The Best Family Camping Tents
We all remember our first family camping trip. It was the time we were all together, with nothing but nature to entertain us. That’s why investing in a good tent is crucial for your next family excursion. Here are some of the best family camping tents that will help you create magical memories for years to come.
Although I didn’t have much experience camping when I was younger, our family developed a love of spending time outdoors and enjoying the wonders of God’s creations. We would try to go camping at least a few times each year, and we’ve gone through several different tents depending on the number of people, season, and location.
In my opinion, a quality camping tent can make or break your family’s outdoor adventures. Nothing can put a damper on your dreams of a blissful time with your kids quite like spending an hour trying to assemble a mess of poles and fabric. Except maybe huddling together in a leaky, drafty tent in the middle of a rainstorm. I may be speaking from experience on that one.
If you want to begin the tradition of family camping but aren’t sure where to start looking for a tent, read on to discover a few essential factors to consider as well as our recommendations for the best family camping tents for 2021. Knowing what to pack for your trip and finding the ideal shelter will make things much less stressful!
What to Consider When Buying a Family Camping Tent
The best camping tent for your family depends on several different factors. These may change over the years, but you’ll want to consider them before purchasing your first tent.
Tent Capacity
Most tents range in capacity from 2-person to 10-person or even higher. They typically go up by twos, so if you have five people in your family, it’s wise to opt for at least a 6-person capacity tent.
The size of tent you choose depends mainly on how much personal space you and your family members need. If the idea of being crammed in a small room with four other people makes you a bit nauseous, find one with enough square footage to allow everyone to spread out a little.
Your children’s ages are also essential when you’re deciding on a family camping tent. For example, if you’re camping with an infant, you’ll probably have them in a portable crib or bassinet. However, some travel cribs can be quite space-consuming, so you’ll need to consider that.
Ease of Setup
If you’re new to camping and don’t have much experience with pitching a tent, the best family tent will be one that’s uncomplicated to set up. This is especially true if you have young kids because it can be nearly impossible to keep an eye on a wandering toddler while tangled up in tent poles simultaneously.
The easiest tents to pitch nowadays are called instant cabin tents, and they’re a blessing for families with small children. Instant cabin tents come in a wide range of sizes, and they’re comparable in price with traditional camping tents.
However, it’s important to remember that while some instant cabin tents are all-inclusive, others still require you to attach the external rainfly. So you definitely don’t want to forget that essential piece of equipment!
Durability
The most essential quality in the best family camping tent is its durability and how well it holds up over time. The last thing you want is to pay a significant amount of money for a tent that tears, leaks, or breaks after the first use. Make sure that the camping tent you choose is made of quality, weatherproof material that’s strong enough to use in both warm and cool climates.
Best Family Camping Tents for 2021
Best Over-All Family Camping Tent: REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent
Floor area: 59.7 square feet
Peak height: 75 inches
Capacities: 4-person
Weight: 14 lbs. 2 oz.
Pros: REI has built a solid reputation for producing quality camping gear at a reasonable price, and the Grand Hut 4 Tent is the perfect example. The three-season tent has a roomy floor plan that optimizes space and an exterior design that keeps bugs and wind out while maximizing breathability.
Cons: The Grand Hut would work best for two adults and two small children, as the interior is more suited for smaller families. This would be a great starter tent before transitioning to larger models.
Best Camping Tent for Families of 3-4: Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4-Person Tent
Floor area: 64 square feet
Peak height: 84 inches
Capacities: 4-person
Weight: 20 lbs. 4 oz.
Pros: The Eureka Copper Canyon Tent has a simple, 4-pole design for quick setup and take-down. Its spacious interior allows occupants to stand up fully, and it’s roomy enough for several different bedding types. The waterproof curtains offer a practical touch, and the entrance is protected from the elements by an extended fly.
Cons: Although the tent itself is sturdy and well-made, some water can get into the tent through the floor. Others who have purchased the tent recommend placing an outdoor carpet on the floor, but that may not always be realistic for your situation.
Best Camping Tent for Larger Families (5+ People): Woods Lookout 8-Person 3-Season Tent
Floor area: 112 square feet
Peak height: 6 feet 6 inches
Capacities: 8-person
Weight: 20 lbs.
Pros: What really sets this camping tent for large families apart is the outstanding rainfly and water-resistant flooring. The Woods Lookout tent sleeps up to 8 people and offers plenty of room to get up and move around. The double doors also provide optimal ventilation to keep your family cool in the summer months.
Cons: This large camping tent is almost perfect, but it has some room for improvement. The large doors are great for moving large mattresses in, but they can be challenging to enter and exit.
Best Family Instant Cabin Tent: Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Seconds
Floor area: 56 square feet
Peak height: 4 feet 11 inches
Capacities: 4-person, 6-person, and 10-person
Weight: 16.75 lbs.
Pros: The spacious Coleman Instant Cabin Tent has much to offer and boasts an impressive 60-second setup. The double-thick fabric is both durable and weatherproof, and water stays outside where it belongs due to the tent’s design and construction. Several models are available, so your family can choose one that fits your specific needs.
Cons: If you’re planning on camping with more than one other person, the 6-person model of this family camping tent would be more comfortable for families of four or more. The 4-person version’s peak height doesn’t allow for full standing room, and the tents are on the bulky side when packed up.
Best Family Camping Tent on a Budget: Coleman Sundome Tent
Floor area: 10 ft x 10 ft
Peak height: 6 feet
Capacities: 2-person, 3-person, 4-person, 6-person
Weight: 8 lbs.
Pros: The value-packed Coleman Sundome Tent comes in a range of sizes at an affordable price. It’s the ideal family camping tent if you’re just starting out, and setup is straightforward and quick at around 10 minutes. The welded floors and inverted seams protect against the elements, and several windows keep the interior cool during warm weather.
Cons: Several reviewers commented that the tent’s stakes weren’t durable, so it might be wise to invest in sturdier ones before your trip. The tent is also more suited for warm-weather camping, as it doesn’t retain heat as well as other options.
Camping as a family is incredibly rewarding in many ways, and it’s a great way to create many beautiful memories. I hope these family camping tent suggestions will help you find the ideal one for your needs.