A treehouse, a blanket fort, a cushion castle, a teepee…we probably all have memories of building a fantasy fortress when we were young. For this week’s How-Tuesday post, Sharon Pierce McCullough, Chief Creative Officer for ZiggityZoom.com, has created a tutorial for making your own backyard teepee, perfect for daydreaming. More craft projects for kids can be found on Ziggity Zoom.
When my grandkids come to visit during the summer months, we try to plan some exciting and fun outdoor projects. I had been wanting to make a teepee for some time, so last week, while three of our grandsons were visiting, we made one for the backyard. (I’m not sure who was more excited about the project, me or the kids.) We gathered all the materials, trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible — the boys searched for the perfect size branches in the backyard, so we wouldn’t have to purchase them from a store.
A teepee is not hard to make, even if you don’t follow exact American Indian standards and try to keep it simple and fun. We did consult a few websites to understand the basics. This particular teepee can be made in an afternoon. Ours will stay up until the end of summer, when other grandkids come to visit and add their decorations to the teepee. This is a perfect summer or fall craft project that the whole family can help make. So, what are you waiting for?
Materials Needed:
- Nine 10 foot poles (Bamboo poles are best. Check if you have a neighbor growing bamboo.) We used 1 inch metal conduit.
- 12′ x 15′ heavy duty canvas
- Lightweight cord or rope
- 5 sticks 9 ” long
- 2 sticks 6 ” long
- Scissors
- String
- Garden clippers
- Permanent colored markers or acrylic paint + brushes
Directions:
1. Collect thin, sturdy branches and cut to size, as stated above, using garden clippers. Collecting branches is a fun activity for the kids. If desired, taper ends slightly by rubbing ends on sidewalk or a piece of sand paper. Once again, the kids will love sharpening the sticks.
2. Lay the canvas drop cloth flat on the grass. Find the center-top of the long end of the cloth and make a mark. Tie a marker pen to the end of a string and then, holding the marker upright at side-top of the long end of the cloth, stretch string to center point, cutting string. Your string should be 7.5 feet long. Hold string at center point firmly, while a second person makes a large arc with the marker, denoting cutting line. The finished cut size equates to the length being twice as long as the width. (For example, 7.5 feet wide by 15 feet long.)
3. Determine location for your teepee and set first 3 poles in place as your teepee base, crossing tips and leaving about a foot above crossed poles at top. You are making a tripod. Now add 2 poles between each of the base poles, paying attention to how they cross at the top, trying to position sturdily. Add the last pole to the backside of your teepee. Spread bottoms of poles evenly around the ground. (You might note that we have an extra pole added — it’s simply because one of the boys didn’t get to add 2 poles, so we just went with the moment and used one extra pole.)
4. Carry teepee cloth to the back of your teepee, determining where the front opening will be. If you don’t have a tall friend to reach up and place the top-center of the cloth near the cross poles, remove the last pole set in place from backside and attach the top-center of the cloth about a foot from top. Since this is temporary, you can just make a ring of duct tape and attach inside of the cloth to the pole.
5. Pull sides of cloth around the poles, overlapping at top of teepee front. Make two slits to accomodate each 9 inch stick, making sure cuts go through both pieces of overlapped cloth. Slits should be about 3 to 4 inches apart. Weave a stick into openings, as shown, securing teepee front. Space sticks about 3 to 4 inches apart.
6. Fold side flaps open and make two slits to accomodate the 6 inch sticks for your teepee opening. These slits should be on either side of your poles at teepee opening (doorway). Stick will attach flap to front pole, keeping flap secured.
7. Use permanent markers, or acrylic paint if desired, to decorate the outside of your teepee. We let the kids decorate however they wanted, after we showed them some Native American designs. We do recommend paint for a teepee you plan to use in the future, as the permanent markers tend to fade. But for fun, you can let the kids use markers.
If you make your own backyard teepee, share a photo with us in the Etsy Labs Flickr group.
115 comments
Sign in to add your ownMootiDesigns says:
Great post. THank you
1 year ago
purposedesign says:
I was looking for something just like this- thank you!!
1 year ago
LizzieMade says:
This is a great post - I have wanted to make a teepee for a while; now I may be able to do so. This would even make a semi-permanent play-house for the garden. Thanks!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Sweet! What a cool grandma.
1 year ago
TheIDconnection says:
This looks like fun!
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
So fun!
1 year ago
BlueRoseRetro says:
I want to be a kid again! What fun.
1 year ago
CaliforniaMutts says:
Is anyone else thinging how romantic a candle lit dinner would be in here? Large fluffy pillows, music, etc...
1 year ago
desertwestpillows says:
Love it Love it! Great presentation, with the kids putting teepee together and painting on it! I want one too!
