Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should not buy any of this online. You need to go in person to an REI and ask them for advice. Take your tent and they will help you figure out why you are getting water inside

This is good advice. If OP were more experienced, ordering online is fine. OP is clearly inexperienced and would benefit from guidance from the staff at REI or similar so that's the best route in this case.

+1

A Coleman tent from Amazon is fine for a family that plans to camp 1-2 nights a year in generally decent weather. You do need to get a rain fly and ground cover (sometimes called a "footprint", although a regular tarp will work too - as others have noted, make sure the ground cover is completely underneath the tent, or any corners that stick out will have you sleeping in a puddle).

Sleeping pads: for the kids, anything is fine. The folding foam pads are great for kids. Adults are usually a little more picky about the level of cushioning and a Thermarest is a good choice.

If you buy 4 sleeping pads, make sure they'll all fit inside the tent. What is labeled as a "4 person" tent can be a bit optimistic. My 4-person tent can really only fit 3 full-sized sleeping pads. It fits 4 people if we're squeezed in like sardines. It worked when the kids were little, we just put down three pads and all squeezed in on them. Now that two are teenagers, we've outgrown the 4-person tent for family camping.

Anonymous wrote:One thing I see people do alot that leads to water in the tent is using a tarp under their tent but laying it out so it is larger than the tent. Either buy the "footprint" that goes with the tent or fold the tarp in a way that it is smaller than your tent. That way, if it rains, the water doesnt pool up and end up under your tent.

I was just going to make this exact point! Something I learned in Girl Scouts! With the rainfly you should be good.

Costco often has camping gear this time of year — I bought my sleeping pads there and they work fine. Some of the Rei stuff is very pricey.

Another trick — especially for the kids— make sure they change all clothes before bed including socks and underwear. They may not seem wet but they likely have some sweat condensation kn them and when you sleep, that just makes you feel cold and wet. For cold nights many people like to bring gloves and a knit hat, which makes you much warmer at night, but if you have decent sleeping bags that might be overkill for this weather.

If you are new to camping, make sure you have a good flashlight and preferably a head lamp. It is way easier to help a kid go to bathroom after dark if you have a headlamp with hands free. A lantern that sits on the table or floor of tent is also super helpful. These things are good investments because they are also super helpful if your power goes out at home.

One thing I see people do alot that leads to water in the tent is using a tarp under their tent but laying it out so it is larger than the tent. Either buy the "footprint" that goes with the tent or fold the tarp in a way that it is smaller than your tent. That way, if it rains, the water doesnt pool up and end up under your tent.