A Memorable Indoor Camping Sleepover with Daisy Troop 75906!

How to Make Your Own Indoor Tents

Here’s a summary and a step-by-step breakdown of your instructions for clarity and ease of understanding:

Materials Needed

• 1 – 48″ dowel rod
• 6 – 44″ x 1″ x 3/8″ lumber (lath)
• Fabric (44-48″ wide and at least 96″ long)
• 4 – 3/4″ x 3/4″ right angle brackets
• Ribbon/Twine/Chain (for securing the crossing wood)

Tools Required

• Table saw
• Drill with 1/2″ and 3/8″ bits
• Sewing machine (for fabric)
• Screwdriver
• Measuring tape

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Wood:
   • Acquire 1″ x 3/8″ lath pieces. Use a table saw to cut off the pointed tips, which will give you approximately 44″ lengths for your project. These will serve as the feet and cross supports.
   • Purchase 1/2″ x 48″ round wooden dowel rods. Buy 96″ rods and cut each in half to create four 48″ pieces, as the extra length helps secure the crossing wood.
2. Drill Holes:
   • Drill a 1/2″ hole 2″ down from the top of each dowel rod. This will allow the dowel rod to fit through the fabric pocket.
   • Drill a smaller 3/8″ hole 5″ lower down the same rod. This hole will be used to thread the ribbon, twine, or chain to prevent the crossing pieces from separating too widely.
3. Prepare the Fabric:
   • Take your fabric (sheets work well) and fold the long side in half.
   • Sew a pocket by stitching about 1″ away from the folded edge.
   • For the opposite edge, fold over at least 2″ to create a hem and sew it down. This will create a secure pocket for the dowel and hems for the stakes.
4. Assemble the Structure:
   • Insert the dowel rod through the pocket created in the fabric.
   • Push one lath piece through the two hems of the fabric on either side of the dowel. This setup should allow the rest of your structure to dangle freely.
   • With a second person’s help, spread out the two ends of the lath pieces approximately 48″ apart.
5. Secure the Structure:
   • Attach the right angle brackets to secure the feet to the angled lath pieces.
   • Use a ribbon to tie and secure the legs, keeping them at approximately 48″ apart. Note that the ribbon might stretch slightly, but it shouldn’t affect the integrity of your design.

Final Touches

• Ensure that everything is secure and stable before using the tent. You may want to test its strength and stability based on its intended use.

The addition of a second person during assembly is a great tip for making the process smoother!

And the Fun Begins

Once the girls arrived and saw their tents, they were super excited to spend the night in their new, personalized space.  We started off with dinner, each girl made their own personal sized pizza.  After dinner, we helped the girls make s’mores.  Since we were inside with limited space, and using the stove to roast the marshmallows, we decide to have the adults roast the marshmallows, and let the girls assemble the s’more.