Families who live in an area with enough snow should definitely take advantage of it this year. Planning and constructing a snow fort together will make memories that last a whole lot longer than the snow.
The Primitive Snow Fort
One popular design for a snow fort resembles an underground snow cave. This design has a roof, but ends up looking a little more primitive than the snow barricade, which can have brick constructed walls and squared off doorways and windows.
Start building a primitive snow fort by shoveling a pile large enough for whoever plans on going inside. Drifts made by snow plows might have already taken care of this step.
The pile needs to be packed firmly. Kids can walk on it, jump on it, and anything else they can think of to compress the mound.
Burrow out a doorway and then use a trowel to tunnel into the inside of the fort. A parent can help clear out the center and make certain the walls are at least a foot thick. Parents will want to supervise while kids are playing inside.
Kids can poke peep holes into their forts roof to let in a little light or peek outside with a toy periscope.
The Snow Barricade
To build an above-ground fort, kids will need a Rubbermade box or tub for making bricks. Kids can pack snow into the tub, then dump the brick out with a few shakes or swats to the bottom of the tub. Packing loose snow between the bricks will help to stabilize the wall.
Tips for making bricks from snow that’s a little too powdery include adding a little water before packing. Kids can add the bricks to their wall, but may want to let them freeze overnight before testing them out under the pressure of a snowball fight.
Parents and kids can add a door or windows to their fort by leaving an open space for several rows of bricks. To form the top of the door or window, a plank of wood can be set over the opening and allow for more rows of bricks on top.
Families can have fun furnishing the forts with snacks, flashlights, sleeping bags, stools, or chairs. A well-built fort stands a good chance of hanging around at least as long as the snow.
There’s no end to the fun families can enjoy in the snow this winter. For more great ideas, parents can check out how to put a curve on a standard snowball fight, how to play two fun games in the snow, and how to get artistic in the snow.
