Maker Play Brings Magic To The Holidays With Forts!
Posted November 21, 2018 by Fort Magic
During the holiday season, things can sometimes get a little chaotic. Between family gatherings and festive activities, sometimes some of the “magic” gets lost in the mix. Luckily, Fort Magic can help to bring it back! Kids can use hands-on fort building for a great maker play experience.
What is Maker Play?
Kids have great imaginations that can take them anywhere. They can take a simple cardboard box and make it into a secret hideout. That same box can become a rocket ship. Anything can be made into anything their minds come up with!
“Maker play” is a way for kids to learn through play and imagination using problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork with whatever is available to them at that moment. Using Fort Magic to build forts (or create something completely new) is a great way for kids to show their maker play skills. 
How Is Fort Building Educational?
Every day, adults use skills such as problem-solving, working as a team, or coming up with new and creative ideas. This is true when it comes to our kids’ lives as well! Fort building utilizes each of these skills with play in mind, to teach and reinforce these skills in their everyday lives.
When building forts, kids must come up with a design and create it with the pieces and parts they are given. They have to work together as a team to figure out how each part will fit and make the design that they want. Through this process of playing, they continue to learn in a fun, hands-on way.
Start Out With Something Simple
Maker Play uses what is available around you to create something new. When you first introduce your kids to this type of play, begin with something simple for them to build. This way, they won’t get too overwhelmed or discouraged. Perhaps you can ask your kids to use their Fort Magic kit to make something small that reminds them of the holidays?
If your kids need help, give them a few ideas to get them started. Maybe a toy store or a play kitchen for baking Christmas cookies? Once they get more comfortable and confident, they can work on creating more extravagant forts.
Add Colorful Lights and Festive Music
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the holidays, comforting music and colorful lights are the first thing to pop in my head. After your kids have worked hard creating and building their fort, help them to add a few strands of lights in and around the fort. Don’t forget to turn on the radio and tune to some holiday music, too!
This will instantly add a spark of holiday magic and make this into something they will always remember. There is nothing more magical than to see the glow and sparkle of the lights while you all sing along to a good holiday tune.
Maker play makes learning and gaining educational skills a breeze. If your kids do not have a Fort Magic Kit of their own, now is a great time to get one for them! Your kids will love how much fun they will have working together and creating something they are proud of with Fort Magic.
Photo Credits:
Play At Home Mom Blog: This super-amazing blog is definitely one of our favorites. Loaded with fun ideas for DIY playtime, with an always-present educational spin.
Fort Magic Customer Photos via Facebook: Visit our Fort Magic Facebook page to see our customer creativity shine with fun pics and videos of families enjoying their Fort Magic kit during playtime.
Fort Magic Customer Photos via Instagram: Visit our Fort Magic Instagram page to see our customer creativity shine with fun pics and videos of families enjoying their Fort Magic kit during playtime.
