Best Teepee for Toddlers

Everyone needs a quiet place to call their own from time to time, and your child is no exception. However, maybe you live in a small home and the only space you have available is a corner, or maybe you’re looking to create a dedicated relaxing area in your child’s bedroom or another room. Whatever your situation happens to be, a teepee is a great option for providing a private space that’s just the right size for a toddler.

Most teepees are simple structures that have similar features, but there are certain aspects of each model that could make a significant difference in how well the teepee fits into your home.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes a teepee so special, and we’ll also cover several options in detail to help you in your task of shopping for the best teepee for toddlers.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

• Tiny Land Kids Teepee Tent
• Sorbus Foldable Teepee Play Tent
• Lavievert Indian Canvas Teepee
• Little Dove Floral Classic
• Trademark Innovations 6′ Giant Teepee
• Little Dove Kids Foldable Teepee
• DalosDream Indoor Outdoor Play Teepee
• JoyNote Teepee
• Small Boy Portable Cotton Canvas Teepee
• OlarHike Teepee
• TazzToys Kids Teepee Tent with Fairy Lights

Note: There’s a lot more information below but clicking the above links will take you to current prices, further information and customer reviews on Amazon.

What is a Teepee?

A teepee is a tall, fabric structure with a two-flap closure and angled support poles. The poles sit farther apart at the base of the teepee and taper inwards to meet at the teepee’s pinnacle. This triangular shape gives the teepee great stability, and you shouldn’t encounter too many tipping problems with normal usage.

Since teepees consist of fabric and thin poles, they are typically very lightweight and easy to move. Thanks to their simple construction, teepees are very easy to both set up and collapse.

What are They Made From?

Teepees are simple structures, and they only have two main components: support poles and fabric.

Poles

Wood is the primary material for teepee support poles, and various types of pine seem to be the most common choices. While teepees usually stand several feet tall, you’ll most likely be dealing with shorter pieces of wood and plastic connector pieces to make full-size poles.

Most manufacturers sand their poles down smoothly, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your child getting a splinter from playing in their teepee.

Fabric

Most manufacturers use 100% cotton canvas for their teepee’s walls and floor pieces, although some models may use a material that is a cotton and polyester blend.

Due to its thick weave, canvas makes an ideal material for structured walls that won’t sag as much as some lighter fabrics might. Canvas also blocks out some light and can enhance your toddler’s feeling of being away in their own little world.

One potential concern in having a heavier fabric like cotton canvas is the lack of good airflow. However, most manufacturers avoid this problem by putting one or two windows in the teepee walls, allowing your child to get fresh air even if they have the front flaps closed. A window also makes it easy for you to check on your toddler without having to disturb their play by opening the door.

You probably won’t have to spend a lot of time or brainpower setting up most children’s play teepees. Typically, each side has pre-made sleeves to hold an assembled pole, so you simply insert a pole into each sleeve, stand the teepee upright and secure the tops of the poles together with a string tie. Tear-down is the reverse process, or you could just slide all the poles toward the teepee’s center for easy storage under a bed or in a closet.

Teepees are not climbing structures despite having a have wide, stable base. Since they will likely collapse or fall over if your child attempts to scale the walls, make sure your child understands that their teepee is only for appropriate play or relaxing inside.

What are the Benefits of a Kids’ Teepee?

Besides just being cute to look at, a teepee can help your child learn some important skills and simply have fun. Here are a few ways that your child stands to benefit from having a play teepee.

Independence

An often-overlooked but important life skill is the ability to enjoy time alone. While your child has always needed you nearby to perform or help them with every task in their early months, the toddler years are often a good time to help your child learn that they are capable of enjoying periods of time in independent activities.

Solace

A toddler’s life is full of big emotions contained in a little body, and sometimes your child just needs a quiet place to escape the noise and commotion around them. A teepee’s compact, child-sized area provides a comforting place to unwind with favorite toys, books or blankets.

Privacy

Even if your home is too small for your child to have their own playroom, a teepee can be the perfect solution for creating an area that is your toddler’s very own personal space.

Imagination

When you leave a child alone with their imagination, you can usually look forward to lively stories about fanciful friends that came to visit or wild adventures that your child went on. Your child’s teepee can be the perfect setting for daydreaming and imaginative play, and you may also find that the teepee is a favorite place during playdates with other friends.

