One thing that kids do when they are outside is find places to hang out in, hide in, play in, shelter in and make their own; it might be a little cave, a hollow, the overhang of a bush, or a tree that has fallen in the forest and made a warren of rooms. Kids often elaborate on these natural hang outs by adding sticks, logs, rocks and other natural building materials. Given half a chance and a few building strategies, children can put together remarkable structures that will enhance their dramatic play, teach them important outdoor skills and increase their delight in playing outside.
The 6 basic structures that kids can make with some help from adults or older kids are: 1) adding some kind of wall, roof, tunnel, marker to an already somewhat enclosed place; 2) a lean-to where you rest sticks against a horizontal stick, branch, log or pole; 3) an a-frame which is basically a two sided lean-to 4) a tee-pee where you rest sticks against one another at a central point; 5) some kind of rectangular structure that is lashed, woven, pieced or nailed together; 6) a circular structure made from vines and bendable branches. There are other things you can do but most of the structures you make with kids in the woods, in a backyard, or in a vacant lot will follow one of these “designs.”
Working together to construct these make-shift structures is an immensely satisfying activity that draws on many different skills and types of knowledge. And you don’t have to be any kind of expert to start building little hangouts or shelters in the woods. As you proceed by trial, error and inquiry, your structures will become more sophisticated as you learn about the natural materials you are working with and some basic tools and techniques. Ultimately this fundamental form of play can contribute to survival skills and strategies to make it more comfortable to stay outside. Most importantly children will have yet another way of making themselves feel “at home” in the woods. Please add your pictures, designs and experiences building structures in the woods and the backyard in the comments section. See you outside!
Some resources for building shelters from natural materials (and tarps)
https://boyslife.org/outdoors/3473/taking-shelter/
https://www.wildernessawareness.org/articles/how-build-survival-shelter
http://www.mykidsadventures.com/outdoor-survival-shelter/
https://www.edenproject.com/sites/default/files/documents/Mini%20Dens%20lesson%20plan.pdf
This is a long article but it has a great attitude about working with nature, staying calm and having fun even in difficult circumstances, and lots of practical advice on building shelters
https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/wilderness-shelter-zmaz81sozraw