I remember spending hours in forts as a kid - we used my dad's music stands and microphone stands to raise the droopy parts of the blankets so we had a high-vaulted blanket fort in which to have many adventures. It was awesome.
So, when I became a parent - I was super ready for fort-building. And happily, my kids love building forts. At least, they love it in theory. What tends to happen is that I build them an epic place to play, they run in and out of it, and then they have no idea what to do with themselves. We need to do some more work on imaginative play, perhaps?
All that aside, this weekend we decided to turn our kitchen table into a fortress of amazing awesomeness with the help of our toddlers, our vast blanket collection, a plush Bowser (because, mascot), and our couch cushions.
Lincoln and Addie were thrilled with the idea of this fort and were willing and eager assistants who gladly dragged every blanket, pillow, and plush toy they could find into our new play space. They giggled and crawled in and out the door, shrieking in laughter then fighting over who got to sit by the green pillow. Oh, toddler life.
We build forts every now and then, but this one was special because Daddy was home from work and we all got to enjoy the experience as a family! A lot of times our weekends are jam packed with activities and errands, so just having an excuse to crawl under a blanket onto a pile of pillows was fantastic.
And what fort is a great fort without a snack? We popped a bag of sea salt popcorn and camped out in our little fortress to make the most of our adventure!
Every time I do something like this with my kids, I'm reminded that it is so worth it to just put down the phone or computer or hot glue gun and be present with them. Just to enjoy them in their own little world with no expectations is really one of my greatest blessings as a mama.
I know that someday, I'll have forgotten about all the work that went undone and the sleepless nights...and I'll just remember chubby little hands shoving popcorn in my mouth while I get a crick in my neck from being under the kitchen table.
And that's kind of awesome.
Pop Secret knows that fun (like popcorn!) is better when it’s shared. Send Pop Secret your pillow fort stories and pictures on Facebook. You can upload them right to the Pop Secret timeline and tag them #PopSecretForts. Who knows...they might just share a little something back!
Right now, you can also grab a $1 coupon to make your family fun night even more affordable! Tip from a truly frugal (aka broke) mom: building forts is one of the cheapest activities you will ever find!
Many thanks to Pop Secret for sponsoring today’s story! For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.
I wanted to do a pillow fort tonight but we didn't do it. I keep seeing the posts and the power of suggestion has gotten to me. ;) We've got our popcorn ready!
ReplyDeleteDo it! It's so much fun!
DeleteI remember doing this as a kid with my siblings though no pillows as they were special lol we used a lot of our blankets and loved it more when it was pouring outside
ReplyDeleteMy brother and I always used tons of blankets, too!
DeleteBuilding pillow forts is so much fun! My boys love building them upstairs in my oldest son's room and them both sleeping in there.
ReplyDeleteAw, fun! My kids don't even realize that they COULD sleep in a fort yet...haha!
Deletehow cute the chilrend looks ^_^ . happiness , happiness and happiness thats what i can see from this beautiful post and colourfull pictures
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteGoodness, do I love pillow forts! Looking at your pictures reminds me we are way overdue to make one over here! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteOf course! Have fun!
DeleteOh I remember doing forts with blankets and pillow. It was so fun! Lots of wonderful memories with my child playing inside the fort :)
ReplyDeleteForts really are so much fun!
DeleteAwe....that looks like so much fun! Your kids will never remember the dishes that weren't done but they will remember that you had time for them. Great memories for you!
ReplyDeleteThat is good...because there are a lot of dishes! Haha!
DeleteWhat fun! The snacks probably made the whole experience over the top great. It's cool you did this with your kiddos.
ReplyDeleteThey loved it!
DeleteThey really enjoyed building the pillow fort and playing inside it. Looks like they also enjoyed the popcorn.
ReplyDeleteThey did enjoy every minute. :)
DeleteWe always used to do this growing up! It was basically our Sunday afternoon tradition! Thanks for the cute recap!
ReplyDeleteGreat Sunday tradition!
DeleteOh goodness, I remember making forts with my children on my mother's front porch. We sure had a not of fun. Ahhh Memories of Quality time with the youngins' love it. Thanks for reminding me. It's a good memory! :) Have a great weekend. Nice to meet you on my way to follow you. If you have time stop by and do the same for me. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Marie!
DeleteThat's always fun and kids enjoy so much. We put a large blanket over my kitchen table for the grandkids. They have a blast.
ReplyDeleteThat's my go-to fort idea, too!
DeleteThe pictures are so beautiful & your kids are so cute as well. I can see the fun you all have together under Pillow forts. Pop Secret's idea of sharing such stories & pictures in Facebook is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lisa!
DeleteWe love making pillow forts. The one day we started at one end of the house and made it to the other end with pillow fort tunnels
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic idea!
DeletePillow forts are just the best, I loved building them from the sofa cushions when I was a little girl....although I occasionally gripe at my boys for doing the same ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you...that dragging out of the cushions makes me a little crazy sometimes.
DeleteAhhh this looks fun!!! I need to make a pillow fort with my princess!! She would have a blast!
ReplyDeleteWe love making forts!
DeleteOhhh..pillow forts are so much fun! We like making them with fluffy blankets too!
ReplyDeleteThe fluffier, the better!
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