Top Ten Ways to Use Tents for Fun, for Cats, for Kids!

Use a tent to camp out in. Naturally.

Set up a tent in the backyard to store boxes in. Clear your home of clutter. Better yet, set up a clutter clearing station in the tent and use it to sort through your clutter to get rid of it!

Set up a tent in the yard for the kids to play in. This is a perfect spot for those pesky "overnights" with their friends.

If your cat has kittens, let them live in a tent instead of inside your house. Voila! No more kitty-mess in your living space.

If you lose your home, a tent will provide adequate temporary shelter. I know, nobody wants to consider this possibility - but in case it ever happens, a tent is something that could come in handy.

Use a tent to protect your lawnmower and other gardening equipment. Not only will your garden equipment be protected, you will have a cleaner, more attractive yard by keeping the tools out of sight.

On day trips to swimming holes, a tent can provide a place to change clothes.

Store food in your tent to avoid paying higher prices later due to inflation. A good backup food storage plan is something every family should have.

Do you need a quiet, all-alone thinking space? A writer's retreat somewhere where the craziness of family life can't touch you? A tent might be just the right thing.

If you have a herb garden, you could dry your herbs inside a tent by hanging them from the ceiling.

If your in-laws come to visit - make them right at home - in your tent. This last suggestion came from my significant other. He suggests a dog barking nearby might be a nice touch.

I have to add, he's never met my parents so I don't know where he gets this odd idea, but some of you might find it helpful.

I love the magic of putting up a tent whenever I go camping. I love that cozy feeling of a home away from home. Thanks for coming along as I had fun making a list of alternative tent uses. May we all have the experiences we need with our tents!