Games constitute an essential role in your child’s development. When children play, their creativity is practiced and enhanced. One thing children can do to develop a sense of creativity and resourcefulness is crafts. They can also ask their playmate to pretend-play with them. While it can be annoying to see scattered items on the floor, you must remember that this is part of their childhood. It would be nice if they have their own place for games and recreation. So as a supportive parent, you must know how to make a children’s play tent.
Contribution of a Play Tent in your Kids Development
- Motor Skill
When kids play tents, there will be more crawling and moving. So, kids get to exercise their joints and muscles. It is also a perfect area for kids to play a few games, like building blocks or connecting puzzles or similar games that require the use of muscles. - Creativity
Kids tend to think about what else they can put to the tent. They will associate it with your house’s setup. This promotes creative play, which happens to have a positive impact on your child’s mental and physical development. It will also make them emotionally healthy, making them easier to socialize with other kids. - Coordination
Since play tents require a lot of crawling and movement, this will give way to strengthen the coordination between the brain and other parts of the kid’s body. That is why most experts recommend that kids should be doing a lot of outdoor games. - Develops Social Interaction
Most of the games that kids can do in the play tent require a high level of interaction especially if they are with other kids. When they play, communication happens, thus strengthening their ability to interact with peers. It will be a way for them to learn the value of respect and to listen to the ideas and opinions of others.
How to Make Play Tents
The play tent is one of the most exciting playthings children can have. They will get to play as if they have their own house. The good thing is, with a play tent, you can also play along with them. Add some accessories like a cooking set and small chairs and tables, and you’re all set. So, learn how to make a children’s play tent to give your kids a fun childhood.
What you need:
- 4 Wooden dowels
- 4 Wood pieces
- 4 Meters of linen
- Canvas
- Glue gun
- Thin rope
Steps in Creating a Children’s Play Tent
Once you have all the materials on hand, you may start the process on how to make a children’s play tent.
- Making the Tent Base
For this, you have to open the fabric on the floor in the shape of a square. On its edges, you will place 4 of the wooden stick. Make sure the wood overlaps when placing them on the fabric.
Once the wood is correctly positioned on the fabric, get a glue gun to attach the wood down. Then glue the fabric on top of the wood. - Placing the Foundation
You will notice four small pockets in the corner of the square right after you glue the fabric. In those pockets, put the remaining posts of your tent’s structure after everything is dry. This will serve as the support of your roof.
When the posts are in the correct position, take the rope and tie them tightly on top. To adjust them for safety, you can use the glue gun to have a double reinforcement with the rope and the glue. - Making the Roof
For the roof, wrap the remaining fabric around the posts then glue it accordingly. Leave a small opening that will serve as an entrance to the tent. Make sure it is secure, so it won’t easily get destroyed when your kids play.
Advantages of Children’s Play Tent
Playing in a tent is a type of activity that stimulates the creativity of the little ones and develops their imagination. So, when you learn how to make a children’s play tent, you must not limit it to just making the main structure. You could add some extras like tables and chairs. You can also place pillows and blankets or put a small TV inside where they can watch kiddie movies.
You might not realize it, but play tent is also beneficial to you as parents. Here are a few benefits of learning how to make a children’s play tent:
- They are cheaper than plastic houses and wooden houses.
- They are very light and can be easily transported.
- Quick to assemble and disassemble, they can be moved from one room to another easily.
- You can add a wide variety of fabrics, colors, and designs. Also, they can be decorated with the preferred drawings of your children.
- Easy to clean.
Conclusion
Having a play tent is a great opportunity for you to play with your kids. Spending time with them is one of the activities that will tighten the bond between you and your kids. It will strengthen your relationship and your communication with your child. That is why you need to learn how to make a children’s play tent. Let your kids help you with the cutting and pasting, and make it an opportunity for quality family time. Get more tips on play pens.