How to Make a Play Tent & Tunnel

Children are imaginative. Building a play tent will give your children their own space to let their imaginations go wild. Build each child his own tent or create a tent city. Have a campout and read together using flashlights. Crawl inside a tunnel and draw pictures or tell stories. Building play tents is an activity the whole family will enjoy, and it uses materials you probably have on hand. There are many possibilities, so be creative.

Things You'll Need

• Couch
• Blanket or sheet
• Clothesline
• Clothespins
• Table
• Rocks or books
• Pillows

Instructions

Couch Tent

1. Move the couch so the back is not against a wall.

2. Throw a sheet or blanket over the back of the couch.

3. Pull out the ends of the blanket that are resting on the ground so it creates a tunnel-like tent.

4. Secure the ends of the blanket using stacks of books.

5. Line the inside of the tent with blankets and pillows to make it a comfortable place for your kids to play.

Clothesline Tent

1. Drape a sheet over a clothesline so the same amount of fabric hangs down on each side.

2. Secure the sheet to the clothesline with clothespins.

3. Pull one side of the sheet toward you and secure it to the ground by placing a heavy rock on each corner of the sheet.

4. Pull the other side of the sheet toward you and secure the corners with heavy rocks.

5. Place blankets and pillows inside the tent.

Table Tent

1. Move chairs away from the table.

2. Drape a blanket over the table.

3. Pull the edges of the blanket toward you and secure them with a pile of books or a heavy object.

4. Line the floor under the table with blankets and pillows.

5. Tape plain white paper to the floor so the kids can draw pictures.

Tips & Warnings

• Use chairs or other furniture to make the tent larger. Avoid using heavy furniture, as it could fall on a child.

• Candles or heaters in the tent are a fire hazard.

References

• Easy To Make Tent