Are you looking to buy a pair of binoculars for your kid? If that is the case, then you have arrived at the right place. Binoculars are a trusty companion on outdoor activities.
If you teach your kiddos how to use them from an early age, they will fall in love with bird watching, stargazing, and all other fun activities that encourage them to explore the world. Binoculars are also a great birthday gift, and today we are going to show you how to find the best pair.
The tricky part about choosing the best binoculars for kids is to know what features to look for. Here is where we come in. We did all the research so that you don’t have to. There are a handful of features that a pair of binoculars for kids needs to offer in order to work great, and you can check them all out in the buying guide at the end of the article.
Now, let’s go ahead and take a look at Amazon’s top 5 best binoculars for kids.
Best Binoculars for Kids in 2020
Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars
Right from the start, we want to mention that the Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars are a bestselling product on Amazon with more than two thousand ratings that highlight the impressive performances of the product. These binoculars feature a magnification power of 12x that is going to help your kid bring the entire world into focus.
Thanks to the impressive magnification power, the Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars can be used for a variety of activities starting with bird watching and ending with stargazing. Another important feature that deserves mention is the 25mm objective lens that provides a 273 feet field of view at 1,000 yards.
The compact design of the binoculars is excellent because the product is small enough for young kids to hold it in one hand. Not just that, but the adjustable eyecups make it possible for the user to find the most comfortable viewing position.
Despite being a budget-friendly product, the Occer 12×25 Compact Binoculars are equipped with BAK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics. These are essential features that can usually be found only on premium binoculars. The last thing that we want to mention about these pocket-sized binoculars is that they are waterproof and durable.
Pros:
- 12x magnification power;
- Compact design;
- Waterproof;
- BAK-4 prisms;
- Wide field of view;
- The binoculars are lightweight;
- Multi-coated optics;
- Adjustable eyecups.
Cons:
- We didn’t find any.
Hontry 10×25 Binoculars
The Hontry 10×25 Binoculars are ideal for small faces, and they weigh in at only 0.6lbs! You can fit the binoculars in your pocket without any problems because they feature a foldable design. However, you shouldn’t be fooled by their tiny size and think that the binoculars not durable, quite the opposite.
The manufacturer has equipped this product with a rubberized armor that features an ergonomic design for easy use and non-slip grip. The rubberized armor is shock absorbent, and therefore, you can be sure that the Hontry 10×25 Binoculars will not break in half at the first accidental drop.
If the durable build quality is not enough to impress you, then you should know that the binoculars utilize BAK-4 Porro prisms to provide high-resolution images, even in low light conditions. The 10x magnification power is great for bird watching.
The lens diameter measures in at 25mm, and it features eye relief so that the binoculars can be used with prescription glasses. The binoculars are splash-proof, and the eyecups are adjustable to help your kid find a comfy viewing position.
The binoculars ship with the following goodies: carrying case, neck strap, manual, and a cleaning cloth.
Pros:
- 10x magnification power;
- Eye relief;
- Adjustable eyecups;
- Non-slip grip;
- Rubberized armor;
- The binoculars weigh in at only 0.6lbs;
- Splash-proof;
- BAK-4 Porro prisms.
Cons:
- The binoculars are not fully waterproof.
Dreamingbox Compact Shock Proof Binoculars
The colorful binoculars from Dreamingbox are designed specifically for young children, and they are equipped with all the features that kids need for outdoor activities. If there is one thing that you can be sure about, then it has to be the fact that your kid will love the colorful paint job. However, that beautiful design is not the only thing that these binoculars have to offer.
They also provide crystal-clear images thanks to the FMC prism green coated optics that feature excellent light transmittance. The multi-layer broadband coating makes sure that the images are always colorful and that the viewing experience feels amazing.
Since this pair of binoculars is designed for young children, then it should come as no surprise to find out that it is fully shockproof. Your kiddo is surely going to drop the binoculars at some point, and there is no way to prevent that. Fortunately, this is not going to be a problem if you choose to buy the Dreamingbox binoculars.
The gadget is equipped with a durable armor that can withstand drops and floors. Furthermore, the shield offers a non-slip grip, and it doesn’t get scratches.
We also want to highlight that despite the impressive durability, the binoculars are small enough to fit in the hands of children and that they feature soft rubber surrounding the eyepieces to protect the eyes and the face.
Pros:
- 8x magnification power;
- Shockproof armor;
- Available in 10 color models;
- The binoculars are small enough to fit in the hands of young children;
- Ergonomic design;
- FMC prism;
- Multi-coated optics;
- Crystal-clear images.
Cons:
- The field of view is not very impressive.
Carson Hawk Kids
Even though this pair of binoculars is designed for kids, the image quality that it offers is so impressive that you can use them on camping and hiking trips. This is all thanks to the fact that the Carson Hawk Kids are equipped with larger 30mm objective lenses that do a fantastic job of capturing light and presenting crisp images.
