12 Best Kids Play Tents Reviewed For Indoor & Outdoor
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
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A rainy day or just don't feel like going outside? Building fortresses with clothespins, blankets and sheets is fun, but even more fun is being able to use your own tent.
Or is it such nice weather that you can play in the garden? Mazzelaar :)
I'll help you choose the PERFECT kids play tent to turn your space into a snuggly play area, because that's the POWER a play tent can bring (and why EVERY CHILD should have one).
You may initially choose a play tent by eye, on the style that suits you and the cuteness.
And with the beautiful designs, they won't even look out of place in your living room, but it's good. to think where he will be standing later, it is
- a play tent for the living room
- a play tent for the nursery
- a play tent for outside
We are not going to give an entire interior design course here, but I will discuss colors and coordinate colors later :)
Besides the size, it is one of the most important things when buying one tent that will look cool wherever you place it.
The absolute number 1 is therefore also this one Tiny Land Kids Teepee With its classic play tent looks and sturdy, stable legs, it is one that you can place anywhere, and most importantly the easy color that fits almost anywhere.
Below we give a more extensive look at the wonderful world of play tents!
There are so many out there that I have divided this article into different categories for convenience.
I will discuss these different types of play tents and explain what to look for when purchasing a play tent for your little one.
Overall best play tent
This fun cotton play tent has a closable opening at the front, a fabric window at the back and divisible wooden sticks.
Best luxury teepee tent
The legs are the sturdiest of all the tents on the list, other teepees can shift a bit, like those of Bandits & Angels, but you put this one in its place, and it stays there.
Best play tent for baby & toddler
Safe, fold-out box that can be used as a play box, but also ideally used as a ball pit and it is also a pop up model.
Best play tent for toddlers
A somewhat larger play tent is great fun so that they can discover and possibly crawl in together.
Dear princesses play tent
Usually a princess tent is just a kind of pink castle, but this tent full of glitter and a more oriental design is a much better match with the princess theme.
Best castle play tent
Maybe the combination of castle and Frozen can even make siblings play together like in the inspirational picture!
Best big play tent
The material is a durable 190T polyester taffeta and a sturdy alloy rod. It is cheap material yet very durable, a good choice.
Best pop up play tent for the beach
It is becoming increasingly important to protect your child well from the sun, and being able to play out of the sun for a while has almost become a must.
Best outdoor play tent
With this you can turn your swing set into a real tent, with excellent quality anchor rings, ropes, windows, Velcro fasteners and ventilation window.
Best under-bed play tent
It is of course super nice to have a cozy corner under the bed to play in, read books or chat with friends.
Best tablecloth tent
If you don't want a permanent tent in your house and you don't feel like setting up a tent, you can still purchase a nice play tent for your child, as long as you have a dining room table at home.
Best kit to design a tent anywhere
This is actually building fortresses, but without pegs and sheets, so mothers don't have to get angry when the clean laundry is back on the ground.
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Buy at Bol.comWhat we discuss in this comprehensive post:
- 1 Children's play tent buying guide
- 2 Best 12 play tents reviewed
- 2.1 Tiny Land Kids Teepee Tent
- 2.2 Wigiwama Teepee
- 2.3 LittleTom Mini Ball Pit Playhouse
- 2.4 OldPapa Play Tent with tunnel
- 2.5 Tiny Land Glitter Castle
- 2.6 John Frozen Disney Palace
- 2.7 Ergocar Dream Lock
- 2.8 Sportvida Throwing tent
- 2.9 Hörby Bruk Swing Tent
- 2.10 REKE Tent Eveline
- 2.11 Mr Smith Jr My Pet Hospital
- 2.12 PL-UG Tent Kit
- 3 Conclusion
Children's play tent buying guide
Besides figuring out which kind tent you would like to have your son or daughter and your budget, you must of course pay attention to safety and whether the tent is practical to use.
Also pay attention to the headroom within the tent and on the dimensions of the tent if you give the play tent a permanent place in your home.
Do you want to see the tent use outside? Then check whether it comes with an underlay that is water-repellent to prevent your child's clothes from getting damp.
In addition, it is important that there is sufficient ventilation for outdoor tents. Especially on hot summer days, your child should be in the tent get enough fresh air.
The right play tent color for your interior
Choosing the right color for the new play tent is easy if you follow one of the interior design rules.
These tried and true guides will help you find the best coordinating colors to match the play tent to your living room or nursery.
