Build This Fun and Easy Kids PVC Pipe Tent!

Stephanie Abbott
by Stephanie Abbott
5 Materials
$40
8 Hours
Easy
I built the original version of this kids PVC Pipe Tent a few years ago. It’s been a favorite play place for my kids ever since. Now I’m giving the kids’ bedroom a bit of an update. So, I decided to give the tent a new Camp Blanket look. What do you think?

I love sharing my plans with all of you. Especially when it’s for something this fun! This tent is big enough to hold 2 kids with lots of toys or books. But it’s small enough to push through standard door frames. So, no need to take it apart when you need to move it. Yea!

In fact, when I built this tent 3-years ago, I skipped the glue. But, eventually my kids figured out they could take it apart. So, I recommend using super glue or PVC cement now. Unless you want 30 pieces of PVC laying around your house. icon

Let’s get started with this kids PVC pipe tent build!
I used 1/2" PVC from Lowe's or Home Depot to construct the frame. You can see the exact measurements and fittings on my site.


I made this frame large enough to hold 2 kids, but small enough to slide through standard door openings. So, no need to take it apart when you need to move it.
2 different fittings are used where the roof meets the walls. I connect them with a 3/4" long piece of 1/2" PVC Pipe.
I used 3 old Queen Pillows for the base of our tent. I sewed the edges of the pillowcases together to keep them from shifting.
Then I wrapped them in Fleece. No sewing required with this. Just cut strips along the edges and tie together.
The finished pillow is soft and cute. And I can always untie one side to wash it.
The frame is in place with comfy pillows.
I used a 9' x 12' drop cloth to make the tent cover. My sewing machine skills are really basic. Sewing straight lines is basically it. :) So, if you have a sewing machine and can sew straight lines too, then you can sew this cover.
BUT if you don't have a sewing machine, I have 2 easy options for you.
1. Just throw a blanket over this, kids fort style.
2. Use the fleece to make a cover. Just cutting and tying again.
The yarn tassels and ribbons give this tent it's cool style. You can pick any colors you like to match the room. :)
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Stephanie Abbott
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  • Irvinia Maynard Hall Irvinia Maynard Hall on Oct 26, 2019
    Love love love this.... may do it for my grandson when he is here.... what are the fitting that you used for the corners and what is the lengths of the pvc that you cut ?
  • Lisa West Lisa West on Oct 26, 2019

    This is so cool. When they get older it can be adapted to their ages. Also dont be surprised they ask you to make this for your grand children when that tile comes. Dont be surprised either if they ask you to make sole thing for their beds either. I know if I was a kid would ask. You habe not been a kid unless you made blanket forts lol. My mom had a closet just for blanket forts. I net this would have been easier for her though. You kids must have a great time in this. Do they have a battery power lantern for it. Also how many time have you found sleeping children in it? This is an awesome idea. Love it.

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  • Lydia Lydia on Jun 09, 2021

    Wow! You did a great job! Don't diminish your skills! Your sewing is top notch!

    This looks like a tent from Ali-Baba!!! I know....I'm dating myself! But with the trim and tassels.......Fantastic!

  • Johanne Palange Johanne Palange on Jun 10, 2021

    Despite your purportedly basic sewing skills, you did a great job. Any kid would love this. So do I. I love that you made the effort to add embellishments making the design unique. Great job.

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