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Make a secret space

Make a secret space
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Create a cozy secret space using cardboard boxes, blankets, cushions, and markers; design a hidden entrance, personalize decorations, and organize a flashlight and books.

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Step-by-step guide to create a cozy secret space

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The best space video for kids! LET'S EXPLORE SPACE! Educational video for children.

What you need
Adult supervision required, blanket, books, cardboard boxes, cushions, decorating materials (paper stickers), flashlight, markers, scissors, string and clips, tape

Step 1

Gather all the materials and bring them to one clean floor area so everything is ready.

Step 2

Pick a safe corner or space in your room where your secret space will be built.

Step 3

Place the largest cardboard box on its side to make the main room for your secret space.

Step 4

Ask an adult to help cut a doorway in the box so you can crawl in and out safely.

Step 5

Tape another box to the first box to make the space bigger or make a hidden tunnel.

Step 6

Spread the blanket and arrange the cushions inside the box to make a cozy spot to sit or lie down.

Step 7

Use markers to draw a secret name and fun decorations on the outside walls of your hideout.

Step 8

Attach a small fabric flap or curtain over the doorway using clips or tape to make a hidden entrance.

Step 9

Put the flashlight and a few favorite books inside and place them where you can reach them easily.

Step 10

Make a tiny secret sign or a folded map on paper and hide it in a special pocket inside your space.

Step 11

Have an adult check the secret space for stability and any sharp edges and help fix anything that is unsafe.

Step 12

Share your finished secret space and a photo or story about it on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of a large cardboard box if we can't find one?

If you don't have a large cardboard box, drape a blanket over chairs, use a play tent or a laundry basket turned on its side to make the main room and then follow the step to arrange cushions and a blanket inside.

The taped tunnel keeps falling apart and the doorway is jagged—how do we fix that?

Have an adult smooth or trim the doorway, pad any sharp edges with extra tape, and reinforce the taped connection between boxes with strong duct or packing tape plus an internal cardboard brace for stability.

How can we adapt this secret space for different ages?

For toddlers, make a smaller supervised hideout using a blanket over chairs with soft cushions and an adult cutting the doorway, while older kids can tape several boxes into a longer tunnel, decorate with markers, add a folded map and flashlight, and include books to read inside.

How can we extend or personalize the secret space after it's built?

Personalize it by painting or adding stickers to the outside walls, attaching battery LED string lights and a fabric curtain for the doorway, making a secret pocket for the folded map, and placing the flashlight and favorite books inside to create stories to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to create a cozy secret space

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Our Solar System - Exploring Space with Kids Academy! Intresting facts 🌟🚀

4 Videos

Facts about building indoor forts and play spaces

🛏️ Blankets trap body heat, which is why a blanket fort feels extra warm and snuggly inside.

📦 Cardboard became widely available in the 19th century and kids have used boxes for imaginative play ever since.

🛋️ Cushions and pillows have been used for comfort and seating for thousands of years—perfect for making a cozy fort floor.

🔦 Handheld flashlights were made possible after reliable dry-cell batteries were invented in the late 1800s, letting explorers carry light on the go.

📚 Turning a corner into a reading nook inside a fort makes storytime feel like a secret adventure.

How do I make a cozy secret space with cardboard boxes and blankets?

To create a cozy secret space, group cardboard boxes or a small tent area and drape blankets to form walls and a roof. Cut a hidden entrance flap and secure edges with tape or clips. Add cushions and a low pile rug for comfort. Let your child personalize with markers, stickers, or paper stars. Organize a flashlight, a small basket of favorite books and snacks, and test ventilation and visibility before play.

What materials do I need to make a secret space with boxes and blankets?

You'll need cardboard boxes (or a pop-up tent), blankets or sheets, cushions, and heavy tape or clothespins to secure fabric. Add markers, stickers, string lights or paper stars, a flashlight, a small rug, and a basket for books and snacks. Optional: scissors, paint, safety-cutting tools, non-slip mat, and a battery-operated lantern. Avoid loose cords; choose LED lights and child-safe materials.

What ages is this secret space activity suitable for?

This activity suits toddlers to preteens: roughly ages 2–12. Toddlers (2–4) need hands-on help and supervision for cutting or tape. Preschoolers (4–6) enjoy decorating and small structure building with adult guidance. School-age kids (7–12) can design entrances, arrange decorations, and add simple lighting independently. Adjust complexity and safety: use no small choking hazards for younger children and always supervise scissors or lights.

What safety tips should I follow when kids build a secret space?

Safety tips: build stable walls and keep entrances wide enough for quick exit. Use battery-powered LED lights instead of candles, secure loose blankets to avoid tripping, and avoid small decorations that pose choking risks. Keep a parent nearby for younger children and check for good airflow to prevent stuffiness. Teach children how to exit and use the flashlight safely. Regularly inspect the hideout for wear and remove broken items.
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Make a secret space. Activities for Kids.