Truthfully, I have been wanting to make a teepee for some time. So, last week while three grandsons were visiting, we made a TeePee 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. A basic teepee is not hard to make, although we did not follow exact Native American Indian (plain tribes) standards, as we tried to keep it simple and fun and a project any family could make. We fully respect the native American people and the plain tribes who lived in such a unique design for such a weather-worthy habitat. To build our teepee, 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 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 a neighbor grows bamboo. Optional: 1 inch metal conduit)
- 12′ x 18′ Heavy duty Canvas Dropcloth
- Lightweight cord or rope
- 5 sticks 9 ” long
- 2 sticks 6 ” long
- Scissors
- String
- Garden clippers
- Permanent colored Markers
What to Do:
1. Collect thin, sturdy branches and cut to sizes as shown, using garden clippers. The collecting is a fun activity for the kids. If desired, taper ends slightly by rubbing ends on sidewalk or a piece of sand paper.
2. Lay the canvas dropcloth out flat on the grass. Find the center top of the long end of the cloth, make a mark. Tie a marker onto the end of a string and then, holding marker upright at side top of long end of cloth, stretch string to center point, cutting string. Your string should be 9 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 9 feet wide by 18 feet long)
3.Determine spot for 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 your “backside” of your teepee. Spread bottoms of poles evenly around the ground. (You might note that we have an extra pole added … simply because one of the boys didn’t get to add 2 poles, so we just went with the moment)
4. Carry teepee cloth to the back of your teepee, assuming you have declared where the front opening will be. If you don’t have a tall husband, like I do, to reach up and place the top center of the cloth near the cross poles, remove the last pole 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 cloth to 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.
7. Use markers, or paint if desired, to decorate the outside of your teepee. We let the kids decorate however they wanted, after we showed them some American Indian designs. This is a perfect time to teach kids some native American history and the symbolism of native American designs.
Cost:
If you have a large drop cloth already, and a yard, you can cut the large sticks/poles yourself and you can make this project for very little money. If you are using large sticks from your yard and only have to buy the drop cloth this project will likely cost $70-75. If you need to purchase the poles (bamboo, wood, pvc) and dropcloth it will likely be between $125-150 to make this teepee.
This project is meant to help educate children on one type of dwelling/housing that some Native American plains tribes used, how it is constructed and put together on a basic level and to be used as a place to play and have a space to enjoy. It is not meant to offend, or to be disrespectful. We see teepees, or tipis, as an inventive type of housing that some Native American tribes used and we believe it is an ingenious structure that both teaches and gives shelter in a yard without nailing, sawing, or other building efforts.
For additional Family craft projects
Sharon Pierce McCullough