Our Choices for the Best Teepee for Toddlers

Tiny Land Kids Teepee Tent

Elaborate is not always better, and this simple teepee from Tiny Land proves that doing just a few things well is often the best option.

If you prefer children’s items that don’t look glaringly childish, the Tiny Land teepee’s all-white color scheme could be the ideal solution. The walls are a smooth, premium cotton canvas that provides good breathability, low allergens and no strong odors. While the simple white fabric won’t clash with any other decor elements in your home, it can also be the perfect backdrop for your little artist to embellish with paints or markers.

We appreciate that Tiny Land included a padded mat as part of the original purchase. Since the mat and teepee are part of the same set, you’ll never have to deal with gaps and bunching from blankets or pillows that are too short or too long. The addition of safe lights just makes your toddler’s teepee feel like an even more magical place, and Tiny Land has you covered by including a strand of star-shaped white lights.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 7.9 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 48 inches wide and 66 inches tall

Summary

This simple teepee is easy to set up or tear down, and the neutral color looks great in any room. We also love the helpful accessories that come with the teepee, so you won’t need to make any additional purchases.

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Sorbus Foldable Teepee Play Tent

Both cute and functional, this little teepee provides a private escape that also looks great.

We like that this teepee has an attached floor piece, so you don’t have to worry about the teepee tipping over from your child trying to crawl out from under one of the walls. With dual front flaps, your child has plenty of space to fit out the actual door. A peek-through window situated in one wall lets your child see what’s going on in the rest of the room, and it also gives you the chance to see what’s going on inside the teepee.

The fabric is a blend of cotton, polyester and canvas, so the material is strong enough to hold up well for the long term. The bold striped print gives the teepee a fun, kid-friendly look that still has a modern feel. Especially if your room decor is more on the contemporary side, this teepee should fit right in.

While your toddler should still have plenty of room to lay down or play with other small children, this teepee is decidedly on the small side.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 6 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 43 inches wide and 51 inches tall

Summary

Thanks to wide, high-contrast stripes, this teepee has a fun design that appeals to both children and adults. With its lightweight materials and compact size, you can just as easily use the teepee at home or away.

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Lavievert Indian Canvas Teepee

If you’re looking for a teepee that is just as appropriate for afternoons outside as it is in your child’s bedroom, this option from Lavievert could fit your needs nicely.

Lavievert added a water-resistant lower mat that comes in extra handy when your child wants to use their teepee outdoors. A small pocket in each corner holds the bottom of one pole, so you won’t have to worry about constant readjustments to keep the teepee and mat aligned. However, the mat’s slippery underside can cause the entire teepee to slide or creep on smooth indoor surfaces or short carpet, so you may want to pick an indoor setup area with deeper carpet.

With the cream-colored canvas and brown trim, this teepee has a traditional look that is reminiscent of actual teepees throughout history. Even though the thick material blocks quite a bit of light, your child will still be able to see well enough to play or look at books thanks to two window openings and a dual-flap door with tiebacks. The interior storage pocket also makes it easy for your child to keep any books or toys within easy reach.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 7.17 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 49.6 inches wide and 60.6 inches tall

Summary

This teepee has a traditional look, and the durable fabric and water-resistant bottom mat make this option ideal for short periods of outdoor use. For indoor use, try to set up your teepee on a carpeted surface to reduce sliding.

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Little Dove Floral Classic

With its delicate lace panel and all-white color scheme, this teepee looks like it would be right at home in an enchanted forest.

The soft white canvas provides a nice amount of structure while also giving the teepee a comfortable, inviting feel. The dual-flap front opening consists of two full panels of sheer lace, which looks beautiful and also gives you the chance to see what your child is up to even if they have the flaps closed. We also love that Little Dove added the adorable touch of lace curtains at the side window.

While the teepee has a dreamy, ethereal look all on its own, you also have the perfect opportunity to create a true fairyland with the addition of string lights and cushy pillows. This teepee can also make a great photo backdrop.

One minor gripe is that this teepee doesn’t come with a floor piece, so you’ll probably want to make sure your child has plenty of blankets or pillows to sit on.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 6.1 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 43.3 inches wide and 53.1 inches tall

Summary

If you or your toddler prefer a fancy, lacy play space, this lovely teepee certainly fills the bill. With its neutral color and compact size, this teepee fits perfectly into a variety of decor styles and room sizes.

