Block-and-Fabric Hideout

In groups of four or five, children build a hideout with block walls and a fabric roof, climb in and play whatever comes up: a house, a bear cave, a spaceship… They work on organizing space, cooperating and shared pretend play.

How to play

1. The teacher forms groups and each group picks a corner with its own pile of blocks, fabrics and cushions (2 min).
2. We build the walls with blocks, leaving a door big enough to crawl through (5 min).
3. We put fabrics on top as a roof and cushions inside, crawl in and play whatever we like: a house, a cave, a boat or a castle (6 min).
4. The teacher comes to visit and knocks; each group says what their hideout is and who lives there (3 min).
5. We crawl out and look at the other hideouts from outside (2 min).

Rules

• The hideout belongs to the whole group and everyone fits inside.
• We don't go into another group's hideout unless we're invited.
• If a wall falls down, we all build it back up.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: build a wide door at wheelchair height, or help the child onto a cushion inside.
• Autism: the child can have their own nook inside the hideout and choose who to share it with.
• Visual impairment: the child explores the walls with their hands before going in, and the group describes what's inside.

Learning goals

• Build an enclosed space with large, soft materials.
• Cooperate in a group toward a shared project.
• Develop shared pretend play inside the hideout.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Foam blocks: 40
• Large fabric pieces: 8
• Cushions: 8

Teacher tip

Let play inside be free; your job is to watch, put words to what you see and come in only when invited. The common mistake is rushing them, since building is already part of the game.

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