s double the fun! #LetKidsBeKids
Yep, it all adds up that way! X
You can’t beat dens! We’ve certainly had the weather for indoor den building
You really can’t – endless fun!
Excellent! Enjoy x
Oh that den is fantastic and I LOVE your playroom! So colourful x
Thank you very much! I like it, despite it being overrun with toys – that’s what it’s for, though!
I love that you build the den and set it up to surprise them – that’s a very cool mummy thing to do! Helen
It does seem cool to surprise them, but it’s also for selfish reasons – den-building with them in the room can wind me up!
Love love love this post!!! We were recently sent a pl-ug den building kit to review so I’ll be posting on dens myself soon- love the fact you set them up secretly!!
x x x
Thanks very much! Secretly also means alone – so much easier! Look forward to seeing your post 🙂
Great tips!! We haven’t reached den building yet but I can’t wait to make our first one! #thethemegame
Oh, yes, enjoy that first den!
Who doesn’t love a den. Dens are great. I think I might make myself one this Easter as a place to hide ha. My whole house is used in the making of them x #thethemegame
Yep, dens for us are good, too!
Gotta love a bit of den building – have saved many a rainy day. also good on the top of those TP climbing frames too!
It never fails to keep them happy!
Cant beat dens! What child doesn’t love a den 🙂
#pocolo
Exactly! X
Ah! We love a good den here! Haven’t tried extending it to two rooms though… Sounds like fun! #PoCoLo
Ah, yes – the next level!
Aren’t dens just ace?! Some great tips here – especially about the arrangement of chairs. That’s where my dens always fall down, quite literally #PoCoLo
Ha ha – got to get the chairs right!
Brilliant! Love the addition of the play tent. I don’t do this much for Mushroom but used to love dens myself! I had a sister to play with though… So I think I’ll have to do this soon for Mushroom, and get in with him! Great idea for rainy day playdates too 🙂
Absolutely – perfect for rainy days!
Would so love to do this! Now if only we had space! 🙁 #PoCoLo.
Make a mini one! X
Love this! 🙂 Also feeling a tad miffed that my brother and I used to have to build our own! X
So did my brother and I!
Great tips. We love dens too! You have the Knights castle tent from Ikea, right? We have the circus one! I adore it, lol #PoCoLo
Thank you, and yes! The kids love it so it was a brilliant buy!
It’s tricky, isn’t it? We use the bookshelves in their bedroom to weight down one corner of a large sheet, a chair, Tristan’s big leaf to hold up another bit and then tie the final corner to the bedstead. It really isn’t as organised as yours!
Throwing a big sheet over the dining table is a quick and easy way of creating a den:)
Lovely post.
Definitely an easier method, though the little one just repeatedly bangs his head then! When he’s a bit older, we’ll move to that method 🙂
Emma loves dens too, thanks for the idea!#PoCoLo
You’re very welcome – enjoy!
Dens are the BEST!! Especially indoor ones 🙂 Grace has a cabin bed and she is always making dens under there! Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
They’re loads of fun! Thanks for hosting x
Amazing den building skills right there, I really must remember to do this more! #pocolo
Thank you! It’s fast and fun & my kids are occupied for ages in there!
Great ideas…we love den building #parentingpinitparty
Thank you!
We love dens, a super sized blanket over the side of the sofa and pegged to the curtains does the trick, nice and dark too!
Sounds perfect!
We love dens – they can be a lifesaver on a rainy day!
Thanks for linking up with the Parenting Pin It Party x x
Oh yes, the perfect setting for a den! Thanks for hosting x
Great den hon and the pictures of the kiddies are oh so sweet.xx
Thank you! X
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This looks like a lot of fun 🙂 I used to love doing this with my two when they were smaller – we’d need a huge den these days!
Stevie x
Always a hit here! x
Couldn’t agree more – den-building is an essential parenting skill!
I built one for the boys last week, it took up almost the entire lounge and they LOVED it! They could even sit in it while playing their video games. I was a big hit that day! 🙂
#BeInspired
You can never go wrong with a den!
This was great I had lots of fun with this den ? it
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