A good family tent needs to be spacious, warm (but not hot), comfortable and keeps you dry. Normally, family tents are only for car camping and many are too heavy for backpacking anyway. Weight is not much of an issue when choosing family tents unless you’re backpacking.

Space is a very important consideration. If you're a family of four, get a tent that can fit six since 4 person tents are more likely to accommodate 4 corpses snugly to 4 people comfortably. Your family will greatly appreciate the extra space. The bigger the better but it will also cost you more.

It would be hard to pinpoint which tent is the best for families because people have different requirements but I can recommend a few. The best tents come from brands like Big Agnes, Kelty, Sierra Designs, Eureka and REI.

Big Agnes Big House 4 has  5 3/4 feet of headroom and there's plenty of space for two adults and three little kids. Ventilation is great with plenty of mesh and the two doors provide easy access. At 10 pounds 8 ounces, it's light enough for backpacking. If you want more space, you can go for something bigger like the Big House 6.

User Reviews from Amazon:
   
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent comfortable tent, August 2, 2007
By     Ralph (MA, USA)

My wife and I used this for a week camping on Vancouver Island and really liked it a lot. It's very easy to set up once you get the drill down (do it in your back yard a couple of times first). It rained almost every night and we were very comfortable and dry. One small leak developed in the floor and there was a little dampness from one of the walls, but overall it worked very well. I'm trying aftermarket waterproofing to fix these issues.

For 2 people this is luxury, full headroom, space to store stuff and get dressed along with a queen size air mattress, we really look forward to using it more.

   
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Tent, April 1, 2009
By     R. Perez (DFW Metroplex) - (REAL NAME)  

I took the tent out for a weekend of car camping at a State Park near the lake. The weather that weekend was cold with lows around 32 and extremly windy. The tent sets up easily, but i would recomend trying it out in your backyard before taking it on the trip.

The Tent held up like a champ in the windy conditions, others in the group had their tents collapse under the wind. The tent poles are of excellent quality and there are many ties downs that assist in securing the tent. It also has excellent ventilation, plenty of space for Me and my two kids and all our gear. The pouches all around the inside of the tent are great for organizing gloves, keys, flashlights, and storage bags. I am 5'8 and i can stand up in the center of tent without ducking.

The bag it comes with is icing on the cake. It holds everything neatly in place and you dont have to have an engineering degree to get it easily packed up and back in the bag. It even holds the footprint, 'sold seperatly', in one of the pouches.

No regrets with this purchase

Sierra Designs' Lightning XT4 Tent is also a good option if you plan on backpacking with your kids. This 4 person tent is only 6 pounds 13 ounces. Seven people from Backpacker Magazine comfortably played cards in this tent and they were pleased with the amount of space, 57 square feet of them. I'm sure the kids would love it and probably you too.

User Review from Amazon:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light, roomy, state-of-the-art, tent, July 7, 2009
By Laurie Sweeney (Meadow Vista, CA USA) - (REAL NAME)

I wanted a light tent that could pass as a 2 man, (with one of the men 6'4", 260 lbs) plus 2 dogs or a tent that could accommodate 3-4 people, if necessary.

Lots of room and very comfortable head room.

Setup was easy without pouring over step-by-step instructions.

Loved the see through mesh. We took the tent to mosquitoville (early Desolation Wildnerness), and groups of us hung out in there, just to escape. Even the dogs quickly figured out it was better in the tent without the mosquitos.

I was very surprised at how rugged the mesh was. The dogs would try to get in/out by scratching at the door. I expected big claw marks in the mesh, and there were none.

The rain fly was very rugged and comprehensive and yet we did not experience any condensation.

I was kind of disappointed it didn't rain, because I wanted to see how that would turn out, but unfortunately, we had beautiful weather.

User Reviews from REI:

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5 Stars

"Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent"

By LSweeney from Meadow Vista, CA
About Me: Casual Adventurer

Pros

* Comfortable
* Easy To Set Up
* Fly Works Well
* Lightweight
* Sturdy
* Waterproof

Cons - Not mentioned

Best Uses

* Backpacking
* Beach
* Car Camping
* Hiking

Comments about Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent:

I wanted a light tent that could pass as a 2 man, (with one of the men 6'4", 260 lbs) plus 2 dogs or a tent that could accommodate 3-4 people, if necessary.

Lots of room and very comfortable head room.

Setup was easy without pouring over step-by-step instructions.

Loved the see through mesh. We took the tent to mosquitoville (early Desolation Wildnerness), and groups of us hung out in there, just to escape. Even the dogs quickly figured out it was better in the tent without the mosquitos.

I was very surprised at how rugged the mesh was. The dogs would try to get in/out by scratching at the door. I expected big claw marks in the mesh, and there were none.

The rain fly was very rugged and comprehensive and yet we did not experience any condensation.

I was kind of disappointed it didn't rain, because I wanted to see how that would turn out, but unfortunately, we had beautiful weather.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(3 of 10 customers found this review helpful)

4 Stars

"Updated version?"