60-30-10 rule
Perhaps the oldest interior design rule, the 60-30-10 divides a color scheme into percentages of use of color.
60% main color
The main color should represent 60% of the color used in your room design. This usually includes the wall color, floor color (either carpet or a rug) and a piece of furniture or two.
These don't all have to be solid colors, but the main color should always be prominent.
30% secondary color
The secondary color represents 30% of your decor's color scheme. With only half the amount of color saturation as the main color, the secondary color doesn't compete for attention in your overall design.
Instead, it should contrast with the main color. Since it is a different color, the secondary color will create depth in your decor.
10% accent color
The last color is one third of the secondary color and one sixth of the main color. This color is referred to as the accent color.
The goal is to add more interest and contrast to your color scheme. It should be used all over the decor to draw attention deeper into the room design.
Example from 60-30-10
An example color scheme using the 60-30-10 rule includes:
- 60% gray main color
- 30% light blue secondary color
- 10% pink accent color
Since a children's play tent is fairly large, you could choose the color as the main color, or as a secondary color.
A good way to combine the play tent is as a contrasting color in your interior, or as an analog color.
Use contrasting colors
Use analogous colors
Together with the play tent you can then take some other elements with the same color to reach the 60-30-10 rule with your interior.
Here's a fun teepee play tent in a room with green and orange analogous colors:
Or a play tent in a room with yellow and purple contrasting colors:
Best 12 play tents reviewed
Tiny Land Kids Teepee Tent
- Easy to fold and store
- Pretty spacious
- bit wobbly
-
From: 2 years
-
Best: 3 – 5 years
-
Up to: 7 years
- Material: Polyester
- Number of parts: 3
- Dimensions: 119,89 x 119,89 x 149,86 cm (47.2 x 47.2 x 59 inches)
- Price at time of writing: €69,99 – $39.99
- Durability: None
- Theme: Play area, Play tent
- Learning objective: Cognitive development, Pretend play
- Safety parts: Soft material
- Playing Time: Longer (10 – 30 min)
- Gender inclusivity: Gender neutral
The tipi is a pointy one tent with long wooden sticks, which is easy to set up and break down again
A true tipi has been traditionally used by North American peoples with a nomadic lifestyle. So here is a piece of history and culture for your child!
Are you looking for a wigwam play tent? Then you probably mean a teepee.
A wigwam is also a traditional tent style from North America, but has a rounder top and a more permanent function.
The teepee tent theme cannot really be improved in my opinion, despite the fact that we have also found many nice other play tent variants.
And Tiny Land is a great brand for kids with safe and well-made products.
It is also a safe one tent which can be built up fairly stably.
It is the tipi that is quick to set up and therefore suited the more nomadic tribes so well.
So it's just a tent shape that is extremely practical, and it is not without reason that the two top play tents on my list are both teepee tents.
Typically something for me to pick out the most practical kind.
This fun play tent made of 60% polyester and 40% cotton has a lockable opening at the front, a fabric window at the back and divisible wooden poles.
And although the tent is easy to set up and take down, a teepee is more suitable for setting up and leaving it in one place.
So it is mainly an inner tent, and because the tent is made of cotton, it is less suitable for use on wet fields outside.
Wigiwama Teepee
- ECO cotton is not only soft but also good for the environment
- Is very stable
- Very pricey
The real Rolls Royce among the tipi tents
Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 120 cm
A luxury brand from Latvia that now makes a lot of super trendy children's room accessories, but they started with these Wigiwama play tents.
Really, really a feast for the eyes, I think that these images (although I also want my interior styled so perfectly!) Do the quality even too short.
The legs are the sturdiest of all the tents on the list, other teepees can shift a bit, like those of Bandits & Angels, but you put this one in its place, and it stays there.
Furthermore, the tent made from ECO cotton, so it is also good for the environment, and that is also the vision of the Latvian couple who make these materials.
The wooden sticks complete the natural theme. You tie them together at the top with a cotton cord.
I personally support the Bandits & Angels tent We bought a soft mat for our son and placed it in (**why do those things always just not fit?!?**) but these Wigiwamas simply built them in.
And including a matching cushion to finish it off completely.
These tents are perhaps the most designed to be super cool in your room, completely styled, but they are also very pleasant and soft for your child to play in.
It is also slightly smaller than that of Bandits & Angels, making it easier to fit into your room.
