INSPIRATIONS - simple dens

Simple den-building activities using everyday materials, with ideas and tips to help children create their own snug shelters in outdoor and early years settings.

Introduction

Support imaginative play and independence with this collection of simple den-building ideas designed for younger children. Using everyday materials such as blankets, ropes and natural supports, these activities show how easy it is to create inviting shelter spaces indoors or outdoors.

Ideal for early years settings, Forest School and home education, the guidance includes practical tips for setting up resources and encouraging child-led exploration. Children can experiment with structure, space and design while developing teamwork, problem-solving and confidence.

A flexible and accessible resource that helps practitioners and families nurture creativity, independence and a sense of belonging through den-making play.

Photos have been kindly provided by Jane Wratten & Slinn St STARters Community Pre-School, Sheffield.

* Muddy Faces actively promotes child-led outdoor play & learning (see the intro. to our Outdoor Play section for more on this). We recognise and believe in the curiosity that children have and their drive to explore and discover. We hope that you will bear this in mind when considering more prescribed activities like this one – often much more creative ideas will occur if resources are simply provided and children are given the time and space to explore independently.

What you'll need

a selction of loose parts

This activity has been provided by

Useful items from our shop

Item available from our shop

Environmental Considerations

Consider the environmental impact of preparing, carrying out & completing this activity. Could this impact be reduced? Specific considerations for this activity could include:

protecting trees from frictional rubbing

Health & Safety Considerations

Follow your usual operating procedures and carry out appropriate risk benefit assessments.
Some considerations particular to this activity include:

use of cord/rope
storage of den building equipment
avoid bamboo canes (sharp when they break) & ends can poke eyes

Moving the indoors outside – easy den building

Children love to build dens and they are so imaginative in their creations that they do not need special “den equipment”. If you look around your setting you will be able to locate many different items that are perfect for building dens. Why not take this equipment outside and let the children show you how it can be used?

Tables and chairs, a clothes airer, perhaps a plastic indoor climbing frame or even a pop-up tent or tunnel can make wonderful den frames. Old sheets and blankets or a table cloth, some lengths of fabric or even some old curtains make ideal den covers. Try jazzing it all up with some colourful organza or sequin fabric!

Cosy cardboard cave

Large cardboard boxes lend themselves perfectly to building a den – maybe the children can even decorate the inside of the box with paint or crayons.

Smaller cardboard boxes or empty plastic storage boxes are good for stacking when building walls.

Basket burrow

A large container like this basket, placed on its side, immediately becomes a ready-made den waiting to be customised by its occupants.

A large sheet or blanket draped over the top gives a sense of enclosure and, when inside, the occupants can pretend the world outside is a very different one.

Tipi

Tipis made from old broom handles, clothes poles or long sticks can provide an excellent frame.

Provide some rope, string or wool for securing the top, and materials for round the outside. An old sheet could be painted on.

Ton bag tent

Use a ton bag supported by poles for a perfect pop-up small space.

Stick props work to support the bag but are not very stable. Try lashing a cube frame to fit inside, or use the straps or tie the top corners to a fence. A perfect problem solving project for young minds!

Other den activities on the Outdoor Hub

INSPIRATIONS - tarpaulin dens

Simple tarpaulin den-building ideas showing how to create quick shelters using tarps and ropes, suitable for outdoor learning, Forest School and all-weather play.

Tarp den on a yard or hard space

Top tips on how to create a den in a school yard where fixing points are minimal.

INSPIRATIONS - dens with branches

Learn how to build woodland dens using branches, with simple centrally-supported shelter ideas to develop practical outdoor skills in Forest School and outdoor learning settings.

Developing skills & resources

Design skills are key to a successful den and, by having a range of different-sized and shaped materials, children will have to consider logically and look carefully at the individual materials they are using. Over time you can build up your resources, providing a range of materials that can be used in many different ways.

Why not find a wooden pallet or an old fence panel (check for nails and any other hazards), supply resources to ensure it can be secured safely, and let the group or child do the rest?