Fort Kit Birthday Gift Idea

In the age of enviromental awareness, repurposing materials has become quite popular. I love finding new uses for old things. Sometimes my husband accuses me of being a borderline hoarder. But who can get rid of a suitcase that would make a lovely dog bed, a dresser with good bones just waiting for a facelift, or old windows whose uses are limitless!

I recently came across an idea on pinterest for repurposing sheets. A FORT KIT! This idea makes a great gift. 

     You will need:

Flashlight

2 twin sheets

An old tee shirt or any scrap material

Rope

Clamps

A pillow case

Glow sticks

Clothes pins

Felt (optional)

Any other personl, fun tidbit you think the recipient may like. My kids love to add candy to the mix...

Card stock (also optional for the tag)

You can find a lot of these items at any second hand shop. Once I made so many of these for gifts that I ran out of materials and was in a pinch. I and was able to actually purchase new sheets for $5 a peice, a two pack pillow case set for $5, and the rope, flashlight, glow sticks, and clothes pins for around $1 each. The big bag of clamps was enough for two gifts and cost about $7. So if you can't reuse this still makes an inexpensive super fun gift!

Directions:

Cut the tee shirt into long strips (at least 8 inches or longer)

Fold the strips in half and sew them along the edges of the sheets, evenly spaced. Three across the top, three across the bottom, and three more along both sides of the sheets. These are the ties for the fort.

That was the most time consuming part so give your self a pat on the back! The rest is a breeze...

I like to cut a piece of felt into a shape or the first letter of the child's name and hand stitch it onto the pillowcase for a personal touch.

Cut a piece of the rope long enough to tie around the top of the bag, or you can use a clamp.

Print out or hand write a tag such as:

Put the clothes pins, rope, flashlight, glow sticks, and clamps into the pillow case

It's nice to use scrap fabric to make little bags to hold them if you are feeling so inspired.