How to Build a Craft Tepee

Making a tepee is something kids love to do and creates a great avenue for teaching them about American Indian history. It's a simple craft that is realistic, resembling the animal hides used in real native tepees. Boys will especially love the ability to add to their "cowboys and Indians" games.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 twigs approximately 12 inches and straight
• Large brown paper bag
• Scissors
• Yarn
• Pencil
• Tape
• Paint
• Manila folder
• Ruler

How to Build a Craft Teepee

1. Take the manila folder and draw a triangle 9 inches tall with a 4-inch base. Cut out to use as a stencil.

2. With the stencil, trace four triangles connected on the left triangle side. Cut out the entire polygon along the outer edges.

3. Cut a round door in one of the triangles at the base.

4. Paint the tepee with animal and hieroglyph markings. Allow to dry.

5. With a rubber band, bind the four sticks together approximately 3 inches from the top. Do this so it is secure but not tight.

6. With the folded decorated tepee "skin," fold along the triangle lines going from the top to bottom. Cut a small opening at the top where the four triangle sides meet.

7. Wrap tepee "skin" around the twigs and tape them in place at the folded edges of the triangle. Allow the 3 inches above the binding to stick out of the top of the tepee.

8. Where the edges of the outer triangles meet on the tepee "skin," sew the skin together with the yarn from top to bottom to maintain a secure wrap around the sticks.

9. Find some Indians and put them in!