Calgary mom creates Instagram account to feature homemade forts

Michelle Alexander was home with her two-year-old for the first time in a while, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was hunting for activities to keep her baby busy.

“I felt like we were blowing through activities one after the other,” Alexander explained in a phone interview with Daily Hive. “So we built a fort and it ended up entertaining our two-year-old for more than three minutes.”

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Alexander was on maternity leave with her baby when her other child, a toddler, had to return home due to their grandparents going into isolation.

 

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A post shared by YYC Forts (@yycfortbuildingchallenge) on Mar 17, 2020 at 11:34am PDT

That entertainment breakthrough led to the creation of a new Instagram account, YYC Forts, and the spawning of a new hashtag, #yycfortbuildingchallenge.

 

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A post shared by YYC Events (@yycevents) on Mar 19, 2020 at 6:30am PDT

“Initially, I said that if one family built a fort and had fun with it, my goal is complete,” she said. “The exposure the account has received since opening has been a surprise.”

 

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A post shared by Alexis Oakes (@thepurplehairedyogi) on Mar 16, 2020 at 2:23pm PDT

Alexander had initially envisioned parents building forts for their kids, but said that she’s been delighted to see a lot of adults in isolation building forts and using the hashtag.

“The message I’m trying to convey is that we can be alone together,” said Alexander.

“Forts are for everyone…and the messages I’ve gotten from people building and having fun with their forts warms my heart.”

 

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A post shared by YYC Forts (@yycfortbuildingchallenge) on Mar 18, 2020 at 8:19pm PDT

You can follow the account @yycfortbuildingchallenge and you can use the hashtag #yycfortbuildingchallenge to be featured on the page.

With coronavirus on the rise, Health Canada is reminding individuals who attend events and large gatherings to monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. And if you’re not feeling well, they recommend staying home at this time. Also, due to unexpected cancellations, please check the event you plan to attend is still taking place. Keep up with COVID-19 news here.