By Carl Walker
Not too long ago, kids seldom complained playing house with some old bed sheets or garments lying around the house which would provide them with endless hours of fun. Not the children of today. They are now more demanding and will give their parents a hard time if they don't get them something more realistic, high-tech and colorful. Worried parents, who can't figure out what to buy for their kids, can find a very helpful remedy in play tents.
There is a wide variety of play tents available on the market so selection should be based on size (number of children the tent can accommodate), outdoor or indoor purpose, material, design and features such as water-resistant floor, mosquito mesh etc.
Pacific Play Tents: Pacific Play Tents is one of the largest play tent manufacturers. Their most popular products include "Me too" and "Find me" play tents. The two models are made from flame retardant 70 Denier nylon and have shock-corded poles for easy assembly. The "Me too" play tent has polyethylene flooring, a "T" style door with Nylon ties. The "Find me" play tent, on the other hand, has a Zipper and Velcro on the front door, and two windows that can be connected to Play Tunnels. Both the play tents cost around $25 to $30. Pacific Play Tents also have other popular products for kids such as teepee playhouses, castle playhouses, and bed tents etc.
Lucy and Michael Play Tents: Two moms decided to come up with intricately-designed, colorful play tents made from fun fabrics and sturdy pine supports, and became one of the biggest play tent manufacturers. They call their products "heirloom-quality toys" which do not come very cheap. A single product may cost you $300 to $350, so Lucy and Michael's play tents might not be the best option if you're planning to buy one on a low budget.
Playhut Play Tents: SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom Hideaway is a lightweight, portable tent covered with cartoon character graphics from the hit TV show, SpongeBob. Features include a flapping door and tunnel port for expandable play, with twist 'n fold technology (patented by Playhut) for easy folding. Costs around $25 to $30. Playhut also has a SpongeBob Squarepants Play 'N Fun tent, which is not exactly a play tent but a combination of a slumber hideaway, bean bag toss game, play tent, roll out play mat, cabana with roll-up flap door, and a crawl through tunnel port. Slightly costs higher, around $40.
Dora the Explorer Hideaway Tent: is an indoor/outdoor play tent designed for adventurous little girls built with EZ-Twist technology for ease of setting up. Made from non-woven nylon binding and steel which can be spot cleaned and air dried, it features a tunnel port for crawl-through action. Costs around $20.
Spinmaster's Create-A-Room Adventure Zone: A Spiderman designed play tent, inflatable bed and foot pump, combined into one and specifically designed for the superhero's fans. Poles are joined by one common elastic which allows for easy assembly and durability. Costs around $30.
Tents HQ [http://tentshq.com/] offers articles and tips about different tents and camping.
