Kids play tent tutorial {Updated}

Im reposting my play tent tutorial for those of you that are new here. I have made some minor changes and hope it makes the tutorial easier to follow. Remember if you have made one and want to share pictures of it with us. You can add them to my flickr group.

Here is the updated tutorial for the kids play tent. I added a few pictures of my templet to hopefully help you understand my measurements a little more, and I also added an extra step when attaching the ties. If you have already made a play tent using the tutorial and want to make the changes, then just scroll down to the bottom of the page. It is a quick add in to do, if you want. I am also adding pictures of some of the other play tents I have made. Im hoping lots of little ones will be getting one of these for Christmas!

2 little hooligans play tent tutorial

(Beginner Project: From start to finish project should take about 2-3 hours.)

Materials needed:

*3 twin flat sheets- 2 of the sheets should be of the same pattern. (I bought 4 because I wanted contrasting colors and I am planning on making some accessories for my tent.)
*1 hula hoop (I bought one of the larger hoops, 36")

Use a stitch length of 1, and make sure you zig-zag stitch or serge over all raw edges.

Start off by either cutting your ribbon to the following sizes or making your own ties. I made my ties by using my bias tape maker.

Make the following:

*Four ties 60" by 1/2" wide, (will be used to attach the hula hoop to tent.)

*One tie 30" by 1" wide, (will be used to hang the tent.)

*One tie 80" by 2"wide, (will be used to keep door open.)

Cut out 6 triangles, each measuring about 24" long on the sides and 22" wide at the base.

Make the curve in the triangle by placing the hula hoop on base of triangle. Trace and cut. Triangles should now be about 21" from tip of triangle to the middle of curve.

This is what my templet looks like. Your measurements should be the same as the ones shown.

With right sides facing, sew two triangles together on one side. Sew one more triangle to the other two. Should have three triangles sewn together like here. Repeat with the other three triangles.


Take the 30" by 1" wide tie and sew a loop on one end. This will be used inside of tent to hang things on.

Take one of the triangle sets and pin the looped tie to right side of fabric. Let it overhang a few inches like above. With right sides facing, pin other triangle set on top of the first one. Pin in place on the straight edge only and sew.


Make sure you back stitch a few times over the tie. This needs to be very sturdy. This is what the tent will be hanging by.


Should look like this so far.
If you want to, at this point add some Velcro to the tie.


Should look like this on bottom side.


Gather the four 1/2" ties.


Evenly space them out around the top (circle.) Pin the ties in place. I left about 8" hanging off the top, which will be used to tie the hula hoop on. The longest part of the ties are going to end up being on the outside of tent and will be tied into a bow.


Sew in place, remember to back stitch a few times!
Set top aside.

Now get out the two twin flat sheets that will be used for the sides of tent. Each sheet measures only about 96" in length, which is not long enough to go around the top (circle). You are going to be attaching the length sides of the sheet to the top (circle) of tent. You are going to have to cut the remaining fabric needed to complete the top (circle) from the second sheet.

Get your second sheet out and fold the sides (width) of the sheet together. Keep folding together until the sheet is small enough to cut with your rotary cutter. Now that your sheet is folded width wise, measure in 35" from the edge and cut. Make sure you are cutting off from the length of the sheets. Now you will have enough fabric to go around the top (circle). Don't sew together yet, just pin right sides of sheets together.

Before you sew the sheets together, measure down about 25" from the top of where the two sheets will be sewn together. Place the middle of the 80" by 2" wide tie half way in. You will end up with half of the tie on the right sides of fabric and the other half will be hanging out. Sew sheets together.

Now it is time to sew the sheets and top (circle.) together. Start by pinning right sides of top (circle) and sheets together. Make sure that the long ties are tucked in and short ties are hanging on the outside.

The sheets will overlap one another about 3" or so at the end. That is what you want. It will make the opening of the tent a little sturdier.

Here is the overlap and the opening that will be your door.

This is what you should have.

You can see the extra sheet that was sewn together and the overlapped part.

Finish off raw edges of sheet.

Outside of tent.

Inside of tent.

My sheets came in these cute little bags, so I just had to use them.

I sewed two of them on the inside of tent about 20" from bottom.

And these on the outside of tent. I placed mine about 12" from the door at staggered heights.

**Updated part of the tutorial **

I noticed that the hula hoop was not staying in place. It was falling down an inch or so from where it should have been. It was causing the top to look loose. So, I decided to just sew one of my ties up 1" to make the hoop fit more securely. Now the hula hoop fits snuggly and the top of the tent looks great. Now the hoop lies right on the sewed seam of where the top and sides meet. Here is how I did it. Working on the wrong sides of fabric with the same color thread as the top of the tent.

Simple right? Now you are ready to attach the hula hoop.


Turn tent inside out and tie hoop on with the little ties.


Should have this now, turn right side out and you are finished! Find a great spot to tie or anchor the tent to.




**Please feel free to use this tutorial for your personal sewing projects. You may link this to your blog and use any photo's, just be kind and give credit where credit is due. I spent many late nights working on this. Happy sewing!


Any questions or comments please contact me. If you make a tent using this tutorial please send me an email or add it to my flickr group.

Here are a few other tents I have made.