1 year ago
StudioZen says:
My sister gave my son a similar teepee when he was a kid. He loved it and would play for hours in it. We still have it...maybe one day his kids will play in it too.
1 year ago
Luv2Have says:
This is awesome, my son would love this!!! Definitely something we will have to try!
1 year ago
myAvonlea says:
Totally want to make this with my 2 sweet peas <3 Thank you so much for posting.
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
This looks like so much fun! My daughter would love this!
1 year ago
jodieflowers says:
My son and I LOVE teepees!!! ♥
1 year ago
Zafirah says:
This will definitely come in handy soon!
1 year ago
BeatificBijoux says:
FUN!! I love this kind of stuff. It's pretty much why I had kids. When my 5-year-old son mentioned baking soda volcanoes last week, I was all over it. I rummaged through the recycle bin for newspaper and a largish sheet of cardboard, and within minutes we were splattered in flour paste as we papier-mached our way to geothermic bliss. Crafting with your kids is priceless!
1 year ago
Share310 says:
It was such a fun project ... the granddaughters added their painting to the teepee when they visited last week. And amazingly ... the teepee stood during the hurricane ... it actually stayed DRY inside! I love looking at it and the cat loves it too.
1 year ago
jammerjewelry says:
Crazy Cool Fun for kids. Thanks!
1 year ago
VintageEye says:
I want one...for me!
1 year ago
scoutandrescue says:
This is so cool. And I love that you built it together and the kids decorated it themselves. So much better than buying something. They will never forget this experience. Wonderful! scout xo
1 year ago
rarebeasts says:
This will be a great weekend kid project.
1 year ago
opendoorstudio says:
HEY... I WANT ONE! Thank you for posting this. I want to make one NOW!
1 year ago
EmiliaFaith says:
How fun !! Gonna have to try this with my kids :)
1 year ago
trafalgarssquare says:
WOW! I used to make teepees in the backyard when I was a kid and I'd get so annoyed because it wouldn't look right. Thanks so much for the post, now I can make one with my littles!
1 year ago
artXchic says:
awesome! i'm going to do this with my niece and nephew, they'll adore it! thanks for the post :)
1 year ago
lemondear says:
wow... this made me relive for a few minutes my rocking childhood, thanks
1 year ago
blancahelga says:
Wow, just fantastic!
1 year ago
sparrowgrey says:
Such a great idea, the kids look thrilled. Thanks for the instructions!
1 year ago
VeniVidiVintage says:
such a great tutorial! I cant wait to do this with my husband! I love that little kid inside us all :)
1 year ago
4amani says:
This reminds me of the giant teepee my mom made when when we were little. She used about 5 drop clothes and broke several needles on her sewing machine. The best part was running an industrial extension cord out the kitchen window so she could sew the teepee in the driveway. We cut down small trees for the poles. Oh the memories!
1 year ago
FruitOfMyHands says:
What a great grandma. Thank you for sharing your teepee pattern.
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Wow that looks like alot of fun! I used to make my tents out of pillows and bedsheets when I was a kid :)
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Such a wonderful post ! We had couple of time with my sons and slept inside :)
1 year ago
jungledread says:
I've seen these at festivals and it's sat in the back of my mind to give it a try Thanks for the pattern - I"ll be giving it a try next fest ^_^
1 year ago
TheScarfTree says:
That is a great idea and great for the kids......I would go in there to! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
Ragsoul says:
thank you ! just great
1 year ago
lemongrassjewels says:
awesome idea, you're the greatest grandma ever:) what wonderful memories for you and your family!!!
1 year ago
blissfulturtle says:
My backyard teepee remains one of my favorite childhood memories. Thanks for bringing them back. Now I need to make one for my daughter.
1 year ago
stepbackink says:
This article brings sweet memories.
1 year ago
salvageshop says:
how fun! :)))
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
I"d love to have one. Thanks for the post!
1 year ago
laurastark says:
And it's fun for adults too!
1 year ago
ziggityzoom says:
I want 4 teepees in my backyard- one for each of the boys and 1 for me. Maybe I need a work teepee!
1 year ago
riverstar says:
great photos of TP project. check out my Native American Inspiration treasury.
1 year ago
sunshinepetals says:
I never pay attention to these posts others write but i just could not resist yours...being an old girl scout i found your article interesting, useful, it held my attention and well worth keeping for later use! I LOVED IT
1 year ago
Grannysea says:
Thanks I copied for some cubs that I work with, hope to make one with them. Reminds me of the one I made with girl Scouts; I thought the poles had to be attached so sewed each one onto the material. I did not have any needles at the time so I made a needle with a paper clip. Have a great day.
1 year ago
SweetandDandyVintage says:
This is so awesome! I'm dreaming already! Thanks for the tutorial!
1 year ago
mylenefoster says:
What a fun activity for the kids!
