How To Choose The Best Kids Binoculars

If your kid has a penchant for exploring, a pair of binoculars might be the best present you can get for them. You’re going to score them hours of entertainment outdoors, away from the screens they are accustomed to. They’ll have a blast zooming away at the trees high above, looking at birds up close, or even counting stars in a new fun way.

While choosing a pair of binoculars is pretty straightforward, there are some features you need to consider so your kid can make the most out of the pair you’re getting them. Kids binoculars are a little different from adult ones, so there are some things you need to keep in mind before settling on one. 

Features To Consider Before Buying Kids Binoculars

Size and Weight

Standard-sized binoculars might be too big or too heavy for your kids to hold or view through correctly. You want to opt for appropriately sized binoculars that your children can comfortably hold in their hands and easily lift up to their face steadily.

It’s recommended to opt for pocket-sized binoculars for kids if you’re shopping from an adult range. If you’re looking at binoculars designed for kids, make sure the interpupillary distance of the lenses is appropriate for your kids to view.

Durability

While durability is usually not an aspect you look at while buying things for your kids since they usually get bored of things pretty quickly. Still, you don’t want the binoculars to break on day one of your kids testing them out.

Kids tend to be less careful with their things, so you can expect a little bit of mishandling naturally. So, you don’t have to look for the most long-lasting pair of binoculars out there, but they should be sturdy enough to last for a while, or until your child gets bored of them. 

Construction (both of the body and the lenses)

Anything you get for your child needs to be well-constructed! You need to ensure it is kid-friendly and does not have any design features that may pose a safety hazard. Make sure there are no sharp ends or anything else that can possibly injure your kid.

Also, make sure the lens is well-made and not prone to breakage! You need to ensure that the lenses are good for your child’s vision and don’t do anything to damage it. Poorly made lenses may cause a strain on your child’s eyesight which may trigger a headache and other problems.

Budget

This is a matter of personal preference and you can choose between spending too much or too little when it comes to choosing the ideal pair of binoculars. 

That being said, we would recommend avoiding the cheapest of the lot since they might be poorly constructed and will only do more to frustrate your child since they won’t be able to view anything through it properly. Similarly, you shouldn’t spend a fortune on the most expensive ones since a child can easily lose or break things.

Instead, you should opt for a mid-range device that you can easily replace if you have to. It should be built well enough to get the job done without being anything too fancy that you would have to spend a fortune on. 

Field of View

Field of view refers to the width of the image you can see via your binocular lens. When buying binoculars for your child, it’s better to opt for ones that have a wider field of view. 

This gives them a wider frame to look at and makes it easier for them to follow objects such as birds or planes while looking at them. Remember that the magnification is usually inversely proportional to the field of view.

The more zoomed-in your image is, the smaller the field of view will be. So opt for binoculars with a magnification of up to 6-7x so it has a good field of view.

Interpupillary Distance

The interpupillary distance is the distance between the two lens eyepieces. Ideally, it should be adjustable so you can adjust it according to your child’s face. But if you’re getting one with a fixed distance, aim for an IPD of 5.1cm-5.3cm.

Additional Features

Sometimes you might want to look out for a few additional features with your kid’s binoculars. Make sure that your kid’s binoculars always have a strap or they have the option to attach a strap. They should ideally come with a case but if they don’t come with a case, buy a case to prevent the lenses from getting dirty and scratched

Buying The Best Kids Binoculars

If you’re looking for recommendations for the best kids binoculars, we’re here for you. Whether you’re looking for true birding binoculars, or just a pair of affordable binoculars that kids can use in the backyard, we’ve got you covered!

Best Binoculars For Toddlers and Preschoolers

Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars Binoculars 

Weight: 4.8 oz
Strap and/or Cover: Neck strap included
Magnification: 2x

If your little one is too little to use proper adult binoculars yet, these kidnoculars by Educational insights might be the perfect fit for them. They are designed especially for kids so they have wider eyepieces and easy placement goggles. 

