Den Building – Not Just for Kids!
If we think back to our school days and the long, carefree summers we used to enjoy there’s one activity absolutely every child loved to do, and that’s building a den. It’s the sort of activity that can keep kids (and big kids) entertained for a whole day and longer because there’s all the excitement of building the structure, and then the fun of what to do in your new hideaway. Den building doesn’t have to be strictly an outdoor activity – building a den indoors with chairs, sheets, blankets and other furniture is a fun way to pass a rainy weekend.
A lockdown birthday isn’t much fun for kids, but letting them build a den and sleep in it overnight can be a real treat that makes up for not having all their friends around. If parents get involved in building the den then so much the better; being taller grown-ups can hang sheets much higher than the children, and if it’s big enough to fit the whole family inside then a movie night can be elevated to a memory the whole group will treasure for years.
When the weather is better and the ground has dried out, den building really becomes a special thing to do. It’s often high up on the agenda for kids’ bush craft classes as the ability to create shelter in the wilderness is an essential survival skill. We’re not trying to shelter ourselves from inclement weather with our den building, but we can still learn and practice these skills for fun.
There are many different types of dens and shelters you can build, but the most simple is the single pole structure made using branches. One long branch is propped against a tree, or supported in a forked stick in the ground, to create an upright pole against which smaller branches are placed to create a small shelter. Branches with leaves and pieces of evergreen foliage can be laid on top to help keep the rain out and there you have it – an easy den that can provide hours of fun and games.
Sheets and tarpaulins can be used to make dens too, some rope tied between two trees can act as a support over which a tarpaulin or sheets is laid, then either pegged out or weighed down with stones to create an inverted V shape, like an old canvas tent. If you want a more open den, use a tarpaulin or sheets pegged on one edge to a rope tied between trees, with the opposite edge staked out to the ground for more of a lean-to style. These are great ones to build near campfires as they trap the heat, keep the rain off, and don’t collect smoke. Be careful when leaving your den in the rain as water can collect in the tarpaulin and accidentally soak anyone nearby when it drops.
Once your den is built, why not read stories, have some snacks and play some games inside it? During the day and evening you can use your den for all sorts of fun and games. If you’re glamping with children, then the adults can cosy up in their den when the kids are asleep and have a nightcap. Make sure you take photos so you can look back and remember the fun you had building and playing in your den.
If you don’t have kids, don’t let that stop you building a den indoors or outdoors, to capture the magic of childhood and reconnect with your inner child.
