Building a den can go from remarkably simple – a blanket and a peg. Or remarkably complicated with ‘rooms’, ‘corridors’, and several entrances … Making indoor dens usually ends in chaos but it is great fun. Children love it and it can soak up a wet afternoon. I suggest the living room because it is probably kinder on the knees with carpets or rugs. And, you will not be forced to un-build the edifice to sit down to supper. (Of course, everyone could squeeze into the den for supper.)
As we all know a carelessly, discarded piece of Lego causes disproportionate pain to it’s size and functionality. So, firstly a quick check of the floor. Inside or out, let the children believe the children believe the construction is being organised by them.
For the walls, you’ll probably have to shift sofas. It can be helpful to use a duvet for a comfortable ‘floor’ (on the living room carpet). But remember it can get dirty from floor and other ‘stuff’. The sofa and arm chair cushions can build up more walls or interior walls.
Sheets and duvet covers will make the ‘roof’. The roof is the most likely area to cause “Wreck it Ralph” to kick off.
Dens are magnificent castles in children’s imagination. But, if pegs snap or blanket’s slide, and, the walls coming tumbling down, so do the tears from those who feel aggrieved. Howls of ‘You’ve ruined it” are aimed at a sibling or friends or anyone in the room. A quiet assist such as a peg or knot around a chair could save the day (den).
If you can ‘assist’ in securing the roof and, checking where pinch-point will cause a blockage, followed by pushing and shoving which could collapse the den and tempers to erupt.
If the dining chairs are at hand, they could be lined back to back with a sheet pegged to the backs of the chairs to form a passage way into the den. The dining table can be another den. Non-precious books can hold walls in place. I have heard of books being made into dens, but that takes have a lot of time and books, and inclination.
A laundry drying frame makes an A frame from which you can stretch a sheet to a shelf or dinning table or make an addition to a sofa den. (Make an A frame?). Curtain rails are tempting to use, they may take the strain of the den but not the encampment of small children.
More information on Dens from these websites.
Mum’s Creative Cupboard has 24 Amazing Homemade Den Building Ideas
The Reading Residence.
Playful Childhoods, Wales