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These play tents will make for hours of fun!
Remember the joy that came from building a fort when you were a kid? Creating your very own “secret” place is part of the fun of being young. But parents these days just can’t deal with the mess of dragging down clean sheets from the closet and propping up pillows (that will also have to be washed in the aftermath). That’s where a ready-to-use play tent comes in. These tents are easy to open and conveniently fold up when not in use. They also come in various styles, so your kid can have their very own clubhouse, castle, jungle gym or shop, right in their very own home. Encourage imaginative play with these amazing tents.
Best Fort Play Tent: Crazy Forts! Tent For Kids
Best Traditional Tent: Pacific Play Tents Kids 'Me Too' Dome Tent
Best Tent With Ball Pit: Playz 4Pc Pop Up Children Play Tent
Best Princess Tent: Wilwolfer Princess Ten
Best Castle Play Tent: Kiddey Knight's Castle Kids Play Tent
Best Cardboard Play Tent: Melissa & Doug Country Cottage Indoor Playhouse
Best Affordable Play Tent: Mainstays Circular Kids Play Tent
Best Glow-In-The-Dark Play Tent: Pillowfort Target Frame Tent Glow In The Dark
Best Imaginative Play Tent: Pirate Ship Play Tent For Kids
Best Vehicle Play Tent: Playhut Thomas The Train Play Vehicle
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Fort Play Tent:
Crazy Forts! Tent for kids
As we already pointed out — and sometimes it bears repeating — forts require a ton of set up and clean up. But this handy fort kit makes building one super easy. The rods are flexible to make curved creations, and it includes 69 pieces: 25 geometrically precise solid plastic balls and 44 reinforced sticks. You do need to add your own sheets, however, but hopefully this will help alleviate some of the clean up.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter loves these forts. This is the third box we’ve purchased over the last 4 years and they all have been great. Good quality. My 6yo can build with them by herself but it does take some effort. Even the first set we purchased is as good as new
2 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Traditional Tent:
Pacific Play Tents Kids 'Me Too' Dome Tent
Go camping in your very home with this great tent. This 48-by-48-by-42-inch play tent offers plenty of space for kids and is large enough to accommodate three or more friends, toys and kid-sized furniture. The bright polyester fabric engages your child's imagination. This tent also includes a Velcro front-door closure and a tunnel port with roll-down flap. Tunnel can be purchased separately.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I purchased this to keep at my house for when my grandchildren visit. They love it! I love it because it is easy to set up/take down and also easy to clean and store!
3 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Tent With Ball Pit:
Playz 4pc Pop Up Children Play Tent
This tent is a party in and of itself. With two crawl tunnels and two tents and balls for a DIY ball pit, it will keep your kid entertained for hours. The setup is relatively easy: Just pop the tent open and fold it up when not in use. It can hold up to 200 balls (purchased separately). It’s great for parties or playdates.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I absolutely love this pop up tent! It's so easy to put together and my kids adore it! The tunnels are a huge hit and it's great that they can play with this indoors as well as outdoors when it's nice out.
4 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Princess Tent:
Wilwolfer Princess Ten
Pretty, pink, sparkly — this tent is a dream for a little princess. The hexagon-shaped tent comes with star lights that hang inside and outside the tent, making it even more magical. The fabric panels are easy to clean and the curtains can be tied up. It measures 55-by-53 inches and is large enough to fit several children. It comes with a convenient storage bag.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
The cutest tent ever! My little girl has enjoyed this so much over the last few days! She has asked to sleep in it several times. I love the lights that come with it as it gives more character to the tent over the other ones I have seen in the past. This is very easy to set up from front to end.
5 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Castle Play Tent:
Kiddey Knight's Castle Kids Play Tent
This fun tent can be used indoors or outdoors and has a roll-up door that’s perfect for blocking fire-breathing dragons (or parents) from entering. It has a pop-up construction and includes four stabilizing poles. A carry bag provides easy storage, and a sword-and-shield knight set is also included with your purchase!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This tent is a great buy! My daughter is 4 and my son is 2.5. We got this for them as a Christmas present and here we are 3 months later and they still play with/in it every single day. No signs on wear and tear and that's saying a lot as they enjoy knocking it over and dragging it around to new places!
6 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Cardboard Play Tent:
Melissa & Doug Country Cottage Indoor Playhouse
Crafted from extra-thick cardboard, this 4-foot-tall indoor playhouse features vibrant, full-color exterior artwork, plus front doors and shutters that open and close, and small details like a chimney, working mail slot, tire swing and vegetable garden. Your child will feel bright and sunny, even on the cloudiest days.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
We purchased this little house for our son, so he could have a quiet place that was ONLY for him. He loved it from the moment he saw it, and kept climbing in before it was completely done! He's been using it every day since, and it's been many months now. The house still looks great. It was definitely worth the money for all the fun he's had.
7 of 10 Image Credits: Walmart
Best Affordable Play Tent:
Mainstays Circular Kids Play Tent
Measuring in at 40-by-40-by-51 inches, this circular play area provides a lot of room for your child and a friend or sibling to play. The tent collapses and folds up for easy storage in the included carry bag. It also comes in several colors and prints that even adults will love.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
It is much more stylish than the other kid tents and fits in with our decor. The set up is easy and my daughter loves using the tent. It can even fit adults!
8 of 10 Image Credits: Target
Best Glow-in-the-Dark Play Tent:
Pillowfort Target Frame Tent Glow in the dark
This play tent will make them feel like they’re sleeping under the stars and features a tie-back front closure and a roomy interior that’s ideal for reading or playtime. It’s easily collapsible for quick storage and can be transported via that matching storage bag. Constructed from a durable canvas material and bamboo frame, it can be easily set up in minutes.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Really high quality play tent. My whole family loves to play in there. The nice thing is that it can be folded flat to be put aside or under a bed.
9 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Imaginative Play Tent:
Pirate Ship Play Tent for kids
A pirate ship and play tent in one? Yes, please! This tent will blow your kid’s mind and create hours of fun, which means lots of time for parents to do other things. Suited for indoor or outdoor use, the tent is 47 inches long, 28 inches deep and 42 inches tall, so kids will have plenty of space to play. It’s lightweight, can be folded up and comes with its own carry bag for storage.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is lightweight and durable. It brings tons of fun and captures the kids imagination weather they're fighting with Captain Jack Sparrow or Black Beard they will love this. It’s a great toy for outside but also works well indoors.
10 of 10 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Vehicle Play Tent:
Playhut Thomas the Train Play Vehicle
Kids can pretend they are on the Island of Sodor in this fun Thomas tent, which twists open and closed for easy set-up and breakdown. You can also attach a crawl tunnel for more fun. Playhut's hook-and-loop straps also let you connect caboose tunnels and other Thomas structures (purchased separately) to expand the fun. The lightweight tent includes a storage bag.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My 4-year-old great-grandson loved his Thomas the Train play tent. It sets up in 2 seconds, can easily be moved and put away when finished playing or left up permanently in a bedroom or playroom.
