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How to Make a Hut for Kids

Encourage outdoor play with your children and make a hut for kids. According to "Early Childhood News," playing outdoors teaches children about nature and gives them opportunities to be physical. A play hut outside provides children with their own space to be boisterous and explore the environment, and it gives them a place where they can pretend play. Build a simple hut in your backyard using long branches or poles as the structural support. Then, add smaller branches or twigs to fill in the spaces.

Things You'll Need

5 5-foot long branches or poles
Twine
Small branches or twigs
Grass, leaves or vines

Instructions

- 1
  Lean your 5-foot long or longer branches or poles near a wall, fence or large tree for extra support. Ask your children for help finding the right location. Choose branches or poles that are at least 2 inches thick.
- 2
  Wrap the tops of the branches or poles with twine. Weave the twine in and around the tops of the poles approximately 10 inches from the top. Tie it loosely.
- 3
  Spread out the bottom of the poles to open up a space inside the poles, similar to a teepee structure. Tie the top of the poles to your support, such as a fence or tree. Wrap the twine in and around the top of your hut again but tighter this time.
- 4
  Weave the smaller branches perpendicular to the long poles, going under and over the poles. Leave a space for a door in the front, approximately 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- 5
  Ask your kids to find grasses, leaves and vines to continue weaving through the hut. Teach the children to weave under and over the poles and larger branches. Fill in all the empty spaces with the natural materials.

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