3 Best Family Tents for Camping

Hey there campers, and welcome to my post discussing my three best family tents for camping this year. Family camping is a popular pastime for many as they connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors together. Therefore, suitable tents are primary essentials for any camping checklist as family camping adventures are planned.

So if you’re planning a big camping trip this year, you’ll need a high-quality tent for the entire gang so with that in mind, let’s check out the best family tents for camping below…

I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my three are listed here for your convenience:

	Family Camping Tent	Price	Get it
	Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent	$	CURRENT PRICE
	CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent	$$	CURRENT PRICE
	Bushnell Shield Series Instant Cabin Tent	$$$	CURRENT PRICE

As the name implies, family tents are specially designed to accommodate campers ranging from four person up to 12 persons. Aside from having roomy floor areas, family tents often boast spacious headroom where people can stand inside and/or even walk around. Family tents also often include additional features to enhance your camping experience such vestibules, storage solutions, entrances, tent extensions and so on.

Before we proceed however, allow me to stress that it is vital for you to identify what type of camping you will do before any purchase is made. Are you going car camping, or are you backpacking? Say you will do the former, then the tent’s weight and bulk would not be a primary concern. On the other hand, if you are just backpacking, chances are you will be carrying other gear as well, so the family tent’s size needs to be taken under serious consideration.

Below are some of the main factors you should take into account as you shop for a good family tent for camping:

1. Composition
2. Floorspace
3. Headroom
4. Weather resistance
5. Durability
6. Additional options

Composition

Tents that we find in the market are now made from a wide array of materials with common wall fabrics as below:

1. Synthetic fabrics – Fabrics such as nylon and polyester are lighter, cheaper, and fast to dry. These however are not good insulators meaning they can make the inside very hot or cold depending on the ambient temperature. They will however be much lighter in weight than the below options.
2. Canvas – Canvas is a traditional tent fabric and is more durable and resistant to harmful UV rays than the synthetic fabrics above. Canvas/cotton tents can even be quieter in a breeze due to their weight and insulation properties as well however bulkiness can be an issue here.
3. Poly-cotton – Poly-cotton tents are the byproduct of combining the properties of the first two materials mentioned above. Tents made from hybrid materials possess impressive durability and breathability. However, these types of tents may come at a steep price tag.

Floor space

As the name probably suggests, a large family tent needs to fit the entire family inside. In most cases, the floor space of a tent is promoted as ‘persons’. This means that a large tent will be measured as a 4, 5, 6 (or more) person tent meaning it is rated for that many people to lie side by side as they sleep. The thing to remember here however is that this generally only means the actual humans in a sleeping bag, not their mattresses and bedding, luggage or other stuff that they might want to bring inside.

Prior to purchase, consider the number of people who will be staying inside your tent and whether the size appears adequate – check the actual dimensions rather than ‘person’ rating. Trust me, staying in a broader tent will make sleeping, socializing, and relaxing far more enjoyable.

Headroom

Vertical space is also a chief feature you should look for family tents. There should be room for even the tallest members of the family or group. Their vertical wall height will characterize family tents that have lots of headroom.

Weather-resistance

We are aware that weather changes without warning. Thus, dependent upon where you will be camping, you should be looking at family tents that can withstand dynamic camping weather in those regions. Weather-resistant tents are those that can endure strong winds and can guard the inside against any water leaks as well. And if you are camping in summer, then obviously the ability of the tent to stay cool will be a factor too.

Durability

When it comes to durability, most of the factors mentioned above will come into play here. The durability of any tent is gauged by the materials used, water resistance as well as the quality of other components such as poles, flies, fly screens and resistance to wear and tear, etc. As you consider your purchase, durability of all components is definitely worth consideration.

