Sunday, September 23, 2007

Blanket Fort




Reasons to have a blanket Fort




Most people, especially adults, consider building a blanket fort childish and a waste of time. These people lack imaginations. There are numerous reasons to build a blanket fort:
-Defensive structure in a Blanket Fort War
-Secret hide away where one can go to be alone.
-Place to go to share secrets with close friends.
-Place to take a nap when the sun is pouring through the windows
-Hide the fact you are still awake when you are supposed to be sleeping
-Relive childhood memories
The list can be continued on indefinitely because each person constructs a blanket fort for their own reasons.

Types of Blanket Forts:

Pillow Fort
The pillow fort is one of the most basic form of blanket fort, it is constructed primarily using pillows as the support structure with light bed sheets laid over the top. While these may be the easiest to make, they often fall quickly to the hand of a sibling or 'friend'. Pillow forts can also be built next to the larger and sturdier forts and used as storage bunkers.
Construction of a pillow fort is very simple. Find at least three pillows, line them up so that the two that are facing each other are leaning against the one that is facing towards the end. This makes the two facing each other parallel, but perpendicular to the one pillow. Then lay a blanket on top. You may use books or other heavier objects to lay on the blanket to keep it from drooping in on the fort.

Blanket Fort
These forts are often built using bigger, stronger materials. Reasons for constructing this type of fort range from needing a bigger space to allow for more people to enter or to store rations and supplies. These are usually a bit tougher to make, and a bit harder for only one person to do. The materials often found in the construction of such forts are chairs, strings strung from one wall or bed post to another, blankets/sheets, and pillows. These style forts are often unique to the creator and can vary in size, strength, and purpose. Blanket Forts also allow for more options because of their structure. Doors, hidden passage ways, cache of supplies.
For the simplest Balnket Fort, it is suggested you use four chairs. Two next to each other, with the other two a short distance across from them. Then a blanket placed over top. This also allows more head room for the taller Blanket Fort dwellers. It's simple, yet still gives you a basic support structure which can be built upon to ad more advanced features

Room Forts
These are the biggest, most advanced form of Blanket Fort you can have. These forts often span the entire room and often has multiple rooms underneath the blanket ceiling. These usually only have one entrance which is at the doorway to the room it spans. The room forts are definitely not for the novice builder or feint at heart because it often requires lots of string, sturdy chairs, and lots of blankets. There is no basic room fort. They are large, impressive, and truly a work of art.


How to Travel in Blanket Forts
Most people assume that it is easiest to simply crawl on hands and knees when making their way through a blanket fort. The problem with this method of travel is the butt often bounce off walls or pull the blankets above and end up destroying the forts. To travel efficiently through a blanket fort, crawl on your belly through the miniature caverns. Beware though, some surfaces like carpet may result in rug burns or rashes. Wear clothing when attempting fort travel.


Blanket Fort Wars:

One aspect to a blanket fort that a lot of people enjoy, is a blanket fort war. This is a war between two forts built either in the same room or another part of the building they are in. A war between forts is different in every house hold. Some are often just a war of words, others involve massive armies of Lego people and their vehicles. The wars themselves are fought by those brave enough to take up the colors of their fort. Some rules include:
-No spying on planning sessions
-Timeout for restroom breaks
-War is over when it's time to go home or for dinner.
These are just a few of the more common rules but like previously stated, they vary depending on the situation and where the war is taking place.

Take with you in the blanket fort:

Somethings are just a given. When heading into a fort, it is wise to take with you a flashlight, a snack, and maybe something to drink. That way if someone lays siege to you, you can hold out until dinner time.
If you plan on staying longer, taking a tv, gaming console, laptop, book, board game, and other forms of entertainment is encouraged.
Also, you may want to take an extra pillow or blanket to lay on. Bringing duct tape and more string is also suggested to make instant repairs.




taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanket_fort



Check out this hilarious site that documents the events of a blanket fort war!!




http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/forts/default.php







2 comments:

Kimberly Monaco said...

Hi! thanks for your comment on my blog! I'll have to remember your "blanket fort" when my new grandson is a little older! Great fun!

Joyce said...

I remember but we called it a tent and my kids played it , to !