Binoculars open up a whole new and brilliant world for children, piquing their curiosity for all the many things found in nature. They can also help your child further develop their cognitive and motor skills, as well as their observation and concentration skills.
With a variety of different options on the market, parents can face a challenge when trying to find the right binoculars for little hands and eyes. Lucky for you, we’ve done the research so that you can get right to the exploration!
Keep reading for our best binoculars for kids and for a helpful guide on how to choose the best product for their needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Obuby Binoculars for Kids
Budget Option
LET’S GO Binoculars for Kids
Best for Younger Kids
Educational Insights GeoSafari Binoculars for Kids
Best Overall
Obuby Binoculars for Kids
Obuby binoculars for kids are perfect for children between three and 12 years old to explore nature and the world around them.
These binoculars have high-resolution 8X magnification and can be adjusted to match the eye distance gap for children up to 12 years old, but they can be a bit difficult to use for kids under three.
They also have a wide field of view, with a 7.2-degree viewing angle, and the magnification is great for sightseeing, hiking, and backpacking.
The Obuby binoculars have soft rubber around the eyepieces to protect kids’ eyes and faces and to guard and protect the binocular lenses.
With a non-slip grip and durable polycarbonate plastic and rubber armored exterior, these binoculars are shockproof and specifically designed to fit comfortably in kids’ hands. The exterior protects the lenses from damage from falls by absorbing the shock of the fall into the rubber.
These binoculars for kids are shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof, so they are fantastic for any outdoor adventure.
Pros
- Durable construction.
- Shockproof and waterproof.
- Multiple color options.
Cons
- May be difficult to use for children under 3.
- Some reviewers reported the neck strap to be of poor quality.
Best Budget Option
LET’S GO Binoculars for Kids
These binoculars for kids are designed to fit into small hands, with a non-slip grip, and can be adjusted to match kids’ eye distance gaps. They are also very easy to focus, making them great for small children who are prone to unsteady hands.
LET’S GO binoculars have a layer of soft but durable rubber around the eyepieces to protect your kid’s eyes and face and the binocular lenses from any damage from drops.
The lenses are coated with an FMC prism green coating to control optical reflection, enhancing crisp and colorful images. This multi-layer broadband coating technology allows children to see realistic colorful images through their binoculars.
With a 7.2-degree viewing angle and 8X magnification, these binoculars are perfect for little hands and eyes to explore. These binoculars are durable and designed to withstand drops and rough play. They are waterproof and shockproof.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Shockproof and waterproof.
- Available in up to 10 colors.
Cons
- Some reviewers have reported poor durability for a product designed for children.
Best for Younger Kids
Educational Insights GeoSafari Binoculars for Kids
These GeoSafari binoculars for kids by Educational Insights offer amplified sight and sound, with headset-free audio amplification and 3X magnification. The focus-free magnification makes these binoculars the perfect choice for your very young children.
These durable binoculars have the voice of Bindi Irwin programmed into the audio system, piquing the curiosity about the outdoors of your little ones.
While there are kid-friendly options, these binoculars were designed just for toddlers and preschoolers. Featuring a perfect-fit eyepiece, these binoculars are comfortable for children’s faces.
These binoculars introduce your child to a whole new world around them and are fantastic for fostering a STEM-friendly education starting at an early age.
Pros
- No focus adjustments are required.
- STEM-friendly.
- Steady even for the wobbliest of wobblers.
Cons
- Only has 3X magnification.
- Only suitable for younger children.
- Requires AAA batteries for audio.
THINKPEAK Binoculars for Kids
These binoculars are the perfect tool to aid in your child’s outdoor adventures, whether they’re watching birds, sightseeing, hiking, camping, or just exploring your yard.
THINKPEAK binoculars for kids are made with high-quality shockproof materials and are designed with older children in mind, so they are built to withstand rough play.
These binoculars can be adjusted to fit the eye space gaps of children from around eight to 10 years old. They are also very easy for children to adjust the focus and zoom, with 8X magnification, so that they can see objects at a distance.
The soft rubber eyecups were designed with kids’ safety in mind, ensuring a comfortable fit for small eyes. These binoculars also come with a neck strap, cleaning cloth, carrying case, manual, and a family camping eBook for the family to enjoy!
These binoculars are shockproof, made with an anti-friction rubber coating so they can withstand long drops and heavy impacts.
Pros
- Available in 6 colors.
- Great for older kids from around 8 to 10 years old.
- Very durable.
Cons
- The optics could be better.
- Lenses sometimes won’t focus fully, according to some reviewers.
Promora Binoculars for Kids
Awaken your little adventurer’s natural curiosity with the Promora binoculars for kids from four to eight years old!
With an included compass and magnifying glass, these binoculars ignite a sense of adventure and curiosity while teaching children how to operate binoculars.
