Blathers’ original tent is one of my favorite buildings in the game. The color is so pretty and it just looks much more interesting than the final museum. Many people choose to leave it as is when designing aesthetic islands for this reason. That, and there are so many creative builds to consider.
But for, let’s note a few important details about the tent.
**VERY IMPORTANT** I did NOT know this the first time I planned to keep my tent but once you place the tent, you can NEVER move it. You are only able to move a full blown museum, but the tent has to stay put. Luckily for me, I had placed it in a decent area but if you do not want your museum on a beach, please do not place it there out of the way thinking you can move it later. You will have to have this planned out ahead of time!
Next: Blathers’ tent will remain a tent until you give him a total of 15 unique bugs, fish, or fossils. As soon as you give him the 15th item, he will let you know that the expansion is underway and will be closed for refurbishment. There is no way to decline this, so be mindful of how many things you have given him if you do decide you want the tent to remain.
Another thing to note is that the new hotel feature will not be unlocked if Blathers’ tent remains. You must upgrade to a full museum to unlock the expanded pier and the hotel. For this reason alone, a lot of people who are playing on forever islands forgo the tent.
With all of that out of the way, let’s look at 15 unique builds for Blathers’ tent in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Related Posts: 100 Animal Crossing Island Themes You’ll Love || Forestcore Animal Crossing Island Guide
Butterfly Habitat
This is probably my favorite on the list because I love using Flick’s butterfly models as decor. Setting the tent up as a butterfly sanctuary is perfect for natural, spring, summer, or cottagecore islands.
Items for Inspiration:
- peacock butterfly model
- pergola
- agrias butterfly model
- white cosmos
- paper kite butterfly model
- pink mum (picked)
- monarch butterfly model
- garden wagon
- yellow butterfly model
- mum cushion
Campsite
It seems obvious but deserves a spot with inspiration. Keeping the tent to create a campground build is a great choice for islands with forestcore or National Park themes. You could place it next to the regular campsite or even create a few other island residents to utilize their initial yellow tent design.
Items for Inspiration:
- campfire
- kids’ tent
- original tent
- lantern
- stovetop espresso
- futon
- leaf campfire
- utility wagon
- wild log bench
Fossil Dig Site
I’ve seen this tent used as a backdrop for fossil dig sites. This is such a cool idea as you collect unique fossil pieces. It is worth noting that YES you can have Blathers assess your fossil without it counting towards your 15 donations as long as you keep it.
Items for Inspiration:
- amber
- flimsy shovel
- ammonite
- handcart
- dinosaur track
- termite mound
- shark-tooth pattern
- jackhammer
- australopith
- lantern
Magical Apothecary
I love this idea for mystical or magical islands or even witchcore. Just thinking of the items you could use for this makes me excited. Can’t you picture Diana running the show?
Items for Inspiration:
- fairy bottle
- glowing-moss pond
- glowing-moss jar
- mush stool
- fortune-telling set
- mush partition
- mush lamp
- stack of books
- suspicious cauldron
- decorative bottles
Dystopian Camp
Think dystopian novel or apocalypse island themes. Great for nomadic vibes where people set up camp until they have to move. This reminds me of Walking Dead in particular.
Items for Inspiration:
- wheat field
- retro transportation stop
- trash bags
- barbed-wire fence
- firewood
- tire toy
- pile of leaves
- termite mound
- bonfire
- carrot plant
Greenhouse / Botanical Tent
I love a green island and this would be one of my first choices for the tent. You could build out an entire garden / greenhouse area with plenty of flowers, planters, etc.
Items for Inspiration:
- hose reel
- greenhouse box
- water pump
- handcart
- cosmos shower
- stacked bags
- flower planter
- terrarium
- potted starter plants
- pansy table
UFO Research Facility
This is super niche but awesome. If you have a space / UFO island, consider keeping the tent for experiments and such. I can totally picture Cobb or Petri running this.
Items for Inspiration:
- flying saucer
- telescope
- moss ball
- moon
- microscope
- science pod
- glowing-moss-jar shelves
- nova light
- lab chair
- clipboard
Marine Biology Lab
For nautical or coastal island themes, a marine biology lab or biomes center would be a really cool build! Maybe you place the tent on the beach or peninsula. Remember to display some of the fish you caught (they will be presented in buckets and pools).
Items for Inspiration:
- tin bucket
- fresh cooler
- great white shark model
- tackle bag
- microscope
- water shoes
- snorkel mask
- pocketbook
- pop-up book
- clipboard
Naturalist Research Camp
This is a subtle theme but I think it works very well for most islands, especially if you are not a theme kinda person but still want the tent. Place all sorts of fossils, insect models, and items that fall under this umbrella around the tent for a general naturalist vibe.
Items for Inspiration:
- trekking shoes
- artisanal bug cage
- angled sign
- peacock butterfly model
- vine lamp
- book
- paradise planning planter
- mush stool
- vine hanging chair
- pocketbook
Gyroid Excavation Zone
A super fun way to utilize gyroids! Keep some buried and have a few hanging around. Maybe a gyroid circle. A lot of people do not know what to do with them and I think this could be a fun way to add some OG Animal Crossing charm.
Items for Inspiration:
- boomoid
- jackhammer
- bwoingoid
- flimsy shovel
- petaloid
- termite mound
- squeezoid
- wooden bucket
- twangoid
- stone stool
Celestial Observatory
Wouldn’t you love to see Blathers and Celeste working together as a duo with a celestial observatory? This would be such a fun way to use the DIY items Celeste gives you!
Items for Inspiration:
- telescope
- nova light
- stack of books
- moon
- homework set
- star fragment
- futon
- crescent-moon chair
- glowing moss
- handheld lantern
Mystic Ruins Library
For any island that loves the stone/ruin items, this is such a niche theme but could be so fun to make it into an ancient library in the middle of the forest. I can see Mineru in charge of this one – maybe place her home close by!
Items for Inspiration:
- wooden bookshelf
- ruined arch
- stack of books
- ruined seat
- ruined broken pillar
- strapped books
- homework set
- glowing-moss pond
- glowing-moss stool
- yunomi teacup
Wildlife Ranger Station
A wildlife refuge/ranger station would be especially great for islands that have a National Park vibe. Beau or Erik would run this… possibly together! Also… have you ever placed an ant you’ve caught? Do it and see how cute it looks.
Items for Inspiration:
- ant farm
- beekeeper’s hive
- garden bunny decoration
- mush stool
- log chair
- green mums
- decoy duck
- hibiscus shrub
- snail model
- wasp nest
Military Encampment
If you are a history or fantasy person and your island feels like it, a military encampment or base for soldiers could be a unique challenge.
Items for Inspiration:
- pirate-ship cannon
- campfire
- katana
- antique map
- kids’ tent
- globe
- camping cot
- antique boots
- pull-apart bread
- mug
Healer’s Tent
I picture this being a very communal vibe an herbalist or natural healer. For some reason, Paula comes to mind as the villager in charge of this.
Items for Inspiration:
- glass jar
- clay pitcher
- camping cot
- flower-petal basket
- cat grass
- cat plushie
- infused-water dispenser
- book
- paradise planning planter
- dispenser
