Best Drone for Kids:
- Best Overall: Holy Stone Mini Drone
- Best Budget-Friendly: Air Hogs Gravitor
- Best Value: Holy Stone HS110D RC
- Most Durable: Sharper Image Glow Up
- Editor’s Choice: Holy Stone HS260
Howdy, everyone! Remember back in the day when kids used to ask for those remote-control planes as their favorite toys? Well, those days are ancient history now. The latest craze in the world of kids’ toys is none other than drones! You’ve probably seen the grown-ups zipping around with those fancy, big drones at the beach or in the park, right?
Well, guess what? The kids want in on the action too. But don’t you worry, because there’s a fantastic selection of beginner-friendly drones out there that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. We’ve got the lowdown on the top 9 drones for kids and beginners that will make your young aviators’ dreams take flight!
So, What’s All the Hype About Best Drones for Kids? Not so long ago, kids used to clamor for remote-control planes. But nowadays, drones have taken the toy world by storm. Kids see adults piloting those hefty drones on the beach or in the park, and naturally, they want a piece of the action too.
Thankfully, there’s a wide array of beginner drones out there with user-friendly features, and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg. These drones might come with a camera or double as racing drones that are just pure fun to fly.
best drone with camera for kids
Most beginner drones are designed with teens and adults in mind. There’s also a category of kid-friendly “drones” that are more like futuristic flying spaceship toys for the younger crowd. When you’re in the market for a drone for your kids, you’ll typically find these options:
- A nifty indoor flying toy suitable for ages 4 and up or 8 and up.
- A beginner camera drone.
- A zippy racing drone.
- A stunt drone labeled for ages 14 and above.
And here’s a quick heads-up: If your drone tips the scales at more than 0.55 pounds, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) kindly asks you to register it and get acquainted with the recreational flying rules. But no worries, on our list, only the helicopter drone is hefty enough to warrant registration. Most pre-teens should be able to handle any of these drones safely, especially when they’ve got an adult showing them the ropes.
Table of Contents:
Our Top Picks for Best Drone for Kids!
Holy Stone Mini Drone – Best Overall Drone for Kids under $50
This little gem starts at just $$ on Amazon, and let me tell you, it’s a steal! With over 8,000 five-star Amazon reviews, this affordable, feather-light mini drone is a crowd-pleaser for being a breeze to set up and perfect for indoor flights.
Although the manufacturer suggests it’s for ages 14 and up, we’ve tested it with kids as young as 8, and they handled it like pros with a little guidance. It boasts altitude hold, keeping it steady in the air even if your kid lets go of the controls.
With some practice, kids can even make it pull off some cool aerial flips! In headless mode, you don’t have to worry about which way the drone is facing, making it super beginner-friendly. The only downside? There’s no onboard camera, but it’s an excellent first racing drone for kids eager to learn the ropes. this is one of the drones for 8 year olds under $50 you should buy.
Air Hogs Gravitor – Best Value Drone for Kids under $20
Now, here’s an affordable kiddie drone that doesn’t require a remote! Kids can work their magic with hand gestures to make this drone zip around, giving them a taste of wizardry. It’s tailor-made for indoor flying, encouraging kids to get up and move around, especially during those tricky screen-time moments.
Just make sure to use it in a spacious area where kids are at least 3 feet away from furniture and obstacles, so the drone has ample room to maneuver. It won’t do well outdoors, as it can’t sense a ceiling. This is the best drone for 6 year old under $20.
Holy Stone HS110D RC – Best Camera Drone for Kids under $100
For the budding Spielberg in your family, this Holy Stone drone is an excellent choice! It packs a beginner-friendly 1080P HD camera with a 120-degree wide-angle lens, perfect for shooting videos that can be easily transferred to a smartphone or an SD card (not included).
Flying this drone takes a bit of practice, but that’s part of the fun. It’s age-graded for teens aged 14 and up, assuming they have their own smartphone, but younger kids can get the hang of it with a helping hand from an adult. This is the best drone for 5 year old under $100.
Sharper Image Glow Up Stunt Drone with LED Lights – Best Stunt Drone for Kids under $50
Here’s a racing quadcopter that doubles as a nifty stunt drone, complete with LED lights for added flair, making it easy to track even in the dark. Users can master making it tilt and perform flips forward or backward. It can reach impressive heights, up to 150 feet, ensuring plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family.
Some online reviewers have even called it surprisingly powerful, but be cautious—it does make a bit of noise and can pack a punch if it hits you at top speed. This is the best drone for 10 year old under $50.
Holy Stone HS260 Foldable Drone With Camera – Best Foldable Camera Drone for Kids under $100
This quadcopter is perfect for on-the-go adventures! Its foldable arms make it conveniently portable, fitting snugly into a carry case. Its flight time and camera quality are nearly identical to the Holy Stone model higher up on our list, offering up to 15 minutes per battery (it comes with two), and the camera records in crisp 1080P.
What’s even better? These batteries charge up in just about an hour and a half. There’s also a “return to home” feature that lets you bring the drone back to its takeoff spot—a handy bonus. This is one of the best drones for 12 year olds under $100.
