This month mummy blogger Nicola Osborne tells us how to keep the little ones entertained during April showers…
Drip, drip, drop little April shower, beating a tune as you fall all around…
It’s that time of year when the daffodils are in bloom, the lambs are leaping and spring has sprung a leak from big fat rainclouds.
Some of you may be the type to whip out the kagoule, fill up the thermos with homemade soup and take in the wonder of mother nature through the showers, and I salute you. However, my son and I don’t really do wet play unless it involves a heated pool and inflatables so when it rains we take cover at home and the best way to take cover is in a blanket fort.
Building a blanket fort is one of those activities that you can pretend you are doing for the kids but really you are revelling in the joy of it just as much of the little ones and you probably have the things you need nearby.
Depending on what you want your fort for will change where you want to put it. In the Osborne household a blanket fort is a place to bed down for a movie marathon so we tend to build ours in the lounge but if yours is a hideout for the kids then the bedroom or playroom are good bets.
Use what’s nearby, we drag the cushions off the sofa which we then spin around to give us our back ‘wall’. A dining chair or two either end will provide a good framework for the roof. Fitted sheets are ace if your fort fits their size but if not fix your sheet or blanket with clothes pegs, be cautious of overloading the roof as then you’ll be in danger of it caving in. Drape sheets or duvet covers over any spaces at the sides where light can get in and then pile in as many cushions as you can find.
The accepted dress code for a blanket fort is, of course, pyjamas so you’ll probably want a cosy blanket or duvet to snuggle under. Once built you need to stock the fort with snacks, decide on your movie playlist and bed down with the other invitees (usually siblings and soft toys). You will be in your own little world and the rain will bother you as much as the cold bothers Elsa.
Do be warned though a well built blanket fort can be a wrench to part from. We have been known to eat pizza in one whilst shouting at Dimbleby. I told you it wasn’t just for the kids…
Enjoy this article? Read more from Nicola:
Mum’s the Word – a blog dedicated to hard working mummies
Mum’s the Word: What do you really want for Mother’s Day?
Mum’s the Word: How to deal with death (of a hamster)
For even more read Nicola’s blog at nicolasheehanauthor.wordpress.com
Follow her on Twitter @Osborneosaurus
