We have been using a 7 berth tent for our main holiday for the past few years (2 adults, 2 kids). We have recently acquired a 5 berth for weekends and shorter breaks to save putting the big one up and, more importantly, drying it afterwards.
Now that our kids are getting older 11 and 8, a friend has suggested using the 5 berth for longer breaks and getting a smaller pup tent for the kids to sleep in.
What age do you tend to use a pup tent for the kids and do you just buy a cheap 2-3 berth for this purpose?
My son was 9 and we got him one of those easy pop up thingies he loved his own space but he was very close and we could hear everything so no chance him wandering off in the night or early morning
------------- Live life to the full you are a long time dead
It depends on the kids, whether or not they are keen to go into a pup tent (and you think they'd be ok) or would rather stay with mum and dad in the main tent.
My own kids stayed in our Montana 6 with us the first few trips away but last year I got them tents of their own. Admittedly they are older than yours but I still left it up to them to decide.
My son has an Outwell Calgary 300 for this year, while my daughter has a Gelert Cabana 4 (the purple flowery one), they have their own pitch now when we go.
Last year, my son had a Vango Zetes 300 but he wanted a tent he could stand up in so that's why I got the Calgary.
Have a small tent for the kids to play in during the day. When they are ready they will ask to sleep in it themselves, making it their decision.
This plan stops you from having to walk on a carpet of toys in the main tent.
Mine are 9 and 7 and just this year moved out of the family caravan.
Quite young?
Well:
They were used to camp in a tent with Dad (Missus does not tent-camp any more.) for the last 2 years.
We envisioned / muled about it for some time.
I got them a rock-solid, heavy-duty canvas tent: Stassar´s Mountain Creek Tornado HW to avoid any problem in climate, wind or rain.It takes some practice to pitch smoothly but is fantastic when up!
2 extended weekends with varied weather worked fine.
I look forward to the 2 weeks at te North Sea coast in summer.
My advice:
Let the kids decide.
Do not act on their first idea.
Get them a real good tent.
I think it's a very individual decision to make and hard to answer on here. We have two boys aged 7 and 9(soon to be 10) and they show no signs of wanting their own canvas castle as yet and in our own personal opinion we believe them to be collectively too young at present....they both enjoy (at present) the "family together" sleeping arrangement.
Other parents or guardians may have a more relaxed approach or their children may be more independently strong minded enough to want their own space sooner than others.
I am confident in saying that they will let you know when they are ready and also if you are happy with the situation. We all should know our children better than others and know when they are trustworthy enough.
Saying that, when they/you are ready, Quechua and Outwell make some fantastic instant/pop-up tents that would happily house the cherubs and give them their own space and independence.....good luck.