1 year ago
GwenDelicious says:
i had one of these as a kid...so much fun!!!
1 year ago
TandJsoaps says:
Wonderful!
1 year ago
fireyvalkyrie says:
Love this collection very earthy!
1 year ago
AuroraVk says:
Sounds like a fun project!!! I would put one of those even inside of my room! ;)
1 year ago
Iammie says:
Lovely!
1 year ago
BraveTurtleCreations says:
One day I plan on making a full size legit teepee for camping and general awesomeness but I think I'll try this one first. I know my sister would love it.Thanks!
1 year ago
oldworldapothecary says:
How fun!!! LOVE IT
1 year ago
cupcaketutus says:
LOVE IT! My cousin has a grandpa on her mother's side that is a full blooded shashonee indian Chief. He no longer lives on a reservation but still is very active in the native American community. He builds true Tepees and for years I've been wanting one. Haven't got one yet, but one day I'll own one of his lovely teepees. Thanks for this how to, I'll have to try it out myself, until I can affordable a real built one.
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Sounds like so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
lilinspirations says:
I remember when my boys had a teepee! It was so much fun!
1 year ago
TheMillineryShop says:
My favorite hideout was two chairs a few feet from each other, backs facing in and a blanket thrown over the top. I haven't thought of doing that in decades but think I'm gonna go make one now and crawl inside. It's been way too long...
1 year ago
ConfettiWestern says:
yay!
1 year ago
leilalou says:
Fabulous! I have just bought a pattern to make one for my children for Christmas and yes...I'll be putting my feature doll Tallulah in for them :-)
1 year ago
inlovewithpink says:
What wonderful memories you've helped create! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
BetaVintageCasual says:
I want to make one too!!!!
1 year ago
RotemZ says:
Made one last year and again this year with my boys ! Instructions from the web were challenging !! These are much easier :-) Bamboo canes we sourced at a local farm supply store and used them again this year and we used a roll of disposable tablecloth fabric . You have to decorate before you attach it though and through it away at the end. It's very warm here so it was perfect and not stuffy.
1 year ago
lululiilii says:
I did this with my nephews for a day out and used a king bed sheet that I got at the thriftstore for $3 I let the children decorate it with finger painting and hand prints which was great since one is two and cant really draw anything yet.
1 year ago
ile1974 says:
WOW! great^_^ I will try it with my kids!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 year ago
edgertor says:
check these out for decoration ideas! great post of actual tepees from the turn of the century. http://www.howtobearetronaut.com/2011/08/blackfoot-decorated-tipis-c-1900/
1 year ago
MadeinMogotes says:
How fun! We had a tent when we were kids but never a teepee and not one we could decorate!!
1 year ago
Zalavintage says:
Can't wait to try it out!
1 year ago
lmouer says:
I don't even have kids, but I want to make one!! Great blog!
1 year ago
littlebugjewelry says:
OH, I totally want to do this!
1 year ago
amusebeads says:
Thanks for the inspiration. I'll have to try this with my little monkeys, they have almost destroyed their fridge box cottage. Time for a new (and different!) playhouse!
1 year ago
Eternalelfcreations says:
great project!!
1 year ago
CattailsStudio says:
I want a backyard teepee for myself!! Forget the kid! You think I'm kidding but I'm not. :)
1 year ago
GraceFilledHands says:
What a fun project! The kids will love this! Thanks for sharing! The Indian in me wants to make one for adults!
1 year ago
OnlyOriginalsByAJ says:
How fun! I think I'm going to do this with my nephew! He'd love it!
1 year ago
siennaorlando says:
Absolutely adorable! I've been infatuated with the idea of living in a teepee for sooo long! Love this project!
1 year ago
BowMoBBB says:
Awesome! Thanks. . . can"t wait to have fun with grandkids & neighbor kids.
1 year ago
designlab443 says:
I made a teepee awhile ago for my daughter. I need to get that out again, it's been awhile. The kids love it!
1 year ago
MishaGirl says:
I LOVE the idea...it looks like so much fun :-)
1 year ago
sweetharvestonline says:
Teeppes are great idea indoor and outdoor! My son loves to play trucks on a rainy day in his! Thanks for the post :)
1 year ago
acuriousbrood says:
I bet our dog would love one of these as a hideaway. Interesting project to do with the boys before school digs in too deep.
1 year ago
AliceCloset says:
Soo cool!!!
1 year ago
bananastrudel says:
When I was a kid, I loved visiting my cousin because she had a teepee in her backyard. And parts of it were made of animal skin, too. I officially made her my 'favourite cousin', simply based on her having a teepee. So if you build a teepee, I will come. And you will be my new best friend.
1 year ago
serenabythesea says:
Something like tthis tepee project is very therapeutic, as well as being load of fun!
