How to Make an Easy No-Sew Kids’ Tent in Under 1 Hour

Hello again! It’s Thalita from The Learner Observer back with a super simple and fun DIY project to share with you all! Today I’m going to show you how to make a kids’ tent in under an hour and using materials that you probably already have, or ones that are super easy to find.

Let’s get started!

How to Make an Easy No-Sew Kids’ Tent

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First, gather your materials:

• 3 dowels (I used 7/16″)
• 2 1x2x96″ pieces of wood cut in half (to make four 4′ pieces)
• an old bed sheet
• Peel n Stick fabric fuse
• scissors
• a drill and a 7/16″ drillbit
• small finishing nails
• 2 1×1″ nailing strips (like the ones I used here)

Next, put together the kids’ tent. 

Step 1: Cut and drill

You can get the 1×2 pieces cut at the hardware store, so it’s one less step at home. Make sure the edges aren’t too rough and find the middle of the wider side (The 2″ side) and drill a hole about 1″ from the cut edge.

Step 2: Prep your sheet or fabric

Before putting any of this together, you’ll want to get the fabric ready. I used a queen-sized sheet and cut it to approximately 48″ in length, leaving the width as is – meaning, cut from the top to the bottom of the sheet, not side to side. This is because there’s a handy dandy loop already made for you at the top of the sheet that you can use. Shortcut!

At the bottom of the sheet, you’ll need to make a loop. I did this by using the Peel n Stick Fabric Fuse all along the edge (I cut the sheets into thin strips), then wrapping the fabric around a dowel, leaving an inch on either end . You can see more of this in detail in the video!

Step 3: Assemble

Now you’ll simply “build” the tent by matching up the holes on two of your pieces of 1×2 and connecting the four pieces that way. You may want someone to help you with this because the tent is very flimsy at this stage. 

Now that you have two triangles connected by one top dowel, connect the ones at the bottom as well. One side will already have fabric (with the Fabric Fuse) and the other you can loop through the top of the sheet. Note: You may need to cut the end of the loop as most sheets have that part sewn up.

And just like that, you have a tent!

I did add a nailing strip to the front and back of the tent because of where we have it set up. If this was outside or even on a rug, it wouldn’t be an issue, but on a smooth floor, it needed the extra bit to secure it. It’s just attached with a very small nail, so no damage is done and it’s easy to remove.

I added the black pom-pom trim to is for a little fun, and I did think about painting the fabric, but it’s so nice and neutral, in a kid’s world in which primary colors rule, a little black and white feels nice and soothing sometimes!

Also, I think it’s safe to say the kids like it. I couldn’t get them both in there at the same time because, to tell the truth, it was like way past nap time already by the time I got these photos, but he does look happy!

Have you ever created a little nook like this for your kids? I can’t wait to try this one outside with the boys!!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions at all!

Published: May 13, 2017Filed Under: Contributor, Contributors, DIY, How To, Kids, Tutorials, Videos Tagged: DIY Under $20, Kids, kids spaces, Upcycle

About Thalita

Thalita is a mom of twins, teacher, and blogger over at The Learner Observer. She is a frugal DIY-er and avid lover of thrift store scores with a passion for making over spaces with pieces that are both meaningful and beautiful. Favourite colour? White. Favourite food? Ice Cream. Favourite Pastime? Instagram, where she shares an abundance of pictures of her twin boys along with her latest home reno and decorating adventures!