Lakeshore Ultimate Fort Builder

I had previously purchased a fort builder from a different company but I returned it as it was too difficult to use - the poles did not fit into the connectors without brute force. Then I did some research online and found Lakeshore's Ultimate Fort Builder with the click mechanism design. It's easy to put together - no great force needed - and easy to pull apart when we're finished. As a mathematics teacher I love how this product gives us the opportunity to physically build and talk mathematically about 3D shapes - the poles are edges, the connectors are vertices, and you can create all sorts of prisms and pyramids and compound 3D shapes. I also like the problem solving aspect of this product - if the arrows on the connectors are not pointing in the right direction, you might not be able to connect the pole as you need to, so you need to figure out which connector is around the wrong way and correct it. Great learning! And it's creative. And brilliant for inside play on a rainy day. The instructions on how to make various structures are very clear - some of the best instructions I have ever seen for an educational product. I highly recommend this product!

I bought this as a gift for my 3YO and his older sisters (6 & 11). The 11 YO was able to assemble it with some effort. The 6YO and baby brother enjoyed throwing blankets over it, grabbing a couple flashlights and hiding inside. As the parent, I like that my kids can build, tear down, and rebuild. Then I can easily disassemble it and store it in the original box. Less clutter in the house than a cardboard or tent structure.

We had tried other versions, it seems all the others are hard foam balls and sticks. Those are just so difficult, either the kids push the rods in not far enough and it falls apart easily, or an adult has to battle for ages to get properly in. This kit is far superior as the "balls" are hard plastic with holes very easy to insert, and the sticks are sturdier. I now need another box so that they can get even more creative!

My 3 year old and 7 year old already had 1 ser of these and they both can barely fit in it and have a good time, so we purchased another. This is a great product but expensive. I dont get why it's such a high price for some poles and balls to hold together. But, my kids love the easiness and simplicity of fort building with them so we purchase them. These will not work with similar fort poles, so dont try to mix and match.

Fun! Easy to use! Even for my 4 and 6yr olds! Poles stay in really well but still easy to take apart. Pretty sturdy design!! I wish it wasn't so expensive so I could buy another or it had more pieces because you couldn't build much with one set. We ended up getting a diff brand also but it was cheaper quality and the sticks didn't stay in so this one is def the best. My kids love it!

There are a few companies in this fort building set market but this is the best one we've found. Most durable out of the sets but still requires a kid who cares about his/her toys. Take apart correctly and it will last. Slam through the structure like a madman and clips on ends will break. You pay for the extra durability. Other sets are cheap for a reason!

The grandkids have had hours of fun building the forts from the instructions and with creating their own fort designs! Then the kids love to “camp” in their forts. I recommend buying 2 sets if you have older children because they like to build big creations! The best part is that cleanup is easy!!

We have purchased these before. Kids love to build forts in living room. Very expensive but fun.

I researched the fort building sets for weeks before I got this one as a joint present for my 6 and 4 year old granddaughters. This is the only set with the great reviews and even though it is more expensive than the others, it is definitely worth it. What a brilliant play set, we love it. It's so good I have just purchased a second set so we can make BIGGER forts and cubbies.

Great fitment, high quality plastic. Fitment can be tight for kids, but holds the structure well.