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
I need to make one of these and put it in my house. And, when everyone sees me go in the teepee they will know to leave me alone. I am having my teepee time...
1 year ago
styleforlife says:
So darling. :-)))) XXXXX EL Vintage
1 year ago
adoodle says:
=)
1 year ago
HoldTheWire says:
Oh, a canvas drop cloth! What a great idea! Thanks!
1 year ago
helloambition says:
oh wow. I would have loved this as a child. there were so many countless days of fort making with my brother.
1 year ago
RanchDressingOnline says:
How fun! I will definitely do this with my future grandchildren.
1 year ago
fqcouture says:
Ooh, that looks like so much fun! I used to make forts all the time, and I always wanted a teepee.
1 year ago
pouch says:
I used to love sitting in my teepee as a child, my mum made one out of old sheets and bamboo canes - I have been meaning to make one for my daughter for ages, will have to give it a go now I've seen this!
1 year ago
PyxusPassionProject says:
Exciting! I need to make this for my niece and nephew next summer.. looks like so much fun to build.
1 year ago
Woodzart says:
Fun! I would love to make one, thanks for posting.
1 year ago
Share310 says:
Thank you all for such fun and lovely comments ... I can't begin to tell you how much enjoyment the grandkids and I have already had from making this TeePee. Happy TeePee making!!!
1 year ago
rinnyc says:
When i was younger my days would be looking forward to be building a teepee with my sisters brothers and cousins! We would all go tramping in our woods and my oldest sister you be in charge of the teepee building. We would take huge sticks la them against a tree and voula you got a teepee! As a seven-eleven year old you can imagine anything you want too. We soon built other teepees so we had a town, elected a mayor, have bottle caps as money, we had a resteraunt with real food too. We tried to plant a garden but that really didn't work out. Soon the other neighbors helped us build the town and we made more towns. We had a teeppe city! But we are all older and teepee making is a memory of the pass i guess. Sometimes when i walk in the woods i remember that fun time, probably the funnest time building teepees.
1 year ago
FrogBlossoms says:
What a great set of instructions. I will have to do this with my grandchildren when they come visit next summer! They will love it!
1 year ago
Marieva says:
Thanks for the inpiration and the totorial. I whant to do this with my grandson next summmer.
1 year ago
HoboeJane says:
ok i have no kids but i totally want a teepee for me! lol oooo it'd be fun to lay a blanket and read a good book in :)
1 year ago
gretchenmist says:
how great is this! makes me want a big back yard to play in and build in! thanks for the instructions.
1 year ago
WJFlintstone says:
I am always searching for fun things to do with the Grandsons when they come. I know these days of loving MeMaw's house will pass all to fast and they will move on to wanting to spend time with friends. So thanks for a project ideal that we will both love! I wanted to be an Indian brave when I was a little girl. Couldn't manage that so I married one!
1 year ago
fanciestrands says:
Oh MY! This is so awesome. This would be a great addition for the kids on my 4 acres. What fun!
1 year ago
VillaCollezione says:
what a wonderful post! so nice when two different generations get together & do something fun!
1 year ago
cazhoffy says:
my son would love this and my hubby to tell the truth!!
1 year ago
HardlySimpleDesigns says:
I love love love this idea! I cannot wait to make one with my nephew. :) Such a wonderful way for kids to spend time outdoors and with family. Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
sandrassatchels says:
Great tutorial. Thanks!
1 year ago
sofisticata says:
LOVE IT!! :) Thank you for sharing!! I'll have to share with my sister! She is the one with the kids!! :)
1 year ago
girliepains says:
aww the canoooooes!
1 year ago
IrisTse says:
so lovely =)
1 year ago
jewelkingthai says:
Love to try this
1 year ago
AlpineGypsy says:
Complete & utter RADNESS!!! Thanks, Heidi
1 year ago
eastmeetswest says:
amazing :)
1 year ago
earlgreymorning says:
Hey I don't know if you pay much attention to these comments and this post is kind of old but I'd just like to gently point out that this is kinda cultural appropriation :/ I recommend taking a look at this zine for a little more information. It focuses on appropriation of the head dress but the it's short and simple and addresses issues of erasing individuality and diversity of native people and various tribes: http://zinelibrary.info/headdress Some other ways to present this idea would be to link readers to actual information on local tribes so that they could teach their children factual information about native structures and symbols instead of perpetuating the false assumption that all indigenous people lived in teepees and had the same language and images etc. You could also just steer clear of the whole native bit by not referring to the tent as a teepee at all but a play fort or tent. I hope you take time to think about this and do some research of your own. Have a nice day c:
1 year ago
thomasconnor says:
This is a great tutorial. I would recommend to consider the willow teepee: http://www.kidsteepee.net/willow-teepee/
1 year ago