Blanket forts — we’ve all made them, and many of us have moments when we wish we could take refuge in them just like we did as kids.

But did you know that there’s so much more to blanket forts than meets the eye? Fort-building is just one part of the all-important role of play.

Why Building Forts and Creative Play Is Important for Children

Goofing around and building forts isn’t just for the sake of fun! There’s a reason many of us still feel nostalgic at the thought of building blanket and pillow forts.

Promotes problem-solving: Research has shown that play can help children develop problem-solving skills that will help them later in life. Blanket forts don’t always work out the way kids want them to! They teach children to find new and better ways to achieve the result they want.

Helps with physical fitness: Kids need to move their bodies to expend energy. And it’s not just to get them to sleep better when bedtime comes. Staying active helps children learn how to use their bodies. It also has far-reaching positive effects throughout the rest of their lives.

Develops creativity: Building forts with everyday household items like blankets, pillows, mattresses, and comforters requires children to use their imagination. Items that adults see as boring can become gates to completely different universes in a child’s mind. While children can build forts with fort kits you can order online, these tools don’t require the same level of creativity compared to using the cushions from your sofa.

Helps children relax: Everyone needs a safe place. When a child builds a fort, they use items they find comforting — like their favorite soft blankets and pillows — to create a hideout that’s completely their own. This cozy space is perfect for children to wind down and ground themselves.

How to Make a Blanket Fort

There are no rules to making a perfect blanket fort! Nevertheless, here are some tips to make playtime with your children even more fun:

Ask the right questions: If your children struggle to make the fort hold, ask them — instead of suggesting — what could be done to improve it.

Play along, but let them lead: Let your kids take the lead in building their blanket forts. See where their imagination takes them.

Add a touch of light: Repurpose those holiday string lights to bring a touch of cozy brightness to the inside of the blanket fort!

Keep an open mind: Unless the kids are being unsafe, keep an open mind. Who says they can’t make their fort out of boxes instead of using kitchen chairs?

Suggest fort-building to calm down: Whether it’s you or your children that feel overwhelmed by everything going on in your lives, suggest a fort-building activity. You can even guide a relaxation meditation for everyone involved once you’re inside the fort.

Struggling to fall asleep? Building forts can help you get cozy and feel safe, but so can the right sleeping sounds and meditations. Try the BetterSleep App for free to begin a new bedtime routine that helps you fall asleep faster.