Creating a DIY Garden Den for Toddlers

Looking for a creative project that your toddler can get involved with?

Why not combine outdoor play with creativity by building a garden den! This can provide your child with endless fun whilst nurturing their imagination and cognitive development.

Why Should You Build a Den?

Studies have shown a link between imaginative play and children’s development. Research conducted by Whitebread et al. (2017) from the University of Cambridge found that pretend play helps children develop essential cognitive skills such as problem-solving, language development and social understanding.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Garden Den

Location

First, choose your location. The ideal location would be one that is relatively shaded, or in a corner where there are some natural windbreaks to stop the den from being blown away or exposed to too much sunlight. Ensure the ground is even to help your project when building the den, but to also prevent and trips or falls.

Gather Your Materials

Your material does not need to be fancy or expensive to create a wonderful den that your toddler will enjoy. Here is a list of basic supplies we recommend:

• Bamboo canes or wooden poles
• Old bedsheets
• String or garden twine
• Pegs
• Cushions and blankets for comfort
• Fairy lights (battery-operated for safety)

***If you are unable to find bamboo canes or wooden poles, three sturdy chairs will do, these can be any chairs you have in your home. ***

Setting Up Your Frame

For a simple tepee-style den, arrange 3 or 4 bamboo or wooden poles in a cone shape. Digging each into the ground for extra support and having each one lean on the other when connecting at the top.

To stabilise your tepee den, wrap string around the top of your cone-shaped den. This way you can ensure structure support from the bottom and top of your build to prevent it from collapsing.

If you would prefer a slightly larger den, you can build a rectangular shape by using a few extra poles and at least one longer pole. Push two poles into the ground on either side which cross each other at the top of the den, do the same on the other side, tie these with strings to ensure the crossed tips stay where they are, and now add a longer poll across both these sides. So, this way you would of placed vertical poles on each corner, and connected them with a horizontal pole from the top.

For an easier alternative using three chairs, just place your chair with the back of the chair facing each other in a circle or triangle shape, you can push them into the group slightly to ensure they are stable (if placed on grass).

Add Your Den’s Cover

Drape the bed sheets over your frame and secure the sheets using pegs to ensure it does not fly away or fall once you are comfortably in your den. Allow some overlap to create an entrance.

If using the rectangular frame or chairs, you may need multiple sheets to cover all the sides.

Decorate the Inside

Line the floor of the den with a bedsheet or blankets and pile a bunch of cushions around and on tops of the sheets to make it comfortable to sit in. This is where your toddler’s imagination will come to life – from one day using the den as a pirate’s ship, to the next using it as their own little castle!

Get your toddler involved by having them collect their favourite soft toys to place in the den and place some battery-operated fairy lights inside to create a magical retreat experience.

Encourage Imaginative Play

Once your den project is ready, encourage your child to use it in different ways. Here are a few suggestions:

• Storytime Nook: Enjoy reading each to each other or creating a fun story time moments filled with funny voices and expressions to bring characters to life.
• Tea Party Galore: Have your child hold a tea party for their teddy bears, as the special guest or helper, why not bring along some sandwiches?
• Explorers Camp: Leave your child a treasure map with hints and visuals for a treasure hunt around the house and garden. Add some extra fun by leaving them a pair of binoculars!
• Quiet time retreat: Have your child use their den for quiet time, a place where they can unwind and relax with their favourite soft toys.

Making use of your den in a multitude of ways allows your child to explore different roles and scenarios, helping them understand the world around them and build on their creativity. This can support language development as they invent stories and communicate their ideas. Using this space for both active play and quiet play will help children regulate their emotions and will play an essential role in their overall well-being. Read more about imaginative play in our blog ‘Nurturing Imagination in Children Through Play’.

By creating a den for toddlers, you will be giving them a gift that goes beyond just fun play time, it will aid their cognitive development as well as their adventurous nature! For an easy den solution, check out our kids tents, these are easy to set up and even easier to put away. Happy den building.

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