Underground den

[Ali]

Has anyone been following this Colin Furze build?

My 6yr old has, and he’s obsessed about having one.

I caved in today and gave him a spade and said to get on with it. His ‘bunker’ is about 10” deep so far, and he’s already started building the shed to go on top. I had to drag him in when it got dark and he’s really annoyed it’s school tomorrow.

Just hypothetically folks, if we someone were to bury some sort of plastic storage tank (child den sized), and put some ventilation in, what else would you need to think about? Would you need planning to bury an empty receptacle not connected to anything? Coincidentally an actual shed is going on top of the exact space he decided to start his dig.

This is not going to happen.

 

[stuvy]

Go for it, would be a great build thread and memories your your and your lad

 

[Ali]

I’d need to find something cheap, this is 2x2m and is more than I was planning to spend on a shed

(Looks like a fun shape though)

 

[roofman]

If he really goes for it during half term then this might be handy

 

[colnerov]

Has he done a confined spaces risk assessment? Otherwise there might be a visit from a certain forum member.

 

[ronan]

I seen a great film about this sort of thing, it didn't end well though .

 

[Ali]

Has he done a confined spaces risk assessment? Otherwise there might be a visit from a certain forum member.

Joking aside any advice like that would be taken seriously by anybody who might know someone who’s actually considering this.

 

[ronan]

What about something more like an Anderson shelter ? It might be easier to make and dismantle, and be a bit safer if you do build it. It could come in handy the way them russians are shaping up too.

 

[Bullet2012]

What about one of these ?

Industrial Unknown Offer Type

Industrial Unknown Offer Type at Former Gama Site Basingstoke Road, Berkshire, RG14 7HQ

www.harnessproperty.com

 

[stuvy]

@Baloo posted about this aaaaages back

Have a look through his previous threads

 

[Beeezer]

Is that your back yard?

 

[Migmac]

I’ve been watching it, it’s going to be a rabbit Warren. Tunnels go everywhere. Great fun for a kid, go for it

 

[Onoff]

Go for it, would be a great build thread and memories your your and your lad

Indeed. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. Today is the second best time.

With hindsight I would have prioritised a big, warm workshop where I could have made stuff and as above, memories with the kids as well as improving their skill set. One is now 23 and the other 15. Kick myself everyday. I seemed to have more money then and materials were much cheaper.

You must do this!

The half buried option isn't a bad shout. A camo net slung over the top might convince him it's more "hidden".

In terms of readily available "structures" how about see if anyone is getting rid of an old beehive oil tank. Thinking though it would forever smell of oil. An easy "half bury" job though. Mark a door on it bolt some hinges on, cut it out. One door!

Stacking concrete rings.

A s/hand plastic shed.

As long as he gets WiFi in there all will be good!

As a bit of an aside, this is a great book. Lent it to my neighbour a few years ago. I have a feeling he put it to good use...not seen him for a while but he pops up now and then...

Item no longer available

The item you are looking for is no longer available. <br/>

www.abebooks.co.uk

Safety is paramount of course. Digging holes and you've the whole cave in scenario to worry about. If your lad is anything like me as a kid in a shed then I did love a box of matches and candles! It's why I'd really favour half buried. They will no doubt want to sleep in it!

Might be cheaper and easier to see if you can fob him off with a shed. Hopefully you're on clay and he'll get bored/realise how hard it is digging. Then drop in "how about your own shed, we can camouflage it!"

Pallet shed? Sling a tarp over it and bank some dirt up the sides?

Anderson Shelters – All about Britain's WW2 Anderson Shelters

www.andersonshelters.org.uk

 

[Onoff]

Cheap option...

How about sticking an old wardrobe immediately outside the back door and lining with some old fur coats. Knock the back out & put one of these in the garden. Everytime he goes out he'll think he's in Narnia. Pray for snow.

 

[Onoff]

In my day a den was something you made in the woods from fallen branches covered in ferns and leaves!

 

[Hog-Rider]

I have been watching Colin Furze for quite a while with all his antics. I do find it interesting especially his underground tunnels etc. Here where I live I only have to dig down 6 inches and the hole fills up with water.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Get him watching Monty Don instead of Furze if he likes digging....?

Like @Ali said, it's not going to happen, but it'd not be long before he got fed up and moved on to another in interest - some kids have the attention span of a goldfish.

 

[Parm]

Has he done a confined spaces risk assessment? Otherwise there might be a visit from a certain forum member.

Let’s start with a young persons risk assessment

The hand masters licensing authority may be interested too, forced child labour

 

[Morrisman]

Has anyone been following this Colin Furze build?

My 6yr old has, and he’s obsessed about having one.

I caved in today and gave him a spade and said to get on with it. His ‘bunker’ is about 10” deep so far, and he’s already started building the shed to go on top. I had to drag him in when it got dark and he’s really annoyed it’s school tomorrow.

.

The problem with that guys ‘secret’ underground bunker was that all his neighbours watched a huge Caterpillar digging the hole and trucking away the spoils.

So when the Russkis invade they will be beating his door down to climb into his ‘secret’ bunker with him.

If it’s the one I’m thinking of, that is.

 

[Ali]

Get him watching Monty Don instead of Furze if he likes digging....?

Like @Ali said, it's not going to happen, but it'd not be long before he got fed up and moved on to another in interest - some kids have the attention span of a goldfish.

I did say it’s not going to happen, but it has got me thinking…storage is useful and once he’s bored / grown up I wonder what else I could keep down there?