Cosy creations and den-tastic fun!
Reasons to build a den:
- No cost involved: it is fun and free
- It can be done both inside and outside: at home with blankets and chairs, or when out somewhere like the woods
- Quality time: spending time with your child with no pressure, right or wrongs
- Communication skills: it is an opportunity for your child to ask questions, give/receive instructions and learn new words
- Problem solving: it gives your child a chance to problem solve by working out what works and what doesn’t
- Perseverance: it is an opportunity for your child to develop key skills such as perseverance
- Creativity: it encourages your child to be creative in a different way with independent thoughts and ideas
- Bonding: it can be a nice bonding activity between family and friends
- Happy memories: it can bring back happy childhood memories for yourself and make new memories for your child to treasure
Top tips:
- Get cosy: once you have built your den, it can become a quiet cosy space for you and your child to cuddle up together and share stories
- Play games: your den can host a variety of games such as hide and seek, mum’s and dad’s, tea parties with teddies, ‘I spy’ etc
- Explore: put a treasure basket in the den for your child to explore and discover new things – your child may start using describing words for the items which is a wonderful opportunity for you to share new words, expand their vocabulary and their imagination
