Fort please? So what is it about boys and forts? From the time my now 13 year old son was little, he loved the thrill and adventure of turning over chairs, tables, even sofas in our home to make a fort. Hmm..I forget and tons of covers and sheets too.. He would then invite his friends over for a sleepover, sometimes four or five of them..to sleep in the fort, all night long.
So this Christmas I bought my two year old a Thomas the Train fort, enclosure??? I guess the proper name for these things are actually play huts. He likes it alright, but loves forts more!
I just love it when they grab snacks and drinks and bury in to watch Frozen. Back then I remember many nights of my eldest son and his friends watching movies like High School Musical 1, 2 and 3. So much so, I know all the characters, all the songs, and most of the moves. Oh Troy, I so love you. Gabriella you are so pretty. Lol…I digress.
Until they want my big ole 5”10 butt to join them in the fort. Begging over and over again “Momma,” “Miss Eva” please come in with us! Ugh….visions of “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” come to mind. It was cramped, but fun I must admit.
But the kids loved it! From the outside looking in….listening in shall I say….it was more than wonderful which made me smile from ear to ear. Hiding from each other, bonding, creating their own rooms and spaces just for themselves. Oh the joys of childhood.
So what’s with forts? I hopped online to check out what the experts say about why forts gave boys so much enjoyment. (I don’t have experience with girls wanting to build them), however they sure enjoyed being IN them. From my experience, they just didn’t exclaim every day “let’s build a fort!”
According to my online research, forts help kids build their imaginations and are great stand-ins when other toys lose their new and shiny appeal. Another thing, forts can be a really perfect escape from pesky parents like me!
So allowing my kids to put my home in a chaos and build forts every now and then is fine with me. Shh….wait a moment. Come to think of it, they’ve been quiet way to long. Kids where are you? Oh I forgot, they’re in the living room, getting their fort on! Carry on!
By Eva Bowen