Every day kids love to explore, discover and learn something new from the surroundings. Choosing the best binoculars for kids is no more a hassle.
Nature fascinates them the most to see the fine details and dig deep from birdwatching to bug identification, peeping into a beehive from a distance, finding cats in the backyard, exploring woods while hiking.
Binoculars are the best and exciting gift for little natural explorers on their journey of discovery and adventuring. The best pair of binoculars provide a great experience of learning with fun.
Choice of best binoculars for kids depends upon the age and interest of your child. Quality optics comes with the price, but kids are prone to dropping and losing binoculars.
We have consolidated a well-reviewed list of the best binoculars for kids to help you decide along the way.
Best Binoculars for Kids: Quick Overview
- Best Premium Binoculars for Kids: Celestron Nature DX
- Best Night Vision Binoculars for Kids: Occer 12×25 Compact
- Best Affordable with quality Binoculars for Kids: Kidwinz Kid’s Binoculars Set
- Best Birdwatching Binoculars for Kids: BESPIN Binoculars for Kids
- Best Nature Exploring Binoculars for Kids: Explorer Kit for Kids by Mini Explorer
- Best High-Resolution Binoculars for Kids: ThinkPeak Toys 8×21 Kids
- Best Overall Binoculars for Kids: Obuby Kids Binoculars
- Best Entry-Level Binoculars for Kids: Dreamingbox Compact Shock Proof Binoculars
- Best Top Pick Binoculars for Kids: Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
Now let’s dive deep into each to show you the features, pros and cons.
1 - Celestron Nature DX 8x32
Celestron Nature DX 8×32 is the best premium binoculars for kids who are pre-teen and older with steadier hands. They would appreciate the quality bright imagery of enhanced optics.
At an affordable price, these binoculars provide as good image quality as other high-end expensive models. Celestron provides excellent value for the money.
Fully multi-coated Bak4 Prism ensures bright images and contrast for nature enthusiasts. The twist-up eyecups make them comfortable for kids who wear glasses while exploring.
Kids can use them in poor weather as these binoculars are waterproof and fog proof to tolerate changing temperatures without degrading the image quality.
These compact binoculars for kids are rubber-armored to stay indestructible and provide protection against smashes by an inadvertent drop. For longer and steadier viewing these binoculars are made to be tripod mountable.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 32mm
- Field of View @ 1,000 yards: 388 ft
- Close Focus Distance: 6.5 ft
- Eye Relief: 17.5 mm
- Exit Pupil: 2.5 mm
- Prism Type: Porro Prism Bak-4
- Lens Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
- Weight: 1.25 lbs
- Age Range: 10+
What we like
- Good for adults and pre-teens
- Include accessories
- Superior performance
- Perfect for birdwatching
- Carrying bag included
- Wide Field of View
- Tripod Adaptable
What we don't like
- High Price, comparing to others.
- Not for small children
2 - OCCER 12x25 Compact Binoculars
If you want to get your child a pair of powerful binoculars under $50 then you should go for Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars. Amazingly compact with an impressive high magnification.
To get clear images, high magnification (12x) requires steady hands that is why Occer 12×25 binoculars are not for young kids who can not maintain a stationary position.
It works great in lowlight conditions, letting kids enjoy the sunset and birding at the sunrise. But these are not for complete darkness for that you need high military-grade optics.
FMC Multi-coated lens offers a real color reproduction and no color distortion to enjoy bright images.
These pocket-sized, light and portable binoculars have a 15mm eyepiece that can be easily adjusted for kids who wear glasses. Making these binoculars a good choice for glasses-wearers.
They are water-resistant to be enjoyed during rain but of course, can not be soaked in water. Durable having a rubber armor coating to keep it anti-slip and shockproof with a secure grip.
For ease of use, the package comes with a neck strap keeping kids’ hands-free. An ideal choice for kids and even adults during any of the outdoor activities whether it be sports games, opera, concerts, national park trips, birdwatching, and much more!
