The 8 Best Family Tents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Have fun camping with the whole family in these expert-approved tents. In This

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Have fun camping with the whole family in these expert-approved tents.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Esmee Williams

Going out into the great outdoors is one of the very best ways to get your family to spend quality time together away from their screens, while also instilling a love of nature. Some of my happiest family memories took place under canvas — from camping in France’s Loire Valley with my parents as a small child to touring the national parks of Southern Africa with my own kids as an adult. The first step to ensuring that your camping experience is memorable for the right reasons is to invest in a high quality tent.

Because families come in all sizes, we've categorized family tents as any that can sleep three or more people and/or pups. Beyond that, the variety is almost endless. There are car camping tents that offer maximum floor space and a generous peak height, backpacking tents that prioritize lightweight portability, budget-friendly tents for the once-a-year campers, and high-tech tents with all the bells and whistles from multiple doors to stargazing roofs and near-instant setup. To help you find the right fit for your family, we tested 24 tents out in the real world, rating each one for ease of setup, quality, performance, ease of storage, value, and more.

This tent stands out for its amazingly easy setup, generous height, and mesh roof — perfect for summer stargazing.

Replacing the poles would be tricky since they’re attached to the canvas, so care must be taken not to break them.

Setting up a tent with the “help” of the kids can be a stressful affair: not so with the Coleman Skydome 8-person Camping Tent XL, whose pre-attached and color-coded poles make setup a breeze. We managed it solo in 10 minutes and with help it took just five minutes. Best of all, the instructions are stitched onto the tent bag, so you can’t lose them. With welded corners, inverted and taped seams, and poles that have been tested to withstand winds of up to 35 miles per hour, this tent is built for unexpected weather. And although we felt that the poles and fabric could have been a bit sturdier, we haven't had any issue with the tent tearing or collapsing.

The mesh ceiling and large windows are a highlight, both for stargazing in clear weather and for ventilation when the temperatures rise. We particularly loved that our five-foot, nine-inch camper was able to stand upright in the center of the tent — which provides ample space for changing or playing games with kids. You won’t have to queue up to get in, either, thanks to the wide doorway. The tent is marketed as an 8-sleeper and can fit three queen-size airbeds. However, we’d say that six is a more realistic number, especially if you want space for all your gear. There are plenty of storage pockets as well and an e-port allows an extension cable to be introduced from outside.

Finally, we found it very easy to take the tent down and pack it away into the included carry bag. And although the packed tent is too heavy for a backpacking trip, it’s ideal for car camping with a rectangular shape that packs conveniently in your trunk.

The Details: 16 x 7 feet floor area | 6-foot peak height | 20.4 pounds | Waterproof | 8-person

It is easy to set up and impressively durable, plus this tent kept us completely dry when our campsite flooded.

Although worth the investment, this is not a budget pick.

The Two-person version of the Nemo Dagger Osmo Lightweight Backpacking Tent is our best overall backpacking tent and we think the three-person version is ideal for a couple with one child or pet. Made from the brand’s proprietary poly-nylon, it boasts four times better water repellency and a 20 percent higher strength rating than other, similar fabrics. It’s also 100 percent recycled for extra sustainability points. We were nervous at first when we realized that the tent lacks instructions — however, two of us were able to put it up in under 15 minutes on the first go thanks to the clever color coding system.

Once up, we loved the fact that the tent has two doors for easy in and out. We were shocked by how spacious it is inside, too. The tallest of us (at six feet five inches tall) was able to stretch out without having to lie diagonally and there was ample space leftover to bring hiking packs inside. Highlights include two large vestibules with waterproof landing zones for keeping wet boots separate and Nightlight Pockets for putting nervous kids at ease. Best of all, the tent kept us completely dry through a major rain storm, even when the campsite flooded. When packed away, we could fit the tent in a backpack and have had no trouble flying with it packed in luggage.

