The Best Family Tent

Camping is far more fun when you have someone sharing the experience with you. But with a family-size tent, you can camp in groups, whether you’re traveling with your in-laws, your spouse and kids, your favorite friends or a combination of all of the above. With tents readily available to sleep two or more families, you can turn your camping excursion into an outing to remember.

Chances are, though, you won’t want to spend half your trip setting up your tent. Manufacturers have found clever ways to make tent setup easier, including attaching the poles to the material so there are no pieces to assemble. Some family tents can be erected as quickly as 60 seconds, especially once you’ve gotten the hang of it.

Capacity can be tricky. Although some tents promise to hold up to 12 people, things can get a little cramped when you have all the sleeping bags fully rolled out. Measurements will matter more than how the tent is advertised, so use a measuring tape to map it out and decide on the size that will accommodate sleeping arrangements.

“It’s important to get a tent that’s big enough for everyone who will be in it,” says outdoor and camping expert Shawna Newman, editor-in-chief of Active Weekender. “Luckily, tents are rated by how many people should fit inside, i.e. a 3-person tent. However, I suggest that you get a tent that’s supposed to fit 1-2 more people than you’re camping with so that everyone is comfortable.”

Also consider how many doors you will need, which will depend on the makeup of your party.

“Camping with small children? Then you probably only want one door so they can’t easily leave the tent without a parent,” Newman suggests. “Camping with teens or other adults? Look for a two-door tent so you don’t have to step over too many people to exit the tent.”

Your tent won’t be air conditioned, and things can get stuffy once you pack it full of people. Newer tents build in vents and roofs that you can open up to promote airflow, along with the mesh windows that will let in air when you choose. Some tents are also built to keep out the sun’s rays, making them great for those who like midday naps on vacation.

The heat isn’t the only thing that can make camping challenging. You’ll need to be prepared for stormy weather, including rain and strong winds. Many tents are built using material that resists water, but you’ll also need to pay close attention to how sturdy the tent is. Your tent poles should be able to remain standing in reasonably strong winds. You’ll also find air vents become especially important when it’s raining outside.

“It’s also important to have a tent that is appropriate for the type of weather you’ll be camping in with the family,” Newman says. “I recommend a three-season tent because it is the most versatile option on the market.”

She points out that, when shopping for tents, you will absolutely get what you pay for. Higher-quality tents will have seams already sealed to protect from rain. They will also have a rainfly, which helps when you experience unexpected bouts of rain. She also suggests looking for a family tent that offers good internal storage, like pockets and ceiling loops for water bottles, lanterns and the like.

“Getting a quality tent for taking the family camping means that you’ll have something that should last you for many years to come,” Newman says. “And if you buy a good three-season tent with plenty of room for everyone, then you should be able to take it almost anywhere during most of the year and be able to enjoy a cheap family vacation.”

Just remember to do a trial run for setting the tent up at home first: “The last thing you want is to be struggling with it at the campsite,” Newman says.

• At one time, setting up a campsite was a chore. Tent setup required multiple people following a confusing instruction manual. But today’s tents are far easier, with poles attached to keep you from having to deal with fitting multiple parts together. The CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent can be in place in as little as 60 seconds, while the CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent takes a little longer, at a minimum of two minutes. The Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup just requires unfolding the nylon and interlinked poles, then guiding it to its natural shape. It’s important to note that these instant tents are convenient, but you still have the somewhat arduous task of taking them down and folding them up to transport home once your camping trip is over.
• For larger tents, it’s important to give occupants a way to find some privacy. The CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent excels in this area, providing two wall separators that give you three separate rooms, allowing you to set up one area for living space and two for bedrooms, or however else you’d prefer to configure things. The CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent and Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup have one room divider that gives you a separate walled-off area.
• Whether you’re camping in the dead of summer or taking advantage of perfect weather in the fall or spring, ventilation is extremely important in any tent. You’ll need one that not only has windows built in, but also vents to promote airflow and take advantage of any breezes. The CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent has both ground and ceiling vents in addition to multiple windows. The CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent has two large doors and windows that all have mesh, as well as an all-mesh ceiling and adjustable vents on both sides. The Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup has roof vents, but it also uses darkroom technology to keep 90% of the sunlight out to give you a dark, cool place to nap or just relax during the day.