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 12x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm
- Field of View @ 1,000 yds: 273 ft
- Close Focus Distance: 5 m
- Weight: 0.65 lbs
- Recommended Age: 6+
Related Topic: Best Compact Binoculars
What we like
- Wide Field of View
- Sharp and bright images
- Multi-purpose binocular
- Adjustable eyecups
- Great for low-light environments
- Powerful 12X magnification
What we don't like
- Not fully waterproof
- Too much magnification for younger children
3 - Kidwinz ShockProof 8x21 Binoculars
The best binoculars for elementary-aged children are Kidwinz. Binoculars are not just a toy for them rather they are more into learning and experiencing nature.
Kidwinz offers excellent optical and builds quality, a perfect optic for bird watching, stargazing, hunting, sports games, theatres, boating, hiking, camping, and summer fun.
With 8X magnification and high-quality lenses, they work very well and produce clear and sharp images to keep kids engaged in learning with fun.
Kidwinz is a pioneer in kid’s binoculars and has many years of experience producing high-quality products.
These binoculars are designed with children in mind, the rubber surrounding eyepieces provide safety, so children don’t hurt their eyes or face. Eyecups can be rolled back for kids who wear glasses.
These binoculars for kids are super easy to focus on with an easily accessible and large focus wheel. The binoculars can be folded comfortably to match the eye-to-eye distance of a child.
Kidwinz is durable rubber-coated binoculars having shockproof features to withstand unexpected drops. Perfect low-price binoculars for kids, come with a padded carry case providing great protection and portability.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21 mm
- Field of View @ 1,000 yds: 366 ft
- Prism Type: BaK-4
- Exit Pupil: 10mm
- Weight: 8.4 oz
- Recommended Age: 3-12 years
What we like
- High Quality and resilient
- Lifetime warranty
- Neck strap to keep them from falling
- Sturdy
- Cleaning cloth to keep the lenses smudge-free
What we don't like
- At times blurry images when out of focus
Read More: Binoculars Under $200
4 - BESPIN Binoculars for Kids
Toy-looking but fully functional binoculars for kids under $30 are BESPIN 8×21. The BESPIN are the entry-level binoculars for Kids which are lightweight enabling children to carry them all day long.
Kids can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities with 8x steady magnification capturing the entire visual field of the object. Bak4 fully coated lens ensures crisp and color-accurate images.
The binocular’s design is ergonomic, aluminum body assures it is strong and durable. Rubber coating acts as an excellent shock absorber and would not damage the optics if your child mistakenly drops them.
The rubber design continues to encase the eyepiece. This provides a flexible seal to ensure your child is comfortable when looking through them without damaging their eye in the process.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21 mm
- Field of View @ 1,000 yds: 384 ft
- Exit Pupil: 10 mm
- Prism Type: Roof Bak4
- Lens Coating: Fully Coated
- Weight: 7.5 oz
- Recommended Age: 3 onwards
What we like
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Ergonomic design
- Included map with 583 North America Birds
- Suitable for kids with glasses
What we don't like
- Somewhat expensive
5 - Explorer Kit for Kids by Mini Explorer
A happy child makes happy parents and learning while having fun is the best arrangement one can do for kids. Explorer is an awesome all-in-one adventure kit for kids who love to explore nature.
9-in-1 educational set includes 4×30 binoculars providing bright and clear images with an objective lens diameter of 30mm, easy to adjust large ribbed focus wheel, soft rubber handles to ensure shockproof optic for birding and nature exploration while hiking or camping.
4x is a small magnification but this lower magnification is ideal for younger kids of age 4-7 years. This allows them to get a clear steady image.
Self Energizing flashlight to keep tracks lit when needed. The flashlight features 2 bright LEDs and is powered by simply cranking the lever. Soft wing battery-operated handheld fan to keep kids cool in a hot summer noon. A pocket-sized unbreakable magnifying glass to closely study the bugs.
The 5 function multi-tool, having compass helps your kids learn the basic directions and maps; Thermometer for learning about the temperature; Whistle is always fun; instant flashlight and an additional specialized magnifying glass.
Last but not least all of these premium toys come in a nice and quality carrying case with a locking mechanism.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 4x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 30 mm
- Weight: 13.8 oz
- Recommended Age: 4-7 years
What we like
- Diverse set of educational tools
- 9-in-1 Kit
- Great for younger kids
- Shockproof Binoculars
What we don't like
- Limited magnification of 4x
6 - ThinkPeak Toys 8×21 Kids Binoculars
ThinkPeak Toys kids binoculars are perfect for any of the field trips. These are high powered as it magnifies the object 8 times for your little one, keeping steady images.
