In these tough economic times, a camping trip will be a lot easier on the wallet and a whole deal of fun to boot. Our in depth research will help ensure your family has years of adventures!
A spacious 5-6 person family tent with a generous living area which easily fits a table and chairs. We love the BlackOut Bedroom – it blocks out 99% of daylight which cuts down on those early morning awakenings. The simple tunnel design means it’s super easy to pitch and the covered window in the living area allow both light and privacy. This is camping made easy.
This is a tent Coleman have worked hard to get right. The fibreglass poles aren't heavy and they're super flexible so it’ll withstand anything the weather throws at it. There are multiple entrances which makes things easier when it’s wet and wild out.
Capacity - 5-6
Weight - 17.2 kg
Pitch time - 20 mins
Pack size - 68 x 32 x 32cm
Lovely spacious living area and porch area which easily provides enough space for a table, four chairs and a storage unit. A side annexe gives extra space – you could fit in a portaloo or even turn it into a wardrobe using Kampa’s optional wardrobe rails. Cable entry ports allows for easy device charging, and the storage pockets and drop step for the front door are nice touches.
The front can be fully opened to provide ventilation – ideal for cooking that camp breakfast – and the large PVC windows make it light and airy. The sleeping area has one master bedroom with two smaller double bedrooms on either side, plus there’s the capacity to add an extra double room.
Capacity - 6-8 person
Weight - 39kg
Pitch time - 30 mins
Pack size - 77 x 53 x 53cm
One of the best family tents for a couple or family camping with one or two small children, this is a spacious, easy-to-put up tent that gives plenty of standing room, even for the tallest of adults. The UPF fabric lets daylight in whilst blocking out some of the harmful UV rays.
Capacity - 4 person
Weight - 9.8kg
Pitch time - 15 mins
Pack size - 60 x 24 x 24cm
An easy to erect Vango tent tent with a fully enclosed extension on the front and a flat front living area which maximise living space. The cable entry points are a nice touch and help keep devices charged – essential when camping with kids. An integrated mesh main door increases air ventilation while keeping the bugs out at night.
A toggled inner divider system allows the sleeping area to be split as needed and mesh pockets in the rooms keep belongings within easy reach.
Capacity - 6 person
Weight - 24.65kg
Pitch time - 22 mins
Pack size - 70 x 37 x 36cm
Built with strong winds in mind, Vango’s Patented Tension Bound system holds the tent in place when things get gnarly. The fibreglass poles are lightweight and flexible enough to make erecting the tent a cinch.
Pockets in the sides of the tent allow for extra storage and it’s roomy enough for standing upright. There are cable entry points with cable tidies leading up to the lantern fixing point, which keeps everything neat.
Capacity - 6 person
Weight - 24.65kg
Pitch time - 20 mins
Pack size - 70 x 30 x 34cm
A whopper family 12 berth tent, with three bedrooms for literally the whole family, yet still relatively lightweight and simple to pitch thanks to the six pre-curved Oxygen Air structure that can be inflated in one minute – no more faffing around threading through fabric!
Tinted windows allow the sunlight in whilst reducing glare, and the tent is constructed from 100 Denier Hex polyester fabric for a swish look. A sewn-on canopy and storm straps help protect against rough weather.
There’s plenty of space between bedrooms for chilling in wet weather or gear storage. The Airedale has it all - it's one of the best family tents on the UK market.
Capacity - 12 person
Weight - 45.4kg
Pitch time - 20 mins
Pack size - 88 x 69 x 57cm
A proper glamping experience, it is the fine touches and attention to detail that put the icing on this tent. The oversize airframe inflatable poles allow quick and easy set up, whilst the high beams give a good interior height. There’s a roomy rear storage area, a big living area and a front awning that’s ideal for cooking. An optional annexe can be zipped onto the side for extra storage or even a portaloo.
Built from quality materials, there are also some great features such as zipped curtains, multiple ventilation panels, and ‘sleeptite’ inner tents made from darker fabrics to block out morning sun.
Capacity - 6 person
Weight - 53.1kg
Pitch time - 16 mins
Pack size - 90 x 58 x 50cm
With the recent rises in the cost of living, many families are on the lookout for a low-cost getaway. A family camping holiday fits the bill nicely, providing a unique experience that can form special memories. How can you be sure of choosing the best family tent for your needs? Pick the wrong one and your holiday could become a nightmare which will put everyone off sleeping under canvas for life!
