The easiest stick den to build whatever size space you have
Some of my happiest memories are of being curled up on a cushion, in the torchlight, in my very own made den. Usually, my construction methods were chairs, blankets, sheets and cushions. The odd peg here and there for design enhancement and perhaps a broom for additional structure. I took my den building seriously! And I remember how proud I was that I had created my own dwelling. A space that was only mine. Hidden from the rest of the house.
Me in one of my blanket dens
Even better was when we ventured out to the woods to make a proper stick den. Those days were super adventurous. Finding the right location, searching for sticks that were the best fit, looking for leafy branches to make the roof. And then hiding out. Although it was often not as comfy as the living room dens, the sense of achievement was greater because I'd made it outside. It’s still something we love to do with our kids.
Den building taps into one of our 3 basic needs - Food, water and shelter. And when we make our own shelter in a natural environment as kids, it builds a connection with place and a sense of belonging. There is the feeling that you've done something very grown-up.
Mucking about with sticks does involve a little risk. However, encountering a little risk is necessary for learning. In fact, in Forest School, a carefully calculated and managed element of risk is one of the building blocks. Trevor advises that when working with preschoolers it's a good idea to introduce the idea of planning for risk gradually. Starting by building a mini-sized stick den for your favourite toy is a perfect introduction. In a den building activity, we can discuss the structure and introduce the ideas of what kinds of architecture or materials for a den will work. That sounds technical but really it's all about figuring out things like needing strong sturdy sticks to hold up the smaller leafy sticks of your walls and roof, so it doesn't fall in. You can also practice safe ways of breaking, playing with and carrying sticks. Practising these techniques on a small scale is a safer option. And it's much more accessible because you only need a few short sticks, some decorative bits and a small space to make something fabulous. If you have a garden or can access a park or woodland area then this mini den building activity works super well outside. But bringing the materials inside is just as much fun.
Here are three easy to make mini den structures to try.
Tripod
Find 3 or 5 quite sturdy sticks and lean them towards each other to make a simple cone shape. It’s helpful with this type of structure to use some string to tie the tops of the sticks. This provides a firm base and is great for beginner den builders, as it’s less likely to collapse while building. Add some lighter twiggy, leafy sticks around the outside of the structure to form the walls. Leave one section clear for the entrance, and you’re done! If you’re building this den inside, then using a soft blanket as a base gives a good texture for the sticks to sit on without slipping down.
Lean-to
If you don’t have string handy then the simple lean-to den is a perfect introduction to den building and super simple. First, find something to form your main structure and to ‘lean’ all the other sticks on to. This can be a log, a wall, a box or a strong stick. Collect some twigs and sticks and lean them all along one side of your main support. You’ll end up with a triangle-shaped den with ‘doors’ at both ends. Lay some leafy sticks on top to make it extra cosy.
Burrow
If you want to get a bit more adventurous with your den design, you can progress to making a burrow with a curved structure. These take a little more time, but the end result is super cute and there is a huge sense of achievement in creating a more complex design. For this type of den, you’ll need to collect some curved sticks to form the main structure. Arrange the curved sticks in a dome or tunnel shape, crossing over each other to form a strong frame. Use some thinner curved sticks to lay on top, crisis crossing as you go. Finish with leafy sticks or thin pieces of bark. It’s fun to add something soft inside to make a snuggly nest.
During the building process and once you've made the den and your toy is comfortably settled in, there are so many conversations that we can centre around this activity.
What is your favourite thing about your shelter?
What would you do differently next time? What worked well?
What would you like to add? Or take away?
What kinds of homes do animals live in?
How would your den feel in the summer? or winter?
Could you build a person-sized den too?
What kinds of homes do people live in? Where it is hot or cold? Now and in the past?
And of course, there are so many cute photo opportunities :)
Do share your pics of your mini dens with us.
If you like this activity and you'd like access more, along with step-by-step lesson plans, how-to videos and a whole heap of extra resources designed to support early years educators - check out our online membership.
And for more ideas like this one and live stream walks in the woods where we make dens sometimes too :) head on over to our Facebook group. We'd love to see you there.
I hope this blog was useful!
If you enjoyed the ideas, make sure to share it with friends or use the image to Pin on Pinterest!