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Summer is just around the corner…well it is for us anyway and that means camping season! I am sure you have many fond memories of camping over the summer. I am actually certain it is way more fun as a kid when you can be out in nature without a care in the world rather than as a parent worried about the volume of dirt and stones your toddler is ingesting while they play in the middle of the forest!
Family camping is exceptional, there is no doubt about it. One of the key purchases you need to make however is the tent. A tent can totally make or break your camping experience. There are a few things you need to consider when choosing the tent to buy. You be able to make do as adults but when you add kids into the mix you need to think a bit more about your sanity!
Size
Anyone who said size doesn’t matter obviously was not talking about tents and families. When selecting a tent for your family I would recommend purchasing a tent with multiple rooms and ample storage space.
A tent with multiple rooms is ideal when you have children as you can put them to bed or down for naps much easier without the distraction of what is going on in other areas. Anyone who has tried to put a toddler down to sleep in the middle of a room full of people or with lots of fun and exciting things going on around them knows that the attempt will be futile. A separate room gives you a better chance of getting kids to sleep easier and for longer periods of time. Grumpy, tired kids are not fun campers.
You will also benefit from having ample storage. The more people you have camping the more stuff you tend to bring. If you have something like an enclosed awning that will be ideal for adding extra storage to your campsite.
Quality Vs Cost
If you are in this for the long haul and you want something to last for many many years to come you need to hand over the cash. Ultimately you are going to be better off buying a good quality tent than purchasing the cheapest one you can find.
If you are just wanting to dip your toes in and see if camping is your thing then buy all means start with something cheap and buy better when you decide that tent camping is something you will love. No one wants to waste money.
Buying quality doesn’t always mean a big price tag though. Consider secondhand tents. You will find amazing prices at the end of the summer season or just before summer starts when families decide to upgrade their equipment.
Our Favourite Tents for Families
1. Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen Room
This is our top tent recommendation because it ticks all the boxes described above. Coleman is a very highly regarded tent and camping brand so you can assured that you are getting quality.
I love the price range for this tent. It is definitely not going to break the bank for getting such quality. At less than $200 (you might want to check the current price here) you are getting a superb family tent.
There are two size options that you can go for, a 6 person or a 10 person. Personally I would always go with the larger one unless you really can’t store or transport a bigger tent. You are always going to want to have the most space you possibly can.
This tent comes with the enclosed annex/screen room. Perfect for storage like I mentioned. That way your belongings are kept safe and protected but you don’t have to sleep with your cooler by your head if you know what I mean. It is all about practical organisation. We also really appreciate the screen room for keeping an eye on the littles. They can hang out in there while you are working the campsite and it is easy to see what kind of mischief they are up to.
The auto close doors are a really neat feature. I can not tell you how many times kids go in and out of tents and forget to shut the door! This is just one incredible sanity saving feature. No one loves snuggling up in bed to hear the sound of pesky mosquitos buzzing around inside. It is not fun to try and find them to murder in the pitch black or only guided by flash light!
This tent takes around 20mins to assemble which is pretty awesome given it’s dimensions and size.
Find it HERE
2. CORE 12 Person Extra Large Straight Wall Cabin Tent
Next up is this beauty. What really enticed me about this tent is the straight walls. Straight walls mean that everything fits so much better. Beds sit better, belongings are stored better and it is just easier to move around it.
There is plenty of room for a large family in this tent, you can actually fit FOUR queen mattresses in here. We really love these stackable bunk beds for the kids though. I mean if we want to cram as many kids as we can in and have as much room as possible we are going to have to stack the kids on top of each other!
There are three rooms to this tent which is perfect. One of mom and dad, one for the kids, and one for storage/lounging/hanging out.
One aspect of this tent that sets it a part is the entry points. You can enter from the middle (most likely your storage room) or from the rear ends. I really like this feature because it means you can access different rooms without disturbing people in the other rooms.
The cost of this one is a little steeper than the Coleman tent at number one but it is still awesome value especially if you have a large family or you just want to spread out a little.
Find it HERE
3. CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent
This is another tent by Core which is also incredible for camping families. This price tag on this one is a little less that the straight walled tent in at number 2 which is great for those who loved the set out but not the price.
The layout on this is very much the same. Three rooms, multiple access ways etc.
Hands down the best feature of this tent is the set up time. Wait for it…..it takes a max of 2 mins! Can you believe it?! If you are traveling with kids all you want to do once you reach that campsite is to be set up as fast as possible. I don’t think you can do it faster than this. I would buy this tent solely for this feature!
One other great part about this tent is the height. Even for the tallest of people this tent isn’t going to make you feel like the Hunchback of Notre Dame every time you step inside.
Find it HERE
4. Ozark Trail 16×16-Feet 12-Person 3 Room Instant Cabin Tent
This tent is a little different and I kind of like it. The tent is laid out in an L shape which is pretty unique. The shape of the tent creates and awesome shelter/gazebo/porch not really sure what you call it area out the front.
This feels a lot more home like to me that other designs. This is also an instant tent! yay again for no set up time. Seriously someone better have paid those designers some big money for that great idea.
You can easily fit a large family in this tent and the multiple entrances is perfect for families. I am really pleased with the amount of large windows present which will create beautiful airflow during those warm summer evenings.
The price for this tent sits at around $300 which is a great price for a family tent.
Find it HERE
Final Words on Tent Buying
Picking the perfect tent can be tricky. What works for one family could be a disaster for another. Decide what elements in tent design are important to you and start there.
If you want your tent to last you need to prepare it properly before use. This means setting it up in your back yard and spraying it down with scotchguard or some kind of silicone spray like this one. This will protect your seams and ensure that your tent can withstand the elements (think massive rainstorm mid trip) and extend the life of your tent.
Finally don’t think too hard about it, if you are thinking and researching until your eyes want to fall out you are going to kill the joy of camping. Just make a choice and get out there!
