Family Camping Tents
April 26, 2008
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Some things you need to know when looking at family camping tents
If you have been looking around at the different family camping tents and still can’t decide which one is right for you, read on for some important tips on selecting the right tent for you and your family.
The Size of the Tent Does Mater
One of the first things you need to know about tents is that a 4 person tent is not a good tent for a family of 4. When you see this on any tent it means that the floor space in a tent will only fit 4 sleeping bags side by side. This leaves you absolutely no room for any of your gear let alone room to move around.
A good rule of thumb is to add at least 2 persons to the size of a tent to leave you a little extra elbow room.
What Type of Tent Should I Get
Three of the most popular family camping tents are:
- Cabin Tent
- Two Room Tent
- Three Room Tent
Cabin Tent
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The cabin tent usually has a rectangle floor and comes in different sizes from 4 persons up to 8 persons. Any thing above 8 persons and you start getting into the 2 and 3 room tents.
The cabin tent is perfect for families with small children which allows you to be close to your children at all times. Just make sure that you get one large enough to allow for comfort and storage of some of your camping gear.
Two Room Tent
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A two room family camping tent allows you a few more options then the one room cabin tent. If you have children that are older you can let them have their own space which gives them a sense of responsibility and gives you and yours a little more privacy.
Another option is to have one side as a sleeping area and another room to store all of your gear and supplies. You can also place a table and chairs in the other room to give you a place to play games with the kids incase the weather should turn bad.
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Three Room Tent
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Three room family camping tents are becoming more and more popular because they give you more options then just about any other tents that are on the market.
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The Alps Mountaineering Osage 3-Room Tent |
Option One:
Use one room for sleeping for you and the kids. Store your gear in the center room and use the third room for a play area for the kids.
Option Two:
Use the first room for you and your loved one and let the kids have a room to them self’s. Use the third room for storing all of your gear.
Option Three:
Use the room on the left for sleeping and the room on the right for storing your gear. You can then use the center room as a vestibule for taking off and putting on your shoes or just for relaxing.
The options are many for the three room camping tents.
Use care when shopping for family camping tents and yours will give you many years of enjoyable camping.
Happy Camping 
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Comments
51 Responses to “Family Camping Tents”
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Hi,
These are good basic tips. I would also add the following:
1. Get a tent size that gives you some extra head room.
2. Always get a tent that has more space than you think you will need. This is so you can store firewood and supplies in the tent as well.
3. Summer tents are really good for, yes, the summer as they provide good ventilation and have high ceilings.
Best,
Jeff Marshall
You are so right, size does matter. If you have a large family any tent can get really small really quickly. The bigger two and three room tents do have a lot to be said for them. You can give the kids their own room and it can make things a lot saner for everyone. Still the key is getting out with your family into the outdoors and making it a wonderful family experience that everyone will remember for years to come.
My husband and I have “tent” camped for 33 years. We have done trips on the motorcycles and in the truck. If you camp with motorcycles and do not pull a trailer, you have to learn to pack. We have camped in all the lower forty nine and all the Canadian provinces. Besides not being able to afford the gas, we would not trade our tents for an RV. By the way, I love your blog!!
I agree, size is one of the most important things to consider. Also, depending upon when you usually do your camping…you really need to consider if you need a heavy duty all season tent, a 3 season tent, or if you only will be camping in the summer like mentioned above…a summer tent. You want to ensure you will get the most out of your tent for many years to come. If you buy a high quality tent and take good care of it, it should last for many years…so be sure to consider your future camping plans and not only your plans for this years family vacation!
Happy Camping!
Great ideas I too agree that the size is the biggest factor, plus the walls. I prefer vertical walls over dome because of more space and height. You don’t wake up and hit your head on the ceiling or feel claustrophobic from the slanting enclosing walls of a dome.
Here are a few words of advice:
Do not always go for the bigger size when camping! It all depends on what type of camping trip you are partaking in. If it is you and your kids on a summer trip then yes, you probably would want a nice comfortable tent that the kids can run around in, but if that is not the case don’t bring the uneccessary space. If you plan to go do some camping in lets say february or december and it is you and a friend, please don not bring a 6 person tent! You will freeze your *ss off! There is so much extra airspace in those tents that your body heat will never beable to heat the tent and keep you warm. I would suggest a small compact 3 person tent that is about 5 feet high. While you may not be able to play soccer in your tent, you will at least make it through the night. Remeber bigger is not always better.
