Many kids love playing in a tent. It gives them a space that feels like their own where they can entertain themselves, read, color, play with friends, or have fun at pretend camping. Playing in a tent prompts imagination; kids can engage in make believe camping at the top of a snowy mountain, in the depths of the rainforest, on another planet, the options are limitless. Playing in a tent also improves coordination and motor skills by moving, crawling, and opening or closing tent windows and doors.
The best tents for kids focus on safety. They’re manufactured and tested to keep parents’ minds at ease. A safe tent has large doorways or mesh windows to give parents an easy way to check in on their child without interrupting them. Mesh fabric also contributes to ventilation, making it a kid-safe material. Other safety features to look for include secure pocket anchors for tent poles, soft edges, and short door ties attached to the tent.
Some considerations to be aware of when purchasing the best tent for kids include choosing:
- A convenient size that fits the physical space of a room or backyard, and is large enough to accommodate the right number of children.
- A design you think your child will like; this can include bright colors and fun patterns, a themed tent such as a princess castle, igloo, or teepee, or one that resembles a camping tent for adults.
- A tent suitable for indoors or outdoors, depending on the intended location.
- An easy-to-clean material for when messes happen, or for outdoor tents that come in contact with grass, rain, and dirt.
- A lightweight and portable tent, if you plan on transporting it from the playroom to the backyard, bringing it to the park, on a playdate, and so on.
Our Top Picks
We’ve selected the best tents for kids that factor in safety, space, style, and entertainment. Choosing the right tent ensures young ones get years of play without needing to replace or upgrade the tent.
Photo: amazon.com
Tiny Land’s safety-tested teepee tent is meant for use at any time of day. It comes with string star lights that little ones can turn on when it’s dark, and playtime can continue until it’s time for bed. A padded, non-slip mat inside the tent gives children a comfortable place to sit and read, do crafts, or play. They can also store some of their toys in the two interior pockets to give them more room on the mat.
There is enough space inside the tent for two kids to play. The square base sides are 47 inches and the tent has an overall height of 66 inches, including the poles. This safe and dependable teepee tent is constructed from a breathable 100 percent premium cotton canvas and twice-polished pine poles. Fold the canvas and put it in the included carry bag to bring this tent along for trips away from home.
Photo: amazon.com
POCO DIVO’s tent for kids is a great addition to a child’s bedroom or playroom with a budget-friendly price tag. Parents can choose between three colorful tent designs: circus, knight castle, and star castle.
The tent comes in one piece of 100 percent polyester fabric that is easy to wipe clean when spills happen, and includes plastic poles for a sturdy structure. The door rolls up or to the sides (depending on the model) and secures with a tie for supervised play. A mesh window gives kids ventilation and parents a place to check in when the door is velcroed shut.
This tent is a practical solution for homes with limited space or parents searching for a portable play tent. Measuring 40 inches in diameter and 51 inches high, there’s enough room for solo playtime or for playing with a friend. At just over 2 pounds, this tent is easy to take on the go and set up outside when the weather is nice. When it’s not in use, simply fold it down and store it away.
Photo: amazon.com
This luxurious children’s tent by Love Tree is larger than most playhouses. It comes in a size of 59 by 39.3 by 59 inches to give kids the room they need for imaginative play, or for a parent to fit comfortably inside with their little one. The tent contains 100 percent natural cotton canvas with reinforced stitching on all the seams for a high quality, long-lasting design.
The construction of this tent is sturdy, giving parents reassurance for their little ones’ safety. Two fiberglass poles give the tent its shape and stability that will stand up to rambunctious play. Make sure everyone’s getting along by checking on your kids through one of the four large ventilation windows or the zippered doors.
This 5.5-pound tent is portable and packs up into the included carrying bag for outdoor play in the fresh air. Choose between beige, black and white, or pink and beige color schemes.
Photo: amazon.com
Your little one can be the princess of a faraway land or a mystical fairy in this charming play space. The adorable pink playhouse features openings on all five sides, framed by sheer curtains that can be closed or kept open with ties. Included starlights attach to the polka-dotted ceiling and curtains for a glowing, magical effect straight out of a fairy tale.
The Monobeach Princess Tent contains a durable polyester-taffeta blend that’s easy to clean and resistant to stains. The material is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Sturdy PVC poles offer stability and a floor mat keeps children comfortable as they play. At 55 by 53 inches, this large tent can accommodate up to three little princesses.
The set weighs less than 4 pounds and includes a carrying bag for transporting the playhouse to the backyard, parks, kindergarten, and more. The starlights require three AA batteries (not included).
Photo: amazon.com
This USA Toyz play tent checks off many boxes for parents: inexpensive, entertaining, indoor/outdoor suitability, no-stress assembly, and portability. This pop-up playhouse comes in two designs, each with a bonus accessory. A rocket ship with a space projector torch that displays 24 space-themed images; or a tent decorated with unicorns and rainbows, plus a unicorn headband.
Messy kids meet their match with the easy-to-clean, water-resistant polyester fabric. All it takes is a cloth with mild soap and water and the tent is ready for more playtime. Measuring 40.5 inches in diameter and 50 inches tall, this play tent fits up to three small children. The mesh window and wide tie-back door provide breathability for kids and non-invasive supervision for guardians.
To set up, insert the foldable tent poles into the roof and floor anchors, and your little one can start playing in a matter of minutes. When playtime ends, fold the tent down into the included carry tote; as the tent weighs only 2.7 pounds, it’s easy to carry around.
Photo: amazon.com
Introduce your child to camping with GigaTent’s kids tent. Two child campers can fit in this tent, which measures 60 by 60 by 36 inches. Made from durable polyester, the tent and fly fabric protects the kids inside from weather and ultraviolet damage.
A waterproof polyethylene floor protects little campers from moisture seeping in while they play or sleep. The tent’s mesh roof and window allows ventilation and shields them from insects. An A-shape door has a dual zipper for easy opening and closing. Inside, two fabric pockets can be used to store small flashlights, water bottles, and other backyard camping necessities.
This tent sets up like a traditional camping tent, so your child can practice assembling it like a grownup. Insert the two shock-corded fiberglass poles and attach them using the pole clips and the pin and ring system at the base for security. Cover the tent with the fly and attach it with the fly clips, and your child can start their make believe wilderness adventure.
Photo: amazon.com
Alvantor’s vibrant, colorful kids tent gives young ones a place to play indoors or outdoors as a fort or a sunshade. The tough polyester fabric can stand up to stains, spills, dust, and dirt. This material also contributes to the tent’s affordable price point.
The Alvantor tent measures 48 by 48 by 42 inches, large enough to fit two or three children comfortably. It contains a main entrance and a circular back entrance that can attach to a play tunnel for enhanced playtime. With two entrances as well as a mesh top, parents get tons of visibility to ensure kids are playing safely.
Setup is simple with the tent’s pop-up design: just insert the two strong fiberglass poles and secure them in the pole pockets at the base. The Alvantor play tent weighs less than 2 pounds and comes with a case for convenient carrying.