The magnification is 2x which is pretty good for toddlers since they can still explore without any complex focus settings to worry about. The green and blue exterior make it attractive for kids, encouraging them to explore the outdoors. 

It’s made with a tough plastic material so it can survive your toddler’s excitement through the years. 

We also love that it comes wth a neck strap, so your child can easily carry it around with them without getting tired, though it’s important to know that it’s a very thin strap, so not very comfortable or durable. They’re also not waterproof so you got to be a little careful if your kid is using them around lakes or rivers. 

 

Best Budget Binoculars For Kids

Vive Comb Binoculars for Kids

Weight: 5.3 oz
Strap and/or Cover: Not Included
Magnification: 4x

If you’re mainly looking for toy binoculars your kid can use to play around for a while, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money on them. In such cases, these Vive Comb kids binoculars are the ideal choice. They are great budget binoculars for kids and work pretty well for kids’ binoculars.

They’re made of rubber, making them safer since there are fewer chances of breakage and injury. It offers a focus-free, 4x magnified viewing experience which is ideal for bird watching, sports events, and other outdoor exploring activities. 

Another ideal feature is the ability to adjust the focal length and interpupillary distance so you can set it according to your child’s face. 

Plus, they look super cute in the turquoise-blue exterior design! 

The only downside is that they do not come with their own neck strap or case but that might not be a problem since the rubber exterior isn’t prone to breakage either way.

Most Durable Kids Binoculars

Think Peak Toys Kids Binoculars

Weight: 8.8oz
Strap and/or Cover: Both Included
Magnification: 8x

If you’re getting your kid a pair of binoculars and want to make sure they will last for a while, these Think Peak ones might be a good investment. They’re available in 6 different colors for you to choose from.

They can be folded into a compact size for easy carrying. You can also use the folding feature to adjust the interpupillary distance according to your child’s face, so they are great binoculars for a wide variety of ages. 

They’re made of a tough rubber material that protects it against breakage since it’s inevitable that kids will drop these. The grip also uses the same material which prevents it from slipping from your kid’s hands, which is an awesome feature.

Coming to image quality, these pairs of binoculars provide an 8x magnification lens. They also have an easy-to-maneuver adjustment wheel to focus properly. The eyepieces provide the option for diopter adjustment to compensate for any visual differences.

They come with with an instructions manual, a cleaning cloth, a carrying case, and a break-away neck strap so your little explorer can take his binoculars everywhere with him.

Best Multi-Use Kids Binoculars

Scotamalone Kids Binoculars 

Weight: 5.3oz
Strap and/or Cover: Both Included
Magnification: 4x

If your kid has a newfound interest in carrying a pair of binoculars everywhere he goes, these Scotmalone kids’ binoculars might just be what they need! They can take them out on camping trips, for sports events, on car trips, for watching birds, and really anything that piques their interest.

These are made from non-toxic rubber which prevents them from breaking and makes them lightweight. The rubber surrounding the eyepiece provides additional protection from facial injuries, and makes them more comfortable for kids to use. 

The lens has a magnification of 4x which allows your child to see things up close while still having a wide field of view so they can continue exploring!

These binoculars come with a cleaning cloth, a carrying canvas bag, and a neck strap that is not too stiff or bulky. The complete package makes it all the more convenient for your kid to carry his binoculars everywhere he goes.

Best Toy Binoculars For Kids

HABA Terra  Children’s Binoculars 

Weight: 0.75lbs
Strap and/or Cover: Both Included
Magnification: 4x

If you’re looking for toy binoculars that still allow your little explorer to experiment outdoors, the Haba Terra Kids Binoculars might be a great choice.

These binoculars are designed to make sure they’re easy for your kids to use. It has a sturdy plastic build which makes it lightweight and easy to carry, while the eye guards are covered with rubber to protect your child’s face against injury.

The eyepiece is adjustable to allow for a comfortable viewing experience. It allows for up to 4x magnification so your child can appease their curiosity while still having a wide field of view to follow their object of interest. 

