Build your best blanket fort ⛺️

Welcome to The Spark (by Hunter at Show Her Off Dance).

Every Thursday, I’m going to send you a quick, five-minute email with fun date night ideas, conversation starters, and resources to help strengthen your relationship.

My goal is to help you and your partner have more fun, feel more closely connected and create more meaningful memories together (just like with Date Night Dancing).

Don’t want to receive the email? You can unsubscribe by clicking here.

Date Night

I’m feeling a bit playful this week and wanted to share the sentiment with you! 

Do you feel like you have enough playfulness in your relationship?

And in your life in general?

I find that doing something that makes me feel like a kid lightens my mood and makes me smile.

For this week’s date night idea, let’s play! 🛝

A Date Night Blanket Fort

Did you ever make indoor forts when you were younger?

Channel your inner child for this one.

Here’s how to create a blanket fort:

1. Gather supplies: pillows, blankets, sheets, clothespins, binder clips, tape, string, heavy books/objects, fairy lights and faux candles 

For an impressive touch (or if you prefer to sit on the couch instead of the floor), buy some wooden dowels to create a higher “ceiling” over your couch (you can also use broomsticks, but you’ll need 2-3).

2. Clear some space in front of your couch and line 2 sides with chairs (3 on each side is ideal, with the seats facing outwards)

3. Throw cozy blankets over the chairs to act as “walls”

4. Throw a comfy blanket on the floor and add a duvet to induce maximum cuddles

5. Add as many pillows as you can along the outsides

6. Put sheets over top to make the “ceiling” and secure them with heavy books on the chair seats

7. Use clothespins to clip the sheet open for your entrance

8. You can also secure wooden dowels between your couch cushions and drape another sheet over them to create a higher “ceiling”  

9. Use clothespins or binder clips to fasten lights around the interior

10. Grab your favourite snacks and go rest inside the fort after all that effort!

Need visual instructions? This video walks you through it.

Here’s another video I found with instructions for how to make 3 different kinds of forts: an A-frame, a canopy and a tepee. You’ll need some rope.

Budget: $25 if you need to buy fairy lights, some clips and wooden dowels

I’d love to see what kind of fort you come up with! ⛺

The Love Lab

While building an indoor fort is a fun idea for date night, can it have a longer-lasting impact?

Yes!

Well, adding playfulness to your relationship is what will give you an enduring effect.

So what are the benefits of playfulness, according to researchers?

• Closer and more satisfying relationships  

• Gives you a sense of security with your partner

• Offers you a light way to communicate

• Fosters emotional intimacy and creates a bond

• Breaks down barriers or awkwardness

• Playfulness can be used to seduce your partner

• It can even help resolve conflicts

What also develops if couples are playful with each other is a sort of secret language: think cute nicknames, inside jokes and light-hearted teasing.

Of course, flirting can reach new heights when you add a dash of playfulness.

There’s also role play: within a playful relationship, each person can explore their interests, desires, fantasies or re-create special memories.

For more about the psychology and science behind playfulness for couples, have a read of this article.

Who’s up for a game of tag? 😄