Summer is here and the weather is nicer. The kids have more free time to explore and play. As a mom I have been collecting ideas for fun and different things to do throughout the summer. I came across an idea for a summer fort that I knew the kids would love!

I have seen many articles that are creating summer fun from The Dollar Store. I was inspired by a picture of a fun fort created with a hula hoop and a sheet. Problem? It required sewing which I don’t really do. I could, but I hate it and I am not good at it.

Instead I decided to modify the summer fort so that I wouldn’t have to sew!

Dollar Store Summer Fort Fun

Dollar Store Supplies:

• hula hoop
• shower curtain
• shower curtain rings
• clothesline
• bungee cords (optional)

Directions for Creating a Summer Fort:

This process is much easier with a couple of extra hands so if possible have your child help you. Plus isn’t half the fun the anticipation as you see it all come together?

After fumbling through putting the first one together we modify our process with the second one to make it a little easier.

1. Cut two even lengths of the clothesline around 2-3 feet in length.

2. Tie the clothesline in 4 equidistant spots around the hula hoop so they for an “x” at the top when you hold it up by the clothesline. This is how your fort will hang so adjust the lengths to create an evenly hanging hula hoop.

3. Evenly space out the shower curtain rings in the 4 sections created by the clothesline.

4. Attach the shower curtain to the rings.

5. Take an extra length of clothesline with you to loop through the “x” you created with the tied clothesline.  This will be your means to hang the fort.  If you choose the bungee cord you can simply wrap the bungee around whatever you want to hang it from (in our case a tree branch) and then place the “x” on the hook of the bungee. We did this because then we can easily take the forts up and down at night or for bad weather, etc.

6. As accessories our kids collected towels to sit on, small pieces of wood to anchor down the bottom of the shower curtain in the places they want it to stay and recycling bins to tip over and use as tables and also as the place to store and transport all their fort items.

More Outdoor Fun