Best Binoculars for Kids

Binoculars are a lot of fun to use. Kids love them! They allow you to get really close to your surroundings and can be used to observe nature, sports events, boats, planes, pets, and people. Most adult binoculars are way too big and heavy for kids to use, and they’re usually very expensive too. The last thing you want your kid to do is to drop your $3000 Zeiss binoculars!

The best kids’ binoculars are light, compact, and resistant to knocks and bumps. They should also be easy to use and won’t break the bank if they are abused and damaged.

With so many options available, it’s not easy choosing binoculars for kids, but that’s what this article is all about. We’ve tried and tested 12 of the most popular kids’ binoculars to make it easier for you to make your decision.

Best Binoculars for Kids

1. Kidwinz Compact 

This compact binocular set is ideal for adventurous kids who want to try birdwatching, aircraft spotting, or watching sports. Made to be kid-proof, they’re easy to use and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Key Features

• 21mm objective lens
• 8x magnification
• Rubber-coated shock-proof housing
• Supplied with a neck strap, cleaning cloth, and carry case
• Central focus ring
• Rubber eye hoods for increased comfort

This product is ideal for younger kids and those who have never owned binoculars before. Easy to use, they’re tough enough to survive being dropped and roughly handled. Plus, the lifetime guarantee means you can buy with confidence.

Pros

• Simple design
• Made to last
• Outstanding warranty
• Well-priced

Cons

• No diopter for addressing left to right eye compensation

These nice-looking binoculars should provide your child with hours of outdoor and indoor fun. Take them to the beach, the garden, a sports event, or even just to the local park so they can enjoy exploring their surroundings from a whole new perspective.

2. ExploreOne

Binoculars are often very expensive, and that may put some parents off buying them for their kids. This model is very reasonably-priced and designed to be kid-proof too. Whether your child wants to view nature close-up or watch sports, these good quality binoculars should provide hours of fun.

Key Features

• 21mm objective lens
• 6x magnification
• Easy to use central focusing ring
• Rubber eye hoods for comfort
• Wrist strap, lens cloth, and carry case included
• Rubber housing
• Right eye diopter for left to right eye compensation
• Also available as 5x30mm

These good-quality binoculars offer decent magnification at a reasonable price. Coated in rubber, they’re impact-resistant and should be quite kid-proof too. They are straightforward and easy to use, and ideal for older kids and smaller teenagers.

Pros

• Clear image
• Easy to use
• Robust and rugged design
• Perfect for small hands and faces

Cons

• No neck strap

While these binoculars are supplied with a wrist strap, there is no neck strap and no way to attach one. That’s a shame as a neck-strap would make what is a good product a great one. If you can ignore this one minor drawback, this product is highly recommended.

3. Educational Insights GeoSafari

Kids of all ages enjoy using binoculars, but this product is designed specifically for preschoolers. Unlike many sets, this model doesn’t need focusing, making them better suited for younger eyes and fingers.

Key Features

• 2x magnification
• Kid-proof construction
• Oversized lenses for easy viewing
• Large, single eyecup
• Breakaway neck strap
• Designed for kids aged 3-6 years

With no focus ring to fiddle with, these are perfect for younger users. They aren’t very powerful, but most kids will still enjoy looking through them and exploring their surroundings. These binoculars are a good first purchase for children aged 3-6.

Pros

• Very easy to use
• Robust, kid-proof construction

Cons

• Very low magnification
• Image not very sharp

This product is more of a toy than a pair of “real” binoculars. They’re fun and easy to use, but older, more developed kids may be disappointed with the lack of clarity and magnification. Very young kids will probably love them, though!

4. Primary Science Big View

Learning Resources specialize in making educational toys for kids. These children’s binoculars are aimed at kids aged three years and above. They’re simple to use and have been designed to introduce children to using binoculars and the world of magnification.

Key Features

• 6x magnification
• Large easy to use focus ring
• Rubber eyecups for comfort and safety
• Breakaway lanyard
• Heavy-duty, kid-proof construction

Easy to use, these brightly colored binoculars don’t have a host of features, but that’s part of their appeal. This simplicity means they won’t overwhelm younger users and should provide an instant source of fun. The clarity isn’t the best, but as an introduction to using binoculars, they’re a good product.

