DIY: 3 in 1 Kids Play Tent

I hope youre having a great week and I want to thank all of you who left such kind comments about my daughters room makeover. I already shared one DIY creation in the room (the washi tape initial) and Im back today to share another part of the space for my first challenge as a Lowes Creative Team Member (learn more about that here).

One of my favorite parts of the room was creating a play tent. My kids, as most kids do, love creating forts and tents with blankets and pillows. They love the idea of a hidden place to play, read books, and tell stories. When embarking on this makeover, I thought a play tent would be the perfect addition for a small space in the corner of her room. I didnt want to make the tent dominate the space, but I also didnt want it to be too small because what fun is that?!

My solution for the dilemma A 3-in-1 tent with long panels to allow room for 1 child or 5.

Kids love options am I right?! You never know if they want to play by themselves in a little cocoon or if they want all their friends around to have a tea party, play barbies, or battle like droids (parents of Star War fans know what Im talking about).

When starting this project, I of course, headed to Lowes to gather my supplies.

To start off, I headed to my favorite home improvement store, Lowes, to gather my supplies.

1. Once home, I cut the 1 x 6 board into a 38 piece and a 26 piece (Lowes will also cut your wood pieces to size). The nailed the two ends together.

2. Using anchors and screws ( I always use the self-screwing kind), I attached to the two pieces of wood to the corner space. Then for the curve, I cut the 4 wide x 8 long toe kick in half. Using finishing nails, I attached the flexible curved wood to the end of each 1 x 6 to finish the canopy base.

The curved wood was a little flimsy (obviously so it can bend), so I secured it in the back by hot gluing on paint sticks.

Once the base was d one, the fun part started adding the fabric.

In knowing that I was going to use white long panels, I wanted to add a bit of whimsy and fun to the valance, so I used a fun Duralee Ikea fabric along with drop cloth and a white pom-pom trim.

3. I cut a piece of drop cloth that was slightly larger that the valance, then wrapped it around the front of the valance and secured it in the back with hot glue. The curved front sits about 1/2 from the ceiling so I was able to wrap the fabric at the top as well.

Time to jazz it up!

4. After the drop cloth was in place, I added the colorful Ikat fabric. I determined that I wanted to have a 3 band of the fabric and marked it along the valance. Then once again, I hot glued on the fabric. Easy-Peasy!

secured the fabric in the front

secured the fabric on the back

5. Then I added the cute white pom-pom trim. Of course with hot glue again.

For the last part of this 3-in-1 K ids Play Tent, are the panels.

Ok, so lets take a step back and let me explain how and why I created these panels. Because of the dynamic fuschia in the room, I thought white panels would be a quieter, fresh contrast. I also wanted them to feel light and airy, so decided on a sheer panel with a small pattern (sheers from Target). The overall length was only 84 and needed to be much longer, so I added a solid white cotton fabric (used from Ikea window panels) to the bottom. They look pretty for the tent, but could also be used as drapery panels at a later date I love creating things that can be used now AND later.

6. With right sides together, I sewed the two short ends of the panels. I wasnt worried about the length because the longer the better this is how the large canopy is created.

7. Once the two panels were created, I attached them with staples to the ceiling on the inside of the valance. I also overlapped the two panels creating a natural opening / closure.

8. Lastly, I added metal tie backs that I purchased at Lowes. These tiebacks are perfect to pull back the panels and have the space wide open like a stage for the kids to put on a play.

And its done. An exciting 3-in-1 Kids Play Tent.