Family Tents With Rooms – Find The Best One!

My friend, who is a father of two, once asked me what type of tent I would recommend for him. He wanted to introduce his son, and eventually his younger sister to the pleasure of the great outdoors. I told him, for me the only logical choice is one of the many large family tents with rooms.

Why large? Well, once you cross a certain weight threshold, the size of the tent doesn’t matter anymore. It is better to make sure you are comfortable and everybody has ample space. I imagine when his children get older, they will want to have their own rooms. Family tents with rooms are a significant investment in the range of several hundred dollars. You’d better make sure you are getting one that can serve you for decades.

How big should a family tent be?

Of course size matters on how many children you have. For a family of four, a large family tent with rooms, similar to an Ozark Trail 16-person 3-room family cabin tent, could be an ideal choice.

However, for me a minimum requirement is a tent with at least 3 rooms. One for you and your spouse, a room for the children and a sizeable storage room. Remember, a family tent is not just about sleeping; comfort, privacy, and functionality should also play significant roles in your decision.

Key Considerations When Choosing Family Tents with Rooms

Here are the key features that will help you decide which family tent fits your needs the most.

Structural Strength and Durability

As mentioned above, durability is key when making an investment of this magnitude. Large family tents are made from polyester, nylon, or canvas. Polyester and nylon are lightweight and more resistant to UV rays, but they may lack the breathability of canvas.

I often hear about canvas tents being the latest craze. Understandable, canvas is heavier but tends to be more durable and breathable, providing a natural cooling effect in hot weather.

Are large family pop up tents worth it?

In my opinion no. Pop up tents don’t make good family tent with rooms. Pop-up tents offer the advantage of quick and easy setup, making them perfect for beginners or those who prioritize convenience. However, their simplistic design could potentially compromise on durability and sturdiness in extreme weather conditions.

Simply put, the pole structure of pop up tents makes it almost impossible to have a sturdy, durable tent.

Recommended reading: Best Large Family Tents of 2024

How Waterproof Should A Family Tent With Room Be?

You can get large tents that are considered waterproof from at least 1500 mm HH. In my experience anywhere below this rating is only water resistant, nothing more.

Some manufacturers will call their tents waterproof after only 1000 mm, but don’t let that fool you. It is barely a marketing ploy.

However, for optimum protection in severe weather, you might want to look for tents with a higher HH rating, such as 3,000 mm or more. This is the level you need to stand up to all day long rainfalls.

Seam sealing or applying your own waterproofing at home can go a long way in waterproofing even a large tent with multiple rooms.

Are Family Tents With Rooms Difficult To Assembly?

In my experience, it may take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to set one up. Needless to say, it depends a lot on your expereience as well as the size of the tent. Having a little helper can reduce set up time up to 50%.

Some tents come with color-coded poles and corresponding tabs on the tent itself, which makes things easier.

Regarding pole structures, tents with fewer poles and a simple, intuitive design are generally quickest to assemble. Dome-style tents with a two-pole design are a popular choice for their easy setup and robust stability. As a general rule of thumb, the more rooms you have, the more difficult it is to assemble.

How Many Rooms, Windows And Entrances Do You Need For Optimum Comfort?

Multi-room tents, such as family tents with rooms, offer the advantage of privacy and organization. They typically boast a “master” bedroom for parents, along with separate rooms for kids or guests.

Some large family tents are designed with two rooms, while others may have three or more. A two-room tent usually allows one room for sleeping and another for living and storage. These are not the most comfortable for whole families. However, a larger family might prefer a tent with three or more rooms to accommodate everyone comfortably and provide extra space for storage or a dedicated living area.

As a rule of thumb, have at least one room for the kids, one for you and your spouse and a storage room. The only exception might be if your children are very young and they prefer to sleep with their parents. If your kids are older and want to sleep separately, count extra rooms. Don’t count a porch as a room. You will want to leave that open.

Recommended reading: Big Camping Tents With Rooms

How Thick Should Separator Walls Be?

The thickness of separator walls in family tents can greatly affect the overall comfort and privacy of the tent. Thicker walls provide better privacy and sound insulation. However, they can also add to the tent’s weight and reduce the amount of available space. The best separator walls are usually between 70D to 150D (Denier).

It’s also important for the material to be breathable to prevent condensation build-up. But in the end, there is no one size fits all solution. For instance, if you mostly go camping in mild weather and privacy is a top priority, a tent with thicker walls may be the best fit. Conversely, if you need to hike long distances carrying the tent and ventilation is crucial, a tent with thinner walls might be a more suitable option.

Ventilation System And Avoiding Condensation

A well-ventilated large family tent with rooms will predominantly feature big mesh panels in the ceiling, doors, and windows. The best way to minimise condensation is to have the air flow constantly. Double wall large family tents are even better.

In my opinion ground vets are absolutely necessary. Why? They significantly increase breathability, especially in larger tents with rooms. Remember, condensation forms more readily in larger tents due to the increased volume of air and number of occupants. All in all, ground vets are absolutely a must!

If you want to look for a real overkill, get a tent with adjustable ventilation options. That sounds so complicated! Well, it basically means a tent with zippered mesh windows that you can open or close depending on the weather. Whenever it is not raining, you just open the windows and let the air circulate.

As a tip, avoid cooking in the middle of the tent as much as possible. Of course some days the rain is so have you must do it. However doing it in the open, or in the sunshade canopy might be best.

Look for tent with a solid water-resistant outer layer along with inner layers made of breathable materials such as polyester or nylon mesh. Basically you get to have your cake and eat it too, by having ample airflow and waterproofing.

Always Have A Storage Room

Finally, a storage space is a crucial factor. As a rule of thumb, you should look for a tent that offers a minimum of 16-20 square feet of storage space per person.

If your family grows and you need more storage space, often you can attach that. Most large family tents come with that flexibility.