The Tent

A tent is a little house you can carry with you. It is made of strong cloth stretched over poles. Tents keep you dry from rain and safe from bugs. They have been used for thousands of years by people all over the world.

Tents Long Ago

People have used tents since ancient times. Some of the first tents were made from animal skins and wooden poles. The Romans used leather tents for their soldiers. Native Americans used tall tents called tipis. Nomads, who move from place to place, still live in tents today.

Modern Camping Tents

Today's tents are made from light, waterproof cloth. They come in many sizes, from tiny one-person tents to huge family tents. Some pop up in seconds with bendy poles. Many have screen windows to let in fresh air. Campers love them because they are easy to set up and pack away.

Fun Facts

• A yurt is a round tent used in Mongolia that can last many years.
• The biggest circus tents can hold thousands of people.
• Some mountain climbers use tents made to stick to cliff sides.

Did You Know?

A big circus tent is sometimes called the Big Top because it is the main, biggest tent of all.