Check out the latest prices here
Little Tom Mini Ball Pit Playhouse
- Its teardrop shape makes it very stable
- Can be closed so your little one can play quietly without being able to get out
- Very small, only lasts a year
For the smallest children, a play tent without attributes is not that interesting. That's why I looked at this one tent which can be used for multiple purposes
Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 90 cm
I carefully looked at the stability and safety of the tent.
A multifunctional baby playpen
Safe, fold-out box that can be used as a play box, but also ideally used as a ball pit and it is also a pop up model (just like the one from Pop it Up that I will come back to later).
The tent is essentially a collapsible playpen that you can easily take with you in the supplied carrying bag, making it ideal for creating a safe play area anywhere with your baby.
And this box is also fun for slightly older children, because it can then serve as a ball pit!
Hereby tent we are mainly thinking of use on, for example, the beach, camping or on holiday.
But you can tent use both indoors and outdoors; put it up under a parasol in the garden on nice days and use it when the weather is less nice tent inside so that your child can play around in a safe environment.
OldDaddy Play Tent with tunnel
- nice and big
- A lot of features that keep it fun longer
- Cheap material
Toddlers who crawl or walk and explore will have fun with this one tent with tunnels
Dimensions:
- Castle Play tent 105 x 135 cm
- Crawl tunnel 115x47 inch
- Ball pool 120 x 79 cm
- Total length 340 cm
They are increasingly involved in role-playing and playing together more and more.
A somewhat larger play tent is great fun so that they can discover and possibly crawl in together.
This handy pop up tent has a small garden at the front and in this way also becomes a real one ball pit (or look at this one here) if you want, or just give them one ball so they can practice a little bit of aiming into the basket.
You do need some space for it because in length the total colossus is almost 3,5 meters!
Well, you have to give something for your children of course!
That is why it is especially nice to occasionally set up outside on the grass (perfect fabric for it too!) Or in the living room.
If your child has such a large playroom, my son is certainly very jealous! Oh, and congratulations on your beautiful home :)
It is also a safe one tent.
Especially with balls you should always be careful with smaller children and thanks to the mesh walls, this should not be a problem here.
All kinds of play options with this play tent
This is really one tent to rage in and lose energy.
Place all the balls in the smallest spot (as shown in the picture) and use the tent as a ball pit?
Or let the children carry out assignments by, for example, removing all the blue balls from one ball as quickly as possible tent to get to the other (via the tunnel!).
This is a challenge for older children and teaches them to work together, but also to perform under pressure.
For an extra big challenge, keep a timer and make it a competition.
So you see, tents are really not just for the smallest children. With the right approach, older children can also enjoy hours of fun with it.
It is easy to fold and you can therefore put it in the garden in good weather and quickly remove it when necessary.
Tiny Land Glitter Castle
- Nice oriental design
- Glitter is always good
- Less of a real play tent and more of a dome
A great pink princess tent with glitter and all
Dimensions: 104 x 104 x 140 cm
Do you also have a daughter who wants everything pink and who prefers to go outside with a crown on her head?
Then this pink princess tent might be something for her! The tent is suitable for indoors and outdoors and comes with a handy storage bag.
With this play tent, your daughter can play with her friends for hours as if they were princesses.
And if they can also dress up as a princess, then their day can't be broken! Or have fun playing with princesses Duplo.
I've seen quite a few “princess tents” and usually it's just some kind of pink castle, but this one tent I think full of glitter and a more Eastern design is a much better match with the princess theme.
John Frozen Disney Palace
brave knights probably don't want to be seen in a pink princess tent
Dimensions: 90 x 90 x 135 cm
That is why this blue play tent that resembles a castle is ideal for tough boys and girls. It is completely in the Frozen theme which will appeal to your child.
This play tent is also suitable for outdoor use because of the moisture-repellent and UV-protective material.
The tent has a standing height of 135 cm and will be a good place for princesses and knights to play.
Do you want to see the tent also have it inside? That is of course possible and the design of the tent also suitable for use in a bedroom or play corner to have standing.
Maybe the combination of castle and Frozen can even make siblings play together like in the inspirational picture!
ergocar Dream lock
- Sturdy 190T Polyester Material
- Nice big tent to play in
- Material stains quickly
Do you have a lot of space or are there several children who are playing at the same time? tent play, then you might want a roomier one tent if this
Dimensions: 126 x 130 x 90 cm
I consciously chose this one tent because it feels very spacious because it is not sloping on all sides, but therefore does not take up much space.
- Not much more than the Wigiwama teepee
- And even less than the Bandits & Angels teepee
The material is a durable 190T polyester taffeta and a sturdy alloy rod. It is cheap material yet very durable, a good choice.
