Create Your Own Tipi

Tipi Information

Tipis were made out of buffalo hide (usually between 8-15 hides) sewn together. A frame of three or four poles would start the process of building up the tipi. Most finished tipis would have between 15-25 poles before it was covered with the hide.

You could fit (depending on the size) 8-40 people in a tipi. The entire family would live in one tipi for the most part. Women made the tipi, but it was the man that painted it. He would use past warrior experience, visions, or other symbolic illustrations. This would be the only part a man had to play with the tipi. Women were the “queens of the castle” when it came to the tipi. They would assemble, disassemble, decorate (inside), and run the daily tasks in the camp. If you angered a woman, you might just find your possessions outside the tipi.

Tipis were used by nomadic tribes and non-nomadic tribes. They could be carried by travois on horses (or by dogs before horses were introduced). Lodgepole pine was the preferred tree for poles, but other types of tree would be used when if pine wasn’t available.

Remember that different tribes used different materials, patterns, and sizes of tipis. These are just general information facts.

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  Tipi Ranger Talk

  Park Ranger Kristen Norgaard describes the construction and cultural significance of tipis to American Indians of the Northern Plains.

  Duration:

  3 minutes, 55 seconds

Printable tipi template

NPS Photo

Instructions:

1. Print off a tipi template and you will need to cut on the outer lines and the small triangle that is the opening.
2. Decorate the outside of the tipi to your own preference, or can use an image of symbols or another design to inspire them.
3. (Optional) Once you are done decorating, you can add poles. You will need to cut a small hole where the lines intersect in the center of the template. Tape the tipi poles on the five inner lines. You can do this or ask an adult to help you do it.
4. Tape the tipi shut.
5. (Optional) Tie a piece of string/thread/yarn onto the poles to bring them together to finish off the tipi.
6. When your tipi is finished, take a photo of it and post it on our Facebook page.

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  Tipi Activity

  Park Ranger Kristen Norgaard walks you through printing out, decorating, and constructing your own tipi.

  Duration:

  3 minutes, 23 seconds