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The first thing you'll need to do is to build your tent's base – you'll need some timber skirting for this bit, so head to Bunnings and have them cut your lengths to fit. Lay your pieces of timber down 100mm from the edge of your fabric base in a square.
When your skirting is all laid out, grab a hot glue gun (if you don't have one, hop online and see if you can rent one through a hire company or AirTasker). Place three dots of glue on each piece of timber to attach to the base sheet.
Once your glue is dried (this shouldn't take too long) add a big strip of glue to the skirts and fold your material inwards. Once all the timber is glued you'll see there are small pockets of material in each corner of the fabric – this is where your poles will go. Tack down with a dot of glue and wait for your pouches to dry.
You'll need a second pair of hands for this bit. Pop your dowel poles into the corners of your fabric base and gather them all together in the centre, then slide them out to your corners. Once in place, secure the centre poles with twine or rope. Once they're nice and tight, use the glue gun to help keep all your pieces together.
Drape your desired material over the top of all your poles – we're using a plain drop sheet we found at Bunnings as it ties in with the decor. Once your material is on, grab a knife and make a 20mm slit above each pole so that you can pull the tops of your dowel through. Remember to take care when using the knife.
Once your canopy is in place, tuck the excess material underneath – and you're done! How easy was that? Jazz up your tent with battery-operated LED fairy lights, baubles or handmade garlands (though you may want to avoid these if your kids are very small, as they could be a choking hazard). Make the tent nice and cosy by adding cushions or a sheepskin rug – get your kids involved with this bit and they'll have a great sense of ownership over the project too.
So easy! And so, so much fun!
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