We were impressed with the durability and weather protection of this tent, which kept us dry even during a thunderstorm.

It can get pricey if you purchase recommended extras, such as a footprint and vestibule.

The REI Co-op Wonderland 6 Tent offers a peak height of 6.5 feet, making it ideal for families with tall parents or anyone who prefer to sleep on a raised cot. Near-vertical walls and a rectangular floor plan maximize the livable space, into which we were able to fit a queen-size mattress, a twin cot, and a dog bed with room left over for walking around and storing gear. An interior divider separates the tent into two rooms — ideal for campers want a little privacy (or have different bedtimes). This divider can be removed for daytime socializing and dining.

Setup is intuitive thanks to color-coding on the tent, fly, and poles. We’d recommend at least two people, though — when we tried to do it solo during testing, it took 35 minutes. Our shorter campers also had to use a rope to erect the middle support pole. Despite the tent’s height, it held up admirably in high winds and a thunderstorm. It felt very stable and no moisture reached the inside even with objects touching the sides. In fair weather, mesh panels on the walls, windows, and doors allow for amazing ventilation and visibility while keeping the bugs out.

This tent is built to last thanks to high quality materials; but it also offers the reassurance of a lifetime guarantee.

Setup is different to traditional tents and can be tricky and time-consuming at first.

The four-person Snow Peak Alpha Breeze boasts a unique design inspired by traditional Adirondack cabins. Setup is aided by detailed instructions and color-coded pieces; nevertheless, it took us around an hour to complete solo on the first attempt. The time required decreases as you get used to the unusual setup method, so you may want to practice at home before you head to your favorite campsite. The Alpha Breeze is also one of the most expensive tents on this list. However, we feel the price is justified by the high-quality components including sturdy aluminum poles capable of coping with high winds.

Once set up, the tent offers entry points on all four sides. This allows family members to get up in the night without clambering over each other. It also ensures excellent ventilation. The tent is much more spacious than we expected, too, thanks in large part to the 6-foot peak height. We were able to stand up fully to change and walk about. Bear in mind however that although the tent can easily sleep four, it would be a squeeze to fit everyone’s gear as well. Luckily, the vestibule can be converted into an awning for additional storage and gathering space.

This tent is super easy to set up due to the fact that you don’t have to feed each pole through a full-length sleeve.

Because the rainfly doesn’t extend to the ground on all four sides, we wouldn’t recommend it for winter camping.

We love how easy the four-person Nemo Aurora Highrise Camping Tent is to set up. Even without instructions, it only took us 10 minutes on the first go and although it’s definitely easier with two people, it’s possible for one person on their own, too. The materials are durable, with a heavy-duty polyester floor and poles that stood up well to strong winds during testing. No moisture reached the inside, and we’d be confident camping in heavy rain. In summer, large, rain-protected windows and two wide doors provide maximum ventilation (and views).

We particularly like the spaciousness of this tent’s interior. We tested it with two people over 6 feet tall and had plenty of room to stand up, lie down, and store all gear. Kids will especially like the brightly patterned floor and the Nightlight Pockets, which filters out the blue light from your headlamp for an even, comforting glow come nightfall. The tent includes multiple pockets, vestibules for storing extra gear, and an oversized storage bag for hassle-free packing away. Finally, a lifetime warranty affords added peace of mind.

This tent is spacious, easy to assemble, and perfect for family stargazing thanks to its innovative screened roof.

We found it to be a little warm with the rainfly on.

If the challenge of setting up a tent is what’s putting you off camping with the kids, try the Marmot Halo 4-person Tent. The instructions are limited to an infographic printed on the label, and yet we were able to set it up solo in just 10 minutes on the first attempt. You won’t require any special tools, and the color-coded poles and canopy snap instantly together. We also love this tent for its innovative pole structure, which maximizes livable space so we were able to fit two adults and two kids with room leftover to move around and stow belongings.

