How to Make a Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet

When my first blog was in its infancy, one of my most popular projects was a DIY kids play tent. 

That project and those (terrible) photos are long gone now but I still love a good play tent!

When I was sent a review copy of Upcycling Outdoors by Max McMurdo, I saw his take on a play tent using pallet wood and fell in love with it.

I invited Max to come teach you guys how he made his awesome DIY pallet project into kids glamping tent!

Check out Max's tutorial below and then be sure to pick up a copy of his book, Upcycling Outdoors. You can find it at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Carissa

Upcycling isn’t just for adults – in fact being creative with junk really brings out the child in me!

When I was growing up I’m pretty sure I spent my entire school holidays building dens.

The joy of this design is that you can create a magical space in your garden or a den for the kids using just two identical pallets, some fabric or a bed sheet, a hammer, and nails.

The joy of using pallets the same size is that the wood is already the right length so you don’t even need to cut anything!

That means you can get the kids involved.

What could be better than helping your children create their own teepee out of reclaimed materials and then watching them make it their own, enjoying the great outdoors with their friends.

Of course, if you’re a big kid like me you might consider creating a larger, adult-sized teepee using more than two pallets and a couple of bed sheets.

To add a real magical sense of fairytale glamour, dress it up with lots of scatter cushions, some soft throws and a string of battery operated lights.

DIY Pallet Project:
How to Make a Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet

Supplies

• 2 pallets of the same size (be sure to check that they are safe and not chemical treated first)
• Old bedsheet or large length of fabric
• Hammer
• Nails
• Sand paper

Directions

Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet STEP 1: 

Separate the wood on your pallet using either a pallet breaker or a hammer and breaker bar. Remove the nails by hammering them back through (you may have to straighten them first)

Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet STEP 2: 

To create a safe, strong structure you will need an A-frame at each end. Mark a pallet board width down from the top of the board to create a good overlap.

Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet STEP 3: 

Set two pieces of pallet together and nail them together to create an A-frame for each end. Nail the bottoms to the corners of the pallet base.

SAFETY NOTE: Make sure that all old nails are removed and any really rough pallet wood is sanded smooth.

Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet STEP 4: 

To give additional strength to the structure and to support the fabric cover, nail a crossbar into the place where the A-frames cross.

Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet STEP 5: 

Measure, mark and cut your fabric to size. Throw over the crossbar and secure with nails at the bottom, pulling the fabric taut.

Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet STEP 6: 

Dress the interior with cushions and throws. Fairy lights can add glamour.

That's it!

If you love this Glamping Kids Tent from an Upcycled Pallet, be sure to pin it to save it for later!

If you loved Max's project, be sure to pick up a copy of his book, Upcycling Outdoors. You can find it at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

About the Author:

Max McMurdo officially started his career turning junk into treasure as a child crafting washing up liquid bottles into spaceships!  After graduating from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 in Product Design and Visualisation in 2000, Max fulfilled his boyhood dream and became a car designer in Cologne, Germany.

In 2003 he established his business Reestore ltd with the aim to design and create a range of upcycled furniture and accessories from objects destined for landfill. By 2007, Reestore had won several design awards and featured in many galleries and exhibitions. 

Reestore now has a client list that includes The Body Shop and has completed several installations for Google’s head offices globally. In 2014 the company won gold at the Chelsea Flower show with Kate Gould Gardens.

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