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Easy to Sew Kids Indoor Tent

Encourage hours of fun with a cozy kid’s indoor tent that they’ll be sure to love. Head on below for a simple sewing tutorial using cotton canvas and a bit of hardware! 

kids indoor tent

DIY Cozy Kid’s Reading Tent

Disclosure: This project is sponsored by Canvas Etc. All opinions are our own. Also, this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. You can read our full disclosure statement here.

My daughter, like most children in her age group, has a huge imagination and it doesn’t take much to spark her creativity. She is often building play forts or pretend cars using cardboard boxes, bed sheets and whatever else she can find to use.

Child reading a book in a DIY kids indoor tent.

So I was so excited to make this kids indoor play tent for her and her friends to enjoy. Although I’m certain the kids will also take their devices into the tent, I know at times they’ll pick up a book and read. Or even better, start some creative pretend play with this pop up tent.  

I’m using a medium weight canvas fabric from Canvas Etc. to make this simple a-frame tent. The tent itself requires just a few straight stitch lines making it a simple sewing project that’s perfect for beginner sewers. No master sewing skills needed here!

Additionally, the kids’ indoor tent is easy enough to assemble and disassemble quickly. So with that in mind, I think I’ll also pitch it outside when the weather becomes sunny and dry as a little camping tent.

kids indoor play tent

For more sewing projects using similar canvas for all sewing skill levels, check out these posts:

Materials Needed for this Pop Up Play Tent:

How to Make a Kids Indoor Tent:

It’s best to wash and dry your canvas fabric prior to sewing for a few reasons. The main reason is to preshrink the fabric. This way when you need to wash it after it’s sewn, you won’t run in to problems with it no longer fitting. But be sure to remove the fabric promptly from the dryer to reduce wrinkles and iron out most creases and wrinkles prior to cutting. 

Step 1: Cut the Cotton Canvas Fabric

Cut ONE large rectangular piece measuring 45” wide x 110” long.

Cut FOUR additional rectangular pieces measuring 7” wide x 50” long.

Schematic illustration of dimensions needed to cut canvas fabric for a kids indoor tent.

Since the pattern pieces for the kids indoor tent are simple rectangular shapes, it’s best to measure and mark directly on to the wrong side of the fabric using a ruler and washable wax or chalk.

Step 2: Sew the Tent Pieces

Working with the smaller rectangular pieces, finish the short ends by folding inwards ½” and pressing in place with an iron. Fold an additional ½” and sew the hem using a single needle stitch.

Repeat for all 4 rectangular pieces. 

Finished short ends of the small rectangular pieces of natural colored cotton canvas.

Afterwards, fold the four prepared pieces in half lengthwise with WRONG sides together.

folding the small rectangular pieces

Working along the longest edges of the largest rectangular tent piece, position each of the folded pieces at 4” away from each of the four corners.

Sewing guide diagram to make a kids indoor tent.
placing the cut pieces together

Align the unfinished edges and pin in place.  

pinning the cut pieces together

With a ½” seam allowance, sew the pinned cotton canvas pieces together. These pieces will form the channel to run the wood poles through.

Finish the remaining cut edges (aka seam allowance) with a zig zag stitch or serger to prevent fraying. 

Fold the seam allowance in towards the large rectangular tent piece and topstitch in place. 

Along the two shorter sides of the large rectangular piece (the sides measuring 45” long), fold edges under ½” (towards the WRONG side of the fabric) and press in place with an iron.

Then fold another 1 ½” and press in place. 

folding the hem

At the sewing machine, sew the hem in place using a single needle stitch. This will create a channel for the dowels to be inserted.

Step 3: Prepare the wood poles

Assemble all the wood pieces for the kids indoor tent.

Wood materials needed to make the kids indoor tent.

Cut the 1″x2″ wood strapping to measure 62” long and ensure the wooden dowels all measure 48″ long.

Using a ½” drill bit, drill a hole 2” away from the end of the strapping. Repeat for all 4 pieces. 

On the other ends of the strapping, and also using a ½” drill bit, drill a hole 5” away from the ends. Repeat for all 4 pieces. 

Step 4: Assemble the kids play tent

Lay the large piece down on a flat surface with WRONG side facing down.

Place the center 1/2″ thick dowel underneath the large piece of the fabric through the middle.

Assembling the pieces of the kids indoor tent.

Insert the other two dowels through the bottom horizontal channels.

Insert one wood strapping through each of the four vertical channels of the tent.

Push the dowels through the drilled holes lifting the tent as you go. Fold the tent in half creating a pitched frame, criss crossing the a-frame poles at the top.

Place the tent someplace with plenty of room. Add a soft rug or some comfy blankets and throw pillows to make the tent inviting and cozy.

Close up image of hardware of the kids reading tent.

Our tent was perfectly sized for our living room. But as I mentioned above, it’ll be easy to move around and great for indoor or outdoor play time. It looks so cozy…I’ll just have to try it out!

I’m sure once I get a couple of these craft kits for kids, she may never come out of there!

Did you know that CanvasEtc. offers their fabric remnants for free! Just pay a nominal shipping fee for a 5lb box of remnants for your DIY and crafting projects!

Like it? Pin it for later!

Completed canvas kids indoor tent pitched in a living room with colorful cushions and blankets underneath.
kids indoor play tent

Easy to Sew Kids Indoor Tent

Jane and Sonja
Create a cozy kid’s indoor tent that they’ll be sure to love with this simple sewing tutorial.
5 from 1 vote

Materials
  

  • Canvas Duck 7oz, 72″ wide, 4 yards
  • Sewing machine and matching thread color
  • Fabric scissors
  • 4 Wood strapping 1 x 2, cut to 62” long
  • 2 Wood dowels 7/16” thickness, 48” long
  • 1 Wood dowel 1/2″ thickness, 48″ long
  • Drill and ½” drill bit
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Measuring tape
  • Ruler
  • Washable chalk

Instructions
 

  • Cut ONE large rectangular piece following the measurement provided.
  • Cut FOUR additional rectangular pieces following the measurement provided.
  • Working with the smaller rectangular pieces, finish the short ends with a double fold hem.
  • Afterwards, fold the four prepared pieces in half lengthwise with WRONG sides together.
  • Position each of the folded pieces at each of the four corners along the long sides of the large rectangular piece.
  • Sew the pieces together forming channels for the wood strapping.
  • Finish the short ends of the large rectangle with a wide double hem to form more channels for wood dowels.
  • Ensure 1×2 wood strapping measures 62" long and the wooden dowels all measure 48" long.
  • Using a ½” drill bit, drill a hole 2” away from the end of the strapping. Repeat for all 4 poles.
  • Using a ½” drill bit, drill a hole 5” away from the other ends of the strapping. Repeat for all 4 poles.
  • Insert the prepared wood pieces into the channels as shown to pitch the tent.
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
Tutorial Rating




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Mary

Saturday 1st of February 2020

If only I had known about this fun tutorial when my kids were younger. They would spend hours under a mess of blankets. But this is so much nicer.

Jane and Sonja

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

Thanks Mary! I remember making those blanket forts too and they were always so much fun, although it's true the play tent "looks" tidier!

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