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This is a foldable A-frame play tent that doubles as a reading nook: six 1x2 pine legs bolted into two crossed frames, a 1x2 ridge board threaded through curtain tabs for the roof, and a couple of tab-top curtain panels stapled to floor rails to make the walls. It uses almost no woodworking — the whole build is measuring, drilling matching holes, and bolting — which makes it a great first project or a build to do with a kid.
The geometry is set by a single reference line. Clamp four of the 1x2 legs flush with painter's tape, measure one straight line ~8" from the top across all four at once, and mark each board's center on that line as your drill point. Drilling all four to the same line is what makes the two frames cross cleanly and the tent stand square.
The two side frames each pivot on a 50mm bolt (finger-tight at first so it can swing), and the 1x3 floor rails bolt to the outside legs with 60mm bolts. The last 1x2 becomes the roof ridge: thread it through alternating tabs of two curtain panels so the fabric hangs down both sides. Staple the bottom edges of the fabric to the floor rails, pulled tight, and cover the staples with felt so little fingers don't find them. Set it up, snug the nuts with a wrench, optionally anchor the back legs to a wall, and fill it with pillows and books. It folds flat when the bolts are loosened.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x2 pine, 6 ft (select)Four legs, one roof ridge. | 5 each |
| 1x3 pine, 6 ft (select)Cut in half into two 3-ft floor rails. | 1 each |
| Hex bolts, 8mm x 50mm, with nutsFrame pivots. | 2 each |
| Hex bolts, 8mm x 60mm, with nutsFloor-rail corners. | 4 each |
| Hex nuts, 8mm | 6 each |
| Tab-top curtain panels, 84 in | 2 each |
| Felt stripTo cover staples. | 1 each |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Tent legs1x2 | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 72" |
| Roof ridge1x2 | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 72" |
| Floor rails1x3Have the 1x3x6 cut in half at the store. | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 36" |
Buy 6 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
5 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Line up four of the 1x2 legs and wrap painter's tape around them to hold the boards flush. At the non-taped end, measure a straight line across all four boards about 8" from the top. Marking all four at once guarantees the holes line up.
Using your straight line as a reference, mark the center of each 1x2 as the drill point, and drill all four legs at those marks.
Use one 50mm bolt and nut to attach two legs together at the drilled holes, finger-tight so the frame can still pivot. Repeat with the other two legs. You now have two X-frames.
Place a 1x3x3 floor rail about 1/4" off the ground and mark a drill spot 1/2" from its edge, and a matching spot 1/2" from the edge of the 1x2 leg. Drill both boards, then use one 60mm bolt per corner to attach the floor rails to the opposite outside legs.
Use the last 1x2 as the roof ridge. Thread it through alternating curtain tabs from two separate panels, with the right side of the curtains facing out, so the fabric hangs down both sides of the tent.
Lay the tent down for access to the underside of the floor rails. Pull the fabric tight, down and around each 1x3 rail, and staple all the way across, keeping it taut. Cover the staples with a felt strip so little fingers don't find them.
Stand the tent up where you want it, tighten all the nuts with a wrench, and optionally anchor the back legs to a wall for a permanent spot. Load in pillows, lights, and books.
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