Going camping with the family is one of the best ways to bond, and it’s like a mini holiday but for cheap! It’s understandable that you would want to have one of the absolute best tents for families, and you’ve come to the right place.
It depends on the size of your family, whether you’re just going with your immediate family, or if others are coming along as well makes a huge difference.
Different tents are more suitable than others not just because of how many campers there are, but also because it matters what your group’s particular needs are, and what kind of features you’re looking for in a tent.
Whether you’re four, six, eight, or nine campers, this is the best family tent review of the year.
Best Family Cabin Tent
#1 Coleman 8-Person Tent
One of the best family camping tents is this Coleman 8-person tent, which can be purchased in the color blue, green, or black.
This tent is made out of durable double-thick fabric that can withstand weather conditions of any season. It also sets up really easily and can be done in about 15 minutes.
For those who have never set up a tent before, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first and take longer than the estimated time. But rest assured, once you’ve done it once you’ll only get faster every time you set it up.
If you’re not already familiar with Coleman’s tents, it’s important to let you know that all of their tents are subjected to wind and rain tents before they can be available for purchase. To ensure the tents have sturdy frames, they are tested against winds of 35+ MPH.
For the rain test, a tent is placed into a rain room where over 35 gallons of water rain down at different rates, such as a light drizzle to heavy downpour. To make sure that the tent is water resistant enough, if more than two tablespoons manage to get into the tent then it fails the test.
It’s the welded corners and inverted seams that stop any water from getting in, and an included rainfly offers you even more protection from the weather.
The large D-style door is hinged so that you can get in and out really easily, this is especially great if you have children that like to run back and forth. Or, even better, if you are carrying something like a baby this really helps. The extended awning does cover the door, providing even more protection.
This large family tent has an interior of 16 x 7 ft, which means that three queen air beds can fit inside. The center height is 6ft 2 inches so that it’s comfortable and easy to stand up and move around when inside the tent.
Storage pockets that are built into the tent’s wall allow you to keep small items organized and in one place.
It does come with a carry bag included so that you can keep the tent secure and easily take it with you when it’s time to go camping.
There are only two small windows, but they are angled so that even when it’s raining you can keep them open. Despite the benefit of having them angled, they’re not large enough and I would have preferred more windows for a cross breeze.
Since there’s a lack of ventilation there’s a higher chance of condensation inside. I’m so glad that I had brought a fan along with me on my camping trip.
An electrical cord access port lets you conveniently bring electricity into the tent.
Even though this tent does come with everything that you need, such as tent stakes, I invested in getting some stronger ones instead because the ones that are included don’t seem very robust.
- E-Port
- Large, hinged door
- Spacious
- Waterproof
- Weak tent stakes
One of the Top Rated Family Tents
#2 Coleman Instant Cabin Tent
The Colman Instant Cabin Tent is a great instant family tent that can fit up to 4, 6, or 10 people. Made with resistant 150D/150D polyester with taped and inverted seams. The welded corners also help a great deal with keeping water from getting in.
Set up is super easy and instant, you can have it up in just a minute, all you need to do is unfold, expand, and secure it. The pre-attached poles also mean fewer things for you to carry around.
There are four windows in total, two at the front and another two large ones on the sides. Although, I wouldn’t have complained if there were more windows at the back, but there was enough fresh air coming in when I had used it so it’s not a big deal.
The 4-person tent measures at 8 x 7 ft with a center height of 4ft and 11 inches. One queen-sized air bed can fit inside. Personally, even if I just go camping with my partner and our dogs, I still like my tent to be taller than I am, because I prefer to be able to fully stand up inside. However, for those who just use the tent to sit and sleep in then it’s the best tent for family of 4.
The dimensions of the 6-person are 10 x 9 ft, two air beds can easily fit, and the center height is 6ft. Even though this is advertised as a 6-person tent, it really depends on the particular campers. I say this because, for me, I preferred using this tent when we went camping as a group of four people. This is mainly because it’s one room, and with all our gear I don’t want it to be too cramped inside.
For the 10-person tent, the interior measures at 14 x 10ft, which can fit four queen air beds, and has a center height of 6ft and 7 inches. This one in particular is by far the best tent for family camping, as it has a few extra features the two other sizes do not. Such as the dark room technology, which blocks out 90% of sunlight so that it doesn’t stop you from sleeping in. It also helps to reduce heat by 10%, making it more comfortable to withstand the summer heat.
