Teepee Crafts
Teepees are one type of Native American home. They are shaped like a cone, and work like a tent. They are usually quite decorative, so they can be made into some interesting crafts. Many schools require students to create models for different history projects. Teepees are a fun idea for a model project. The construction of a teepee home is very simple and even young children can get involved.
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Life-Size Teepees
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Make a life-size teepee replica playhouse for your kids. For the main structure of the teepee you'll need some sturdy poles for support. Use wooden broomsticks because they are already a perfect size and strength for a child-size play teepee.
Tie the top of the teepee with rope. Twine can be used as well, but a rope that is about an inch thick will work best to keep the teepee in place. Add hot glue around the roped area to further concrete the structure in place. Caulk can be used as well, but it won't be as strong as the hot glue.
The covering to go around the poles can be of any material, but if you want it to be outside, choose a tarp. Tarps will not become damaged in the rain, and they are easy to clean as well. To decorate the finished teepee, use oil paints. Oil paints will stand up to the outside moisture much better than acrylic.
Thanksgiving Centerpiece
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Make small teepees to complement the dinner table on Thanksgiving. Use light brown or tan craft foam for the cone shape of the teepee. The foam is thick but bendable and will allow you to easily roll it into a cone shape and glue it in place. Hot glue works well for holding the cone shape, as it will hold strongly and will not drip as much as white or craft glue.
For the poles in the teepee, use twigs from your yard to add an authentically natural look. The twigs should be about one inch in length. Use Native American symbols or animal paw prints to decorate the teepee. You can draw them on with permanent markers, or use rubber stamps and ink.
Paper Teepee Decoration
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Make a paper teepee to decorate your home, or for a school project. Use twigs from the yard to construct the base structure. The twigs really look authentic, and are readily available in most yards or parks. Use a rubber band to hold the twig structure together. The rubber band will look a lot like the animal hides used in real teepees. Use light brown or tan colored paper to make the walls of the teepee. Use paint or markers to decorate the teepee, and add any Native American designs you like.
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