Best Tents for a Family

Best Tents for a Family

Paste/Wikimedia Commons

Choosing a tent for solo camping is an easy undertaking, butt if you need to find a tent that will accommodate a growing or aging family, you quickly notice that you have a lot of choices. While searching through the best tents for a family, decide how much money you are willing to spend, how long you want to hold on to the tent, and if you anticipate any change in the number of campers. For example, if you are simply looking for a transitional tent that accommodates you, your spouse, and a toddler, your needs are vastly different from a parent with three teens, who might bring along friends.

Large Two Room Tent Sleeps Six to Eight Campers

The large Tetragon 1210 two-room, three-season tent by Eureka stands a bit taller than six feet at the center. The overall floor size measures 12' x 10' and it features two doors as well as four vents. What makes this one of the best tents for a family is the divided area that allows for two large rooms to be formed within the tent. The tent is designed to sleep eight people, but depending on the size of the campers, you might want to go with less folks per tent. In 2009, this tent retails for about $230, and it is excellent for a family with four to six younger children, or a couple of teens and their friends. It keeps the youngsters close enough to mom and dad for supervision, but the extra tent wall offers a modicum of privacy for the parents.

Mid Sized One Room Tent Accommodates Six Sleepers

The one-room Lounge tent by Kelty is a three-season tent that sleeps six comfortably. The interior sleeping area measures 112 square feet, while an adjacent vestibule measures 26 square feet. At its tallest spot, the tent stands 74". Two doors allow for easy in-and-out access without unnecessarily waking sleepers, while four mesh windows provide ample ventilation. This is an excellent tent for a family with older kids, especially since the guaranteed noiseless zipper pulls allow the early birds to go fishing while the rest of the family sleeps. The vestibule makes storing shoes and gear simple. In 2009, this tent starts at $400.

Waterproof, Quaint One Room Tent Sleeps Four Campers

The Casa tent by Mountain Hardware sleeps four campers in one room. The sleeping area measures 50 square feet, while an additional vestibule area of 22 square feet provides ample storage for shoes, toys, and other items you want to keep out. This is a great tent for a family of four, especially when the children are still small and require a closer watch. What makes this one of the best tents for smaller families is not only the ease in setup, but also the covered vestibule area and the overall watertight construction that ensures everyone stays dry and warm, even during a downpour. In 2009, this tent costs about $350.

Article Written By Sylvia Cochran

Based in the Los Angeles area, Sylvia Cochran is a seasoned freelance writer focusing on home and garden, travel and parenting articles. Her work has appeared in "Families Online Magazine" and assorted print and Internet publications.

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