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Trademark Innovations 6′ Giant Teepee

Why should your toddler have all the fun just to themselves? With this giant option from Trademark Innovations, spending time relaxing in the teepee can be a family affair.

Extra-tall poles and a pentagon shape make for a surprisingly roomy interior in this teepee. Multiple children or a child and an adult should have more than enough room to read, play or relax together.

While the five-pole design increases the interior space, it can be a little tricky to keep all five poles in the proper position. Fortunately, the poles are lightweight, so making an adjustment should be a quick task.

White cotton canvas provides a neutral effect that won’t look too jarring or childish no matter where you choose to set up your teepee. The attached floor piece provides a great base that also prevents your child from trying to escape from under a wall. The floor is the same canvas material as the walls, so you’ll still need blankets or cushions to make a comfy surface to sit or lay down. With a window that’s perfect for peeking through, you can check on your child easily or delight your toddler with a game of peek-a-boo.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 10.5 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 48 inches wide and 72 inches tall

Summary

This large teepee provides extra space that can be a great choice if you have multiple children or you want to share in the fun. However, be prepared for the possible need for frequent pole adjustments.

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Little Dove Kids Foldable Teepee

This little teepee may look overly simple at first glance, but smart construction and high-quality materials make this a great option for a variety of settings.

One thing that can be a little annoying about teepees is that the poles can tend to shift or slip a bit, especially if your child is playing energetically or going in and out often. Little Dove cleverly solved this problem by including a small stabilizer piece that fits between the upper poles to keep them secured together.

Even if you need to move your teepee from one side of the room to another, you should be able to skip the fold-down step and simply slide the teepee. However, the printed instructions can be a bit confusing, so it might be worth your time to search for an instructional video before assembly.

Even though this teepee has a minimalist design, Little Dove also included some fun accessories to decorate your toddler’s space. String up the strand of star-shaped lights for a soft glow, or add a little color with the vibrant banner or soft feathers.

Two interior storage pockets let your child safely stash their special items, and a side window lets you unobtrusively check on your toddler as they play.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 6 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 43.3 inches wide and 59 inches tall

Summary

While it’s still not strong enough for climbing, we love that this teepee includes a handy stabilizing piece that keeps the poles firmly in place. The soft white canvas has a great neutral look, and the smaller overall size is ideal for tight spaces.

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DalosDream Indoor Outdoor Play Teepee

If a simple, strong teepee is more in line with your preferences, this option from DalosDream might be a great fit for your home.

Reinforced seams give this teepee a better chance than some others of standing up to a toddler’s normal enthusiastic play, and the attached floor prevents gaps or toddler escape maneuvers from underneath the teepee walls. The floor panel also makes it easy to set up your teepee for afternoons outside without the need for additional blankets, and transport is easy thanks to the included carrying case.

DalosDream didn’t include any additional decorative accessories, so you’ll need to purchase your own if you want to add any personalized details. However, with no extra colors, patterns or details, this teepee is a blank slate that you can decorate to coordinate with any area of your home that you wish.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 7.17 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 48 inches wide and 56 inches tall

Summary

This simple teepee does a good job of providing a quiet spot for your toddler’s play, and the strong construction is a definite plus. No decorative accessories come with the teepee, but you can use your creativity to dress up your child’s space however you want.

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JoyNote Teepee

If you prefer decorative accents that are baby-friendly but still subtle, this JoyNote teepee could provide just the right amount of understated style.

The white canvas walls get a cute upgrade from the coordinating pompom trim around the front flaps and a sheer, polka-dotted upper panel over the doorway. JoyNote also includes glowing star stickers and a colorful banner for a little extra fun.

This teepee has no attached floor panel, so there will probably be a few inches between the bottom of the teepee walls and the ground. However, the floor-less design gives you better flexibility in positioning the poles at the angle you like, so you can reduce your teepee’s footprint if you desire. Additionally, JoyNote included a round, padded mat with a rubberized backing, so your child still has a comfortable surface to sit on.