The binoculars come with a cute carrying case with a matching belt loop so they can always carry their binoculars with them. We also want to point out that the image quality wasn’t as clear on this pair of binoculars for kids, though, if your kids are young, it may not make much of a difference to them.

Best Wildlife Viewing Binoculars For Kids

If you are getting your kids binoculars for wildlife viewing, you’ll need higher quality binoculars than the typicl kids binoculars. In fact, most of the pairs that we recommend are smaller adult pairs because kids binoculars usually aren’t good enough quality to view wildlife and birds.

Nikon Trailblazer Binoculars

Weight: 12 oz
Strap and/or Cover: Both Included
Magnification: 8x

For the best wildlife viewing experience, these Nikon Trailblazer Binoculars are the most reasonably priced pair you can find! It has a tough-armored body made with rubber and is nitrogen-filled. These features make it waterproof and fog-proof so your child can have the best experience without any disturbances!

The lens is lead and arsenic-free, plus it has BAK4 Roof Prisms that are high index for super-high-resolution images. The lens is also multi-coated to maximize light transmission so your child can view images in the brightest, most vibrant colors.

It comes with a carrying case, a standard strap, and a lens cover to keep your pair safe and clean throughout your travels. It also folds for easy carrying.

However, this pair has a very short eye relief and may not be ideal for eyeglass wearers. Also, the exit pupil might seem a little too small for some people. This means you need to hold the binoculars pretty steadily for a clear view. This might be a problem with kids who aren’t as patient.

Best Birding Binoculars For Kids and Teens

Birding binoculars are notoriously expensive but also a necessary piece of equipment to be able to identify birds well. Check our our favorite pair of birding binoculars for kids and teens.

Nikon Prostaff 3S 8 x 42 Binoculars

Weight: 1 lb. 3.9 oz.
Strap and/or Cover: Cover with belt loop included
Magnification: 8x

Nikon Prostaff 3S 8×42 binoculars are great for slightly older kids that want to get into birdwatching. They are built with excellent quality materials which make them waterproof, fog proof, and durable. The binoculars are very lightweight, ideal to carry in your travel bag, and bring with you on all your adventures! They has a wide field of view along with a long eye relief design that makes it easy for your kids to view things far away without any eye strain. 

These birding binoculars for kids come with a carrying case that helps keep them safe and clean. The case also has a belt loop which makes them easy to carry as well.

However, since these binoculars are not particularly made for kids, the interpupillary distance might be too wide for young kids. The lens cover also wasn’t incredible, but if you use the lense covers and the case together, you should be fine.

Overall if you want a good pair of binoculars with a clear view and sturdy quality, these will serve you well.

Best Compact Binoculars For Kids

POLDR 12X25 Small Pocket Binoculars 

Weight: 6.7 oz
Strap and/or Cover: Both Included
Magnification: 12x

When getting binoculars for your kids, you don’t always want them to be bulky or heavy since that can make it difficult for them to carry easily. That is why the POLDR 12×25 Pocket binoculars are perfect for your kids!

They fold into a super compact size, measuring a mere 2.2inches  when folded. So your child can easily slip them into their pocket/backpack without worrying about the weight! They come with a neck strap, a cleaning cloth, and a carrying bag to make them easy to carry

The compactness does not compromise the viewing experience. It has a wide (126ft) field of view along with a 12x magnification and 25mm objective lens diameter which allows you to view a wide area of image with clarity. The lens has BAK4 prisms that reflect most of the light for a comfortable viewing experience. 

However, if you want professional-level image clarity these binoculars might not be the ideal choice. The focus controls are a little flimsy and it’s not easy to sync the right and left eyes. It’s also a little inconvenient that you can’t remove the neck strap if you want to.

Wrapping Up

That’s a wrap on how to choose the best binoculars for your kids and some of the best product options we could find on the market for you! We hope you find something that your kid loves and that it fuels their passion for exploring the outdoors with just as much zeal and interest!