Too much time indoors might be every parent's worst nightmare. Though your kids can always resort to video games [1] when they're cooped up inside, they can only spend so long sitting in front of a screen. If you're looking to inspire a little imagination in your children even when they're inside, then an indoor fort-building kit [2] might be the investment you need. Rather than creating makeshift forts out of all your couch cushions, fort-building kits allow your kids to create durable structures all on their own (and they might just learn a thing or two along the way). Check out the gallery for some of the best fort kits out there.
Crazy Forts Fort Building Kit
The Crazy Forts Fort Building Kit [4] ($43, originally $50) includes 44 durable rods and 25 toggles, which can be put together to create a house, a tunnel, an igloo, a castle, or a rocket ship. The structures are strong enough to support a sheet or blanket on top, and the kit also includes instructions for easy construction.
Lakeshore Ultimate Fort Building Kit
Though a little bit pricy, the Lakeshore Ultimate Fort Builder [5] ($104, originally $119) has everything kids need to build a variety of structures, including 45 sturdy poles, 25 snap connectors, and an easy-to-follow building guide. Don't forget to throw a bed sheet on top of the finished product!
Matchaccino Construction Fort Building Kit
With 28 geometric balls and 49 reinforced sticks, the Matchaccino Construction Fort Building Kit [6] ($40) allows kids to put together a variety of structures from the kid-friendly building guide (or design their own unique creations). The set also comes with a storage bag for easy transportation and clean up.
Fun Forts Fort Building Kit
The Fun Forts Fort Building Kit [7] ($40) comes with 52 connecting rods and 29 multilink spheres, which can be attached to create a castle, rocket, igloo, mansion, and more. The included building guide helps your kids put together their masterpieces, and the pieces are sturdy enough to support a sheet on top.
Funphix Glow in the Dark Fort Building Kit
Designed for easy assembly, the Funphix Glow in the Dark Fort Building Kit [8] ($45) includes 49 sticks and 28 connector balls, as well as an instruction manual with building inspiration. The best part: The sticks glow in the dark, so the fun doesn't have to end after lights out.
HearthSong Cabin Fantasy Fort Building Kit
For a whimsical step up, the HearthSong Cabin Fantasy Fort Building Kit [9] ($50) features sturdy cardboard panels that look like wood paneling, with intuitive hook and loop connectors.
Antsy Pants Build and Play Fort Building Kit
Featuring durable colour-coded poles and snap-and-click connectors, the 75-piece Antsy Pants Build and Play Fort Building Kit [10] ($50) was made to last for years of play.
HearthSong Chalkboard Fantasy Fort Building Kit
Rather than poles and connectors, this 16-piece HearthSong Chalkboard Fantasy Ford Building Kit [11] ($59, originally $65) comes with heavy-duty cardboard connectable panels and hook fastener connectors for a different construction experience. Eight of those panels also feature chalkboard on one side for doodling.
HearthSong Plastic Fantasy Fort Building Kit
Rather than cardboard, the HearthSong Plastic Fantasy Fort Building Kit [12] ($52, originally $70) comes with 16 connectable panels made with weather-resistant plastic for indoor and outdoor use.
HearthSong Cato Fantasy Fort Building Kit
Similar to the chalkboard kit, the HearthSong Cato Fantasy Fort Building Kit [13] ($83, originally $88) features cardboard panels, though this camouflage-printed set comes with 32 panels for building even bigger structures.