It’s a truth universally acknowledged that everything is better in a fort. Reading, tablet time, sibling meetings, slumber parties, you name it — it’s all a little more magical when a fort is involved. Adults, however, know another universal truth about forts: They can be a pain to clean up. But not AirForts!
Designed for kids ages 3 and up, AirForts are inflatable play spaces that are super easy to set up and offer endless play potential. The premise is fairly straightforward: The AirFort features a large, tent-like play space that’s attached to a short tunnel. An adult or an older child can attach a fan — not included — to the end of that tunnel, plug it in, and watch as the air inflates the play space in less than 30 seconds. (The toy is designed to use with a square box fan, but I once used a round fan and a rubber band in a pinch, and it still worked!)
Once the AirFort is inflated, you’ll be surprised how roomy it is inside. Toddlers can certainly stand up, five kids can hang out comfortably together, and even adults can join in on the AirFort fun. Getting in and out of the AirFort is easy, because there is no floor: You lift up the edge and duck under. This lets out a bit of the air, but the fan will fill it back up fast enough that it won’t deflate. Between the duck-under entry and the AirForts’ polyester material, the Airfort experience is very similar to how it feels to lift up a parachute and duck under — but the constant airflow means you don’t have to sit on the edge to keep it inflated!
That polyester material is also super breathable. Between that and the fan constantly bringing in fresh air, there’s no chance of the AirFort getting too stuffy, even if a handful of kids are inside. Each AirFort also has at least one section of mesh so that adults can keep an eye on what’s happening inside. Speaking of safety, the AirForts also feature a mesh divider at the tunnel entrance, which makes sure small fingers can’t get anywhere near the fan.
AirFort has offered various colorful, tent-shaped forts for a few years, and this year the company has several new designs that add even more imagination to the line.
To start, there are the Starry Night and Constellation AirForts, which feature the traditional AirFort shape with different star motifs. Both of these tents offer glow-in-the-dark stars — and real constellation patterns, in the case of the Constellation design — which make them great for sleepovers and bedtime adventures.
Two other new designs that feature the more traditional, round AirFort shape are the Tiki Hut (decorated with smiling Tiki characters) and the space-themed UFO, which kids can use to pretend they are aliens or astronauts.
There are also four new AirForts that each offer a larger, rectangular play space. These include a Farmer’s Barn, a Royal Castle, and two house-themed AirForts: a Cabin and a Cottage.
With their specific themes, this lineup of new AirForts is perfect for encouraging and elevating imaginative play. Playing house, for example, is even more fun when there’s a physical house to enter, exit, and decorate.
After playtime is done, adults will discover the best part of AirForts — They are very easy to clean up. Simply turn off the fan, detach it from the AirFort, and the AirFort will deflate. It’s easy to stuff it back inside its included storage bag (like a tent!) until next time. It’s even machine washable.
Overall, AirFort offers all of the fun and imagination of a fort, without sacrificing your couch cushions — and that’s a win in our book!