Oversized double and side doors allow everyone to get in and out with minimal hassle, while a large front vestibule and interior pockets provide ample storage space. We did find that the walls moved significantly even in light wind, but were impressed that the tent didn’t feel drafty despite its generous number of mesh-screened panels. The poles and materials are all premium quality, and the full-coverage rainfly and seam-taped floor kept the moisture out even after a night of continuous drizzle. When packed away, the tent is both lightweight and easily portable.

At just 7 pounds, this tent is light enough for even two backpackers to use.

It doesn’t come with instructions, which makes it difficult to utilize its different features and configurations.

With DAC MX aluminum alloy poles and a polyester ripstop rainfly, the Sea to Summit Ikos TR3 is a lightweight option for small families who like to hike to remote camping spots. We particularly appreciated that the carry bag expands to fit the tent easily, then cinches in again to save space. This is a technical tent with many possible configurations and a clever design that maximizes head and shoulder space. However, we found it difficult to work these aspects out because instead of instructions, the tent includes a QR code that links to instructional videos — unhelpful if you don’t have phone signal.

Nevertheless, we were impressed with the tent’s spaciousness once it was set up. It easily fits three adults on rectangular sleeping pads, with room to spare for equipment storage in four inner pockets and a gear loft. Two doors make it easy to get in and out, while vents at the base of the tent can be opened or closed to adjust the amount of ventilation. We found that the poles held up well to wind and water rolled off the rainfly and away from the tent rather than underneath it, keeping everything dry.

This no-frills, budget-friendly family tent is easy to set up and take down, even for parents who are on their own.

The storage pockets are small and there’s no central divider.

The Coleman Sundome 6-person Tent is an affordable choice for families who don’t need anything more than the essentials for a comfortable night under the stars. Despite its budget price, it’s reassuringly sturdy once staked down and very easy to set up. It took us just five minutes when consulting the instructions, which are helpfully stitched into the bag so they can’t get lost. The tent has just one door as well as a large, screened window that can be opened for extra ventilation.

With the rainfly on, we found the tent effective at blocking wind and keeping us warm. With it off, we enjoyed a great view of the sky and a cooling daytime breeze. The interior of the tent is impressively spacious. The tallest of our party was able to stand almost upright at 6 feet 3 inches tall and appreciated being able to step into the tent rather than crawl. We fit a queen air mattress, plenty of gear, and a large dog and feel there would be ample room for parents and up to four kids (although six grownups would be a squeeze). Finally, the tent is easy to carry in the included bag.

The Details: 10 x 10 feet floor area | 6-foot peak height | 16 pounds | Waterproof | 6-person

Each of the tents included on this list was tested by a Travel + Leisure tester on a series of real-life camping trips. During each excursion, we assessed the tent’s portability, the usefulness of any instructions, how easy it was to set up, and how long it took to do so. We also considered whether it would be possible for a person to set the tent up on their own. We evaluated the quality of the materials (and in particular, the strength of the poles) and made notes on special design features, the spaciousness of the tent’s interior, its ventilation, and how well it blocked wind and/or rain.

If there was no natural rainfall during the test period, we sprayed the tent with a bottle or hose to check its waterproofness. Finally, we assessed how easy the tent was to pack away and whether there were any signs of wear and tear after use. Each tent was scored on a scale of one to five for ease of setup, quality, performance, ease of storage, and value, with averaged totals used to determine our category winners. In total, we tested 24 tents over a two-year period and will continue to use the products, collect insights, and update this article periodically.

Travel + Leisure / Henry Yung

Any tent that sleeps more than two people can be classified as a family tent — which means there’s a whole lot of different options to choose from. To find the one that best suits your needs, consider how many family members will typically be sharing the tent, both now and in the future. For example, when my husband and I bought our first family tent, our daughter was just a few months old. We knew we’d ideally like her to have a sibling one day, though, so we decided to invest in a tent big enough for four. If you have older kids who can safely sleep on their own, you might choose to buy two smaller tents instead of one large one, so everyone can have a bit more space and privacy. And finally, if you plan on bringing four-legged family members, be sure to include them in your calculations, too.