High-quality optics having BaK4 prism ensures crisp and colorful images with high resolution.
The durable rubber-coated eyepieces ensure safety while preventing injuries to the kid’s sensitive face. Diopter adjustment allows kids to adjust the difference between eyes.
The easily adjustable focus wheel lets them focus the image according to the need with small-sized hands. These can be comfortably folded to match eye to eye distance. Ergonomically designed for tiny hands.
This multipurpose binocular has anti-friction shockproof technology.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21 mm
- Field of View @ 1,000 yds: 384 ft
- Prism Type: Roof Prism
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- Recommended Age: 3+
What we like
- Easy to use
- Lifetime free replacement warranty
- 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee
What we don't like
- Little Flimsy
7 - Obuby Kids Binoculars
If you are in search of a gift for your child then the premium yet compact binoculars could be Obuby. These toy-looking binoculars are fully functional to give high-resolution views.
Although the recommended age for these professional binoculars starts from 3 due to high magnification it might not be feasible for them to keep binoculars static. But older ones would definitely enjoy focusing and view the crisp images.
The wide field of view allows them to locate and follow the target. The BAK4 prism and FMC multilayer ensure a crisp and colorful image.
Perfect diopter adjustment provides clean adjustment for differences between a vision in each eye. Rubber around the eyepieces is soft protecting the child’s eyes and face. Also, the adjustable rotating goggles eyepiece helps kids who wear eyeglasses.
The professionally-looking foldable design adjusts to the size of your kid’s face. The Obuby Binoculars for Kids is lightweight, easy for them to carry in their backpack on outdoor adventures. Kids are fascinated by colorful things so this pair comes in different colors to match their taste.
Little hands can comfortably grip the durable non-slip exterior. These top kid’s binoculars are waterproof and fog proof, allowing kids to have fun in different weather conditions.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21 mm
- Prism Type: BaK-4
- Lens Coating: FMC multilayer coating
- Weight: 170 grams
- Color Choices: 13
- Recommended Age: 3 – 12
What we like
- Lightweight
- Exceptional value
- Professional-looking design
- Expandable construction
What we don't like
- Eyepieces don't stay in focus
8 - Dreamingbox Compact Shock Proof Binoculars
Perfect first binoculars for kids at the age of 3 are Dreamingbox Compact Shock Proof Binoculars. These binoculars are made for kids’ hands.
The 8x magnification is super exciting for new explorers to have amazing views.
The fully multi-coated lens provides naturally crisp and colorful images. The eyepieces are made of soft rubber, so they won’t accidentally hurt a kid’s eyes or face.
Durable yet affordable shockproof binoculars absorb shocks when they fall on the floor or ground. They are ergonomically designed with a non-slip grip.
They’re a great option for vacations and neighborhood exploration.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21 mm
- Field of View @ 1000 yards: 12m
- Weight: 5.6 oz
- Recommended Age: 3 +
What we like
- Affordable
- Ergonomic, shockproof design
- Available in 10 different color
What we don't like
- Doesn’t focus with precision
Interesting Reading: Best Binoculars Under 100 dollars
9 - Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
2x magnification is just perfect for the tiny beginners’ shaky hands, they could see the object two times larger than what they see with natural eyes.
GeoSafari Jr. is child tough binoculars, with three times larger eyepiece compared to other kids’ binoculars. The eyepiece is large enough to withstand accidental drops and prevent damage. These binoculars come with perfect foolproof placement goggles.
The breakaway neck strap is included to let them have an on-the-go multitasking experience. These Kid-friendly binoculars are light enough to carry all day.
The insight could be the first science tool to explore the wonders of nature at a very affordable price.
Technical Specifications
- Magnification: 2x
- Weight: 8.5 oz
- Recommended Age: 3 to 5 years
What we like
- Kid-friendly
- STEM-Learning toy
- Inexpensive
- Parents' Choice Award winner
What we don't like
- More like a toy
Consider When Buying Best Binoculars for Kids
Few points to consider while looking for the best binoculars for kids.
Magnification: The higher the magnification, the more difficult it is to hold the binoculars steady. The younger the child, the lower the magnification. Recommended magnification between 2x and 8x is perfect for children (3yr-10yr).
