Indoor Den Building Kit
Make a den by giving your kids a pile of old sheets, duvet covers, broom handles and anything else that you think might be useful for making an indoors den. Most adults will surely remember setting up camp behind the back of a sofa or between the top and bottom of bunk beds. You could start the kids off with a few sheets draped over the furniture, or use broomsticks or string to create the basic den structure. After that, let them decide how they will create or develop their den.
How to make an indoor tent
Building a tent indoors is a great activity for kids and parents alike. Once built an indoor tent can make a great den for little ones to play, read and even nap. You can easily make a simple den inside by following these simple and easy steps on how to build a tent indoors.
Make a Fort tent out of your chairs
This is an easy indoor den to make if you don’t have access to a tent. A classic fort tent can be made by pushing together dining room chairs and adding a large duvet or throw over the top. Place the chairs facing forward, throw over the duvet and let it hang down. Don’t forget to add pillows or cushions to make it as cosy as possible.
Make a tent out of your table
Find a large duvet, throw or table cloth that can be thrown over a table to create a simple table tent. This den is super easy to create, just don’t forget to take it down when dinners ready!
Set up camp
If you have a pop-up tent or one of the smaller weekend-style tents why not put this up indoors? Instead of pegging out guy lines you could simply use books or other weights to keep the tent in place. Many tents will stay up of their own accord, especially in the wind-free indoors!
Add the furnishings
Kids love to play house so let them play tents. They will enjoy furnishing the inside of their camp with pillows, cushions, fleecy blankets and all sorts of cosy items. You can even open up a sleeping bag to use as flooring!
Pack your bag
Give the kids a rucksack each and a few camping essentials, such as snacks, drinks, a torch and paper plates and plastic cutlery. Let them choose playthings to add to the rucksack, such as soft toys, paper and pens and games. They will want to have lots to do while inside their den or tent – and playing at camping is hungry and thirsty work.
Dress the part
An outdoors jacket or clean walking boots will make kids feel like they are living the real adventure. Let them walk a trail around the house. Perhaps they could borrow walking poles for climbing the stairs or dress up in your waterproof trousers or gaiters so that they feel like they are outdoors grown ups.
Look for an adventure
Give the kids a camera or binoculars and challenge them to seek out “wildlife” indoors. Maybe they will find a lesser-spotted teddy bear, a lion or a penguin. Real wildlife can be seen from the window or tell them that the adventure could be taken into the garden for some bug hunting. If it’s at night, look out the window for stars or the moon. They can record their finds in written or photographic form later on.
Set a treasure trail
Lay out a treasure hunt with questions, answers and treats throughout the house. You could even get them to navigate by steps and compass to find the treasure. Or draw a treasure trail map with clues.
Sing around the camp fire
You can’t light a fire in the middle of the living room floor but you could light a fire in your hearth or a wood burning stove. This creates real camping atmosphere. If you have a camping stove, head into the garage (with the door open) or just outside the front or back door and cook toasted marshmallows. If you don’t want to light an actual fire or camping stove, make a flame effect campfire with piles of twigs and red, orange and yellow tissue paper.
Do you have any other ideas for making indoors camping fun for the kids?
