Best family tents - What are the best camping tents for families?

The first thing you should decide is what size tent you need.

Big tents are perfect for family camping because there is plenty of space for you, your family and your gear, but they aren’t perfect. The bigger the tent, the heavier and bulkier it’s likely to be. And it will also take a little longer to pitch.

While most tents have a suggested sleeping capacity, there’s no industry standard for per-person tent dimensions, so they can var.

A classic family tent will usually hold four to ten people, but if you think you’d like a little bit more space for your gear—or just to relax in—consider upping your tent capacity by one person. And don’t forget to consider space for any pets.

You have probably noticed that there’s a huge range of sizes and styles of tents available today, which can make finding the right fit for a family camping tent a little tricky.

As the general rule goes, look out for tents that are durable, able to withstand lots use while staying comfortable and versatile. Here's a little more on that:

Durability: As kids can get playful and put excessive strain on a tent, durability is a must. Make sure your tent is fitted with well-crafted zips and seams and minimise any hazards that you or your kids can fall over.

You’ll want to have plenty of space for you and your kids to sleep, play and relax in especially on rainy days. You'll find tents fitted with two to three bedrooms to enjoy a little privacy or even act as a time-out space if things get too rowdy with the little ones.

Unless you’re going to be pitching up at the same campsite, in the same weather, during the same season every year, you’ll want your tent to be able to handle a variety of situations.

Some tents have porch areas that can be fully enclosed or opened up, depending on the weather. Make sure you pick a tent that fits the weather and climate so you're prepared for everything.

There are two main styles of family camping tents: dome and tunnel.

Dome tents feature sloped walls that meet at an apex, which offers a lengthy standing height due to the straightened walls. These tend to hold up well in rougher weather conditions but have less living space than alternatives. Tunnel tents, on the other hand, offer spacious living spaces with large front opening doors to allow lots of light to enter.

If you’re looking for a family tent, think about how much gear you’re going to take with you on your trip.

You may find sizing up to be a more comfortable option if you have a couple of kids and a dog. When planning to buy, also think about how your living area will be laid out. Is there enough room for a table, seating, and storage?

Some family camping tents also offer separate bedrooms, with or without removable dividing walls.

You might consider a separate room to let your kids go to sleep earlier or give your older children a little privacy via the pod or bedroom. Of course, you could also get your teens their own small tent for more independence.

Inflatable tents are also great for families too, as they’re sturdy, comfortable and super quick to pitch!

Next, you’ll want to consider the tent that’s right for the conditions you’re heading into, as not all tents are suitable for all weather.

Camping tents are often rated by season in order to give campers an idea of what temperature—and sometimes weather—the tent is designed for. There are usually three types of family tents: 3-season, 3-4 season and 4-season tents.

3 Season: Lightweight, these tents are designed for use in spring, summer, and autumn. They will protect you and your family from rain and wind, fitted with a lot of mesh, so you get plenty of airflow. However, a 3-season tent is not meant for considerable wind or wintery conditions.

3 - 4 Season: Tents made for year-round use combine ventilation, strength and warmth. They have a few more poles compared to 3-season tents, which makes them more durable and sturdy in harsh weather and stronger storms.

4 Season: Designed for mountaineering, these tents are made with more poles and tougher fabric. They usually have very little mesh, making them uncomfortable in warmer weather, with little ventilation. However, a 4-season tent is strong enough to bear substantial snow loads and powerful winds.

Tents offer a variety of features that you should consider carefully before purchasing. Picking the right tent features for your family can be challenging, with the sheer amount! Here are some of the key things to look out for:

Height: Whether you like standing up when changing or don’t mind being a little cramped to save some weight, find a height you're comfortable with.

Length: You need to ensure your tent is long enough for the tallest person to lie down comfortably. And if you’re planning on keeping your gear in the tent with you, you’ll also want extra space - which could mean additional length.

Doors: The number and position of doors can make or break a camping trip. If you’re camping with others, you’ll want multiple doors, so you don’t have to crawl over one another for late-night bathroom trips.

Poles: More poles generally mean a lengthier setup. Poles that use clips are also easier to manoeuvre than poles that thread through pole sleeves.

Rainfly: You need a rainfly for wind, rain and warmth. Roof-only rain flies are good for light and views, but full-coverage rain flies offer the most protection from wind and rain.

Materials: Higher-denier fabric tents and rain flies are more durable than lower-denier ones. Also, note that seam tape and higher-denier floors make the odds of leakage less likely.

Porch: If you have a lot of gear, pick a tent with a large porch area, this makes a considerable difference. Additional shelters that attach to your tent for storage can also be great to have, although this will add to the overall weight.

Interior loops/pockets: You can stay organised with interior pockets and loops to hang lanterns.

Groundsheet: A footprint ground cloth goes under your tent floor to protect it from the ground. They are a good investment (if your tent doesn’t come with one), and they’ll make your tent last longer.

You may also want to consider how easy or difficult your tent is to pitch. Some family tents require two adults to get them up.

But what if you’re the only adult around? You’ll want to make sure that setup and breakdown requirements meet your needs. Sometimes it’s easier to have two smaller tents, instead of one big one, for this reason.

Also, don’t forget to try setting the tent up at home before you head out on your first trip. Setting up a tent for the first time can be stressful as a storm rolls in after a long day of driving to the campsite!