Family Tent Buying Guide

Dec 31, 2025

Choosing a family tent is a big decision. It’s not something you buy for one trip and forget about — it needs to suit the way you camp, keep everyone comfortable, and work well in real-world UK weather. With so many shapes, sizes, fabrics and features to pick from, it can be difficult to know what actually matters.

This guide explains what to look for, what to realistically expect, and how to choose a family tent that genuinely suits how you camp.
If you’d like broader tent advice as well, our Tent Guides & Buying Advice Hub is also worth a look.

1. Think About How You’ll Actually Camp

Before looking at brands, prices or impressive features, start with the basics: how are you going to use your tent most of the time?

Ask yourself:

Are you mainly doing family holidays where you stay in one place for a week or two?
Or mostly weekend trips and short breaks?
Do you normally camp in the UK?
Do you take lots of kit with you?
Are you camping with younger children or teenagers?
Do you need space indoors for rainy days?

A tent that is brilliant for long stays may feel too big and heavy for quick weekends, while a smaller quick-pitch tent may become frustrating on a two-week family holiday. Being honest about how you camp makes choosing much easier.

2. Getting the Size Right (Most Families Undersize)

This is the biggest mistake most families make.

Tent labels such as “4-man”, “6-man” or “8-man” refer to sleeping capacity only, not comfort or living space. In reality:

Family of 3 or 4 → 6-man tents normally work really well
Family of 4 who like extra space / longer trips → 7–8 man tents are more comfortable
Families with older children or teenagers → larger living space really helps
Families of 5 or more → usually 7–8 man minimum

If you’d like more clarity around sizing, take a look at our Tent Sizes & Capacity Explained guide.

You can also browse:

4–6 Man Tents
7–8 Man Tents

3. Bedrooms & Sleeping Comfort

Bedrooms are where families notice the difference between “budget” and “proper family” tents.

Things worth thinking about:

Separate bedrooms so children (or adults) can have their own space
Darkened or blackout bedrooms if early sunlight affects sleep
Good standing height so you’re not crouching to get dressed
Enough space for beds, sleeping mats or airbeds without everything feeling cramped

Many tents now have removable bedroom dividers so you can change the layout as children grow.

4. Living Space – Don’t Underestimate It

A comfortable living area makes family camping much easier, especially when the weather isn’t perfect.

Ask:

Is there enough room for a table and chairs?
Is there space left once bags, cool boxes and kit are inside?
Would it still feel usable if you were sat inside on a rainy afternoon?
Can the children play inside if needed?

At this point it’s worth looking at layouts in our Family Tents range to see how different designs feel.

5. Porch / Extension / Enclosed Front Area

This is one of the most useful features on a family tent.

A front canopy, porch or enclosed extension gives you:

Somewhere to leave muddy shoes
A sheltered space for cooking (following campsite rules)
Shade in hot weather
Protection from wind and rain
A transition area so the main tent stays cleaner

Many families find this becomes the most-used part of the tent.

6. Inflatable or Poled Family Tent?

This is one of the most common questions families have.

Inflatable (Air) Tents

Great for families who want:

quicker pitching
less stress on arrival
a strong, stable structure
no poles to deal with

Modern inflatable tents are reliable and widely used by families. If you’d like more detail, we’ve written a full Inflatable vs Poled Tent Guide.
You can also browse Inflatable Family Tents.

Poled Tents

A good choice if you want:

a lower price than inflatable
a lighter tent to transport
simple, proven construction

They take a bit more time and patience to pitch but are still a perfectly sensible option for family camping.

7. Fabrics, Weather Performance & Build Quality

This is where quality really matters.

Polyester vs Polycotton

Polyester tents
- lighter
- easier to handle
- dry faster
- more affordable
  Ideal for most families.
Polycotton tents
- heavier
- more expensive
- quieter in wind
- better temperature control
- feel more “solid” and homely

If you’d like to understand the differences properly, read our Polyester vs Polycotton Guide.

Waterproof Ratings

People often focus purely on hydrostatic head numbers, but a well-designed tent with sensible pitching will perform well in typical UK weather.

If you want more detail on weather ratings, take a look at Weather & Waterproof Ratings Explained.

8. Practical Family-Friendly Features

Small details make a big difference when camping with children.

Useful features include:

large windows with curtains or blinds
good ventilation to reduce condensation
multiple doors for easier access
mesh doors to help keep insects out
cable entry points for electric hook-up
internal storage pockets
darker bedroom fabric to help sleep

You’ll find lots of these features across our Family Tents.

9. Weight, Packing & Pitching Reality

Family tents are bigger and heavier than smaller weekend tents — and that’s usually worth it for the extra comfort.

Before buying, think about:

whether you can lift and move the tent comfortably
how much car boot space you have
whether you’ll usually pitch as a couple or alone
whether you want fast pitching or you’re happy to take your time

Buying something huge that you dread pitching isn’t ideal. Equally, buying something too small to live in comfortably is frustrating.

10. Groundsheet, Carpet & Footprint — Are They Worth It?

Short answer: most families find them useful.

Footprint Groundsheet
- protects your tent base
- reduces mud
- makes pitching easier
Tent Carpet
- warmer underfoot
- more comfortable to live in
- great with younger children

Many families wouldn’t go without them once they’ve used them. You can find these in our tent accessories.

11. Budget – What Do You Actually Get for More Money?

Generally, as price increases you get:

stronger materials
better weather performance
improved stitching and zips
more stable structures
better layouts
more comfort features

A very cheap “family tent” may look tempting but can quickly become frustrating in wind or rain. Spending sensibly on something built for proper family use normally pays off.

Final Advice

If you’re choosing a family tent, focus on:

getting the size right
choosing a sensible, usable layout
thinking realistically about how you camp
deciding whether inflatable or poled suits you better
choosing something you’ll be happy living in, not just sleeping in

If you’d like more general tent knowledge too, our main Tent Buying Guide is worth reading alongside this.

Browse Family Tents

If you’re ready to look at options, you can explore:

👉 Family Tents
👉 4–6 Man Tents
👉 7–8 Man Tents
👉 Inflatable Family Tents

Need Help Choosing?

We’ve helped thousands of families choose their tents over the years — whether it’s for weekend trips, summer holidays or full camping seasons. If you’d like friendly, honest advice, we’re always happy to help and can talk through what will suit your family best.

👉 Contact Us for Tent Advice