Camping Panda
Camping is undeniably a beautiful experience for kids, but finding a suitable sleeping arrangement can be daunting. As all parents know, kids need a lot of stuff. You’ll need toys and outdoor games to keep them entertained, a stuffed animal for nighttime, and essentials, which may vary based on the child’s age.Â
Then, you have to think about comfort. Chances are you’ll need an air bed or camping cot. With all this in mind, it’s easy to understand that the best family camping tent must be spacious. Ideally, you should be able to stand and move inside it, too. Sounds difficult? You needn’t panic. We already did the hard work – check out our rundown to find the right family tent for you.
Waterproof
Is it well protected?
Ventilation
Is it breathable?
Longevity
Is it build for years to come?
Price
Is it the best value for your $?
Set Up
Is it easy to set-up?
Durability
Is it strong enough?
Convenient
Is it designed for comfort?
Sleeping Capacity
Is it spacious and roomy?
18
Hours Researched
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Products Evaluated
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Reviews Considered
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Sources Researched
Finding the right balance between value and money when choosing a family camping tent is not always easy, but the Core 9 fits the bill. This tent is huge, super-easy to set up in less than 5 minutes, and comes at a price that won’t break the bank.Â
Ideal for summer camping, it features a sturdy, cabin construction. A roomy interior can accommodate two queen size air beds plus additional gear, while 78-inch head clearance allow you to stand and move inside it without bending. A removable rainfly reveals a mesh ceiling – just perfect for star gazing before bedtime. Furthermore, the tent features plenty of windows for proper airflow even on the hottest nights.
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Spacious and lightweight, the Coleman Sundome could be the best tent for families on a budget. It comes at a very affordable price tag, yet it can easily satisfy with its features and quality. The 6-person size is just right for two adults, three kids, and camping gear, or you could choose a smaller version if you need a lighter, smaller, and cheaper shelter.
The 10 by 10 feet floor size provides more or less the same space as a small nursery, and you can even stand and move around the tent thanks to the 6-foot head clearance. Like the Core 9, it’s an excellent choice for summer camping. It doesn’t pop up instantly, but the 15-min setup is well worth the hassle.
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The NTK Arizona is the perfect tent for big families or parents camping with older kids. Boasting a huge floor area, it comes with a removable room divider that provide the desired privacy to all occupants. Two large doors, one in each half of the tent, add more value, especially when compared with tents such as the Core 9.
While, this isn’t the type of tent you’d choose for hiking, it’s still pretty lightweight considering its size. It comes packed in a convenient carrying bag, and two adults can easily take it to the camp site. Among highlights, we have to mention the anti-fungal floor that stands up moderate rain. No doubt, a great choice for most seasons.
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Another conventional pitch tent from Coleman that’s made it to our list is this dome tent designed for six people. As you can imagine, it’s perfect for two adults and up to three kids (four smaller ones), and for a traditional pitch tent, it’s very easy to set up, in under 10 minutes.
Its greatest highlight is the large screen room that provides additional covered space for your camping gear. The screen room comes with a floor and a double zippered door, so you can also use it as sleeping space for your pets or to set up the breakfast table.
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The Coleman Montana is one of the best family tents for summer camping. From first glance, the first thing that sands out is its size. This is a behemoth of a tent that can really house 8 adults, or a family with lots of kids, pets, and gear.Â
Excellent interior compartments allow you to create two rooms without hassle. We also like the hinged door and the awning that provides further sheltered space for one or two camping chairs. Ventilation is excellent, too, while the removable canopy reveals a panoramic mesh ceiling. Not so grate for cooler weather or camping in bad weather, this tent can easily meet all needs on hot summer days.
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Whether you want to go camping with your friends or the extended family, the Coleman Cabin Tent is perfect. It has enough room to house 4 queen size air beds – for you and your partner, the kids, your parents, and even your in-laws.Â
One of its greatest features is the dark room technology, that keeps the inside dark, so you can sleep even past noon. The darkness also helps keep the interior cooler, so you won’t be too bothered by the high temperatures. A thing it misses is proper water resistance, so we only recommend this tent for the warm season.
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The HIKERGARDEN has a simple construction, but it’s an excellent tent for small families. Spacious enough to accommodate two queen size air beds, it boasts an ample floor room, a big D-style door, and four large windows.Â
It isn’t instant, but you can set it up in under 10 minutes, thanks to the color coded sleeves and poles. Ideal for most seasons, it also boasts a removable rainfly, while the sturdy poles provide good wind resistance. Affordable and easy to use, this tent is a great choice for families on a tighter budget.
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Designed for 6 to 8 people, this camping tent is ideal for larger families. Its greatest highlight is the cabin design with near vertical walls, that maximizes the interior space. A sturdy construction makes it perfect for all-season camping.One of its most prominent feature is that it can be fully automatically folded and unfolded with one button, which is very convenient and practical.