JoyNote included a clever ball piece that helps keep your teepee properly unfolded. After threading the poles through the sleeves, standing the teepee upright and securing with string, place the ball into the center of the upper poles to provide some counter-pressure against the poles shifting inwards.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 10.25 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 34.3 inches wide and 60 inches tall

Summary

The monochromatic combination of white cotton canvas, delicate pompom edging and a sheer polka dot panel create an adorable look that feels just right for a toddler. The adjustable pole angle offers you some extra setup options, and the mat’s nonslip backing helps prevent sliding or falls.

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Small Boy Portable Cotton Canvas Teepee

Sometimes simple is the best option, and this little teepee from Small Boy provides a fun space for your child without all the extra bells and whistles.

Tie one or both of the two front flaps back when your child prefers to see the room around them, or use the Velcro flap closure to secure the flaps shut for a little extra privacy. Even if they have the door closed, rest assured that you can still check on your child through the side window. Your child can also safely store their little treasures in the interior pocket.

While you can never consider any teepee to be a heavy-duty plaything, the lightweight construction of this teepee makes it especially prone to breaking or shifting. However, as long as your child understands that they must play gently and use appropriate caution, you shouldn’t run into too many problems.

With its ultra-light components and handy carrying case, this compact model can be an excellent option for traveling or using at someone else’s house.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 5.6 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 43.3 inches wide and 53.1 inches tall

Summary

This small, simple teepee gives your child a quiet space in any area of your home, and a peek-through window and storage pockets are convenient features. Thanks to lightweight construction and an included carrying case, this teepee is a great traveler.

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OlarHike Teepee

With its combination of great looks, sturdy materials and smart design, this teepee can be a favorite for the whole family.

The chevron accents give this teepee a fun look that isn’t overly childish, and the gray-and-white color palette is still neutral enough to blend well with other furniture or decor themes. The peek-through window also has a chevron-patterned flap that serves as a privacy curtain.

Use the included star-shaped string lights to give a soft glow during the evening hours, and a colorful banner also lends some visual interest.

OlarHike included a floor piece that serves as a thin carpet, but this is a separate piece that does not attach to the walls. One gripe about this design is that there is enough space for your toddler to escape under the wall pieces, but one positive aspect is that you can wash the floor piece separately if needed.

If you think that your child may want to use their teepee outside or at someone else’s house, you’ll appreciate how easy the transport process can be with this option. Each pole breaks down into three sections as opposed to the typical two, so all your pieces fit easily in the included small carrying case.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 7.45 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 44.7 inches wide and 58.3 inches tall

Summary

With fun, patterned accents and kid-friendly accessories, this teepee has just the right amount of style to please toddlers and parents. Thanks to poles that break down compactly, it’s easy to take your child’s teepee along on your adventures.

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TazzToys Kids Teepee Tent with Fairy Lights

Even though the design elements are simple, this teepee has a surprisingly standout look.

Most of the extra style points come from the unique pole sleeve design. Instead of the standard full-length sleeves that completely cover the support poles, this teepee has four sleeve sections that leave much of the poles exposed for a cool, modern look.

We love that this teepee has two windows, so even if a tight corner is the only spot you have available for your child’s play area, you can still easily look in on your toddler. You also get a string of star-shaped lights and two feathers with your teepee, and four interior pockets provide just the right space to store light books or toys.

Sturdy New Zealand pine poles provide a firm structure. However, one thing to be aware of is that getting the poles adjusted and tied properly during the initial setup can be a little challenging, so you may need some extra time or another set of hands to make sure you tie the poles together tightly enough.

Manufacturer’s Specs

• Product weight: 7.55 pounds
• Unfolded dimensions: 47 inches wide and 49.6 inches tall

Summary

This teepee is cool to look at, and the included fairly light and feather accessories are a nice touch. While this teepee is fairly sturdy once it’s assembled, you might want to set aside some extra time and patience to get the initial setup just right.

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Conclusion

You face no shortage of good options when it comes to selecting a teepee for your toddler, and your child will probably love any option that you choose for them.

Our favorite pick is the Little Dove Kids Foldable Teepee. Any teepee can be prone to sagging or sliding, so we love the addition of a stabilizer piece that helps keep your support poles securely in place. The simple design and soft white color can fit in well anywhere in your house, and the included fairy lights, banner and feathers make it easy to jazz up the simple design.

What about you? Have you used a teepee for your toddler? What were your favorite parts about it, and what did you wish was different? Ask your questions or let us know about your experiences in the comments!