During the night, it’s incredibly easy to make your way back to your tent, as there are reflective guy lines that stand out in the dark.
There’s also a room divider so that you can have some privacy, and it really comes in handy so that everyone can have a changing room to use.
All of the tents come with an expandable carry bag for your convenience, as well as an integrated rainfly that also helps with ventilation.
- 4, 6, or 10-person
- Four windows
- Instant
- Plenty of ventilation
- No vestibule
Best Large Family Tent
#3 Wenzel Great Basin Tent
The Wenzel Great Basin Tent comes in the color red or blue and sleeps about 10 people. It’s one of the best family tents for bad weather and only takes fifteen minutes or so to be set up. Just one person is able to do it, as it’s quite simple, but an extra pair of hands is always helpful.
This tent has something special that I haven’t seen before – an integrated tent light reflection system. When you place a headlamp or flashlight in the multipurpose gear loft, the light gets reflected to illuminate the whole tent. Just make sure that the light is facing up towards the reflecting panel for an even glow around the tent.
Two removable room dividers are also included, allowing you to create three rooms if you wish. I find it quite necessary to be able to do this when so many people are camping together.
With a floor size of 18’ x 10’, and a floor area of 159 sq. Ft, it’s spacious enough for everyone and all of your gear too. You could fit three queen-sized air beds if you want to, but I found it better to only use two and to bring sleeping bags. This is because the three air beds do take up quite a bit of space.
You might initially think that this tent is a little bit pricey, but considering that it is a tent for ten people and one of the best large family tents, it’s completely worth it.
I wish there was more than one door, though. Especially when you make three rooms, I’d have loved it if each room could have a door. I also would have liked larger windows (there are four), but there is plenty of mesh on the ceiling for more ventilation. When the rainfly is up, though, you really rely on those windows.
Without the rainfly on, you get a great view of the sky above from the inside. Stargazing is quite important for me while camping, and being able to see more of the nature surrounding us is always a great thing.
I opted not to use the stakes that were included with the tent, because they seem flimsy and I didn’t want to take any risks.
There is an electrical cord port, but when unzipped the fabric of the opening can’t be rolled up or secured in any way.
You can’t carry this tent with you backpacking, as it’s too heavy for that (12.8kg), so as long as someone has a car, you’re good to go.
- Spacious
- Mesh ceiling
- Multiuse gear loft
- Integrated reflection system
- Room dividers
- One door
- Few windows
Best Family Cabin Tent
#4 Core 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
The Core 9-Person Instant Cabin tent comes in the color green or wine. It sets up instantly, in just a minute or so, thanks to the pre-attached telescoping steel poles.
Two people are needed to set up this tent, while one person holds up one end and the other person goes around the tent to stand up the other leg poles. Then, all that you need to do is extend the six leg poles so that they are fully standing. After this, just secure the stakes and that’s it.
Made with durable 68D polyester and core H20 Block Technology (heat sealed seams) water is unable to seep through, and an adjustable ground vent lets you get the perfect amount of fresh air coming in. Any hot air that comes in rises and escapes through the mesh ceiling.
You’ll be sure to love this family tent with rooms as it has so many brilliant features.
The large windows also increase ventilation, and they all have mesh so that you don’t have to worry about bugs making their way in.
This waterproof family tent also comes with a room divider so that you can create separate rooms. There are even two doors, one large D-style door at the front and a T-style one on the side.
Included are the 7 inch steel tent stakes you’ll need, as well as a rainfly and a carry bag.
9 people can easily fit inside, as well as two queen air beds, thanks to the spacious interior of 14’ x 9’ and a center height of 6.5 ft.
There is an electric cord access port so that it’s easy to bring electrical power into the tent, and it can be closed fully when you’re not using it.
Storage pockets attached to the walls help you keep small items organised in one place and off the floor to avoid clutter.
It does weigh about 14kg though so I wouldn’t hike with it. Wherever you park your car, don’t plan to go too far before setting up tent. Also, if you’re anything like me and you like to use a footprint, you’ll need to get one separately.
