Going camping with your family can be a great way to spend time together, and you probably already have the perfect tent all set up in your backyard. If not, this blog post is here to help.
We are going to discuss what size of tent would be best for a family of 4 so that everyone has enough space and room inside.
If you’re a family of four and are planning on going camping, then the best tent for you would be a 5 to 6 person tent. This is because it will have enough space for all of your belongings and to sleep comfortably. It’s also good if there are children in the group- they can play inside while adults chat outside.
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Things to consider when looking at a family tent
The first thing to consider when buying a tent is the number of people that will be staying in it.
You are going to want enough room for everyone, so if you have more than four people coming with you then make sure that there is plenty of space inside and outside the tent.
If your family falls at just four members, this might not seem as important but still needs consideration because some tents, that are advertised as four man tents can only fit three or two adults comfortably depending on size and shape.
Some families like to sleep together while others need their own sleeping area which means having multiple rooms available within the one camping tent would be ideal rather than cramming into another smaller sized one.
Get a tent larger than you need
It is always a good idea to buy a tent that is bigger than you need. By getting a bigger tent you will have plenty of room inside the tent for everyone to be comfortable and not feel cramped.
This is especially important if you are bringing a pet with you or plan on having kids that might want their own space from time to time in order to get some alone-time.
Having a large tent gives you plenty of room for belongings and finding a place for everything can be tough if the tent is small.
It also means that if the weather turns bad that everyone, particularly children, will have plenty of room to play and relax without getting under each others’ feet.
However, there will be some disadvantages to getting a larger sized tent as well which need to be considered before making your decision.
You might find that it’s harder to set up or take down because of its size but it all depends on what you want out of the experience in terms of time-commitment vs comfort.
Coleman 6 Person Dome Tent
The Coleman 6 Person Dome Tent is an ideal choice for a family of four.
This weatherproof, quick set up tent features a rainfly for extra protection from the unpredictable elements and a bug free lounging area with 10 x 5 feet full floor screen room to keep cool inside even on hot days.
With plenty of space, this tent has an interior height of 5 feet 8 inches and measures 10 x 9 feet with 90 square feet so you can fit 2 queen size air beds at just the right distance apart.
The carry bag provides convenient storage and the tent can be setup in less than 15 minutes.
- Made in the USA or Imported premium polyester taffeta 75D material
- Weatherproof: Welded corners and inverted seams keep water from getting in; Included rainfly offers extra weather protection
- Roomy interior: 10 x 9 feet with 5 feet 11 inch center height; Fits 2 queen-size air beds
- Conventional Pitch: Sets up in 15 minutes
- Bug-free lounging: 10 x 5 feet full-floor screen room for an enclosed space
Won’t a 4 person tent be big enough?
The reality is that it probably won’t. Most 4 person tents are often only just big enough for two people and their gear.
This is because they’re designed to be used by a couple, or possibly as part of a couples’ camping trip with another camper in the tent next door.
If you have more than one child, it’s likely that there will not be sufficient sleeping space-particularly if your children are older and want their own sleeping bag/bedding area.
A six person tent would probably suit you better as it will give you more room to move around and will help to keep the tent feeling less claustrophobic.
It’s also worth thinking about things like storage space for your belongings and how much time you want to commit-if it’s a couple of days, then you could probably survive in a four man tent, any longer and it could become a problem.
What about cost? Aren’t larger tents more expensive?
Yes, you’ll pay more for a larger tent but, in reality, you’ll appreciate the extra size.
For a slightly larger investment you’ll be able to enjoy more space and comfort-it’s the best value.
If you don’t need that much space, consider a smaller tent-you’ll save money but still have plenty of room for your family to enjoy themselves.
The price does vary considerably when it comes to tents so make sure you do some research before making any purchases.
You can purchase discounted tents on Amazon or check out an outdoor store near where you live if you’re in search of something more specific.
One advantage of going this route is that they will be able to help with recommendations based on your needs (e.g., kids’ sleeping arrangements).
Remember that whatever you choose it needs transporting.
Not only do bigger tents give you more room they are also heavier.
Make sure that whichever tent you choose that you are able to transport it to the location that you are planning on camping.
You also need to consider difficulty in setting up and taking down. Larger tents do take longer to set up and take down.
To recap – What size tent for a family of four?
The best tent is one that suits your needs and budget. We’ve outlined some things to consider:
Budget
Actual physical size – aim for a larger tent than is advertised
Bulk and weight – will you be able to move it?
Ease of setup – Can you physically manage to get it setup?
Materials
Quality – tents are not made equally and often you get what you pay for
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