Instead of heading up the stairs, you can duck under and find this little area.
The lower level of the fort is dedicated to toy and play space. It is complete with a nice clean and convenient toy storage. I just love organization. (I am pretty certain my kids may be doomed to a future of OCD.)
Once you get to the end of the toy storage it splits off the left… This always surprises everyone! At the far end they have “busy board” and a built in tool bench.
What always shocks people even more, is secret room if you continue around the corner!
This fun hideaway has become known as the ball pit…how original.
Complete with wall maze, and basketball hoop. I would have killed for a place like this when I was little. In fact I recall making a “fort” in the dirt crawl space under our house… yeah that was gross.
Fun fact: While we were in the midst of building the fort, my husband brings in a hammer and says…
Andy-” I want to hit a hole in the wall..”
Me- ” Makes sense, Why ? ”
Andy- ” I want to see whats behind this wall” (pointing to a nicely finished wall)
Me- ” Of course you do.”
Well his odd curiosity , is what brought about the ball pit. We busted down the wall made a door and completely finished off the space , that was even further under the stairs. (Yes, this detour project was included in the 5 days we had to finish it.)
“The Upstairs”
If you go up the stairs to the top floor you are greeted by some of the kids favorite characters.
The evening before their birthday I stayed up very late working on these guys. Look how cute Wall-e is even eating popcorn. Why is he eating popcorn ? Because , my dear, they are…
watching a movie ! Can I tell you how nice it is to NOT have to watch/hear Curious George ? It makes all the hard work completely worth it.
On occasion Andy and I will crawl up there with the kids and watch a movie. It is a pretty big space, it can actually fit a twin size mattress… just ask my younger brother. (We may or may not have had him sleep in there.)
The dvd player is conveniently located out side the fort in the hidden storage area behind the treetops/curtains.
My kids love it and when friends come to play, they all just stay in there. It’s great. Not to mention, all of their toys are contained to one place. They aren’t strewn about all over the place. I love it.
So, do you have an odd size storage space somewhere ? Maybe you should sort through all the random books that you now have in digital copy, and clothes that are too small, and make it into a kids hide-away.
Just a thought. You will be glad you did.
Have a great day !
Totally freakin awesomeness!
Thanks Lady! It is one of my favorite parts of the house… We have guests over … “go look in that closet…”. Kids have friends over … “Go play in the fort “. UPS carrier stops by… ” Do you want to see the Fort !?”. I am pretty proud of it.
Un believably cool! I want a space like this to hide from my children and husband! A nice little tree house to read and watch my movies in. Another little space to paint my nails or work on crafts. Wow, you guys are awesome! LOVE this piece!!!!
Thanks Michaela, I think you are on to something, it would just need to be lockable from the inside… Haha
Thanks for reading!
Wow! We made a playhouse/puppet theater under our stairs, but it's got nothing on this! I just showed my husband and he loves the ball pit.
Holy crap! That is awesome and genius!
That is seriously the coolest thing ever! I’m going to have to attempt something similar. Do you think you could post a top view of the tool bench? Or email it to me? That would be my sons favorite spot!
Thanks Amy! Look for an email from me shortly. I basically took their old “workbench” (like the plastic store bought ones) and cut off the top portion and built a shelf that would accommodate it. Do it! My kids seriously love it!
Thanks for reading.