National Geographic Epic Forts User manual

SAFETY INFORMATION
• Use under adult supervision only.
• Correct and firm assembly must
be followed.
• DO NOT allow children to climb
or stand on this product.
• Keep away from fire.
• Use lightweight, breathable
fabrics only when covering
structures.
• Use this toy only as described.
WARNING:
INJURY HAZARD – Protruding poles can cause eye injury. Do not
allow poles to protrude without a connector on the end. An adult should
check for proper assembly before use.
WARNING:
CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS before use of this
product. Retain this instruction manual since it contains important
information, address and phone number for future reference.
EPIC FORTS
RECOMMENDED
CARE & CLEANING
• Avoid stepping on or
bending poles. If any
part becomes damaged,
discard it immediately.
• Damp wipe only and
dry naturally.
• To extend the life of this
product, store away from
direct sunlight.
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#3 Start at the base and build up.
#4 The best forts are stable, which means you want
every pole pushed all the way into the connectors.
Since the fit is snug, you’ll need to use
both hands and twist while you push,
but be sure to ask an adult
for help if you have any
trouble inserting the
poles all the way.
#6 Look closely at
all your pieces. There
are flexible ones, rigid
ones, and different pole
lengths. Each of these
pieces has its own special
characteristics which can
help you as you build.
With a little practice and
imagination, you’ll
be an expert builder
in no time!
#1 Try building on a carpet or a large blanket
because pieces can slip around on hardwood floors.
#5 If you’re building a really big
fort, try building smaller sections
one at a time. Once you have
those built, you can connect
them all together.
#2 Group all the separate types of pieces
together in piles before you build so you always
know how many of each type you have left.
BUILDING TIPS & TRICKS
Building a fort is really fun and a great way to use your imagination! Getting your fort just right,
though, can take some practice. Here are a few tips to help make things easier if you get stuck.

Extender
Use an Extender to
make extra-long poles
Hemisphere (Light Blue)
Short Pole
Sheet Clip
Clips over a sheet to the pole
to keep the sheet in place
Long Pole
Star Flex (Light Green)
Hex Flex (Dark Green)
Ball Assembly
1. Hold the Hub connector so the “lock” and “unlock”
symbols are facing you.
2. Insert an Extender connector through the middle of
the Hub so it sits right in the middle of the Hub.
3. Twist the Extender 90° clockwise to lock it in place.
4. Press one Hemisphere connector on the top and one
on the bottom of the Extender until they click in place.
PARTS GUIDE
For more building inspiration,
including guides to more shapes
and builds, head over to:
thinkbluemarble.com/fort-instructions
or follow the QR code.
Hub (Dark Blue)
Hub connectors work
great as feet for your forts
Try building half a ball
connector if you need to
connect a lot of poles
Don’t be afraid
to experiment
with your
connector’s
position
Flex
connectors
can help make
corners easier
to build
Since it’s helpful to know all your pieces,
why not try building the shape below?
It’s not a full-size fort, but it is a fun
way to practice and become an
even better builder!

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
CONCEPTS
Square vs. Triangle
Triangles are stronger than squares when building.
If you look back to the practice build on the previous
page, you’ll see extra-long poles connected
diagonally on three of the sides. These extra-long
poles transform each of these sides from one square
to two triangles, making the whole structure much
stronger. The same goes for the triangle shapes
that create a pyramid at the top. Try to incorporate
triangle shapes into your fort building whenever
you can so it’s as sturdy as possible!
Polyhedrons
Shapes like cubes or
pyramids are called
polyhedrons.
LOAD
TENSION
COMPRESSION COMPRESSION
Triangles in Action!
The Francis Scott Key
Bridge in Baltimore,
Maryland is a truss
bridge, which is
made up of many triangular units that help
to distribute heavy loads.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza
in Egypt was built over
4000 years ago during the
reign of King Khufu. It took
around 20 years to complete and was the tallest
human-created structure for more than 3,800 years!
FUN
FACTS!
FUN
FACTS!