How to Build a Small Fort

When I was a kid, my brother built a small fort in the back yard, and we stayed in there all summer. Of course, it was his fort, and I was lucky he even let me in. But I thought his fort was the coolest, so I begged like a sister's supposed to. Every kid needs a place to hide out, and a small fort is perfect. A fort in the back yard is not only safe, it is highly recommended. Building a fort does require wood, hammer and nails, but the actual construction is easy. Follow a few simple ground rules, and soon you'll be constructing your very own hideaway.

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• Nails
• Hammer
• Saw
• Wood screws
• Drill
• L-shaped metal brackets
• Blankets
• Tarps

Instructions

Build a Small Fort

1. Gather lots of scrap plywood and boards. A fort isn't supposed to be perfect or pretty, so buying good boards is not necessary. Old scrap wood is fine. You will also need to buy some nails, and don't forget a hammer.

2. Pick a corner in the back yard that is behind the house, or at least in a location that has less traffic. The fort is for your enjoyment, but shouldn't be an eyesore or in the way. The best place to build a fort is up against a wood fence. You can use the fence for one of the fort's walls. If you build in a corner, you can use the fence for two walls.

3. Begin by laying down two boards parallel to each other, about 3 feet apart. Nail boards perpendicularly across both of the beginning boards, using as many as you need to make a solid wall. Continue nailing boards in place until the entire area is covered.

4. Make more walls like the first. The number of walls you need will depend on how much of the fence you are using. If the fence is serving as two of the walls, you will build two more walls. If you are using the fence for only one side of your fort, you'll need to build three walls.

5. Cut a small crawl space out of one of the walls. This is your door. Once the walls are in place, nail a blanket onto the wall as a covering over the hole.

6. Lift one wall up and attach it to the fence using L-shaped metal brackets. Attach one side of the bracket to the wall using small wood screws. Attach the second side of the bracket to the fence. Use the same method for attaching the walls to each other.

7. Place a large waterproof plastic tarp over the top of your walls. The tarp will be your roof. You don't need a wood roof; in fact, a wood roof could be dangerous. Since your fort won't be structurally sound, the roof is liable to fall on your head. A plastic tarp is safe and will keep out the elements.

8. Cover the ground inside your fort with old blankets so you have a place to sit. Old lawn chairs will do, too, if the walls are high enough.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can't find old boards, find a construction site. They always have a pile of extra wood. Chances are that they don't need it, and it's only going in the dumpster. Just be sure to ask before taking.

• Be sure to use a lot of nails when building your small fort, especially when attaching the walls. The more secure your walls, the better the chance that your fort will remain intact. Secure the boards well to avoid any damage or possible injury.

Resources

• Kidz World: Build Your Own Fort