Go Back
DIY Kids Tent The Learner Observer 15
Print

How to Make an Easy DIY Kids' Tent

Ingredients

  • 3 dowels I used 7/16" or 3/4" would work, too
  • 2 1x2x96" pieces of wood cut in half to make four 4' pieces
  • 1 old bed sheet or canvas drop cloth at least 48" x 96"
  • Peel n Stick fabric fuse or use your sewing machine instead
  • scissors
  • a drill and a 7/16" drill bit or spade bit
  • small finishing nails
  • 2 1x1" nailing strips or lath boards
  • Fabric trim or lace for decor and/or fabric paint optional

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Wood Pieces

  • Cut the 1x2 boards in half so you have 4-48" pieces. (Most hardware stores can do this for you.)
  • Sand the cut ends as needed.
  • At about 1" from each board end, drill a hole in the middle middle of the wider side of the board (the 2" side). If you are using a different size dowel than mine (7/16"), use the drill bit size to match.

Step 2: Prep the Tent Cover

  • If you are using a twin or queen sheet, cut a piece 48" wide by the length of the sheet. Cut the hemmed corner to open up the "pocket" on one side, then fold and sew (or use a thin strip of the adhesive hem tape) to create a pocket to fit the dowel on the opposite end.
  • If you are using regular fabric or a canvas drop cloth, cut it to just larger than the finished 48" x 96" to leave material for the seam allowance (and side hems, if you want). Keep the hemmed edges as much as you can to save on sewing/hem tape. Double fold the edges to pin and sew a top stitch or use the hem tape to create the pockets to fit the dowels.
  • Depending on your preferences and the fabric you used, you may also want to hem any raw edges of the fabric along the long side. Be sure to leave the end pockets open and accessible.

Step 3: Assemble

  • To "build" the tent, grab a partner for an extra set of hands because the tent is pretty flimsy at this stage.
  • Line up the holes on 2 of your 1x2 pieces and insert a dowel through both holes at one end.
  • Spread the other ends of the 1x2 boards to form a triangle, and place one dowel in each of those end holes.
  • Slide the dowels through the pockets of the fabric cover and stretch the fabric over the center pole.
  • Match that dowel setup on the opposite end of the dowels with the other 2 boards to build the A-frame tent.

Step 4: Stabilize and Decorate

  • I added a nailing strip (lattice wood piece) to the front and back of the tent to prevent the tent from sliding open and closed on our hard floor. A piece of rope would also prevent it from spreading too wide.
  • I also added some pom-pom trim for fun, and I considered painting the fabric - use your creativity!

Step 5: Play

  • Set up the tent, indoors or out, and let your child's imagination create the adventure!

Video

Notes

No-Sew Note: I prefer to not sew when given the opportunity, so I used Peel n Stick fabric fuse to make this whole project a no-sew kids tent! If you are more comfortable sewing, it will be just as quick and easy to stitch and hem as need on the sewing machine.