Best Telescope for Kids – Full Reviews

If your kids have taken a liking to astronomy, then the best way to foster or support an interest is to purchase a telescope for your kids. But, if you’re not familiar with telescopes, this can be an intimidating process. The technical jargon takes some time to learn, and this can make research a frustrating process for many people.

If you’re interested in something more advanced, check out these telescopes for viewing planets and deep space objects. Otherwise, let’s look at some of the top telescopes out there for children.

Best Telescopes for Kids

Luckily, telescopes are more affordable now than ever before, and kid’s telescopes are geared towards simplicity.

Many of the telescopes on our list are ready to use straight out of the box, and some have plenty of accessories to keep your kids entertained. Let’s take a closer look at seven of the best kids telescopes on the market today.

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Celestron Astromaster 130EQ

Aperture: 114mm | Focal Length: 1000mm | Focal Ratio: f/8.7

The Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope has a lot of features that may deter parents of younger potential astronomers. However, it’s designed to be friendly for kids, and it’s a great place to start for a newbie.

A good example of this is the “Star Pointer” – this is a red dot in the telescope that helps the new astronomer to find objects in the sky. The knob has notches that are clearly marked to track the movements of stars in the night sky.

This telescope is compatible with the “Starry Night” software, so the learning can continue at any time after packing the scope away. This program can be used on a smartphone or computer, and it presents over 10,000 celestial objects that you and your kids can find and observe together.

The included tripod is a great tool for adjusting the viewing angles to find distant constellations and follow stars as the Earth moves. Astrophotography is also possible if you order this telescope with an optional smartphone mounting system.

The Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope includes two eyepieces 10mm and 20mm with a magnification of 6x and 33x.

These are used to control the quality and image depth, and they are of a good quality for this type of product. This is a good starting telescope that’s a step up from some of the telescopes aimed at younger kids on our list.

This telescope could be used by slightly older beginners, and it would offer enough for intermediate users too. However, this telescope is user friendly, meaning that younger kids will still find this easy to use.

Pros

• The knobs are fully adjustable, which can come in handy for young astronomers.
• The “Star Pointer” is easy to use, and it comes with multiple eyepieces you can use too.
• This telescope is compatible with the “Starry Night” software.

Cons

• This is not a great option if you want to view deep celestial objects.

Verdict

If you want a telescope for older kids and teenagers, then this is a good starting point. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best option for this price range, and it’ll give you an idea of whether it’s a hobby your kids want to pursue long-term.

Newtonian reflectors usually offer great ‘bang for your buck’, with the 130EQ being a great example of a powerful yet cheap telescope at an affordable price.

Meade Infinity 70mm

Aperture: 70mm | Focal Length: 700mm | Focal Ratio: f/10

The Meade Instruments Infinity 70mm Refractor Telescope has a 70mm aperture that’s ideal for viewing celestial and terrestrial objects.

So, if your child is an aspiring astronomer or ornithological enthusiast, this telescope can fit the bill. There are three broad magnification eyepieces; they are: low, medium, and high.

These offer a nice focal range for beginners, but the included Barlow lens can double the magnification on each eyepiece for even greater clarity at impressive ranges. A red dot viewfinder is provided for more accurate tracking over longer distances.

This telescope is supplied with an Altazimuth mount to connect to any tripod system. This mount is a fantastic addition because the controls are fully adjustable for those slow motion tracking tasks when you need to capture an eclipse.

This is the largest telescope in the Infinity lineup, and as you might expect, it offers the clearest images. Of course, this makes this telescope the most expensive in the range too, but this offers good value for money.

The Meade Instruments Infinity 70 Refractor Telescope is a good instrument, and it offers a great deal of clarity for a relatively small investment. The design is aimed at slightly older kids than some of the other telescopes on our list.

Younger children that are especially mature for their age may be able to use this telescope with a few minor issues. But, it’s important to note that there are a number of smaller components that could represent a choking hazard for little ones.

Pros

• The 70mm aperture should give you enough power to get started with, and you’ll have an impressive range with the three eyepieces that offer a lot of versatility.
• The red dot viewfinder is a great way to track objects in the night sky, which is always one of the most crucial parts to think about when you’re just getting started.
• This beginner telescope has enough quality to give you sharp images of planets and stars, which is all most people want from a child’s telescope.