Field of View: This refers to the width of the image you can see through a given binoculars’ optics. A wide field of view ensures that your kid would be able to locate the flying birds without any frustration.
Exit Pupil: The larger exit pupil benefits the child to keep eyes centered on the eyepieces, more light comes into the binoculars for viewing in dimmer light.
Optical Quality: This matters more for the kids aged above 10 years when they want to read and see the tiny details and color contrasts.
Shockproof: Almost all the best kid’s binoculars are shockproof as kids tend to mishandle their stuff or accidental bumps and bangs can happen.
Additional rubber coating and more protection around eyepieces to protect the lens from damage are a must feature in kid’s binoculars.
Water-resistant: Most of the top binoculars for kids could survive the water exposure but it’s not recommended to soap binoculars.
Twist-up and down eyecups: If your child needs to wear the glasses the best kid’s binoculars should have eyecups made of some kid-friendly material and the eyecups fold over the ocular lenses shortening the optical distance and improving the viewing experience.
Helpful Accessories: Padded carry bags while hiking and neck straps of comfortable length to carry the binoculars all day without being worried about dropping and losing them, is something more exciting.
Size and Shape: Compactness of the binocular and ease of use make the binoculars super cool toys for the kids.
Weight: Binoculars for kids have to be lightweight to avoid any burden and tiredness feeling during their learning with fun adventures.
Budget: You can find a good pair of binoculars for kids under $30. But for preteens and older ones you need to spend enough above $50 or more to get them premium professional binoculars.
Age of your child: Toddlers want to mimic their parents. An indestructible pair of toy binoculars would be the best option where optical quality is not required.
Preschoolers and school-going ones are interested in seeing and understanding things so a wide field of view plays an important role here. Get lightweight, compact, easy to focus, and inexpensive binoculars.
For pre-teenagers, real binoculars make more sense, here optical quality matters. Time to invest some money. As magnification comes with a magnified price compared to the ones you are getting for toddlers and preschoolers.
Related Topics: You may find useful binoculars guides here.
Best Binoculars For Kids FAQ
What Do the Numbers on Binoculars Mean?
The first number indicates the magnification power; that is how big you can see the image compared to the natural eye view e.g. 8X means the image would be 8 times bigger than how you see without binoculars. The second refers to the objective lens diameter size; the larger the lens, the more light can pass through which means a brighter image.
What is the magnification of kid's binoculars?
The best magnification of kid's binoculars lies between 2x and 8x. Older kids can enjoy the high magnification with steady hands while younger ones would be happier even with 2x.
How do binoculars for kids work?
Binoculars for kids are nothing different from the ones elders use.
What is a suitable age for kids to begin using binoculars?
Getting binoculars at an early age is the best way to introduce your kid to nature, to learning, to be curious, to cultivate an interest in exploration. Toddlers are mimickers, you can have your birdwatching experience while they are busy discovering nature.
Why is getting binoculars specially designed for kids is important?
Tiny hands, tiny faces, careless attitude appeal to the lightweight, compact, and specially designed binoculars for kids. Brands make kids binoculars considering their small faces in mind so that optics can fit on their eyes. A protective and comfortable eyepiece and the breakaway strap are as important as binocular's affordability. Kids don't even need high magnification.
What to consider if my kid wears glasses while using binoculars?
Ensure the binoculars should have a longer eye relief than the regular ones. This will allow your kid to comfortably look through the binoculars with glasses and have a quality viewing experience. Secondly, eyecups have to be flexible enough so they can be rolled down and back over the ocular lenses to reduce the distance between the lens and the eyeglasses.
Can my kid use a regular binocular?
A toddler can't use it with their tiny face, and your binoculars have a chance of getting damaged soon. Teenagers for sure handle and enjoy every bit from the regular binoculars.
What are the benefits of using binoculars for kids?
Benefits depend upon the interests of your child. Handing over binoculars to the kids can spark interest in nature, their curiosity in digging deep, learning from the surrounding, exploring wonders of the outside, birds, animals, plants, sports. Who doesn't believe in learning with fun?
Hope we helped you make the best decision for your purchase. Let us know what you are getting for your child. Would be available to answer any of your related queries.