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Difficulty: Intermediate
A kids outdoor tent can be a fun retreat for them to play in or to spend a night camping in the backyard.
Here is a guide to building an Easter-themed glamping tent. You can customise the tent with your preferred decorations.
As this project involves power tools, please follow all safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and use the recommended protective gear.
Let us know if you have any questions. We’d be happy to assist.
Video Tutorial
Steps
Step 1
Cut timber for the frame.
Secure one of the 2.4m Pine lengths to your worktable. Mark the middle of the length using a tape measure. Then use a set square to draw a line across the middle point.
Now use a jigsaw to cut along that line. Make sure to wear the required safety gear before cutting, including gloves and safety glasses.
Repeat this process for the second 2.4m Pine length.
You should now have four 1.2m lengths.
Step 2
Cut more Pine lengths to create the tent's sides and top rail.
Repeat the process mentioned in Step 1 to cut the two 3m Pine lengths in half. You should now have four 1.5m lengths. We will only be using three of these lengths in this project.
Step 3
Pre-drill the timber frame.
Take the 1.2m Pine lengths from Step 1. Measure 100mm from one end and 25mm from the other. Mark these points. Use your set square to draw a line across both points.
Now pre-drill a hole in the middle of the line using a 5mm drill bit. Do this on both ends of all four lengths.
Step 4
Pre-drill the timber for the supporting sides and top rail.
Take the three 1.5m Pine lengths from Step 2. Use a tape measure to mark out the centre of each end.
Pre-drill a hole in the centre of each end using the 2.5mm drill bit.
Step 5
Assemble the A-shaped frame.
Place two of your pre-drilled 1.2m Pine lengths together and insert a 65mm screw through the top hole. The top hole is the one that was drilled 100mm from the end in Step 3.
Now take one of your pre-drilled 1.5m Pine lengths and line up one of the pre-drilled holes with the 65mm screw. Join the three lengths together using a drill. Do not overtighten the screws, especially if you want to close your tent for storage.
Now repeat this process for the two remaining pre-drilled 1.2m Pine lengths. Join them together with a screw and attach them to the other end of the 1.5m Pine length.
You should now have an A-shaped frame and a top support for your tent.
Step 6
Build the bottom of the tent frame.
Lay the two remaining 1.5m Pine lengths between the feet of the A-shaped frame. Attach the lengths to the frame using a drill driver and 50mm screws.
You should now have a tent frame.
Step 7
Attach hessian webbing.
Space the legs of the A-shaped frame to your desired width. My tent is 65cm wide. Now measure the width of your frame's top opening. Cut hessian webbing according to that width using scissors.
Attach the cut webbing to the top of the frame using upholstery nails and hot glue. This will prevent the tent's legs from splaying further out. Don't forget to wear gloves when using the hot glue gun.
Step 8
Attach the tent cover.
Place your canvas drop sheet or any other preferred fabric over the tent frame. Ensure any excess is at the end. Excess fabric will be used to enclose the back of the tent.
Now fold over the edges of the fabric to create a hem. Use upholstery nails and a hammer to attach the edges to the tent frame. Make sure to pull the material tight as you fix it to the frame.
Any excess fabric on the ground can be wrapped around the lower frame and secured with upholstery nails.
Step 9
Make a curtain for the back of the tent.
Fold the excess fabric at the back of the tent frame so it sits neatly. Trim the material using scissors to minimise any fraying. You can also hem the material.
Pull the excess fabric over the A-shaped frame to create a curtain for the back of the tent. Add stick-on Velcro so that the curtain can be opened and closed.
Step 10
Decorate your tent.
There are many ways to decorate your tent. I used fairy lights and made personalised signs. You can also add any additional decorations to suit your theme. I have added Easter-themed accessories.
Have fun in your glamping tent.
Materials
- Two 42 x 19mm 2.4m DAR Pine Premium lengths
- Two 42 x 19mm 3m DAR Pine Premium lengths
- Two 6G x 65mm screws
- Four 6G x 50mm screws
- Upholstery nails
- Hot glue
- Hessian webbing
- Peel and stick Velcro
- Canvas drop sheet or 2.5m of your preferred fabric.
Tools
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Drill driver
- Jigsaw
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Set square
- 2.5mm drill bit
- 5mm drill bit
- Hot glue gun
- Hammer
- Scissors.
Images