Hope this helps you out,
James
I would also suggest that the family needs to think about the types of sites that they visit. We have a large two room cabin tent. It does allow for lots of elbow room. But it can be tricky to find a flat spot within our sites that is big enough for the tent. (The tent area is larger than a standard tarp!) We do look forward to being able to take extended family with us when camping.
I have to disagree about making sure you have loads of space in the tent, I am sorry to say
. I am the sort of person who is always cold even in summer, it has to be bloomin hot for me to warm up!
With these larger tents that is more room to have to warm up while you sleep. I have a 3 person 4 season tent that we went camping in last winter just before christmas and it was amazing how warm it was inside the tent in comparison to outside the tent.
I think next time I may think about bringing a jar for those midnight urges to go water the forest! The great thing was it didn’t take long to warm the tent back up again.
We store our gear in the porch area of the tent under the rain fly. We have a spirits cooker, a trangia, and with it in the porch we could make a cup a coffee before getting out of bed! and with the fly sheet zipped up so the heat was held in.
Everyone I know who hates camping states being cold when they sleep as the reason, with the right gear this is totally preventable.
Most of my camping is done at festivals. In this situation, the weight and size of tent is a huge factor. At festivals where you have to haul your camping gear in by foot a lighter tent is most desirable.
Small tents are also good for next to car camping in order to leave room to set up a camp site. The larger tents are a nice place to change during multiple day festivals. They also provide a comfortable escape if the weather turns bad.
oh ya ! Tents are an important part of any outdoor event. The first thing you want to avoid is your outdoor event spoiled by nasty weather. Festival tents are for large scale events while party tents are for smaller scale affairs. Canvas tents can be the perfect way to shade your guests from the sun, or keep the wind out, or any other weather elements. Your garden, your poolside, your party or wedding – the richness and elegance of decorative Indian tents transports you to another time and place. Capital Tents can help you ensure the success of your events and render them memorable.Thank you
I think my next tent purchase may be the cabin tebt with the “door” My kids are constantly opening and closing the zipper and it it the first thing to go on our tents we have bought a new tent about enery 2 years !
I’ve been on trips with several people in a tent and with just one or two. Usually it’s just two and maybe a dog or two these days. With two people, a 5 person dome tent with enough room to stand up works well. Plenty of room for you, your equipment and even a camping chair or two inside. A good rule of thumb if you like a little extra room, is to have a tent that states it holds 3 people more than you expect to be camping with. For a family, a multi room tent is almost a must, unless you just like a lot of closeness.
Yes size its very important, Camping is an adventure! choosing the right tent will make all the difference for you, because a tent is your home away from home. Then the camping tent should be easy to set up. At no time will this be more apparent than when it is raining or when it is dark.
I definitely miss tent camping. The last time I took an extended summer trip to camp out, it actually depressed me how hard it seemed to find a tent campsite because so many people were in RVs. Wouldn’t have been so bad, except we kept getting the most bizarre looks from people like we were freaks. Maybe it’s just from growing up in Scouts, but it was all about the tent camping back then!
I really enjoy tent camping. I like the primative camping sites at camp grounds as they are more secluded and private and there is nothing like tent camping to really enjoy the great outdoors.
N!ergy 1310 Description
Sleep 10 people comfortably in the 2 rooms of this spacious straight wall tent that is powered for comfort! You can plug in your laptop, your radio, or your razor in the morning. The added benefit of straight walls maximizes interior space, making this tent ideal for using cots on camping trips. A removable room divider easily ties back to convert 2 separate rooms into one large space when needed.
