Dad Builds Giant Snow Fort For His Kids In Eagan: Photos

EAGAN, MN — To say it's been a snowy winter in the Twin Cities metro area is an understatement.

As of March 3, the region has seen over 71 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. That's 20 inches more seasonal average for the Twin Cites of 51.2 inches. And there's likely more to come.

Many Minnesotans might grumble at the thought of piles of snow that won't be gone until late spring. But Eagan dad Brian Anderson enlisted the help of his two kids and others in their tight-knit neighborhood to put the snow to use.

"I'm a stay-at-home dad, so I'm always looking for ways to have fun with my two kids," Brian Anderson told Patch in an email.

Anderson said he built seven snow igloos in 2021, and then built one big snow fort with little rooms last winter.

"It was initially a project for my kids. Soon all the kids in the neighborhood were having fun playing in the tunnels. The kids are really creative with how they play in snow structures which has motivated me to build something bigger and better each year."

This year, he and the neighborhood kids got right to work after the first snowfall.

"We even drew blueprints! All the kids helped me shovel snow into a big mound in the backyard, and then we carved out the snow to create rooms in the fort. After every snowfall, the kids were outside helping me add rooms, alcoves and even slides to the fort."

The year's snow fort is around 30 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 5 feet tall. But it's actually more than a fort. A more accurate term might be a snow bazaar, marketplace, or town hall.

"The best part is seeing how the snow fort brings out the kids' creativity," says Anderson.

"They've created an entire imaginary town inside the snow fort with a bank, restaurant, shops and patio. Each kid has a job in the imaginary town and they love playing out various scenarios of things that happen in their town."

Anderson said that "more than anything I love how the snow fort brings the neighborhood together. It can be harder to motivate the kids to play outside in the winter, but the snow fort draws them out. We have kids from ages 4-13 getting outside and having fun together in the winter months."

The kids also discussed their favorite part about the snow fort:

Joey (9) - I like having something new to do in the winter and spending time outside with friends. I like getting the ice money and buying stuff.

Lydia (4) - I like when my dad adds new rooms to the fort.

Kennedy (10) - My favorite part about the snow fort is the slide and the snow fort party!

Corey (13) - I like the variety of the snow fort because there are so many different things to do, like the slides, the tunnels, the rooms and the jobs me and my friends have in the snow fort.

June (7) - I love that I get my own [ice] bank account and can buy things!

Brynn (9) - I got to be creative and invented my job of selling colored ice cubes for ice dollars

Anderson said that building the fort has been a "labor of love," and he's happy that it's bringing so much joy to his own kids and the entire neighborhood.