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When it is raining or too cold to go outside and the kids are bored and picking on each other, all I have to do is ask them "Why don't we build a fort today?" Then they are off to create something that takes a little time to build, some time to play in, and a little time to take down.

How to Play

We first create the foundation with six chairs from our breakfast table. We use bedsheets and comforters for our walls and roof. We use pillows from all the beds and couches for our floors and beds.

Then it is decorating time. They both take off to their rooms to collect things to place inside. My daughter returns with babydolls, stuffed animals and purses full of precious essentials. My son comes back with his Nintendo DS, two games, two flashlights, and two whoopie cushions.

I bring them a snack and confiscate the whoopie cushions that I know will lead into a battle. They play for a long time and then it is time to clean it all up. All I have to say (while they are still young) is "Let's race to clean this up and then you both can sit next to me and watch a favorite movie."

When I am too exhausted and just don't want to look at all the mess, I ask them "Who wants to build an ant hill?" They both race off to collect all the pillows in the house and make a pile on the floor. They like to hide underneath the pillows and say "Come stand on our ant hill!" I do this and they come out of their "hill" and give me little tickle pinches. They are the ones who made this game up and it really is fun to play with them and funny!

Submitted by carol