- Two doors
- E-port
- Easy and instant set up
- Durable
- Roomy
- Footprint not included
- Heavy
Best Family Tent for the Money
#5 Coleman Steel Creek 6-Person Dome Tent
This Coleman 6-Person Dome Tent can be set up in about 7 minutes because of its Fast Pitch design and Insta-Clip suspension. With the color-coded poles, you’ll have this tent up in no time.
With measurements of 10 x 9 feet, and a 5ft and 8 inches center height, two queen-size air beds and six people fit inside without a problem.
Made out of durable polyguard fabric, with inverted seams, and a welding-inspired design that hides needle holes – all of these features are what make this tent so waterproof.
Coleman’s tents are tested to ensure that they can withstand over 35+ MPH winds, as well as over 35 gallons of water in their rain room. If more than two tablespoons of water manage to get in, then the tent would have failed the test and wouldn’t be available for purchase.
The frame has been engineered to be stronger and more wind resistant, thanks to the redesigned poles and guy-out triangles.
Even the zippers are made with weather-resistant fabric for extra protection.
The extended awning covers the windows so that you can still keep them open when it rains, providing lots of ventilation at all times while not letting any water inside.
This big family tent also has storage pockets sewn into the tent’s walls for convenience, making it easy to keep small items together, and there’s an E-Port so that you can easily run an extension cord through the tent.
There’s also a great screen room which is protected by mesh, measuring at 10ft x 5ft, so that you can enjoy lounging bug-free. You can also use this as extra sleeping space at night if necessary, or just to keep your gear. The included rainfly covers most of the screen room, so there’s no worry there.
I found it extremely useful to sleep in this vestibule on a particularly hot night. Plus, I love having an area where everyone can keep their shoes before entering the tent, to minimize dirt such as soil from coming in.
Illumiline reflective guy lines provide more visibility during the night so that you can effortlessly find your way back to the tent in the dark. This family camping tent easily packs back up into the included and expandable carry bag, so that it’s easier for you to store and transport.
There’s no footprint with this tent, so if you’d like to use one you need to get it separately.
I only have a few complaints about this tent, but I think the most important one would be that it seems like it isn’t designed to retain any heat, and this is mainly because there’s a lot of mesh. Sure, it provides a lot of fresh air, but it also makes it ideal only when it’s warm.
Secondly, very tall people might not find it comfortable to have to bend the entire time they’re inside.
Also, depending on how much gear everyone has in total, it may not fit six people. This is the case with any tent though.
- Lots of ventilation
- Quick and simple set up
- Mesh vestibule
- E-port
- Not for cold weather
- Short
#6 Core 9-Person Dome Tent
Here we have another Core 9-Person tent, but this time it’s dome-shaped and available in the color green or wine.
With a floor plan of 16’ x 9’ and a center height of 6ft, 9 people and three queen-sized air mattresses can easily fit inside, so long as you don’t have too much gear.
Very easy to set up, you have everything you need, like traditional fiberglass poles, 7 inch steel tent stakes, a rainfly, and a carry bag.
All you need to do is unroll the tent, secure it with stakes, and assemble the poles with the pin-and-ring system. If you’d like to, assemble the rainfly – which is also very smooth to do so, because of the bungee clips and Velcro loops.
Made with durable 68D polyester, Core H20 block technology, taped seams, and water resistant PU coated fabric keep water and moisture out. The rainfly has extra wide, thick tape that is heat sealed to protect you from wind and rain.
Additional ridge poles give you the maximum amount of space from this tent.
The adjustable ground vent allows you to let in the desired amount of fresh air, depending on the temperature.
This cheap family tent also features a gear loft, lantern hook, and storage pockets to avoid lots of clutter on the floor. All that and there’s an electrical cord access port that can be fully closed if you’re not using it.
If you choose not to use the rainfly, you’ll get a great view through the mesh ceiling panels. Plus, any warm air coming in from the ground vents rises and escapes through there.
You don’t have to ever worry about bugs getting in, because there’s plenty of mesh and all openings can be zipped closed.
It’s lightweight, only weighing around 8.3kg, provides a lot of ventilation, and isn’t bulky when packed up. However, there’s only one door, and because the tent is light that means that the fabric isn’t as thick as needed for extreme weather conditions. Additionally, it’s only got one room, and because it is a dome tent the roof does get narrower towards the walls.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Great ventilation
- Spacious
- One room
- One door
- Not suitable for extreme weather
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