5 Best Family Tents
If you click and purchase with one of our links, we earn a commission. Thanks.
There are so many benefits to camping. The fresh air, the stress release, and the exercise potential are a few. But camping would be pointless without a tent that can accommodate your entire family.
There are so many models of tents on the market these days, but the one thing you need to look for first in a family tent is the size.
Find out below some of the best family tent options available and what to look for when purchasing a tent.
The Top 5 Family Tents
Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent
Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen RoomBuy Now From Amazon
If you want to fit two queen-sized inflatable mattresses inside, the Coleman WeatherMaster could be the best family tent for you. It features leak-free seams and rainfly-covered doors and windows.
It has waterproof floors and a sturdy frame that will protect you from the wind. This is a dome tent that’s available in two sizes of 6 or 10 people capacity. It’s made of polyester and weighs 32 lbs. Also available is the screen room, hinged door, and storage pockets. Assembly will take about 20 minutes more or less, which is a pretty good time. Overall, this is a durable and comfortable family tent.
Pros
- Dome Construction
- Spacious
- Very durable
Cons A bit heavy
CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent - 14' x 9'Buy Now From Amazon
If you really don’t have the patience to set up a tent, the Core instant tent comes to the rescue. This is a cabin type of a family tent that should take no more than 60 seconds to open.
It fits 9 people comfortably and even queen air mattresses. It also features Core H2O Block Technology for better ventilation. If you crave a little bit more privacy, you can use the room divider that’s included. It also has an electrical cord access port which can be closed for safety.
Pros
- Instant type
- Great ventilation
- Large T-Door
Cons Small rainfly
Browning Camping Big Horn Tent
Browning Camping Big Horn Two-Room Tent, Black/OrangeBuy Now From Amazon
The Browning Big Horn Tent is the best family tent for a medium-sized family that needs no more than two rooms. It features six big windows and even two doorways for easier entry. It uses fiberglass poles and steel uprights, which means that this is a tent with a lot of stability. That comes in handy when it’s particularly windy outside. It weighs around 34lbs and the base size is 10’ x 15’. The center is extra tall, and there’s lots of room for sleeping bags and other types of camping gear.
Pros
- Free-standing tent
- Room divider
- Large storage
Cons Setup is a bit complicated
Tahoe Gear Ozark 3-Season 16-Person Large Family Tent
Tahoe Gear Ozark TGT-OZARK-16 16 Person 3 Season Large Family Cabin Tent, BlueBuy Now From Amazon
Are you taking the extended family camping? If you need a genuinely spacious family tent, the Tahoe Ozark is a fantastic option. It has the capacity to accommodate an impressive 16 people.
You might think it would take forever to set it up on the spot. But that’s not the case at all due to the shock-corded poles. The tent is waterproof (what camping tents aren’t, right?) and has a high-quality polyester fly and floor. The mesh design allows for an excellent airflow, which is essential when there are anywhere close to 16 people inside.
Pros
- Fits up to 16 people
- Easy to assemble
- Waterproof
Cons Not the last word in durability
Coleman 8-Person Tent
Coleman 8-Person Tent for Camping | Montana Tent with Easy SetupBuy Now From Amazon
Coleman is a household name in camping gear. If you have a smaller family or close group of friends who don’t mind the smaller space, this may be the best family tent for you. Don’t worry about the rain when you’re camping as it’s water-resistant and has welded corners and inverted seems. It also has a great rainfly that will offer even more protection from bad weather.
The door is hinged and very easy to open. If you need to store your items, you can use the storage pockets. As far as the setup time goes, it will take about 15 minutes on average to put it together.
Pros
- Small but roomy
- 1-year warranty
- Storage pockets
Cons Not very tall
What is a Family Tent and Why Do You Need One?
Tents are an essential part of the camping experience. If you’re camping as a family, a family tent is a great choice.
Instead of multiple tents, a family tent will keep the whole family together. And that is especially important if you’re camping with smaller children. They’re often safer and better made than smaller tents too.
The Different Types of Camping Tents
There are several ways to categorize tents. By the capacity, the number of seasons, instant vs non-instant, and the Construction. For this part, we’re going to concentrate on the last.
Cabin
Cabin tents can also be instant tents. Usually they’re quite boxy and tall. They also often have many windows and more than one room.
They’re great for summer camping and they provide a lot of headroom. The downside is that they tend to be heavier and more difficult to transport.
Tunnel
Tunnel tents are top-rated because they’re easy to set up and can often be extended to accommodate more people. This type of tent is also very versatile and durable. Although one of the disadvantages is that ventilation is poorer in the middle of the tent.
Dome
You’ll recognize a dome tent by the curved structure. They usually have a detachable groundsheet and an interlocking pole system. However, if you’re camping in the area where there are harsh winds, the dome tent might not work as great.
3 Benefits of Using a Family Tent
Camping trips, if not planned well, can often end up uncomfortable. Mosquito bites, ant invasions, and falling branches can disrupt your sleep.
But if you’re using a family-size tent, then these problems are mitigated. So, what other benefits are there to using a family tent?
1. Large Storage
Large and best family tents will usually have things like vestibules and even porches. This means more storage space for all the things you brought camping. The storage capacity in a family tent is far higher than in a single tent.
2. Durability
Because they’re bigger, family tents are usually made with very durable materials. And this means that in most cases, a family tent will be suitable for summer and winter camping trips.
3. Affordability
They will initially cost more, but stretched over the long term family tents can be very affordable. For big camping trips, that will save money compared to buying multiple small tents of similar quality.
3 Things to Look for in a Good Family Tent
So, you’re set on buying a family tent for your next camping trip, what now? How to pick the right one? Here are some of the most essential features to look for when getting a new family tent.
1. Size
If your extended family is coming too, or if it’s a camping trip for a group of friends, you already know what to do. The really big family tents are great, but they’re often quite heavy and bulky. And also, some campsites may not accommodate massive tents, or you may have to reserve in advance.
2. Design
When buying a family tent, check how big the windows are. Large windows are great because they offer lots of sunlight and ventilation, but they also don’t allow any privacy. Also, darkened sleeping areas will make sleeping in nature much more comfortable. Finally, check the entrance and if the tent has a large opening. And for when it’s raining, you’ll want to pay attention to the rainfly and window design.
3. Extras
Things like extensions that will provide a better shelter can be very important if you’re taking a lot of people on your camping trip. Also, tent carpets, which may seem an excess, are great for family trips. They will provide more warmth when the ground is unusually cold.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the article will help you pick the best family tent for your family. Going over all the features, benefits, and downsides can get overwhelming.
A family tent is an investment, after all. Our top recommendation is the WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent by Coleman, though that may change if you need to house more than 6. Coleman needs no introduction and this tent packs so many features and comfort at an affordable price.
The dome Construction is one of the best options for family tents, and this roomy and bright tent has the ability to make any camping trip memorable.