Durable and freestanding fiberglass frame, clips, rod sleeves, and ring and pin assembly make set up fast and easy large, side opening, D-style doors offer private entry into each room and feature #8 zippers with zipper covers for durability and water protection. 75D StormShield polyester fly features brims over side windows to protect against the elements plus pockets to store guyouts when not in use. Clear skylights in ceiling let additional light inside or cover with toggled panels to keep light out. 6 windows, 6 mesh roof vents, and 2 low wall vents provide high/low ventilation and light. Jumbo size gear loft and 8 storage pockets keep essentials close at hand, yet conveniently tucked away.
mummy bag’s
Hikealot
I’ve just returned from a 2 week camping trip in the southern hemisphere. Summer down here. We used a 3 room dome style tent. Great fun, our 3 year old girl ran circles around the inside of it for 3 hrs on the first night before collapsing into sleep from all the excitement. The tent is great except that the fiberglass poles keep breaking at the joints – even just standing up in dry, calm weather they just break. Anyone else have this problem and what do you do about it? I’m considering aluminum poles but could be expensive.
You are spot on in talking about the size of a 4-person tent fitting 4 sleeping bags side by side. Whenever I camp with son I take along our 4-person tent for just the two of us. This allows for a bit of room to move.
Also, if I may add, in addition to the size you must consider the ’season’ rating of a tent. For camping in the Summer, you don’t want a tent that has only one side that has a mesh window – you want a tent that has at least two sides with a window (for better air circulation, etc.).
I agree. I’m a big guy and it’s tough for my wife & I to do more than an overnite in a smaller 2 person tent. So I always look for that bigger 2-3 rating or even 4. I’ve done 3 season camping in Alaska and the problems I heard about were from the heavy rains and winds on Kodiak in the summer. I love mesh top tents so if the weathers good and the bugs are bad I can star gaze.
I’d also like to throw in finding a tent with good floor space. Some of the tents say “4 person” but it’s more like “4 4 foot people”. It’s also good to check out the floor space to see if your air mattress fits in there as well- When you’re buying them- make sure to pick up extra tent stakes. They’re like good sunglasses, they just get lost or broken regardless of how hard you try to hold on to them.
I definitely miss tent camping. The last time I took an extended summer trip to camp out, it actually depressed me how hard it seemed to find a tent campsite because so many people were in RVs. Wouldn’t have been so bad, except we kept getting the most bizarre looks from people like we were freaks. Maybe it’s just from growing up in Scouts, but it was all about the tent camping back then!
I understand about the looks that you get when tent camping but I see it more as a look of envy and not that I’m some kind of weirdo camping in a tent.
Even though I do most of my camping in an RV these days I still spend a fair amount of time in a tent every year.
Happy Camping
The next time I go camping I am buying myself one of these type of tents. i am so tired of getting bit by insects that I don’t know what to do, but my partner loves to camp in the “real” as she likes to say.
You usually don’t get many women that want to experience real camping and living outdoors, but that is what I have in my life and frankly, I am urban/city life for that. I need a big plush tent….or RV. LOL
Yes, size is important, but it’s not the only thing to consider. I think one can’t generally say that a four people family must go for a six sleeper tent. It’s great to have an room for being inside, but if you go summer camping where it barely ever rains in summer, and if then for the most for one day, and you are on tour the whole day, then you don’t necessarily need an extra room for sitting, just space for sleeping and storing your stuff. And if you only take little stuff, you can do with a smaller tent than someone bringing his whole household. A bigger tent will usually be more expensive, and why should you spend all this money on space that you don’t actually need?
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you get a tent with the features that meet your family’s needs best and that is suitable for the kind of trip you make. Ask yourself what YOU and your family really want and what you need, and get a tent that caters for that.
Consider the main activity you will be using your tent for – are you camping with your family, from the car, or looking to escape the campsite and explore? This will determine the tent design and the combination(s) of weight, stability, ease of pitching, room etc. you require.
Think about how much storage space you will need for your kit. For example, camping in winter will require extra room for all your gear both internally and in the porch. These factors will determine the design and size of tent you require.
Choose the best tent you can afford. If you plan to use it regularly, a trekking or mountain tent will stand up to the use and conditions better than a basic tent. In the long run you will save on repair bills and eventually replacement cost.
I agree with always selecting a tent with a capacity larger than the anticipated number of people planned on using it. This is so often overlooked and then there is no extra room for the gear. The extra room is always nice for activities if it is raining outside.