Pros

• Simple design
• Made to last
• Well-priced
• Kid-friendly design
• Easy to use

Cons

• Quite heavy
• Images not very clear

Weighing in at about two pounds, these binoculars are quite heavy, and some smaller kids may struggle to hold them to their eyes for very long. The neck lanyard is also relatively small, and some users have reported that it only just fits over their kid’s head. These small gripes aside, these are good binoculars for children new to the world of magnification.

5. JRD & BS WINL Mini Binoculars

These compact binoculars are made for young children and small hands. They’re waterproof, impact-resistant, and offer reasonable magnification. Best of all, they’re very competitively priced and available in seven bright colors.

Key Features

• 21mm objective lens
• 8x magnification
• Rubberized housing
• Rubber eye hoods
• Coated lens for scratch resistance and enhanced color
• Easy focus central focus dial
• Right eye diopter to counter left to right eye compensation

Unlike a lot of kids’ sets, this product is fully functional and works the same way as binoculars made for adults. They’re just a bit smaller, lighter, and less powerful. Made to last, these are a good choice for older kids, and are tough enough to stand up to a few bumps and knocks too.

Pros

• Good-quality lenses
• Easy to use
• Very sharp image
• Reasonably kid-proof
• Well-priced

Cons

• No carry case

For the price, these binoculars are hard to beat. A carry case would have been a nice addition, but it’s not a deal-breaker. For lens quality and value for money, this product is a winner!

6. Noptix

If you’ve got kids, you already know that they like brightly colored toys and gadgets. These binoculars from Noptix come in two vibrant colors and are definitely designed for younger kids.

Key Features

• 21mm objective lens
• 8x magnification
• Large, easy to use central focusing ring
• Rubberized housing for enhanced grip and shock-resistance
• Rubber eyecups for comfort
• Right eye diopter for left to right eye compensation
• High-quality dual-coated lenses
• Available in bright pink or green
• Supplied with a carry case, neck strap, cleaning cloth, and sticker book.

If your child is into nature, these are the binoculars you want! The sticker book provides a great way to keep track of what they’ve seen, adding even more enjoyment to their wildlife adventures.

Pros

• Robust construction
• Very sharp image
• Easy to use
• Waterproof and shock-resistant
• Good selection of added extras

Cons

• Not so good for older kids

This product is aimed at younger kids, up to the ages of 8-12. Older children may prefer a less brightly colored set. That said, these are excellent quality binoculars, and many reviewers have noted that their kids really enjoyed the bird identification book and stickers.

7. Fisher-Price Kid-Tough

A lot of kids’ binoculars are designed for older children. They’re just smaller versions of those made for adults. This model from Fisher-Price is for younger users and is more of a toy than a serious piece of optical equipment. They should still provide hours of fun, though!

Key Features

• 4 x magnification
• Adjustable eye spacing
• Rubber eyepiece for comfort
• Non-slip handgrips
• Easy to use focus ring
• Rubber lens guards
• Breakaway neck strap

Recommend for children up to the age of eight, these tough binoculars should stand up to all the abuse your kids can dish out. They’re not the most powerful set on review, but they are arguably the most child-friendly.

Pros

• Very easy to use
• Designed to be kid-proof
• Light and compact

Cons

• Not very powerful
• Expensive

While these are definitely tough and designed for kids, they aren’t very powerful, and they aren’t cheap either. Fisher-Price is renowned for making top quality kids’ toys, and this is a great product, but some children may prefer something with more magnification, and parents may prefer something cheaper!

8. Sky Genius

While these binoculars aren’t designed specifically for kids, they’re small and light enough that older kids and early teens will have no problem using them. With good magnification and decent lenses, kids of all ages will enjoy viewing their surroundings from afar.

Key Features

• 21mm objective lens
• 8x magnification
• Compact design
• Coated lenses
• Center focus knob and right eye diopter for perfect image
• Supplied with a carry bag, cleaning cloth, and neck strap

Sky Genius 8×21 Compact Binoculars really live up to their name. Not much bigger than a cellphone, they’ll easily fit into a pocket or handbag and are ideal for kid’s hands. Very well-priced, these are real adult binoculars that are also suitable for kids.