Don’t expect oversized windows, but you’ll still get plenty of airflow in summer. A double-layer design promotes heat retention in colder weather, too, and the external door doubles as a sun shade. Lightweight but sturdy, simplistic yet versatile, this is one of the best tents for families on the market today.
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The main difference between this tent and the cabin-style 9-person tent from Core we featured above is the design. This one is a better choice if you live in an area with frequent winds, as its dome structure has higher resistance to elements. It’s not suitable to use in heavy rain, though.
That said, you’ll still get plenty of value for money. A generous room can house two queen size air mattresses plus gear. Side windows and a large mesh door enhance airflow, while the rainfly extends past the door to create a shaded area where you can place a camping chair. The tent is easy to setup despite its size, and relatively compact when packed, for easy transport.
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The last entry on our list of best family tents comes from Coleman. Elite WeatherMaster not only provides plenty of floor space for people and gear alike, but it also packs a wealth of interesting features. One that comes in handy is the built-in tent light with wall switch. It is very easy to operate, and will definitely help your kids overcome the fear of darkness.
Despite the traditional pitch style, the tent is easy to erect. The WeatherMaster technology delivers more rain resistance than other tent from the brand. We also like the oversized vestibule that offers a shaded area for relaxation. Sure, it has some flaws too, but all in all, it’s a great tent for campers and tailgaters.
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Camping is synonymous with quality family time, but when the night falls, being able to provide your youngsters with a comfortable sleeping space is essential. If you’re camping with toddlers or preschoolers, you might also want to use the tent for the afternoon naps – unless you want to invest in a hammock and hammock net.
Considerations such as tent size and style are important when choosing the shelter for your family. If you can’t decide which of the models above to pick, check out the guide below to find the best family camping tent for you.
Tents come in a variety of types, including ridge, dome, tunnel, and cabin tents, to name just a few. Ridge and dome tents provide good wind resistance, but little interior space. Depending on your purpose, you should consider getting a:
If you ever went camping with kids, you know already that a family of four needs more space than a group of four adults. This happens because families usually need more gear, including air mattresses, toys, more clothes, and sometimes even small appliances. With this in mind, you should get a tent twice the size of your party.
For instance, if you are two adults and two kids, you need an 8-person tent to camp comfortably. A 6-person tent could do too, but you may have to squeeze, especially if you have lots of gear. Sure, a smaller tent could save you some bucks if you’re car camping and don’t plan to keep all your stuff in the tent.
Thus, the rule of thumb is to consider a capacity of at least two more people larger than the actual size of your family.
Portability is important for all tents, but when buying a family camping tent, your primary concern should be comfort rather than weight.
Indeed, most families choose to drive to the campground instead of hiking; if that’s your case, a heavier tent won’t be a burden.
On the contrary, if you plan to hike rather than car camp, you may want to compromise on comfort and get a smaller, lighter tent even if it means you’ll be fitting at a tighter squeeze.
When camping with kids, your main concern is to keep them safe. This means providing them with a dry, secure shelter in all kinds of weather.
Four-season tents are known for their durability and performance. They are constructed to withstand strong wind and a fair amount of rain or snow, but despite their 4-season title, they aren’t your best choice for mild weather camping.
Indeed, these tents often have smaller windows and fewer mesh panels than 3-season tents, and they can become quite hot in warmer weather.
If you’re mainly camping in the warmer season – from late spring to early fall – a 3-season tent will undoubtedly provide adequate weather resistance as well as proper ventilation for a comfortable sleep.
Besides everything above, the features below are important if you want your family to have a stellar camping experience:
Most family tents can be pitched in 20 minutes on average. Many of them feature easy assembly technology, for quicker setup. However, due to the large size and support required, you may have to invest the effort to pitch them. Try to pitch it at home before you drive out to a remote area.
The average family tent costs between $200 and $300. Many smaller tents can be purchased in the $100 range, but they don’t have the space to house a large family plus additional gear. Family tents are more expensive because they’re larger in size and made from sturdier materials.
Always opt for a bigger size than you need. If you’re a 4-person family, purchase an 8-person tent. This leaves you with space to create a mini kitchen, play area for the kids or a relaxation area. If you’re two families camping together, go for a 10+ person tent. If you don’t get bigger, you’ll only be left with sleeping space inside the tent.
You’ll need about 10 x 10 feet to pitch a family-sized tent on average. This is important if you’re booking a space near a camping site on a beach or anywhere your space is restricted.
Family tents will last based on the amount of time you’re using them. The biggest detrimental factor is the exposure of the tent to the elements such as snow, rainfall, and sunshine. If the tent sits out in a desert for 3 months, it will be exposed to heavy elements and eventually start decomposing. However, if it’s used occasionally for short weekend trips – it could last for years.
