How to build a ‘duvet den’

Digital detox fun for National Unplugging Day

This year’s National Unplugging Day is held on Sunday 26th June 2016 and The Fine Bedding Company is encouraging UK parents to disconnect and spend the day unplugged and away from technology from within a Duvet Den.

National Unplugging Day is a great starting point to encourage families to rediscover digital down time and low cost activities to entertain children ahead of the extended summer school holidays.

The cost of keeping 2.4 children entertained over the six-week school summer holiday is estimated to be £2,500* and in a survey by The Fine Bedding Company:

• Three quarters of parents said they struggle financially during the school holidays
• 80% said they struggle with ideas for how to keep their children busy.

Follow Family magazine’s top tips to inspire and encourage parents and children to get creative at home, and have fun without Wi-FI and without spending money by creating ‘the ultimate duvet den’.

Here’s our step-by-step guide

You will need:

• A large, light synthetic duvet: the bigger the better
• Blankets or sheets for the floor
• Pillows, sofa cushions, sleeping bags
• Clothes pegs to secure the duvet in place
• Bunting
• ‘Keep out’ sign or similar
• Torch or other safe light source
• String
• Books
• Games
• Snacks
• Extension cable

Step one

Lay a blanket or sheet on the floor and position four chairs opposite each other; they should be close enough together for the duvet to drape over the chairs and over the seat cushions ideally.

Gather pillows and cushions to fill the den and provide comfy cushioning – ideally around the corners and along the back wall. Weave string in-between the top of the chairs to form a support for the roof and attach fairy lights on to it with pegs. Use an extension cable for the lights if needed.

Step two

Lift the duvet over the top of the chairs ensuring it covers the lights and provides a cover at the back. Ideally position the den against a wall or sofa for additional support. The duvet should hang over the two front chairs by a couple of inches. You can fill in the spaces with white sheets to ensure the roof and sides reach the floor.

Step three

Decorate the den with items like bunting, tea sets, cuddly toys, and books. The children will then ‘make this their own space’ and come up with their own ideas of what to have in the den. Why not get them, to design ‘keep out!’ signs or draw their name?