6-person Lighted Dome Tent

With the ages I'm guessing cub scouts, which means car camping and durability, because there's small children running everywhere and being rough with stuff. Even if your kids are super chill in the tent, there's other kids playing tag and such everywhere. **I've got two suggestions:** **1) Costco's Core 6 person lighted dome tent.** There is enough space for a cot and two kids on the floor, no problem. Its cheap enough that if something gets broken you don't have to stress about it, and Costco has a great return policy so you could potentially just do a return if something breaks. Its easy to setup. There's space for the adult to stand up. **2) Canvas bell tent (3m or 4m).** Totally different vibe. I just got one for the exact same purposes (cub scout camping). Very durable and kid resistant. The Vevor ones are in your price range and they're fine. The biggest downside is that there's a ton of lines to stake out, but you have two little helpers for that. Its heavy so you may want a little wagon to pull it in, but if you're cub scouting you probably have a little wagon. 3m is big enough for three on the floor no problem; if you're on a cot it may or may not be a little tight depending on the size of your cot. If you want to be able to fit two adults and two kids then 4m is probably the way to go but that's a significant step up in weight/bulk. I really like that I don't have to stress about a bunch of elementary school kids accidentally putting their arm through thin mesh or breaking a pole.

I have a Core 6 person tent! We camp frequently when it rains and it has withstood several times of actual storms! It gives us enough room for an air mattress and a side table with room for gear at the botton of our feet. Granted we have put our tarps up when we know the whole camping trip is gonna rain. I highly recommend as set up is about 90 seconds once you get it down! Shes been excellent for years now!

i have a core 6. too small for a fam of 4 https://preview.redd.it/20cihxunowkf1.png?width=1951&format=png&auto=webp&s=b0b8cab1620d800f28722a212046896594ac2cc5

a 6 person is too small for two adults and 2 kids. i'd go for a 9 or 10 person. the size rating is based on people in sleeping bag sleeping right next to each other like sardines in a can. I have a core 6. Definately too small. 2 adult size cot and a single baby crib. only enough space for 1 person walking in and out. that's with belongings under the cot.

CORE 6 has an 11'x9' interior floor with mostly straight walls and over 6' height at the peak. Get the **full** fly. A standard 10'x8' tarp works as a footprint if you are so inclined, mine is 12mil.

I am not familiar with the brands. However, is it a tent that you will be comfortable putting up and taking down every day as you travel. BTW, I own a CORE 6 person tent.

My suggestion would be not to get anything expensive until you know camping is something you both enjoy doing together along with the dog.  For yourself your partner and your pup I would get a 4 person tent, if you don't have to backpack it anywhere maybe even a 6 person tent.  When I go with my wife and dog I bring my Core 6 person tent which came from Costco and was pretty inexpensive. Nothing fancy just easy to set up, keeps the outside outside, and has a tough floor for dog nails.  Also, it is a good all rounder to have for just occasional camping.  Once you decide this is something you want to make a habit of then I would start looking for a tent that fits your specific needs.

Both solid options! The Core 6 is a bit more spacious and the full rain fly is clutch. But real talk - since this is your first time camping and you're still figuring out what you need, have you considered renting gear for your first trip or two? Here's why: \- You'll learn what tent size actually works for you (6-person sounds big but if it's just you + partner, might be overkill) \- Figure out if you prefer pop-up easy setup vs traditional poles \- See what features actually matter in real conditions (not just reviews) \- Then invest in exactly the right tent