Your little one will love these real binoculars that fit perfectly in tiny hands. Their rubber coating design makes for a comfortable grip and protects the binoculars from falls and impacts.
The soft eyecups protect your kid’s eyes and protect the binocular lenses from any damage sustained during drops. They’re great for sightseeing, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, and so much more, with 8X magnification and a handy neck strap for easy carrying.
Pros
- Built-in soft eyecups.
- 3 color choices.
- 8X magnification
Cons
- Not as durable as some of the other options on this list.
Kids Binoculars Buyer’s Guide
With so many options for binoculars on the market today, it can be a challenge to figure out how to choose binoculars with your child(ren) in mind.
Remember that binoculars suitable for a kindergartener will differ from those suitable for teenage users, so it’s important to remember your child’s age when rifling through all the options out there.
When it comes to finding the best binoculars for your child, you’ll need to consider the following things.
Durability
Durability is one of the most important features when it comes to binoculars for kids since they will get banged around and dropped a good bit. The optimal kid’s binoculars will be sturdy and withstand heavy wear and tear without cracking a lens or breaking.
Magnification
The magnification level is important for little hands because they aren’t the most steady. The proper magnification differs based on how much your little one wiggles and what they’re trying to see through the lenses.
You should look for binoculars with a magnification level that is appropriate for your child’s age and activity. It should be balanced well against the diameter of the objective lens. This will provide a wide and clear view for kids.
Short Range
Short-range binoculars are generally those with 3X to 6X magnification and are best used for short distances.
Medium Range
Medium-range binoculars are those with around 7X to 9X magnification and can be used for longer distances than short-range options.
Long Range
Long-range binoculars are the best for viewing objects far away, with 10X magnification or higher.
Field of View
The field of view for binoculars refers to the horizontal measurement from one side to the other at 1000 yards. The field of view is most often referred to as an angle degree.
The typical field of view range for kids’ binoculars is around seven degrees. This is how far of an angle you can see out of the lenses without moving them.
The field of view is usually measured in feet or meters, with wider fields of view being most suited for watching from a long distance.
This factor is determined by the magnification level of the product as well as by the objective lens diameter. As the magnification levels increase, so does your field of view.
Lens Coating
Some brand binoculars for kids come with lenses coated in a special coating, which serves various purposes. This coating can protect the glass lenses, reduce reflections, improve contrast and light transmission, and reduce glare.
This coating can also repel dirt, water, and grease and emphasize natural color shades in nature.
Make sure to evaluate the quality of the lens coating with lower-quality or cheaper binoculars to make sure the coating isn’t disruptive to your vision.
Size and Weight
Size is an important consideration when looking for the best binoculars for kids because you’ll want them to fit into little hands properly and line up with their eyes as well.
The size is also important if you and your kids are hiking or backpacking because they can be bulky to lug around, depending on your chosen product.
The weight of the binoculars is also important for hikers and backpackers. You don’t want them to get too heavy for little necks during a trek through nature.
Most compact binoculars weigh around 1 pound or less, but some can weigh up to 4 pounds. If your child carries binoculars around their neck, the difference between one and four pounds will be evident very quickly.
Waterproofing
When it comes to water resistance, binoculars are generally classified into one of the following categories.
Water-Susceptible
These binoculars have no water resistance at all and should never be used in rainy or wet conditions or around water.
These products don’t have any water protection beyond the natural resistance of the material they are made from, such as plastic or stainless steel.
Water-Resistant
These binoculars usually have some type of seal that prevents water and moisture from getting into the tube. However, they are still not completely waterproof, so you should avoid using them near places with lots of water. They can safely be used in light rain or damp conditions but should not be submerged in water.
Waterproof
These binoculars can safely be submerged in water without any damage. The amount of time they can safely stay submerged differs based on the manufacturer, so always read the manual thoroughly before using near water.
Just because they are waterproof doesn’t mean they’re fog-proof though, so you’ll want to watch for the eyepiece fogging up when your kids are exploring with their binoculars.
Wrapping up the 5 Best Binoculars for Kids
From varied magnification to the size and weight of each product, there is the perfect pair of binoculars for the smallest hands and eyes of the family!
Check out this guide to camping with kids if you’re interested in learning about more awesome outdoor activities to enjoy with your little ones.
- About the Author
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Brittany Tedford is a post-apocalyptic fiction author, an aspiring English teacher, and a writer for Apple Pie Media.
She currently lives in a small town in Northern Mississippi with her two children Anna and Eli, and her two cats Salem and Leo.
With a bachelor’s in Creative Writing and English and a master’s in the same discipline, Brittany is passionate about learning how to live off the land for camping trips, which is why she loves writing for Beyond The Tent. From the best camping gear to camping survival tips and tricks, to finding the perfect campground, there is so much information to share with others!
Brittany can be reached at writerbeefreelancecontent@gmail.com