Worry not -we’ve done the research so you don’t have to; read on to find the best family tents to keep the little ones happy and to set you up for a lifetime of camping adventures.
Here's the best family tents according to us:
Size
In order to find the best tent for your family camping trip, there's a few factors you ought to consider. You’ll need to know how many people will be going for a start. Some bedroom compartments are smaller so might be better suited for families with young children. If you want to fit in an air mattress, change a baby, or just have more room generally for activities you might want to add on extra compartments. If you've got heaps of gear, look for a tent with a large porch. Nothing worse than having to put your damp hiking boots next to your head whilst you're sleeping.
Where will you be using it? If space is a premium then you’ll need a tent with a smaller footprint. When and where will you be going? In summer you’ll appreciate a tent with good ventilation and mesh doors to keep out midges. For somewhere which attracts rougher weather – we’re looking at you, mountains - you’ll need a tent that’s strong enough to withstand wet and windy conditions. Check out the waterproof rating. A wet tent means a wet sleeping bag, wet clothes… well, wet everything really. A leaky tent could ruin your whole trip. And we all know small children who are wet and shivering don't make for the best of camping holiday memories.
Do you prefer a tent that pitches in the traditional way, or would an air tent with pre-angled inflatable beams would be more convenient? Most tents have videos showing you how to set up the tent and how long it should take. this should give you a good idea of how complicated it's going to be. Similarly, if you're going to be backpacking and wild camping with your family, you'll find most of them would be too heavy for a rucksack. If your kids are older, think about getting a few smaller and lighter tents to divvy up.
Still no idea to start or want a quick run down on the best brands? Take a look at our best tent brands article.
While you do get what you pay for in a tent, there’s no need to spend a fortune. A middle of the range family tent should be good value for money, as long as its constructed with quality materials and has some useful features such as compartments, hooks and loops for your belongings.
However, if you’re a frequent camper or you’re going somewhere notoriously wet and windy you might appreciate spending more to get a high-end tent.
It’s safer not to. Although tents are ventilated, this is only designed for general living, not cooking. Cooking in a tent increases condensation which could cause a build up of carbon monoxide.
Tents are made from flame retardant fabrics but cooking inside is still a huge risk.
You could create a separate camping kitchen using a tarp shelter. Check out our article on best camping stoves, best camping tarps and best camping kettle for this one and you'll be serving up that perfect camp supper in no time.
The list is endless. Some think standing room is of utmost importance, and it is indeed, extremely useful if you're sorting out gear or organising your teenager's 'floordrobe'.
Blackout lining is also useful, it cools the tent down in warm temperatures and lets you sleep for longer if it gets light in the early hours.
The best tents will also have plenty of guy ropes, a very sturdy sewn-in groundsheet and pockets, storage and loops are key for hanging up all your bits and bobs.
Great question. Our best tent brands provides some information on this and our best outdoor brands piece is great for outdoor gear brands that are doing their bit for the environment. Unless you're interested in bell tents and yurts, the majority of portable family tents are made from man-made materials such as polyester and nylon which aren't known for doing great things for the planet (fossil fuels, we're looking at you).
But the environmental debate is nuanced. If you're going on a family camping holiday instead of say, abroad on a plane or to a hotel, chances are you'll be using far less natural resources, exploring from the campsite on foot and using little electricity. Camping also connect us to the outdoors and this encourages us to want to protect it, so as with all things, the answer is yes and no!
The best family tent for you will depend on how you’ll be using it and what kind of features you're looking for. If you’re planning a series of weekend camping trips, then a mid-range tent like the Vango Anteus should be fine. For longer breaks you may appreciate the space and luxury of the Dometic Ascension. The Coleman Mosedale is a good choice for small families, and if you want to take the whole family or a large group of friends, then the Outdoor Revolution Airedale will fit the bill. Going on an extended camping trip? You’ll appreciate a tent with loads of storage space and head room like the Kampa Bergen – not being able to stand upright gets old pretty fast.
July 24, 2023
July 24, 2023
July 24, 2023
