Kidz Forts Wins Mom’s Choice Gold for Screen-Free Fort Kits

Kidz Forts has earned a Mom’s Choice Awards Gold designation for its modular fort-building kits for children ages 4 to 14. The recognition could help the family-founded, U.S.-made brand stand out with parents looking for creative, screen-free play options.

Why it matters: - The Gold award gives Kidz Forts a third-party signal of quality in the crowded kids’ toy market. - The recognition may help parents, educators and retailers identify a screen-free play option built for imaginative, collaborative use. - The company’s kits are made in the USA and designed for children ages 4–14.

What happened: - Kidz Forts was named a Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Recipient for its Play Fort Kits. - The award was announced in Hinsdale, Illinois, on Sept. 14, 2026. - The Mom’s Choice Awards recognized the kits after a rigorous evaluation process. - Dean Likas, founder and creator of Kidz Forts, called the Gold Award a tremendous honor and said the idea began after watching his five-year-old daughter turn a cardboard box into a favorite play space.

The details: - Kidz Forts makes modular fort-building kits that let children build forts, castles, tunnels, playhouses, hideouts and NERF® blaster barricades. - The kits use heavy-duty corrugated panels and patented connectors to create sturdy structures. - Children can combine the parts in many configurations, then build, take apart and rebuild new designs. - The kits are recommended for ages 4–14 and are designed to promote creative thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and active play. - Kidz Forts says the products are durable, eco-friendly and suitable for independent play or use with siblings, friends and family. - The company says the kits are 100% recyclable after a long and well-loved life. - Kidz Forts says the products have been tested by an accredited independent laboratory and meet or exceed applicable U.S. and Canadian toy-safety requirements, including ASTM F963. - NERF is a trademark of Hasbro, Inc., and Kidz Forts is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro.

Between the lines: - The award adds credibility for a small, family-founded brand trying to position itself as an alternative to single-use play structures and screen-based entertainment. - The company is leaning on both education and play value, which can matter to buyers looking for toys with developmental benefits. - The emphasis on modularity and repeated rebuilding suggests Kidz Forts is trying to sell a play system, not a one-time build.

What’s next: - Families can find more information, shop the kits and view fort-building ideas at KidzForts.com. - The Mom’s Choice Awards continues to evaluate family-friendly products, services and media for parents, educators, caregivers, retailers and media. - Kidz Forts will likely use the Gold designation in marketing as it expands awareness with consumers and retail buyers.

The bottom line: - Kidz Forts now has a recognized award to back its pitch: creative, screen-free play that kids can rebuild over and over.