By aristoggle from Northeast Georgia
About Me: Avid Adventurer

Pros

* Comfortable
* Easy To Set Up
* Fly Works Well
* Lightweight
* Sturdy
* Waterproof

Cons - Not Mentioned

Best Uses

* Car Camping

Comments about Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Tent:

I have the old Mondo Condo. From what I can gather, this is a newer version of the same tent.

It has served my family and me well over nine years, or so. We used it with a Pack and Play on car-camping trips when our daughters were very small, and have graduated to paddling trips and some light backpacking.

We've been out in some nasty storms, rain-soaked weekends and moderate (mid-30s) cold. Been a great tent.

If I had to replace my Mondo, I would definitely start here.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Next up is the REI Hobitat 4 or REI Hobitat 6 depending on how much space you want or how many people will be sleeping in it. The Hobitat 4 is 17 pounds while the Hobitat 6 is 19 pounds 1 ounce, too heavy for backpacking but great for car camping. Floor space for the Hobitat 4 is 60 square feet with 6 feet of headroom. The Hobitat 6 has a floor space of 83 square feet and 6 feet 10 inches of headroom.

User Reviews from REI:

(31 of 31 customers found this review helpful)
 
4 Stars

"It's a keeper"

By Rev from Fruit Heights, Utah
About Me: Outdoor Professional

Pros

    * Comfortable
    * Sturdy
    * Waterproof

Cons - Not mentioned

Best Uses

    * Car Camping

Comments about REI Hobitat 4 Tent:

I used the thing for the first time in early May of 2009 in the Salt River Range in Wyoming. Springtime was just getting underway. The tent stood up to rain, sharp microbursts of wind, sleet, and snow - all in less than 24 hours. The vestibule even hung in there.

I slept on a cot with two Labrador Retrievers on their pads underneath.

Now, I've been pitching tents for over 50 years, everything from war surplus shelter halves, to various Alp Sport, Kelty, North Face, and Sierra Design tents I've personally owned (and still do). This unit was easily the most complex to pitch, but it went up with logic and grace - and I was setting it up alone. But the the constant "slip this pole in here," "clip this there," "wrap this," "roll this," etc., almost had me laughing. 'Twas an interesting puzzle (I never looked at the instructions). But then I work crosswords with a fountain pen ...

If your idea of pitching a tent is two three minutes of slipping and clipping two or three poles, this may not be the tent for you. However, the architecture of this tent really works to provide maximum interior space and security from the weather.

I'm a very active Boy Scouts of America leader with a need for a comfortable tent for many camping nights a year helping young people recover from nature deficit disorder. This one will do fine when we're not backpacking.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(17 of 17 customers found this review helpful)
 
4 Stars

"Lots of head room!!!!"

By BigTuna from Huntington Beach
About Me: Casual Adventurer

Pros

    * Comfortable
    * Easy To Set Up
    * Sturdy
    * Waterproof

Cons - Not mentioned

Best Uses

    * Car Camping

Comments about REI Hobitat 4 Tent:

This tent is great. I am 6ft tall and I have no problem standing in this tent with a queen size double high air mattress in it. However, my only issue with the tent is the rainfly. It connects over the door and window via velcro. Personally I don't like the design of the velcro strap but it still does the job. I am just curious to see how long the velcro will last until it no longer does its job.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

This tent is the winner of the Editors' Choice Gloden Stake Award for 2009. It has two separate sleeping compartments with a floor space of 70 square. This is the 4 person version but a 6 person version is available as well. The peak height is more than 6 feet so there's plenty of headroom for the average guy. Weighs 22 pounds 5 ounces and has a lifetime warranty.

Kelty Lounge 4 is another good tent. It has as much headroom as the Hobitat with a floor space of 64 square feet and a 16 square feet vestibule. The vestibule is very useful for storing wet and dirty gear. Weighs 16 pounds, great ventilation and the frame is extremely stable. It has some great extras like mesh pockets, gear shelf, gear loft and organizer wall.

User Review from Altrec:

5 Stars - Anonymous - 2008-08-01

Performed very well! Very spacious
It was very easy to assemble by myself and only took a few minutes. It performed very well in the thunderstorm that blew in on us. Had plenty of room inside and ample storage possibilties.