Before I had kids, I went on several remote, multi-day camping expeditions including to the northern Yukon and to the Peruvian Amazon. On these occasions, lightweight portability was the top priority and I tried to keep my gear as minimal as possible. But once we added kids to the equation, we quickly realized that comfort is key to an enjoyable experience for all. I tend to pack a proper air mattress, duvet, and pillow for my daughter, so she feels as at home as possible, and we always allow her to bring her favorite book and stuffed animal.

Lanterns, fairy lights, and even a sound machine can all help small children to feel more at ease in an unfamiliar environment — increasing the chances they’ll want to go camping again. Of course, to accommodate this extra equipment you’ll need a bigger tent, and probably a campsite that you can drive to to avoid carrying everything in.

My husband and I are 6 foot 4 inches and 5 foot 10 inches respectively, so I’m speaking from personal experience when I say that the most comfortable family camping tents are the ones you can stand up in. There’s nothing worse than trying to set up kids’ sleeping arrangements, help them get into their pajamas, play games, or prep food while doubled over. Save yourself the hassle (and the backache) by investing in a tent with a generous peak height and near-vertical walls for the same headspace throughout.

Don’t forget that you need space inside the tent for all your gear, too. Depending on the age of your kids, you may have considerably more gear to think of than you may have when you camped solo. I’m talking bigger backpacks with more changes of clothes, toys, blankets, and perhaps even a space heater in cooler weather. And if you decide to take the plunge with a very young baby (as we did when my son was just a few months old), then you may even need space for a playpen or other safe sleeping solution. Choose a larger tent for the extra floor space, or opt for one with a generous gear loft, pockets, and waterproof vestibule areas.

Generally speaking, the number of people a tent sleeps is calculated according to the number of standard single sleeping pads that can be laid out side by side inside the tent. That doesn’t take into account space for gear storage, moving around, or socializing/dining in poor weather, so if you want to be comfortable, the general rule of thumb is to choose a tent rated for at least two more people than your maximum group size. Therefore, a family of six should choose an 8-person tent or bigger, whereas a family of four will be most comfortable in a six-person sleeper tent. Of course, it does depend slightly on how much gear you’ll be taking, the ages and sizes of the people in your family, and how much portability you’re willing to sacrifice.

This depends entirely on your personal preferences. Perhaps the biggest factor is the age of your children and their level of maturity — personally, I wouldn’t want my two and six-year-old in a tent without an adult, even if we were right next door; and I’d rather sleep all together in a larger tent than have each adult sleep separately with one of the kids.

If you have older kids that are comfortable sleeping alone and can be trusted not to wander off in the night, however, buying two smaller tents may give them a valuable sense of independence and give everyone a greater level of comfort and privacy. Purchasing a large tent with a divider that separates the interior into two or more rooms is a best-of-both-worlds solution to consider, too.

The majority of modern tents are made from polyester or nylon treated with a special waterproof coating. These coatings range from PU (polyester urethane) to silicone. Silicone is generally regarded as the best option since it offers a greater abrasion resistance than PU and isn’t as susceptible to sun damage. However, PU is the most common choice for casual family camping tents because it’s less expensive. The level of waterproofing offered is measured in millimeters, indicating the amount of water pressure the material can take before it starts to let moisture through. You want a rainfly with a rating of at least 3,000mm and a groundsheet with a rating of at least 10,000mm for optimum resistance to extended periods of rain.

Jessica Macdonald grew up camping with her family in the UK and Europe, and has since carried on the tradition with her own kids. Her favorite family camping experience in recent years was a three-week tour of South Africa’s national parks, sleeping under canvas each night with her husband and 18-month-old daughter. Tents on this list were chosen according to the results of real-world tests carried out by the T+L team.

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