Kids love to play in tents. It gets their creativity going, whether they are playing house or pretending to be camping in the woods. You can help inspire your children and make play time more fun by building a multipurpose play tent. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started.
Choose the Best Shaped Tent for Your Space
Tents come in all shapes and sizes — teepee-style tents, hoop-hanging tents, square tents that fit over card tables, as well as custom designs. Think about where your kids play, and then choose the right style of tent for them. If you have a place to hang a tent, the hoop style works best. If you need something that can be taken down easily, go with a tent that fits over a table. You could even create a dome-style tent over your child’s bed.
Pick a Theme for Your Kids’ Play Tent
If you are buying a premade play tent from the store, you’ll most likely find circus tents and teepees. However, it’s better to make your own with a theme that fits your kids’ interests. For instance, if you have a child that’s into space stuff, a rocket-shaped tent would be awesome. Of course, the tent doesn’t have to have a theme. Your kids will be perfectly happy with a plain-colored fabric where they can use their imagination to create anything.
Add Lighting to Increase Play Time
It can get dark in a tent, especially if you’ve chosen a color that doesn’t let much light through. Instead of handing a flashlight to your kids, make the tent more fun with built-in lighting. Use something safe like Christmas lights. You can get a good deal on them from ChristmasLightsEtc.com. When your kids have plenty of light in their tent, they’ll play longer.
Create a Peek-a-Boo Pass Through
One fun feature to add in your kids’ play tent is a peek-a-boo pass through. It’s a hole or flap where you can give items to your kids without going inside the tent or calling them out. That way, you can serve snacks to your kids without disturbing their play. Plus, your kids can use the pass through in their imaginative play, too.
You Can Make a No-Sew Tent
If you don’t have sewing skills, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a play tent for your kids. An A-style tent simply requires a rectangular piece of fabric or a blanket. Then, you can construct a frame out of wood or PVC pipe. Some teepee-style tents don’t require any sewing, either. You can find great patterns for tents online for almost anything you want.
Good luck creating a play tent your kids will love. It will definitely be safer than the tents they make by draping blankets over furniture and holding them up with books. A play tent is easier to clean up, too. Give your kids something they’ll love and spend hours of time playing in.
