Fast Frame Odyssey 10P

I'm surprised you had issues. I've had great experiences for years with Ozark Trail/Walmart tents when you need something cheap and large for family car camping or festivals. Most recently got a "10 person" tent that had three rooms and a large vestibule. It has survived 2 years of being beat up by toddlers with no permanent damage. Good water proofing, good ventilation, only downside is its so large and heavy. It takes up a full Army duffel bag packed to the brim to fit the tent, fly, and poles.

Rather than get something expensive and that's designed only to be used by experts, I'd suggest the Ozark trail l-10 that goes on the outside of an easy up and then using the easy up as covered space. When you're camping with two or three small kids what you want is a lot of space for them to wiggle around inside the tent. What you don't want is a tent where you can't stand up or sit up and have to slide your way in and then sit inside a mummy bag motionless

Do whatever you want :)  We have a family of 6 and bring  like 3 tents the largest of which is a 10 person tent that is ridiculously large inside.  We have like a rotation to children in the tent depending on weather and who got scared and well basically don’t really care what anyone thinks?  We got the 10 person Ozark Trails tent from Walmart and that thing can fit like 3 queen size air mattresses so it’s definitely got whatever room you are looking for lol. 

I have this one which has been great so far. It’s really heavy though. I suppose it doesn’t take up a ton of car space - if they got the6 person version (if there is one) that would probably work out fine. There’s always space under a cot to store stuff also.

Our family of four use an Ozark Trail 10 person tent. It was like $100 and it’s been great. Held up in two heavy rains, I was impressed. With kids and dogs you will be glad for the extra room. You will need room for bags and shoes, etc. and it fills up quick.

I'd also recommend an ozark trail instant tent, They're the new coleman from decades past. The average mans tent, for whoever is just getting into the hobby and doesnt want to break the bank. Great for familys who may go camping a handful of times a year in mostly fair weather. They'll last some rough handling for minimum a few years to a decade, plenty of time to get use out of it and upgrade. Any from the instant tent line will be big, bulky, and heavy but quick and easy to set up even if its just one person going it. Ive personally set up a 10 person myself in less than 5 minutes. I've also used mine during souther arizona monsoon storms, high winds and sideways rain and I stayed nice and cozy with room to sit around to relax in unlike a dome tent.

The kingdom tents from REI are great. the tubeshape and features are quite nice so are the extras.... but if you want easy to put up an down the instant tents from Ozark Trail I used with my family when kids were young in cub scouts for 5+ years. I the integrated poles made for putting it up and down very quick and easy even by myself, and I could stand up and had 4 cots in them. The may be cheaper than others but there are a few brands that make the instant tents with integrated poles. I was surprised how well my ozark held up. also check out the alps brands, they are built well, but heavy.

I have an OT instant tent. Went through a few rain storms and held up well. It’s my goto for short car camping trips. I can have the tent setup and all the gear in and setup in under 15 minutes. Usually enough time for the dogs to sniff all around the campsite and want to head out for a hike.

I’m in Wisconsin and primarily car camping as well. To start I would check out Marketplace for used gear or pick up a Coleman or Ozark Trail tent at Walmart. If you have a Costco membership they often have good deals on Core tents as well. Personally; I would recommend larger than a 2 person tent. That is really just room for two people laying shoulder to shoulder and basically no space for gear or anything else. Since you are near your car go with a larger tent for more space. I like at least 6 person tents since they tend to be tall enough for me to stand up in. The ability to stand in your tent is a huge benefit, especially in crappy weather. Until you know you want to continue camping, just use what you already have for other gear. If you have an air mattress, bring that (as long as it is warm weather) and put a fleece blanket over it to help with heat retention. Use blankets and sheets and pillows from home. Same with other gear; if you have cast iron pans they work great over the fire. But if there is other gear you need, Walmart camping section is surprisingly good and well priced for the beginning camper. Don’t put too much money in it until you know it is something you want to do a lot.