See Also: Best Drone with Automatic Return
SYMA RC Helicopter – Best Helicopter Drone for Kids under $80
The SYMA RC Helicopter combines the excitement of a toy helicopter with the features of a racing drone. In our tests, we found it suitable for kids as young as 8, although the official age rating suggests 14 and up. Designed for both indoor and outdoor play, it’s equipped with propeller guards and a landing base, making it more crash-resistant.
It’s a fantastic drone for learning to fly and practicing daring maneuvers. Just keep in mind that it falls under the FAA’s guidelines for drones that should be registered for recreational flying due to its weight. This is the best drone for 8 year old under $80.
Faction Skyfire Target Drone – Best Game Drone for Kids under $50
This brand-new flying toy drone for 2023 is tailor-made for kids to use alongside their blaster guns for some epic aerial target practice. Our experts took it for a spin in the backyard and were seriously impressed by how well it hovered at lower altitudes, effortlessly dodging side-to-side and up-and-down to give the kids an airborne saucer to battle.
It’s not for a kid who wants to control a drone; this one flies autonomously. You can pair it up with the Faction Battle System app via Bluetooth to make the gameplay even more exciting. Or simply let the kids chase it around without any screens getting in the way. This is the best drone for 7 year old under $50.
DJI Ryze Tech Tello Mini Drone – Best Camera Drone for More Advanced Fliers under $150
For the aspiring drone enthusiasts out there, this quadcopter is a game-changer! Its 5-megapixel camera sets it apart from the competition in the sub-$100 range. If your tween or teen has some experience with other drones, this one will be a breeze to pick up.
You can have loads of fun making it perform tricks and flips. But a word of caution: Android users have reported some issues with the app, and because the camera’s photos can only be sent directly to a smartphone, it might pose a bit of a challenge. We recommend this for users with an iOS device. This is the best drone for 10 year old under $150.
Propel Toys Star Wars Quadcopter X-Wing – Best Star Wars Drone under $300
Calling all Star Wars aficionados! This drone lets you take the controls of an X-Wing, just like the heroes in the movies. You can even engage in laser-tag-like aerial combat—these fighters keep tabs on stats like hits landed and received.
It’s a tad on the pricey side, but we love that this toy is speedy and authentically designed to resemble the Star Wars universe. It’s best to kick things off in training mode for easy, non-combative flights as you get the hang of it. You can use it indoors and outdoors, although it’s not waterproof and won’t perform at its best in windy conditions. This is one of the best drones for 9 year olds under $300.
But How Do We Choose the Best Drones for Kids?
Our experts have learned that mastering the art of drone flying requires patience. The typical flight time is less than 20 minutes, and drone pilots need to be careful around walls, trees, water bodies, and other obstacles (after all, there’s no such thing as an indestructible drone!).
But fret not, many drones come with spare parts in case of a damaged or lost propeller. With practice, kids gain new motor skills and experience the unique thrill that keeps them recharging their drone and taking to the skies again and again.
The Lowdown on Our Selection
Our choices are based on brands that have aced our rigorous Lab tests, new models boasting impressive features, and drones that have garnered heaps of praise in online reviews. Toward the end of this guide, you’ll find additional information on what to keep in mind when shopping for drone toys, how to approach playing with them alongside your kids, and more about our testing process for beginner drones.
Safety Always Comes First!
Before you let your youngsters take to the skies with their shiny new drones, here are some quick safety reminders:
Double-check the age recommendation:
Ensure that the drone is age-appropriate for your child and be ready to assist them in getting the hang of the controls, especially if they’re on the younger side.
Register your drone if required:
Drones meant for outdoor recreational use are subject to federal regulations if they weigh 0.55 pounds or more. For all the rules and drone registration info, consult the FAA’s Drone Zone.
Read the instructions:
Drones require some careful reading before you power them up, so make good use of the time when the drone is charging to learn how to launch it gently into the air.
Find a spacious spot:
Locate a large enough area for the drone to take flight without colliding with anything in its path.
Beware of entanglements:
Keep an eye out for flying the drone too close to roofs or trees, where it might get stuck.
Practice makes perfect:
Start with short drone flights before attempting longer journeys.
Plan flight time:
Charging a drone battery typically takes about an hour, and the actual flight time is short, usually around 10 minutes. So, that’s perfectly normal.
And there you have it, folks! The ultimate guide to picking out the best drone for kids. Here’s to happy flying, and may your kid’s adventures soar as high as the skies they conquer!
See Also:
- Best Recreational Drones
- DJI FPV Goggles V1 vs V2
- DJI Mavic Air 2 Vs DJI Mini 3 Pro Specs
- DJI FPV Controller 1 vs 2
- DJI Avata vs DJI Air 2s Specs
- DJI O2 vs O3
- DJI Integra vs Goggles 2 vs V2
- DJI Tello vs DJI Tello Edu Specs
- DJI GO 4 vs DJI Fly vs DJI GO
- Fastest Drone with Camera
- Drone That Follows You
- FIMI X8 SE 2022 V2 vs DJI Mini 3 Pro
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