We’ve seen a huge trend rising in our little tent world – lanterns hanging from the inside of tents! It seems so simple, but it gives kids a whole new vibe in their little tent paradise. Not only are they able to hang out in there at night without a flashlight, but it just adds that extra spark of personalization, home-y ness, and charm to their own little slice of paradise. While it is easy enough to scour the internet for a little tent lantern, we thought, why not make it extra special and show off our DIY Tin Can Candle Holders? Don’t worry – they are flame-free yet still full of creative fire!
Cottage Bed Tent
We had to pair this adorable DIY with one of our most popular bed tents! How much fun would it be to say sweet dreams in your very own cottage bed tent? With flower boxes and a picket tent, roof windows and side windows, it will be just like sleeping in the country with all of the singing birds.
Full curtain front doors and soft colors make this 77 in X 38 in X 35 in tent a very imaginative play environment. You’re not stuck to just the bed, either —you can even play in the tent by placing it on the floor. When bedtime comes, simply put the bed tent on top of the bed and you’re ready for dreamland. The exterior of the bed tent may be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Our coated fiberglass poles are safe and easy to use, making set up effortless. Designed to help you enter your dreams in real country style!
DIY Tin Can Candle Holders
Your little one will love nothing more than to crawl into their tent, turn on their lantern, and begin their cozy tent session! This DIY does require a little adult assistance with the set-up, but the rest can be handled by your little one and their imaginative creativity.
What You Need
- Soup cans with paper removed, soup emptied and can clean
- Drill
- Paint – we used the colors of the tent, but you can get creative!
- Paintbrush
- Pipe cleaners
- Battery-operated candles
How You Make It
- Grab a clean soup can and drill holes randomly throughout the whole can
- TIP: You could drill holes randomly, or do a pretty design with the holes such as a heart or a flower. Whatever you decide, just make sure you have a hole on each side near the top to create a handle!
- Paint the can to your heart’s desire. Get creative here! We used the tent as inspiration for design and color, but use whatever your little one loves or has handy
- Allow for the can to dry
- Add a pipe cleaner handle by securing in the two holes you made earlier one on each side near the top
- Drop in the battery-operated candle and hang inside your tent! Turn off all the lights to really marvel at your lantern’s awesome design on the walls from the light coming through the holes!
Other Ways to Make Your Tent Like Home
Kids love having their own private, designated space to crawl and hide into. That’s why tents and couch cushion forts are so popular! Aside from the DIY Tin Candle Holders, check out some of our favorite ideas to help turn your little one’s tent into a space they will love even more.
Designated Pillows and Blankets
Of course, being cozy is essential to each and every tent. What makes it even cozier is having designated pillows and blankets just for the tent that never leave the space, if only for a good washing. While setting this up yourself and surprising your little one is always a fun thing to do, it might be even more special for them to tell you what colors they want, what ideas they have, or even to go with you to pick out the items themselves. Bonus points if you line the bottom of the tent with a foam mat for extra cuddle-ability!
Set Up a Book Nook Inside the Tent
There’s nothing quite like snuggling up inside a tent and getting a good book in before bedtime. Depending on how big your little one’s tent is, you can set up a cute little book nook inside the tent and even hang a sign above it for extra sweetness. The book collection doesn’t have to be large here – it can just consist of your little one’s current fav’s so they are easier to grab than sifting through the larger bookshelf. You can set up the book nook with a small rack on the floor, pockets hanging on the wall (such as a wall shoe organizer) or a cute bin in the corner.
Furnish it
Aside from designated pillows and blankets and a book nook, you can furnish your tent even further with other inexpensive finds! These can include adding a small side table for doing crafts, hanging string lights for more sparkle, adding a colorful rug for the floor, putting in a trash bin so that it doesn’t get too filthy, or even adding some entryway charm outside with plants. Your little one won’t want to leave!
Let Us Know!
What are some ways that you and your little one have decorated your tents? Did you make the DIY Tin Candle Holders? Let us know in the comments below, or reach out to us on social media. Happy decorating!