Pros

• Proper binoculars – not a toy
• Good quality lenses
• Very budget-friendly
• Excellent clarity

Cons

• Maybe a little too complicated and hard to use for younger kids

For older kids, these are excellent. To use them, your child will need to know how to focus and adjust the right eye diopter to get a sharp image. Younger kids may struggle to do this. But, if you’re looking for a pair of “real” binoculars for your child, this product could be a good option.

9. Backyard Safari Field Binocs

Designed for junior explorers and adventurers, these safari-themed binoculars are ideal for the young outdoor enthusiast. Well-priced, easy to use, and with a good level of magnification, kids of six or above will love this well-made set.

Key Features

• 30mm objective lens
• 5x magnification
• Soft rubber eye caps for comfort
• Neck strap included
• Central focus ring
• Non-slip rubber housing
• Impact and water-resistant

More of a toy than a serious binocular, this product is fun and easy to use but doesn’t produce a very clear image. It’s fine for magnifying objects that are close, but they aren’t really sharp enough for long distances.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Lightweight and compact
• Well-priced
• Cool design

Cons

• Not the best clarity
• Quite plasticky and not shock-resistant or waterproof

Despite being made for kids, these binoculars aren’t the most kid-friendly on review. Hard plastics can crack, and they won’t stand up to water either. However, for the price, they’re a fun toy that younger kids will enjoy using. But older kids may become frustrated with the lack of viewing clarity.

10. Luwint

Available in four colors, these budget-friendly binoculars are ideal for adventurous kids who want to get closer to nature. The lenses are decent, and the rubber housing means they’ll survive a few bumps and knocks too.

Key Features

• 21mm objective lens
• 8x magnification
• Right eye diopter for addressing eye dominance
• Available in four colors – blue, green, red, and orange
• Rubberized housing for grip and impact resistance
• Coated lenses for image clarity and brighter colors
• Rubber eyecups for comfort
• Supplied with a carry case, wrist and neck strap, and cleaning cloth

These easy to use binoculars can be opened or closed to match the distance between your child’s eyes. They’re light and compact enough for smaller hands, and the image is very sharp. With 8x magnification, your child will enjoy looking at distant objects, people, and animals.

Pros

• Decent lenses
• Perfect for small hands and faces
• Light and compact design

Cons

• Can be tricky to focus

These are “real” binoculars and, as such, may be tricky for younger kids to use. But for older kids who understand how to use the focus ring and right eye diopter, they should produce a very sharp and well-magnified image.

11. GeoSafari Compass Binoculars

Educational Insights GeoSafari Compass Binoculars are designed to teach your child about magnification and navigation. These binoculars are very budget-friendly, are a lot of fun, and are made specifically for small hands and faces. However, unlike many of the other products on review, the lenses in these binoculars aren’t great and offer very limited magnification.

Key Features

• 4x magnification
• 30mm objective lenses
• Built-in micro compass
• Neck lanyard included
• Non-slip hand grips
• Center focus ring

These durable and lightweight binoculars are very well-priced. They aren’t the sharpest or most powerful binoculars on review, but most younger kids will still enjoy using them. The addition of a compass is a nice touch and provides a good way to teach the basics of direction and navigation to your junior adventurer.

Pros

• Simple design
• Kid-proof construction
• Light and compact
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Not the best image

This product is a toy and not a pair of real binoculars. Parents and children hoping for decent magnification or sharp images will be disappointed. The compass is also very small and not especially accurate. Despite this, these binoculars are fun and easy to use and should trigger an interest in nature and navigation in most kids.

Bottom Line

When it comes to buying binoculars for kids, you have two main choices – “real” binoculars that are small and light enough for a child’s hands and eyes, or toys made just for kids.

Real binoculars have good lenses and work just like their adult counterparts but maybe too complicated for younger children to use. However, they produce a sharp image and usually have good magnification.

Toy binoculars are much easier to use and are ideal for younger kids. However, with their lower-quality lenses and less magnification, they aren’t as functional, and some kids may find this frustrating.

Interestingly, both types of binoculars are similarly priced.

Ultimately, the best binoculars depend on your child’s age and how well they’ll be able to use the product you choose. Better lenses may not be an advantage for very young users.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be sure to find the best option for your kid in these reviews!