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I have the 8-person version of this one [https://www.coleman.com/camp-sports/tents-by-size/skylodge-6-person-instant-camping-tent-blackberry/SAP\_2207390.html](https://www.coleman.com/camp-sports/tents-by-size/skylodge-6-person-instant-camping-tent-blackberry/SAP_2207390.html) and it has served me well. I got it from ebay for about $160 shipped. I like it alot, it is easy to set up, has served me well in the rain and has plenty of big windows for air flow.
6! They all serve their purpose but my go to is always the blackout Coleman
I have Coleman 6 person Instant-Cabin with rain fly. Easy to setup under 5 minutes and big enough for a queen size and double air mattresses with room to spare. Knowing that you have a family and your hands will be tied, this ready to deploy tent will be way better experience to set up than traditional tents and push poles. I've had mine for 5 yrs now it's been a breeze setting up. I've patched the floor here and there due to abrasion against sharp rocks and rocky gravel campsites. Overall it has been robust for the price and have dealt with multiple rainstorms (with the rain fly and never had any leaks) and it's still holding up well. Reviews claim that some have leaks during light rain but I have never experienced any.
My Coleman Instant Tent 6 person has been solid for the past 5 years. I can easily set up everything in under 5 minutes.
I bought a Coleman 6p fast frame dark tent, it's a great tent easy to set up but I kinda regret getting the dark tent. It's darker in the tent than my bedroom at home so I don't wake up at all in it. I believe the dark tents are also heavier than an equivalent sized normal tent. I like the sun walking me up early when I'm camping. Plenty of room for me and my wife and my 2 toddlers. I am interested in the air tents too, that might be my next upgrade.
The material does feel a lot thicker which I guess would also help with durability as well as the waterproofness and light blocking.
Try Coleman Skylodge Instant tent. Extremely easy to use. Only downside is occasional leakage.
I've got a similar issue. I've got 2-3 tents that I've narrowed down to but haven't pulled the trigger. For size, it really depends on if you want lounging space inside. A 3-4 person tent is good for two adults with gear inside. If you want to set up chairs inside then a 6 person would be better. With a 4yr old you might even be able to get away with a 4 person but a 6 person would allow for growth. Coleman and Kelty have a lot of nice tents that would be fine for what you want. A Skydome with the screen room has the vestibule for a reasonable price. Not to mention being a darkroom tent so you're not having to wake up at first light. Something like the Coleman Skylodge would allow you to walk around inside. If you want to use cots then bigger might be better. I went solo camping with a 4per dome and my cot took up most of the space. There's no chance to fit a second one in there for sure.
I’ve had the six person variant for at least five years and it’s great for casual use car camping. I think I paid $120 for the year’s previous model.
Big tents are great in theory. However, you don’t always have the right space to put them in a campsite. Keep that in mind because the large footprints limits locations to some campsite I would like to go to. I have an instant cabin tent that solved my space issue. It’s a 6 person Coleman. Not too expensive and has held up
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