This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Direct Energy. The opinions and text are all mine.
Summer break is almost here and it’ll soon be time to find things to keep the kids entertained. This DIY tent kit is the perfect way to encourage imaginative play … and it doubles as a pretty fun reading tent, encouraging kids to keep their heads in a book this summer! The best part? This tent kit will also teach kids about light and the importance of giving back and making a difference.
To make a DIY tent kit, all you need is a twin sized bed sheet and a few inexpensive dollar store items: a container to store the kit, a clothesline for hanging the tent, a variety of clothespins, clips, and suctions cups, duct tape, push pins, and a fan to cool things off. To light the tent in the dusky evenings, add a solar Luci light!
Developing countries around the world rely on kerosene for light which is both dangerous, expensive, and toxic. 1.5 billion people in developing communities don’t have access to reliable, safe, and affordable sources of energy. That means there are times when they don’t have lights to run businesses, can’t light hospitals and health clinics, or brighten up a home. When my daughter visited Kenya last summer she met kids who had been given a spot in a school but often couldn’t do homework at the end of their school day because they had no light at home.
Direct Energy recently partnered with MPOWERD to bring their solar Luci light to developing countries {to date, Direct Energy has helped to distribute almost 20,000!}. For each household that participates in DIRECT ENERGY’S GIVE BRIGHTER 12 PLAN {a competitively priced 12-month fixed rate plan}, MPOWERD will send one Luci light to a developing country and one to the customer’s home {shipping of your light may take 4-6 weeks from your date of service}. Isn’t that awesome? People across the developing world now have a solution to their lighting needs. MPOWERD’s non-profit community partners distribute Luci lights to people in need in countries including Kenya, Haiti, Philippines, and Nepal.
And the Luci light is pretty awesome. It squashes flat, inflates easily, and uses solar energy to provide light. Using only solar power, the inflatable and durable Luci lights can brighten a room for up to twelve hours after charging in the sun. It’s the perfect accessory for a homemade tent and perfect light for reading inside!
When the kids are ready to put the tent up, simply string the clothesline from a large tree or other immovable structure …
… and attach the other end to a window with suction cups, a fence with tacks or push pins, or clip it to something solid that won’t pull over.
Hang the sheet over the clothesline and use clothespins to keep it from blowing away or shifting to the side.
If needed, use rocks to keep the sheet from blowing around or stake the corners into the ground with tent stakes.
Add a cozy blanket, grab some books and a few snacks, and turn the Luci light on!
We’re planning an evening of s’mores in our tent, cozily lit with our Luci light! Doesn’t that sound like the perfect night of family fun?
The Luci light is convenient, lightweight, and so simple to use. When the kids aren’t using it in the tent, I’m going to store it in the storm closet for those times we’re all huddled in there with no power during a tornado watch.
Isn’t it neat to think you can have a small part in bringing light to someone’s life? #GiveBrighter by signing up for Direct Energy and make a difference in the world!