Check out this play tent with a real pointed roof. A chic play area for your children! And it is one tent that most resembles a real house.
Of course this combines very nicely with all kinds of things toys that you are in the tent can place.
It is good for children to be able to engage in role play. They prefer to imitate what they have seen around them.
Playing father and mother, using little sister or brother as a baby and being busy all day long, is a very natural way of playing for a child.
With this, a child develops its own idea of how the world works.
sports video throwing tent
- Factor 60 UV protection
- Quick to set up
- Very basic design does not appeal to children
What is a pop-up tent ask your? This term refers to the ease with which you can use the tent can set up. You take it out of the bag and it immediately “pops” into the right shape, so to speak
No hassle with sticks and try to get the sticks through the slots and into the correct picks.
Great for those nice beach days where you just want to lie down quickly.
It is becoming increasingly important to protect your child well from the sun, and being able to play out of the sun for a while has almost become a must.
This tent is set up like this, and offers a UV protection of 60.
Storing such a pop-up tent on the other hand, may not be so simple. The tent is more difficult to fold, because it naturally wants to unfold.
Keep the manual or, for example, a YouTube video at hand the first time!
There is a huge selection of pop-up tents available, but the quality of the Sportvida tents is exceptional.
Horby Bruk Swing Tent
- Nice and spacious
- Due to the swing frame, it always stays standing
- Need a swing set (of the correct size)
What you see is not what you get. Here tent there is a surprise inside.
It is a tent which can be set up outside for the summer and when autumn comes again you can use it tent easy storage.
Play tent with swing for outside
But what is that surprise? A swing! Yes, this cool blue one tent looks very similar at first tent in the most classic sense of the word.
Point at the top and a guy line at the front. But this isn't one tent for camping.
This makes your swing set a real one tent, with excellent quality anchor rings, ropes, windows, Velcro fastenings and ventilation window.
Dimensions: 1,85 x 2,15 m
This ensures that your child can enjoy playing in the garden with friends this summer.
They can do the tent So use it to play and when you remove the cloth they can swing nicely.
Here you read everything about playhouses and other fun outdoor toys!
REKE Tent Eveline
- Super nice big play corner
- Only suitable for this brand of bed or similar size
Is your child ready for a bigger bed and can he or she sleep in a loft bed (like this one!) to sleep? Then it is very nice to have one under the bed tent to hang.
Some well-known brands have one tent that belongs to the bed. For example, the Reke brand has beautiful wooden loft beds and then sells accessories like these separately tent for under the bed.
Turn the semi-high bed into an extra special bed with these fabrics tent, available in blue, pink and black. Dimensions: 154cm x 73cm x 63cm (L x W x H)
It is of course super nice to have a cozy corner under the bed to play in, read books or chat with friends.
You have to pay close attention to the size and it is therefore wise to buy the undertent of the brand of the bed, to ensure that the tent fits well with the bed.
Mr. Smith Jr My Pet Hospital
- Just need a table
- Nice vet theme
- Can the kids play under the dining table?
Don't want a permanent one tent at home and you don't feel like having one tent to set up (or fold)?
Then you can still purchase a nice play tent for your child, as long as you have a dining room table at home.
These play tents are actually an overhanging tablecloth but with a nice print on it.
There are all kinds of themes you can think of, such as an animal hospital or fire station. Pay close attention to the dimensions of this play tent. Fits the tent good about your table?
And take a look under your dining table in advance. For example, if your dining table has the ability to slide out, there are often iron knobs under the table that can be dangerous and painful for children's heads.
Transform your kitchen or outdoor table into a fire station with this table tent. Dimensions: 90 x 70x 140cm (L x W x H)
PLUG Tent Kit
- Easy to carry
- Teach your kids to build and let them play
- Quite difficult to set up properly
Another very nice play tent option, we find this Tent kit that you can buy via Bol.com.
This is actually building fortresses, but without pegs and sheets, so mothers don't have to get angry when the clean laundry is back on the ground.
This kit has special accessories to design and create, move, build and play endlessly.
Conclusion
We hope that you can choose a nice play tent for your child with these tips. We wish you a nice summer!
On our site we often write reviews about different products for children. For example, read articles about purchasing a iPad for your child or about it nicest outdoor toys. You can find that and more here.
Always something to do for the holidays or rainy day?
Play Choice now has the ultimate activity book collection, with over 60 pages of fun coloring pages and educational puzzles.
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.