Choosing the right tent is dependent on your needs – everyone has different priorities and limitations so obviously size is NOT the determining factor
Some people want more convenience whereas some people are minimalist and can get by on less
Some people have kids and dogs and toys and beds and equipment
Some travel via bike versus truck in which case a lighter shelter works better
So I agree with some other comments that people have to think about what sort of activities they see themselves engaging in during their trip and plan accordingly
Personally, I have a smaller tent that I use when it’s just my son and I and larger one for the family. The smaller tent does get a little cramped at times, but it’s nice not to have to set up the larger one for just two people. You just have to be sure and utilize your space a little better.
I have found, especially in the hotter times of the year, a tent with lots of windows does make it easier to bear the heat. Just be prepared for the elements ahead of time. Planning goes a long way and preparing for whatever the weather will be like.
Corey
This is a good article, as some people don’t really take into consideration the tent layout of a larger family tent, but this article really spells it out. Often the best option is to get the biggest tent that you can for the family – however, it’s packed size and weight should be taken seriously. This is why it is also important to consider the tents frame – tubular steel (heavier) – or flexi rod (lighter). And having said that it’s also important to check out the tent’s overall weight – particularly if the tent has to be transported overland without an RV or other vehicle.
And don’t forget to assess the potential impact the weather in the area you are camping may have on your choice of tent. Make sure your tent has maximum hydrostatic head (at least 3000) if there is the potential for rain.
Spot on when you say don’t forget to calculate room for your storage. Too often we calculate the numbers per head then realize there’s no more room for our things.
I absolutely loved camping out in a tent with my family as a kid. My dad was so forward thinking. He knew my sister & I preferred our own space, so he would set up two tents on our spot. One for him & mom, one for us. How cool that you can now buy tents with multiple rooms! I love that.
Buying a family tent is expensive but I assure you it is indeed a good investment. Staying in a hotel is a lot more expensive. But I don’t understand why we want a multi-room tent, for privacy? I don’t get it. It’s an outdoor family outing and I think it is more solid and intimate if there are no boundaries among the members even during nap time.
Size is very important when it comes to camping. The worst thing about camping is opening and pitching your tent just to find out that there is no way in the world your family and the equipment will fit. The multiple room tents are a great addition to the camping world. Makes its a lot easier and more comfortable for everyone.
The REI six person, two room tent you have listed is a nice one. I took a look at it the last time I was at REI in Atlanta. Pretty roomy and the high peak makes for easier maneuvering inside. I would definitely suggest checking it out.
I agree with both, smaller size tent when camping in December or January (cold months), and larger roomier tents for summer and larger families. I love tent camping, weather fishing, hunting trips, and just plain getting away to feel free and forget the trials of life.
Having fun camping is on everyone’s mind. I must say that Camping tents today are varied, easy to assemble and tenting trips are quick to plan and therefore can be spontaneous fun.
As a seasoned camper one piece of advice I would give is to go for a tent with a sewn in ground sheet. They are often a bit more expensive, and although the tents without a sewn in groundsheet are said to be quicker to put up, my own experience tells me this is not strictly true. The whole point, is that apart from keeping the elements out, a fully sewn in groundsheet will keep out the wasps and the rest of natures nasties, which makes for a more comfortable camping trip – especially if you are trying to convert the kids to camping.
We love the large, 2 room, straight walled tents – it just feels so much bigger inside and it is nice to be able to stand up all around the tent. It is nice to have a sleeping area and then a sitting area with storage space too. But I also agree larger is not always better – you need to think of your needs when selecting a tent. Do I have to carry the tent a great distance before being able to set it up? What temperature will I be camping in? How many people will be sleeping in the tent? It is great today because there are so many various types of tents – you can always find the right one to fit your needs.
Agreed, the most popular tents have been the smaller ones, but as the recession is dragging, more and more people are opting for a ’staycation’ and spending a little bit more for a larger tent, although it is great to have the option of both for short, and longer camping trips.
Thanks for the good article.
Our family of 4 uses a 6 person tent for family camping. Size is definitely a factor, but not the only factor when choosing a tent. Season, intended use, durability, head room, etc. are all factors that should be considered. Getting a proper tent or canopy suitable to your own personal “style” of camping is key to having a positive outdoor experience.
A typical family of 4 heading to the nearest state park for an occasional weekend camping trip probably doesn’t need to spend the money on a 3 room tent when a smaller tent and a tarp will provide what they need.
