My girls love having a little tent or a den to play in. Having a tent in the garden is better still. It gives them somewhere to shelter from the hot sunshine on a sunny summer afternoon. It’s a place to sit and relax or a wonderful starting point for imaginative play.
I’ve never tried to make a tent from sticks before. I never did Guides or anything like that as a teenager and my knot-tying skills are fairly poor. Thankfully, the tepee was fairly simple to make using bamboo canes. I started off by tying three of them together, wrapping the twine around and between the canes as I tied them together. I then added two more sticks, tying them on one at a time to ensure they were securely attached. Once I’d finished tying the bamboo canes together, I draped some spare duvet covers over them and secured them with pegs. I finished off with a picnic blanket and cushions inside the tepee.
Once the tepee was ready and looking nice and cosy, Jessica and Sophie brought their toys and tea set inside ready for a tea party. We filled the tea pot with water and the girls had a lovely time pouring “tea” for their toys.
The tea party soon moved outside the tent with the toys taking it in turns to go down the slide in the garden. I took advantage of the empty tepee to lie down and relax, watching the clouds in the sky and listening to the girls having fun.
We finished off the afternoon with story time in the tepee. It was lovely to cuddle up together in the garden and enjoy a book. Jessica asked if she could sleep in the tepee. Maybe one day we’ll try camping in the garden. I think we’d get quite damp if we tried to do so in the tepee though!
On the plus side though, the frame can be left standing in the garden. All we need to do next time is cover it with sheets once again and we’re ready to go.
This year we’re taking part in #30DaysWild – a challenge from the Wildlife Trusts to get outside each day in June, do something wild and connect with nature.
This is something I’ve been meaning to do for ages here in our activity hour. I have a collection of old duvets from the business we can use and I thought we might paint on them as they are all white to make them more interesting. Yours looks a lovely colourful selection from the start and I’m impressed with your sturdy frame. The girls look so happy in there and I love the idea of sleeping. On a mild night they could perhaps start the evening there and transfer in later so they get the fun of ‘going to bed’ outdoors without you actually having to endure more than a glass of wine sitting out in the garden at night!
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Starting off the night in the tepee would be fun – the girls would love that. Love the idea of painting old duvets at activity hours and then make a tepee afterwards 🙂
That is so cute. We made a few teepees for T and her friends last summer too. We really ought to do it again, especially since the kids do love playing in it, don’t they? Cute photos as always 🙂 xx #countrykids
Thanks Dean. We’ve been making the most of ours – the girls love it 🙂
Good job! I did do Scouts as a kid and as an adult leader – and my attempts at this sort of thing barely stand up for more than 30 minutes! 😀 I’m sure the girls loved it. #CountryKids
Thanks Jonny. It’s still standing and is getting plenty of use 🙂
This is so lovely, i bet the girls were so happy! such a great idea well done 🙂 #countrykids
Thank you, they love it 🙂
You’ve certainly been creative and embraced the wild during June. This looks like a lovely activity to fuel imaginative play. #CountryKids
Thanks Helena. It’s certainly been a popular addition to the garden 🙂