User Review from Amazon:

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice tent, August 31, 2008
By Harley Babes "HarleyBabes" (Kalamazoo, MI)

We purchased the Kelty tent after our cheap Eddie Bauer caved in a rainstorm this summer. We were hoping for a secure, rain-tight tent with good seams, great ventilation and a vestibule. We loved the way it looks. It is very roomy for the two of us and our 50 lb dog, though we are 5'4" and 5'2" (so I don't know if that says much). I almost graze my head on the top of the tent, but I can still stand up straight. The vestibule is very small, almost hard to get in and out of the tent, as you have to duck on the way in. I thought it would be roomier for our shoes, etc., but it is a nice feature so mud doesn't get tracked into the tent. On one of the two mornings, it sprinkled. We had no issues. The second morning, the dew seeped through the fly and into the open ventilation where there was some dripping water. Also, the back of the tent (which is not covered adequately by the fly) was wet. We called our local, reputable outdoor sporting goods store before our trip and they said we did not need to waterproof the tent. It would be good to go out of the box. Obviously, this is something that does need to be done. I expected more for the brand and found the tent to be stuffy on a 90 degree day and 60 degree night. The ventilation was not adequate, as there is no way to get a cross breeze going with the fly on. Even if we left the vestibule open, there is no window in the back of the tent. Unfortunately, the price we paid for this tent was high enough that we hope to have it for 5-10 years to come. That means stuffy camping. Bummer.

If you want something high-tech, then I suggest the N!ergy 9 by Eureka. This dome tent is "the coziest version of Eureka's powered home away from home". It has a power system that lets you enjoy small appliances like lights, fan, cellphones, laptops and more. You can get the E! Power Pak is you need extra power. Set up is not as complicated as you think because the tent is prewired. Weighs 15 pounds and sleeps 4 to 5 adults.

User Review from Altrec:

5 Stars - Kayla Sheeley - 2009-07-14

Very Roomy!
We got this tent because when our dog goes camping with us, he sleeps in the tent and it can get very crowded. It is perfect for car camping- we fit a queen size air bed with a stand, stored things underneath the bed, and had more than enough room left for the dog. I tend to get a bit "claustrophobic" but not in this tent, it is tall and the mesh sides provide a lot of ventilation, not to mention a beautiful view of the lake if you stake your tent right in front of it! Very airy, perfect for warm weather camping. We didn't buy the power pack so haven't tried out the power outlets yet but it's great to have that option for charging cell phones - we may be buying that soon!

User Reviews from Amazon:

 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Tent!, June 16, 2009
By     Cool Mom (Malvern, PA)

My husband and I bought this tent last fall for a camping trip. We really enjoyed it all in all. I will tell that it say's it's a three season tent. I think that is pushing it. We went to Penn State for a camping trip in mid November. The weather was calling for a cool temps and a low chance of snow flurries. Well when we arrived at our site, there was 10 inches of snow on the ground. Prior to leaving for the trip we water sealed the seams. We stayed completely dry, no problems with that. However, the temperature was the problem. During the day temps were in the mid to upper 40's, at night it was in the low 30's. Because of the very large windows on the sides of the tent, it is impossible to stay warm. It is very drafty. We even had an air mattress and two very expensive, very good sleeping bags with extra blankets. No ways were we comfortable.

But if you are using this tent for spring, summer, very early fall, I highly recommend it. The lights are a great feature. They are actually a very pretty blue color. The light is just enough for was you need to do. YOU WILL NEED THE POWER CONNECTOR! It is a separate price. The nice thing about having the power is you can charge your cell phone, use a hair dryer, etc.

The space is great too. We were able to fit a queen air bed and two twin air beds in the space.

I think you can't go wrong for the price, and it really is good quality.

      
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one for a tight camp spot., September 4, 2008
By     Jonathan J. Dean "Arizsunning" (Seoul, South Korea) - (REAL NAME)   

We camp in South Korea, the mountainous country demands a sturdy tent. We are proud to let you in on a secret; this is the one [for 3 Season Applications], I slept thru thunderstorms, for two days? Heres the secret, for this tent do purchase a Coleman Event 14, this 9x9 Tent fits under the Shelter, and when all 4 doors are installed and a Tarf on the top of the dome, tied down----Baby, your going to sleep well and dry. and you even get a Bonus Backyard to set up a shower and toilet. God must have bless this marriage between Coleman Product and Eureka, and I am happit is all mine. I have the first Eureka 9x9 and Coleman Event 14 in country, the Koreans are very envious of our products and their inter-uses. And don't forget the a small tarf to close up the Event 14 and 15 Roof Breathing Portal in a storm, don't curse the storm---romance in your dry tent, while others swim in their own problems. For a Eurecka N!ergy 9, a Coleman Event 14 will suffice, and give more rooom then you will ever need to move around in a storm, thats, Kitchen, Toilet, Shower and Stores, under one roof protected from all elements.

If you're looking for tent that's very easy and quick to set up so that you can do other things with you family, then I recommend the Turbo Tent. It's a cabin tent that sets up in less than a minute. Find out more of this type of cabin tent. They have much more usable space than dome tents because the walls are almost vertical.

I began by recommending a Big Agnes tent and now I'm going to end with one as well. This time it's their top-of-line model, the Flying Diamond 8, the most expensive tent on this page. Why is it so expensive? This tent can be used all year round. Second, it's huge. Third, it has got a ton of cool features like a large vestibule off the main room, access doors that can be staked out as a shade using trekking poles and more. Sleeps 8 and weighs 27 ounces and 12 ounces. Floor area is 112 square feet and head height is 72 inches (6 feet).