Likewise, when my family heads out on a multi-day backpacking trip we take a smaller, easier to carry tent.
About the family camping tents, i wanna say that safety would be the first, especially when you are traveling with your kids. so choose good quality camping equipment and bring enough necessary equipment which would be much more important.
No matter what the size you select, make sure you are comfortable that you have selected a QUALITY product. With that comes the safety. But you really want to assure you and your family stay dry when Mother Nature throws you a curve. Nothing spoils a weekend or week of enjoying the great outdoors like being wet and cold. It takes time to dry things out after a drencher takes you unprepared.
If i might add a few camping tips to make things easier. Just some mistakes i have made.
Choose the tent that is right for you, be it a ten man tent, 8 man tent or 1 man tent. All these have advantages and disadvantages. Check what your needs are, select the best tent you can afford, set it up properly, take care of it, and then just enjoy your trip. Here are some tips to help you get off to a good start.
Set up a new tent at home before your trip. This lets you check its condition, and learn how to set it up without the pressure of darkness or rain at camp.
The seams on all nylon tents must be sealed before using a new tent, and periodically thereafter. Seam sealer is sold in applicator bottles, which you rub along the inside of all waterproof seams.
Avoid setting up camp next to stagnant water, for obvious reasons.
Don’t set up next to a dry stream bed as these can flood.
Don’t set up the tent in a low spot or depression, this allows water to come in during heavy rain. Also look carefully if you are under a tree for dead branches.
Use a plastic tarp as a groundsheet for your tent. It should be slightly larger than the footprint of your tent, and will prevent damp rising up through the base of your tent.
Use a rubber mallet to drive in stakes.
Always use metal stakes, this allows you to set up easily in both gravel and grass tent sites.
For ventilation remember to line up the outer lining of the tent with the inner. The outer lining will have mesh aligning with openings in the tent so you have ventilation without getting bugs inside.
Use a stake puller to help pull tent stakes out of the ground, or just loop a short rope under the stake’s hook and pull on the rope to pull up on the stake.
Leave a dustpan and broom in the tent to allow easy cleaning.
Use an old towel or small piece of carpet as a door mat for wiping off feet before entering the tent.
Hopefully this will help first time campers a bit.
Does anyone have a feel for what is a comfortable sized tent verses the capacity reccomendation. For example, i have heard that for a family of four an eight man tent is more comfortable than a four man tent, and that a rule of thumb is to double its capacity to achieve what is actually comfortable.
I have also heard that around 30 square feet of space per person is reasonable. Has anyone heard anything different?
Great Blog! There is a new dimension to tenting it called the Wallup! Camping Wall. It’s used with or without a tent for privacy and wind break. Placed as a wall outside your tent it creates a new place to put your stuff and allows you to get out of the tent without seeing anyone without your first cup off coffee!. Search Wallup Camping Wall on Google.
Rusty
30 square ft per person seems really comfortable. I guess each person is a little different. I know people who camp with a tiny little “pup” tent and are perfectly happy. I think it depends on what type of camping experience you desire to help decide which tent and for how many people.
As others have said, I think one of the most important things is getting a tent with plenty of head room. You sometimes end up compromising on stability with a higher tent, but the extra comfort of being able to stand up with ease in your tent shouldn’t be underestimated.
Many family sized tents now come with sewn in groundsheets which stops draughts coming in and also keeps bugs at bay! However be sure to keep the tent well ventilated otherwise condensation may develop inside which can allow mould to grow if not dried out properly when you get back.
My wife and I purchased a 4 man tent and when we inflated our queen size aero bed it filled up the whole tent leaving no room for anything else. We now have a two room 8 to 10 man tent. Much,much better.
I prefer a tent with high sides so it feels more like a “room”. We tend to not bother putting up the bedrooms so we just have a really big space- we put the beds out at night and then put them away in the morning giving us more room.
Tents have come a long way since I first started camping. Remember the heavy, stinky canvas tents with the wooden poles. Weighed a ton and took forever to set up and take down. Now we have tents that set themselves up, are super lightweight, come with multiple rooms and are waterproof. Camping should be more fun for children now days. Get them out there.