How to build a den!

Building a den is a bit like playing with Lego – you get those who stick to the rules and follow instructions religiously, and freewheelers (me!) who might not end up with the prettiest end result but it’s all about the journey! The little woodland on the edge of Riddlesworth Park has become a den builders paradise so we thought we’d share some den building basics.

Woods are home to shy animals and fragile plants, so be beady eyed as you build

Find long, straight branches and sticks as well as lots of thin, bendy sticks (just the ones on the ground – those on the trees are busy keeping our air healthy!)

AI Gen Image of a Sturdy Tree with branches scattered

Find a sturdy tree ideally with a low-ish branch that you can lean your tee-pee style structure against

Start propping your long, straight sticks in the fork, fanning them out as you go (making sure you leave an entrance large enough to crawl in and out of)

If you want an extra secure den, you can weave bendy sticks in and out of the upright sticks to make battle-proof walls

Cover your den with camouflage

Let the fun begin!

Building dens is an adventure for kids of all ages! It gets your brains buzzing with cool ideas and tricky problems to solve. You can also team up with friends to make the best den ever, learning how to talk and share ideas.

And the best part? You’ll be jumping, running, and playing outside in the fresh air! So, grab some sticks, a little imagination, and let the fun begin! Thumbs up for den-building!

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