The Best Play Tents for Your Kids

Playrooms, treehouses, and blanket forts all appeal to children because they offer a place of privacy for imaginative games and role-playing activities. With a play tent, you can go one step further for your child by creating a fairy-tale castle or a web of tunnels. The freedom of a play tent allows kids to use their imagination to develop their own stories for themselves and their favorite toys. Parents can enjoy the extra toy storage space while stimulating their child’s imagination, all with a simple tent. Here are some fantastic play tents we recommend.

What to Look for When Purchasing a Play Tent

Keep these things in mind when buying a kid’s play tent:

• Assembly: Most play tents don’t require tools and rely on PVC poles to create a sturdy structure. If you are looking for a tent that requires almost no assembly, consider pop-up tents that utilize flexible wire to create the structure. These types of tents are lighter and tend to be easy to store.
• Breathability: Mesh panels and curtains are key to making a play tent breathable. Especially if you plan to use your play tent outside, make sure the design includes openings for air to come through and lower the inside temperature.
• Height: When investing in a toy structure like this, it’s important to get many years of use out of it. Older and taller children will get the most use out of play tents that are at least 4 feet tall. Remember that some height dimensions are based on the tallest point, so they won’t account for a sloping roof that may be difficult for some children to stand up in comfortably.

Best Basic: Avrsol Kids Play Tent

With this neutral play tent, your kid’s playtime doesn’t have to take away from your home decor. The soft grey color makes this tent perfect for boys and girls to use their imaginations and decorate it to their own liking. The four corners and triangle roof make this play tent sturdy, so even rowdy kids can’t knock it over. The design features two mesh windows and opaque white curtains that allow parents to easily keep an eye on their children while they play. This play tent also comes with star lights to create a homemade night sky.

Best With Lights: Monobeach Princess Tent Girls Playhouse

Fulfill your child’s fairy-tale dreams with this magical castle full of sparkles and flowing curtains. The star lights use simple AA batteries to light up the inside of the tent, or they can be placed on the outside of the roof for more diffused light. Your child can block out the world with polyester taffeta curtains that are stain-resistant. If your kid wants to play with siblings and friends, they can tie up the curtains to reveal a space that is 55 inches across and 53 inches tall. This six-post tent is supported by PVC support rods and connectors that are easy to set up.

Best With Tunnels: Gift for Toddler Boys & Girls Play Tent

Your kids will enjoy hours of fun with the gift of this versatile play tent. Children can crawl through the mesh tunnels, hide in the tent, play in the ball pit, and pick up some basketball, all in this one tent. While the size of the tent might look intimidating, it easily pops open for quick assembly and folds down for storage. With all the fun to be had, you will be taking this play tent out time and time again while the soft polyester fabric and steel wiring stay durable.

Best Budget: USA Toyz Happy Hut Teepee Tent for Kids

Take the fun wherever you go with this teepee tent that lets your kids explore the wild. Simply insert the foldable poles, secure them, and then watch your children enjoy. The teepee is a water-resistant fabric that can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. When you’re ready to wrap up playtime, the poles and tent fold up and fit into a portable bag that can be stored away until next your child’s next playdate. For an added touch of fun, this teepee comes with a projector toy that can be used to display 24 safari-themed images.