What is a nature fort?
A nature fort is a shelter or hideout made from natural materials such as fallen sticks, branches and bark. It is a classic part of play outdoors: children (and many adults) enjoy building a small den to sit in, hide in or use as a base for games. It is a play structure, not a survival shelter, so treat it as a fun project, not as protection from harsh weather.
Before you build
Get permission. Build on land where it is allowed. Many parks and nature reserves ask visitors not to build structures or move natural material, and private land needs the owner’s consent. A backyard, a school ground with permission or a woodland that is clearly open to den building are safer choices.
Use fallen wood only. Never break living branches or strip bark from live trees. Collect dead wood from the ground, and check that it is not rotten or full of insects.
Pick a safe site. Look up and around:
- Avoid standing dead trees and broken branches hanging above.
- Avoid steep slopes, stream banks and spots that flood.
- Avoid areas with poison ivy or nests, and check for ticks afterwards where they are common.
- Choose a fairly flat, well-drained spot, with some shelter from the wind.
How to build a fort with no tools
The easiest designs need only sticks you can pick up and carry.
Lean-to
- Find a sturdy support, like a low horizontal branch, a fallen log or two forked sticks pushed firmly into the ground.
- Rest a long, strong ridge pole across the support.
- Lean many smaller sticks along one side of the ridge pole, close together, at a steady angle.
- Cover the gaps with smaller branches, leaves, bracken or bark pieces, working from the bottom up so each layer overlaps.
A lean-to is generally the easiest fort to make, because only one side needs to be built.
Tepee or cone
- Stand three or four long sticks up so they lean together at the top, and tie or wedge them together. If you have no string, use a forked stick at the top.
- Add more sticks around the frame, leaving a gap for a doorway.
- Weave thinner branches through, and fill gaps with leaves and small pieces.
Log or stump fort
Use a fallen log as one wall, and lean sticks against it on both sides. A hollow or bank can give extra structure, but do not dig into banks, since they can collapse.
Tips for stronger builds
- Choose the thickest sticks for the frame and thinner ones for the infill.
- Make the base wide, and keep the structure low.
- Lean sticks at a steady angle and overlap leafy material so it sheds light rain.
- Test it by pushing gently before anyone goes inside. Keep it small enough that a collapse would be harmless.
- Do not let children climb on or sleep in a stick structure without an adult checking it.
Working with tools and rope
Older children and adults sometimes use a small folding saw, a knife or cord to make a more complex den. If you do, only use tools with adult supervision, teach safe handling first and keep them away from younger kids. Lashing with cord is more stable than stacking alone, but is optional.
Ideas to make it fun
- Give it a name, a flag or a door sign.
- Add a floor of leaves to sit on. A dry insulating layer is more comfortable.
- Run a challenge: which team can build a fort that fits two people in 20 minutes?
- Use it as a base for a scavenger hunt or one of the outdoor nature games.
Leaving the site
When you are done, take the fort apart unless you have been given permission to keep it. Spread the sticks and leaves back around the forest floor, take out any cord or rubbish, and leave the area looking as natural as possible. For why this kind of unstructured building matters, see play in nature.
Common questions
What does “make a fort” mean? It means to build a small shelter or hideout, either outdoors from natural materials or indoors from blankets and cushions.
Can I build one without any tools? Yes. A lean-to or tepee can be built entirely from fallen sticks.
What is the easiest fort? A lean-to against a log or low branch is usually the simplest.