A Child & Nature Reunion
stick fort

It turns out that building forts, hideouts, and playhouses are part of the way that kids learn. David Sobel, a leading expert on children's play, describes fort-building as a universal drive that’s rooted in kids’ healthy development.

“The special place outside serves to symbolize the special place inside,” Sobel says. “It’s their own private chrysalis.”

Forts can be a calming, safe and welcoming space for children. A place to call their own. The fort can even become a child's home base, a special place where they eat lunch or a snack, do activities or get some quiet time.

A fort can be built anyplace where sticks are available, from forests to backyards are even the beach!

If forts are built by a large group of children such as at a camp or school, the process of building the fort —and enjoying it— can really bring the children together as a community.

Learn how to help build a stick fort with these resources:

This tutorial written by a master architect for Fatherly teaches the basics.

This resource on fort building from Gulf Islands Center is great for educators and parents alike.

Video, "How to make a stick fort!":

 

 

Check out these examples of cool stick forts for design inspiration!

 

 

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Stick fort housekeeping in forest. #childhoodunplugged #wholeheartedjournal #nantucket #stickfort

A post shared by kaity 🌿 fare isle (@fareisle) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Exploring forts at the Fort #stickfort

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stick fort

It turns out that building forts, hideouts, and playhouses are part of the way that kids learn. David Sobel, a leading expert on children's play, describes fort-building as a universal drive that’s rooted in kids’ healthy development.

“The special place outside serves to symbolize the special place inside,” Sobel says. “It’s their own private chrysalis.”

Forts can be a calming, safe and welcoming space for children. A place to call their own. The fort can even become a child's home base, a special place where they eat lunch or a snack, do activities or get some quiet time.

A fort can be built anyplace where sticks are available, from forests to backyards are even the beach!

If forts are built by a large group of children such as at a camp or school, the process of building the fort —and enjoying it— can really bring the children together as a community.

Learn how to help build a stick fort with these resources:

This tutorial written by a master architect for Fatherly teaches the basics.

This resource on fort building from Gulf Islands Center is great for educators and parents alike.

Video, "How to make a stick fort!":

 

 

Check out these examples of cool stick forts for design inspiration!

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Stick fort housekeeping in forest. #childhoodunplugged #wholeheartedjournal #nantucket #stickfort

A post shared by kaity 🌿 fare isle (@fareisle) on

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Exploring forts at the Fort #stickfort

A post shared by Woof Parade (@woofparade) on