Rainy Day Blanket Fort Ideas for Kids: Free Planner

Download the free printable cards

What can children do on a rainy day at home?

Here are fort ideas and games to fill a whole wet afternoon. Pick a few, tick them off the planner and build as you go.

Build the fort

1. Line up two chairs for the back wall and the sofa for the front
2. Drape your biggest blanket over the top as a roof
3. Peg the corners to the chair backs so they stay put
4. Tuck a blanket under the sofa cushions to hold one wall
5. Lay a soft blanket on the floor inside for a cosy base
6. Pile cushions along the edges to block the draughts
7. Leave one side open as a door you can crawl through
8. Add a small torch inside for a warm glow
9. Hang a soft toy at the entrance as a doorkeeper

Cosy it up

1. Bring in a favourite teddy to be the fort guard
2. Add a cushion each so everyone has a seat
3. Pack a few books to read by torchlight
4. Make a sign for the door, such as Knock Twice
5. Bring a water bottle and a healthy snack inside
6. Add a blanket for each person to snuggle under
7. Shine the torch on the roof and spot the shapes
8. Give the fort a name and whisper the password

Play inside the fort

1. Tell a story where each person adds one line
2. Play shadow puppets on the blanket wall with the torch
3. Have a quiet reading time with a stack of picture books
4. Play I Spy with things you can see from inside
5. Guess the sound as someone taps or rustles outside
6. Play a gentle game of dominoes on the flat floor
7. Hunt for a hidden teddy you tucked away earlier
8. Have a pretend picnic with play food
9. Draw a map of your fort and label the rooms
10. Count how many cushions you used to build it

How to build a blanket fort, step by step

1. Print the planner and tick what you have.
2. Set chairs and the sofa as your walls.
3. Drape blankets over the top and peg the corners.
4. Fill the floor with cushions and add a torch.
5. Climb in, bring a book and play.

Ways to use the blanket fort planner

• Turn it into a quiet corner. Once the fort is up, use it as a calm reading nook. A torch and a few books make a lovely wind down before tea.
• Add a game night. Bring a flat board inside and play together by torchlight. A set of giant dominoes sits well on a blanket floor and is easy for small hands.
• Make it a pretend den. Let the fort become a shop, a cave or a spaceship. Props from a pretend play food set keep the story going for ages.
• Use it for a torch adventure. Dim the lights and explore with a projector torch. A space torch and projector turns the roof into a starry sky.
• Plan the build together. Hand the planner to your child and let them tick off and gather each item. Collecting the kit is half the fun and builds independence.

Games and gifts for rainy days indoors

These are our favourite things to bring into a blanket fort or set up nearby when the rain keeps you in. Pick a mix of quiet games, craft and pretend play to see the afternoon through.

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Giant Dominoes - Wooden Dominoes SetShop nowSpace Torch & Projector - Space ToyShop nowDinosaur Torch & Projector - Torch ToyShop nowSnakes and Ladders with Ludo - Family Board GameShop nowFour in a Row - Counting Game for KidsShop nowPretend Play Food Set - Wooden Fruit and VegShop nowMini Whiteboard - Educational ToyShop nowRainbow Scratch Paper - Scratch Art PadShop nowScavenger Hunt GameShop nowKids Building Blocks - Montessori ToyShop nowUnder The Sea Puzzles - Kids Wooden JigsawShop nowAnimal Dominoes - Wildlife GameShop nowGiant Playing CardsShop nowRain Sound Maker - Rainmaker Sensory ToyShop now

Blanket forts by age and key stage

What children learn from building a blanket fort

• Planning. Ticking off the kit and deciding where walls go helps children think a task through from start to finish.
• Problem solving. Working out why a blanket keeps slipping and how to fix it builds patient, practical thinking.
• Imagination. A fort becomes a cave, a shop or a ship, which stretches storytelling and pretend play.
• Teamwork. Holding corners and passing cushions teaches children to share a job and take turns.
• Physical skills. Lifting, draping, pegging and crawling use whole body movement and steady hands.

More free Christmas printables

Every one is free to print, and each has its own guide.

Swipe or scroll sideways to see more

Rainy Day Sensory Play CardsFree printableRainy Day Colour HuntFree printableRainy Day BingoFree printableRainy Day Mini OlympicsFree printableRainy Day Obstacle Course CardsFree printableRainy Day Box City ChallengeFree printableRainy Day Comic Strip MakerFree printableRainy Day Escape RoomFree printableDesign a Board GameFree printable

Make it a Christmas tradition

A blanket fort is one of those simple habits that children remember for years. Keep a basket of spare blankets and a torch handy so you can build at short notice when rain stops play. Let the fort stay up for a day or two if you have the space, and change the game inside each time. Over the years it becomes your own family signal that a cosy, slow afternoon is on the way.

Frequently asked questions

How do you build a blanket fort?

Use chairs or a sofa for the walls, drape blankets over the top, peg the corners and fill the floor with cushions. Leave one side open as a door.

What age is a blanket fort for?

It suits ages 4 and up. Younger children enjoy it too, with a grown-up building the frame.

What do I need to build one?

Blankets, cushions, a few chairs or a sofa, some clothes pegs and a torch. The printable planner lists it all so you can tick off what you have.

How do I stop the blankets slipping?

Peg the corners to the chair backs and tuck one edge under the sofa cushions. Heavier blankets stay in place better than light ones.

What can children do inside the fort?

Read by torchlight, tell stories, play shadow puppets, have a pretend picnic or play a quiet game like dominoes on the floor.

Is it safe to use a torch inside?

A small battery torch is best. Keep it away from fabric and never use candles or anything hot. Always stay nearby while children play.

How long does it take to build?

Around twenty to forty minutes, including gathering the kit. Letting children help with the planning is part of the fun.

What games work well in a fort?

Quiet, flat games suit a blanket floor. See our gift ideas above for dominoes, cards and torches that fit a cosy den.

Browse by age and type

Indoor gamesEducational toys for 3 to 5 year oldsToys for 4 year oldsLet's Pretend rangeFamily gamesGifts for kidsWooden toysArts and crafts sets

Jaques of London is Britain's oldest toy and games company, founded in 1795. We have spent over 230 years making games families play together, from chess and croquet to wooden toys for the very young.

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Written by the Jaques of London team. Last updated 1 November 2026.