The Carson Hawk Kids feature a wide 312 feet field of view at 1,000 yards, and what makes them stand out the most is that the color representation is always high-quality, even in low light conditions. You will also get a free pouch, carrying strap, and dedicated lens cleaning cloth.
Moreover, the binoculars feature a mid-range 5x magnification power, which is perfect for children binoculars. You don’t need to spend a hundred bucks on an expensive pair of binoculars that feature a high magnification power because it isn’t suitable for kids that are younger than ten years old.
They won’t really use the binoculars to their full potential. This is why it’s a good idea to go for the budget-friendly Carson Hawk Kids binoculars. The build quality is durable, and the manufacturer is so confident that the binoculars will not break that it is offering a one-year warranty.
Pros:
- Great price;
- One-year warranty;
- Durable build;
- Large 30mm objective lenses;
- Crisp image quality;
- 5x magnification power;
- Wide field of view.
Cons:
- The BK-7 prisms are inferior.
Backyard Safari Field Binoculars
We want to end our list with an affordable product that is the best gift for young children who wish to have a pair of binoculars of their own. The Backyard Safari Binoculars are designed for children that are six years of age, and therefore, they feature a mid-range magnification power of 5x.
Even though you would expect that a pair of binoculars such as this one not to feature high-resolution images, this is not the case for the Backyard Safari Binoculars. The product is equipped with 30mm objective lenses that ensure the image quality doesn’t get blurry. Furthermore, the rubberized hand grips of the binoculars make them perfect for children.
There is a good reason why the binoculars are dubbed as “safari.” They are equipped with sturdy body armor that makes them durable. You can rely on them to function even in harsh environments. The binoculars are also fully waterproof so that you don’t have to hide them in your pocket if it starts raining.
The binoculars are easy to use and feature adjustable eyecups to improve comfort. Another cool feature that we want to mention about the binoculars is that they ship with a free lanyard that your kid can play with.
Pros:
- 5x magnification power;
- Large 30mm objective lenses;
- Great image quality;
- Compact, lightweight and easy to carry;
- The binoculars are bundled with a free lanyard;
- Cool design;
- Sturdy build;
- Waterproof;
- Rubberized hand grips.
Cons:
- The field of view is not very impressive.
Buying Guide
If you are not sure that what are the features and specifications that a pair of binoculars for kids need to offer, then you should check out the buying guide below.
- Weight
Generally, you wouldn’t pay that much attention to weight when it comes to purchasing binoculars. However, weight plays a more critical role when it comes to finding the best binoculars for kids. You need to make sure to get a pair of lightweight binoculars that your kid can carry easily. The binoculars should be light enough so that it doesn’t get tiring for your kid to lift them to their eyes to get a better view when observing objects in the distance.
- Magnification
The magnification power of binoculars is the most important feature that they have to offer. This feature makes it possible for you or your kid to get a clear view of faraway targets. Even though this might sound counter-intuitive, you shouldn’t go for a high-powered pair of binoculars and instead pick something in the mid-range. The best magnification ranges for kids are between 2x and 8x.
- Durability
If you use binoculars regularly, then you know how easy it is to drop them. Kids will probably run around with the binoculars in their hands, and this increases the chances of dropping them. Here is where rubberized armors come in and save the day. The best binoculars for kids need to be shock absorbent because otherwise, they will crack at the first accidental drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get binoculars designed specifically for kids?
The short answer is yes. If you want your kids to use binoculars on outdoor adventures, you should get a pair that is specifically designed for younger adults. This type of binoculars is more durable, waterproof, and lighter so that the kids can carry it.
Why do some binoculars have green lenses?
Almost all binoculars feature green-tinted lenses, and this is not a coincidence. Manufacturers actually coat the optics with this color because our eyes are naturally more sensitive to green lights, and therefore, the image quality will be improved.
How do I maintain binoculars for kids?
The only thing that you need to do is to keep them in a carrying pouch or case when they are not being used so that they do not gather dust. You also need to clean the lenses regularly, especially if your kid drops the binoculars, and they get dirty. However, you should make sure to do it with a dedicated lens cleaning cloth.
How do I teach my child to use binoculars?
If your kid is old enough to use binoculars, you can start teaching him how to properly use the gadget by asking him to read signs at various distances. You should begin with a sign that is 20 feet away and then gradually move further away.
This will teach the kid to hold the barrels steady and to use the focus wheel to adjust the viewing distance.
Does wearing glasses change how you use binoculars?
Wearing glasses can distort the image quality when observing objects with binoculars. Fortunately, this is not always the case.
Some binoculars feature eye relief, which is specially designed to prevent the image from getting distorted. The Hontry 10×25 Binoculars are a choice here.