One of my favorite places to sleep when growing up was in a fan-tunnel. I’ve slept in one soo many times it probably led to some of my sinus issues as I’ve gotten older. It was worth it!!
I’ve built a fan-tunnel to read in with my daughters a couple times a year and thought I’d post a how-to in case someone else wanted to do the same.
A word of warning before building this. If you accidentally pull on the sheet just a little bit either the books or the books AND the fan will fall forward onto whom ever is laying there. Both of my daughters have done this and the crying that resulted was no fun at all. Please see the safe build instructions towards the bottom.
Basic Build Supplies:
- Queen size (or larger) sheet. Smaller ones work but I’ve found it lacking in space.
- Box fan – hopefully one with rounded corners (I scrapped my face with the edge of a square one growing up. Had a scar for a long time)
- 2 x Heavy books of medium width/height (Harry Potter are very good choices)
- 2 x Medium weighted books of smaller/medium size (Keeper of the Lost Cities works well).
Put the box fan facing the open area of a room. There should be at least a foot behind the fan to pull air in. The direction the fan is facing should be long enough for the sheet plus 3 feet so you have room to army-crawl in. TIP: Set the fan on it’s lowest setting and leave it unplugged. This will make it easier to turn on later when the sheet is added.
Place the sheet over the fan so that it hangs over the back edges a little bit. It helps to have the sides close to the fan as well but they don’t have to be tucked under it.
Put the 2 heavy books on the top of the fan to hold the sheet in place. Leave a little slack in the sheet at the top so you can turn it on.
Turn the fan on low (or plug it in based on my suggestion above). If you turn it on any higher the sheet will ripple like below.
At the far end, curl the sheet around most of the way and place a book on the edges. To make the sheet stay full use the books to reduce the opening. This takes some adjustment to get right and will need adjusted again once inside the tunnel.
Final setup!! Just army-crawl in from the end and adjust the sheet/books again as need. I recommend taking a small pillow and blanket in as well.
*** Safe Build Supplies
- Queen size (or larger) sheet.
- Box fan
- Laundry Basket
- 2 x medium clamps
- 2 x small bungee cords
- 2 x Medium weighted books of smaller/medium size
Turn laundry basket upside down and place fan on top. Use same room spacing as above. Place the sheet over the fan so that it hangs over the back edges a little bit. It helps to have the sides close to the fan as well but they don’t have to be tucked under it.
Use the clamps to hold the sheet onto the top of the fan. Use bungee cords on back side of fan to hold it to the laundry basket. This keeps it from tipping forward onto the occupants.
Turn the fan on low (or plug it in based on my suggestion above). At the far end, curl the sheet around most of the way and place a book on the edges. To make the sheet stay full use the books to reduce the opening. This takes some adjustment to get right and will need adjusted again once inside the tunnel.
Enjoy!!!
vEric: 
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