How to Build a Shelter in the Woods with Your Family

Learn to build safe, fun wilderness shelters with kids of all ages using natural materials and simple techniques.

  1. Choose Your Location Wisely. Look for level ground that's slightly elevated to avoid water pooling. Stay away from dead trees that could fall, and avoid low spots where cold air settles. Find a spot protected from wind but with good drainage. Check for ant hills, poison ivy, or other hazards before you start building. If you're near water, build at least 200 feet away to protect the environment.
  2. Gather Your Materials. Collect long, sturdy branches for your frame - these should be about as thick as your thumb. Gather shorter sticks to fill in gaps. Look for natural insulation like pine needles, leaves, or bark. Dead materials work better than green branches because they're lighter and drier. Make this a fun scavenger hunt for kids, giving each child specific items to find.
  3. Build Your Frame. Start with a simple lean-to design. Find a large fallen log or sturdy tree to serve as your backbone. Lean long branches against this support at a 45-degree angle, creating the basic triangle shape of your shelter. Space the branches about 2-3 feet apart. Make sure the entrance faces away from the prevailing wind direction.
  4. Add the Walls and Roof. Weave smaller branches horizontally between your frame poles to create a lattice. This gives you something to pile your insulation against. Start from the bottom and work your way up, overlapping materials like shingles so water will run off. The shelter should be thick enough that you can't see through it when you're inside.
  5. Insulate and Waterproof. Pile leaves, pine needles, bark, or other natural materials over your frame. Make this layer at least 2-3 feet thick - much thicker than you think you need. Add extra material to the windward side. Create a thick bed of soft materials inside your shelter for comfort and insulation from the cold ground.
  6. Test and Improve. Crawl inside and check for gaps where wind or rain could enter. Have your kids help spot problem areas. Add more materials where needed. Make sure the shelter is big enough for your family but not so big that it's hard to keep warm. Test it gently by having someone carefully lean against it to make sure it's stable.