Additions

Other potential additions include:

1. Vestibule – A tent vestibule is a covered area that runs along the front or sides. It provides additional functional space outside of the walls. With that extra space, you can leave muddy boots or clothes outside your tent, as well as other gear, to free up tent space.
2. Easy set-up – Certain family tents are easy to set up. The poles are already attached to the tent, so all you have to do is unpack, unfold, lift legs to the correct position, and extend them until they click into place. Tents with this feature are critical because we have better things to do than erecting tents for hours.
3. Room divider – This additional is useful in saving space or ensuring privacy inside of the tent. Such tents with room dividers could also keep your room organized and clean.
4. Storage solutions – These could describe the side pockets within the tent where you get to safe-keep your small devices such as smartphones and tablets.
5. Rainfly – The outermost layer of fabric that provides cover (fully or partially) to the body of a multi-layered tent is known as a tent rainfly. If it begins to rain, you must use the provided rainfly. Once correctly installed, the rainfly will not only prevent rainwater from entering your tent, but also provides some extra insulation as well.
6. Pegs – Most tents should come with tent pegs provided as well.

So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:

1. Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent

The first item on my list is a great option to fit a big family for a good price. It is washable and easy to clean with full insect netting all round and an additional rainfly for wet weather protection. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Core
• Material: Durable 68D Polyester walls and 125gsm P.E. flooring
• Framework: 20 Steel 7in tent stakes and Telescoping Steel poles
• Occupancy: 9 people (Fits two queen air mattresses)
• Floor size: 14 x 9 feet
• Center height: 78 inches (6.5 feet)
• Weight: 27.62 pounds

Other inclusions:

• Adjustable ground vent
• Electrical cord access port
• Pre-attached telescoping poles for instant pop up
• Detachable room divider

Why have I chosen it?

The first thing I love about this family tent is that you can set it up in just a minute. It has a roomy 14 x 9-foot floor plan and offers excellent breathability via large mesh windows, doors and ceiling. All in all, this is a great family tent for all environments and conditions.

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2. CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

This next one is a larger version of the first option above with spacious living areas, front and back doors and extra awnings as well. The floor material has impressive durability underneath instant set up walls. Specifications are as below:

• Brand: Core
• Material: Durable 68D Polyester walls and 125gsm P.E. flooring
• Framework: 20 Steel 7in tent stakes and Telescoping Steel poles
• Occupancy: 12 people (in sleeping bags)
• Floor size: 18 x 10 feet
• Center height: 80 inches (6.6 feet)
• Weight: 47.8 pounds

Other inclusions:

• Front T-door and back D-door covered by awnings
• PU coated fabric and taped seams to help keep moisture out
• Electrical cord access port
• Pre-attached telescoping poles for instant pop up
• 2 x detachable room divider
• Mesh holder and light hook in ceiling

Why have I chosen it?

This tent provides generous space inside (where you can place three mattresses) to go with a center height of 80 inches and large vents to draw cool air from the ground while the hot air escapes through the mesh ceiling. With the included room dividers, you can easily create three separate rooms in a tent that will only take two minutes to setup. This is a great option for a medium-sized family to camp out in great comfort.

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3. Bushnell Shield Series Instant Cabin Tent

The last product offers excellent durability with one of the toughest fabrics in the market today. Built to withstand wear and tear, this family tent is designed to last, it can handle up to 12 people on its 132-inch floor width. What’s even more impressive is that considering its large size, setting it up is just a breeze. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Bushnell
• Material: 150 denier fabric walls and heavy-duty floor
• Framework: Pre-attached telescoping aluminium poles
• Occupancy: 6, 9 and 12 person
• Floor size: 18 x 11 feet (12 person)
• Center height: 80 inches (6.7 feet)
• Weight: 59.9 pounds

Other inclusions:

• E-cable port and A/C vent
• Floor vents
• Fully taped, sealed seams
• Room dividers
• Internal wall hanging organizer

Why have I chosen this?

What stands out from this product is its dependability to shelter 12 people simultaneously offering privacy and comfort. The impressive floor plan can hold two queen size air beds for cozy sleeping experience. It offers water-repellent fabric coupled with completely taped, sealed stitching with Heat Shield Technology which enables the tent to be darker and cooler owing to its reflective coating.

There you have it, my three best family tents for camping this year. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time

Have fun

Paul