DIY: Kids Play + Camping Tent
Happy July!
For me, it officially feels like Summer has begun. The kids are out of school now for just about a week, and the Summer sun is setting in (despite all the rain we’ve been having). The kids and I have been enjoying fun outings each day, while also spending some down-time at home just relaxing. Often on those home-bound days, the hours creep by with boredom, so when Lowe’s put me up to the challenge this month to create something related to DIY camping, I thought of the perfect solution…
…a kids play + camping tent. They can use it as a tent to play in during the day, as well as a spot to sleep in once the sun sets and the stars peak.
The the best part about this tent is that it only took about $10 to make + 10 minutes to create! I made two, so the cost and time were double.
Supplies for (1) Tent:
- (4) 1 x 2 piece of wood at 42″ long ($2.16)
- At Lowe’s I had them cut down (1) 1 x 2 x 8 which cost $1.08 into my (2) 42″ long pieces
- (1) 3/4″ diameter dowel at 48″ long ($2.85)
- 2.5 total yards of fabric ($2.25/yard x 2.5 = $5.63)
- 1.5 total yards of ribbon (leftovers)
- Drill with a 3/4″ drill bit
This tent is really easy to create, and what’s even better is that you can put it up and take it down very easily with each use. I made it so it can be easily assembled and just as easy to disassemble for storage. More on that later…
1. (2 minutes)
To start off, I drilled a 3/4″ hole at each end of the 1 x 2 piece of wood. The Mister and I set up a “drilling station” by creating two piles of stacked wood so the 1 x 2 could bridge across the top. As an alternative, you can drill through your piece of lumber with a scrap piece underneath. Either method will work.
One hole of each piece will be for the peak of the tent, while the other hole will be for the ribbon to tie through. Keep reading and it’ll all come together…
2. (1 minute)
Once the holes were drilled, I fed one end of the dowel through two of the 1 x 2’s, then fed the other end of the dowel through the other two 1 x 2’s.
Note: The drill bit size needs to match the dowel size, so it fits snug. I used a 3/4″ dowel and a 3/4″ drill bit. The dowel needs to be snug in the 1 x 2’s so it stays in place, yet is still easily adjustable.
And the frame was done!
Onto the fabric.
3. (2 minutes)
Many fabric comes in a 44/45″ width, so the sides don’t need to be hemmed (if you want to hem them you can, but I didn’t). To start off, I folded over one end of the fabric and sewed.
4. (2 minutes)
I draped the fabric (with one finished edge) over the tent frame. I lined up the finished edge side with the bottom of the legs, so I could determine how much needed to be trimmed off the other side – be sure to leave enough fabric to fold over and sew (about 1″ extra inch).
Using my Jar O’ Ribbons, I picked out 4 fun colors.
5. (2 minutes)
To secure the fabric to the frame, I added ribbon. I cut (4) 12-15″ long pieces of ribbon, and sewed the center of it to the right side of each corner using a fun stitch.
After cutting the loose threads, it was complete!
I draped the fabric over the dowel, attached the 4 ribbons through the 4 bottom holes, and secured. (1 minute)
And the dual play + camping tent was complete.
It’s just as easy to disassemble as it is to assemble! Plus it folds right up to store away. I put all the legs together, wrapped the fabric around them, and secured it at both ends with the attached ribbon.
The details.
My kids are having such a fun time with their new creations.
Day for Play…
And night for camping… (well kinda. it didn’t last the whole night).
Either way, they are fun, easy to make, and are perfect for some Summer Fun!
