Transform your garden into a magical retreat with a homemade natural tipi! Follow our simple instructions to create the perfect hideaway for your little ones this summer.
11.08.2025
While there are plenty of ready-made children’s play tents available—often with fabric covers—building your own can be a fun and rewarding alternative.
A tipi-style tent is one of the simplest structures you can build, and with a bit of patience, you can create a beautiful, natural feature that blends seamlessly into your garden. This one features a frame made from timber, but instead of having fabric covers, our design uses climbing plants around the outside. It’s a great way to encourage outdoor play, spark an interest in gardening, and even support local wildlife if you use pollinator-friendly plants.
Just follow these instructions and you'll have a sustainable and enchanting hideaway for all the family to enjoy.
To build your own garden play tent, you will need a variety of basic DIY tools and gardening equipment as well as suitable lengths of timber. Use the materials list below to get all your materials together before you start.
Consider where you want to position your garden play tent and clear the area if necessary so that your climbing plants have enough light and nutrients to establish themselves.
Timber tip
Spruce, pine, or Douglas fir are suitable wood types for this DIY project. We recommend using untreated, locally sourced wood where possible, as well as using an environmentally friendly wood protection oil.
Don't forget that you should always wear personal protective equipment when working with power tools. This includes, for example, safety glasses, gloves and more. The required PPE will be listed in the instruction manual for your product and you should read it fully before use. Familiarise yourself with your tool before using it for the first time, and check it before every use for any damage.
Your local STIHL dealer can help with preparing your machine for its first job, and will likely have protective clothing you can try on so you can make sure you are getting the right size. Please remember that personal protective equipment is no substitute for safe working.
First, cut all your wooden pieces to the specified lengths - the correct dimensions are in the materials list above. To avoid confusion, we recommend marking the 'cross board' pieces so they can be easily distinguished from the other floorboards. You'll end up with:
Use the STIHL GTA 26 cordless pruner for quick, clean cuts.
Drill a 15mm hole, 30cm from the top of each tent pole - this is where the rope will go to tie the poles together at the top. Then use a sander or sandpaper to smooth all edges. This helps prevent splinters and gives a smooth finish.
STIHL TIP: Pre-drilling with a smaller wood drill bit makes the work easier.
Lay out all the floorboards (except those marked as 'cross boards') starting with the shortest on the outside and working inward. They should all be lined up at one end, except the outermost 60cm boards which should be centered with the 108cm boards inside them, as illustrated in the diagram below.
Join the boards by applying wood glue along the 'tongue' of each board before fitting it into the groove of the next one. Use a rubber mallet to tap the boards together, ensuring a snug fit along the entire length.
Lay the 4 'cross boards' out on top of the assembled floorboards. They should be evenly spaced out across the base.
Secure the cross boards in place by driving a screw into the top and bottom of each board so that it is joined to each floorboard it crosses - this should require all 84 screws. Take care not to drive the screws all the way through the wood.
Apply wood protection oil to all the wooden parts and allow everything to dry according to the instructions on the packaging before moving on.
Move the wooden floor base to the desired location in your garden. Use wooden stakes to mark where each tent pole will go. Start with the entrance poles, spacing them 80cm apart, then evenly space the remaining stakes around the perimeter of the base.
Thread rope through the holes in the poles to gather them together. Carefully lift the frame upright and adjust the legs so they line up with the wooden stakes. Then tie the rope securely around the top of the poles to secure them together.
Remove each wooden stake, dig a small hole, and insert the PVC pipe at an angle. Hammer the pipe into the ground to make sure it's secure. Add gravel into the hole for drainage, then place the tent pole inside. Repeat for all legs.
Then attach the wooden crossbar to act as a door. Start by drilling a 4mm hole in the pole on the left-hand side of the entrance and screw in the L-shaped hook. Hang the door baton on the hook, level it, then drill a 6mm hole through the baton and tent pole on the right-hand side of the entrance. Insert the coach bolt and secure with a nut so the door can open freely.
Cut a piece of fabric to fit the entrance. Drape it over the crossbar and staple it in place.
Start by tying three evenly spaced rows of twine around your tent frame. These will act as support lines for your climbing plants, helping create a lush, even canopy of foliage for your tent. If you'd like to add fairy lights, now is the time to do it.
Next, dig holes around the base of your tent and plant your chosen climbers. Plants like ivy, sweet pea, passion flower and runner beans work beautifully, but any broad-leaved variety will do. If you're using potted plants, use garden wire to help guide the shoots up the frame to encourage them to grow in the directions you want.
After planting, give your plants a thorough watering and keep the soil moist while they establish. Consider using mulch around the base to help retain moisture in the soil.
Use an old blanket or sheet to cover the frame so it can be used as a shelter while the plants grow. Staple it in place for easy removal later.
Add cushions and blankets inside and your garden play tent is ready to enjoy.
These products will not only make your life easier whilst making your garden play tent, but they'll continue to serve you well long after your play tent is complete. The FSA 30 grass trimmer will allow you to trim the grass around your new garden feature with ease, and the RCA 20 is great for watering. With the right tools at hand, you'll find it easy to keep your play tent looking beautiful and inviting all year round.
The finished garden play tent will stand approximately 1.7 metres tall with a base measuring just under 1.5 metres square. This gives you a nicely sized tent that’s tall enough for children to stand in and wide enough for at least two children to play or relax inside comfortably.
Any vigorous climbing plant with broad leaves will work beautifully to form a lush canopy over your tent. For year-round coverage, it's best to choose mostly evergreen varieties of climbers such as ivy, clematis, honeysuckle, or climbing hydrangea.
Consider weaving in more flowering and fragrant varieties like sweet peas, jasmine and passion flower. You can even turn your tent into a mini edible garden by training vegetables like runner beans, tomatoes and climbing cucumbers up the tent frame, offering fresh produce to enjoy while you play.
Depending on which type of climbing plants you have chosen, the care will be different. Follow the care instructions on the plant label for specific advice.
In general, make sure your plants are watered regularly while they become established. You want the soil to be consistently moist, not soggy, and most climbers like well-draining soil.
As your plants grow, gently guide them up and around the tent's frame so they don't become tangled and have enough space and light to grow.
