How to Make a Tent for a Folding Card Table

When a formal table with a long tablecloth is set, a child will tend to crawl underneath to hide away and play. Children love small, secret "cubby" spaces in which to tuck away, play and pretend. Cover a card table in playfully-patterned fabric and provide children with a fun hideout. Personalize the tent with accessories that suit their personality. When play is done, simply fold up the tent to store away for the next rainy day.

Instructions

1

Set up a card table to be used as the tent framework for a child. Measure up one side of the table, across the top and down the other side with a tape measure. Measure up the front of the table, across the top and down the back with a tape measure. Lay an old, clean sheet or fabric piece on a flat surface. Draw and cut a large rectangle using the measured dimensions from the card table.

2

Draw a square with a fabric crayon at each corner of the sheet using the height of the table leg for the length of the square's sides. Cut out each square at the four corners. Cut small squares out of the fabric to make windows in the fort.

3

Lay the right sides together of the fabric along each square corner. Sew the edges together, creating a fabric box the size of the card table. Hem the window edges. Cut a line up the middle of one fort side to create a tent-like opening. Alternatively, cut a half-circle in the fort for a mouse-hole opening.

4

Stitch accessories on the card table tent. Add satin ribbons to tie back the tent flap openings. Sew rectangles in contrasting colors to the inside walls to create pockets and cubby spaces for storage. Place the fabric tent over the card table and allow your child's imagination to take over.