Burrow Bend Pop-Up Play Tent & Tunnel — Multicolor

Three sections, one long crawl, and a doorway small enough that grown-ups are not invited. The Burrow Bend is a pop-up play tent and tunnel in bright red, yellow and blue — soft polyester stretched over a sprung steel wire frame, with a tunnel 17.7 inches across and an entrance wide enough that children of different sizes are not taking turns to get in. It opens on the playroom rug in the time it takes to carry it there, and folds back into its own bag when the afternoon is done.

Why families love it

• Three sections they arrange themselves. The tunnel comes in three segments, so the run can be laid out one way before lunch and another way after it.
• A 17.7-inch tunnel. The maker gives the tunnel a diameter of 17.7 inches (450 mm) with a spacious entrance, which is what makes crawling through it feel easy rather than tight.
• Soft fabric on a sprung frame. Soft polyester over sturdy steel wire support, described by the maker as tear-resistant.
• Certified to CPSIA, per the supplier. The supplier’s product data states the tunnel complies with CPSIA standards and has passed CPC certification.
• Down and away in seconds. It folds quickly after use, with securing straps and a carrying bag included, and the whole thing weighs about 3.75 pounds.
• The dog will try it too. The maker notes the tunnel also suits pets like cats and dogs, which is usually discovered before the first afternoon is out.

Designed for

The maker recommends it for children aged 3 and up — the years when crawling somewhere out of sight is its own reward, and when chasing, hide-and-seek and shouted rules do most of the work. Because the three segments connect end to end, the run is as long as the space you give it; the maker publishes the tunnel diameter but no assembled overall length, so we do not quote a footprint we cannot stand behind. It is a fabric-and-wire pop-up rather than a built structure, so it moves easily between a playroom corner, a covered porch and the lawn, and it is a good thing to have on hand for a birthday party. If you are weighing a soft tunnel against a wooden hideaway or a walled cottage, our playhouse buying guide compares the range by age and footprint, and the rest of it sits in Playhouses.

What’s in the box

• Three-section pop-up play tent and tunnel
• Carrying bag with handle
• Securing straps for folded storage

Assembly & care

There is no hardware to work through: the supplier describes it as a pop-up, and the three segments connect together and fold down quickly when play is over. Use the securing straps to hold it flat, then slide it into the carrying bag so the frame keeps its shape between sessions. The maker does not publish laundry instructions, so we would spot-clean the polyester with a damp cloth and let it dry fully before folding it away rather than putting it through a machine. Our assembly and care guide covers storage and seasonal care for the rest of the range.

Measurements are supplier-provided. Allow a little extra room around the footprint for walking space.