Cons

• The smaller components make this unsuitable for very young children.
• The focal ratio means that this telescope is great for getting images of the moon, but not ideal if you want a wide field of view.

Verdict

This is a durable telescope that can be used for anything from earth viewing to checking out the lunar surface of the Sun – it has clear optics and is a safe choice for the entire family.

Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Stargazer

This is a bright and colorful telescope that ideal for kids that like to work things out on their own. The telescope is comprised of adjustable sections that are interchangeable, and they can be swapped out to carry out different types of stargazing.

This may sound overly complex, but this telescope is actually pretty simple in practice. There are scopes, lenses, filters, and tripods to experiment with as the child finds the right pieces to achieve their goal.

The stand out feature of the Nancy B telescope is called the “Moonscope” which has a pair of 2mm and 20mm eyepieces and two magnification settings 18x and 90x.

This is a great way to look at the moon, and your child can zoom right in on the lunar craters. Even on an overcast night, a kid can set up their telescope and scan the skies like a true astronomer and select their best settings.

The Nancy B telescope has some other notable features that kids will love. A special filter can be placed on the lens if those celestial objects are too bright to view with the naked eye. The power levels can be viewed with a simple LED light system.

There’s even a 22 page journal that kids can use to record their observations, compare lunar phase, and learn more about astronomy.

This is a great first telescope for any child, the format places them in the driving seat, and they can experiment as they watch the night skies.

Pros

• This telescope has a simple design with plenty of viewing options.
• There is a decent range of magnification, which is down to the additional accessories that come with the telescope.
• This is more of a toy telescope than a professional one, which means you can set it up and be using it within minutes.

Cons

• Only predetermined magnifications can be used as it doesn’t come with an additional Barlow, which is one of the best accessories you can invest in.

Verdict

This is listed as ideal for 8-11 year olds, but it actually suits children much younger than that (3+). If you have a young child this may suit, but the other telescopes I’ve listed are more comprehensive and offer a better experience.

Celestron 22030 Travel Scope

Aperture: 80mm | Focal Length: 400mm | Focal Ratio: f/5

As the name suggests, the Celestron 22030 Travel Scope is designed for kids that are always on the go. This is a very travel friendly optical device that measures in at only 22” x 13” in size.

This makes the telescope lightweight and portable, and to reinforce this functionality, Celestron includes a hand backpack to store all the components. Kids will like this telescope because it’s tailored to their height, and parents may also enjoy this product because it has a laser star finder and precise controls.

This telescope has two eyepieces 10mm and 20 mm that are interchangeable to provide varying depths of field and magnification levels, and can help your kids learn how to use a low powered eyepiece properly.

An adjustable tripod is provided that can be used in two different ways, it can be a taller freestanding mount, or you can use the compact base to mount the telescope on a desk or table.

The Celestron 22030 Travel Scope has very precise panhandle controls with left/right and up/down movements for accurate observations. It’s an ideal choice if you’re searching for something lightweight enough to take away with you on camping trips, as it’s simple enough to set it up and then pack it away when you’re done.

As a light, flexible, and portable little telescope, the Celestron 22030 Travel Scope is an optical instrument that the entire family can use and enjoy.

But, it is primarily designed for kids, and in that role, it excels because it’s fun and easy to use. Celestron has packed in enough functionality to make this telescope a good purchase that will grow with the child as they learn more.

Pros

• The precision controls are extremely accurate.
• A smartphone adapter is included for astrophotography enthusiasts.
• The two eyepieces proved excellent levels of magnification.

Cons

• The image quality could be improved compared to other telescopes on our list.
• The tripod can be unstable if it’s not positioned on a level surface.

Verdict

This Celestron model is one of my favorite telescopes, because it’s very easy to get started using it without a lot of effort setting it up. It will be a bit advanced for younger kids, but older kids and teens will appreciate its power, making it one of the top picks for any young astronomer.

Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ

Aperture: 70mm | Focal Length: 900mm | Focal Ratio: f/13

The Celestron Astromaster 70AZ is a great telescope for looking at the night sky and terrestrial objects during the day. The internal glass mirrors have an aluminum and Si02 coating provides very clear magnification.

The telescope comes with a pair of eyepieces that are easy to switch between to get the best view depending on the viewing distance that you need. The eyepieces are 10mm and 20mm, providing 70x and 35x magnification, respectively.

This telescope comes with a durable steel tripod that feels safe and stable. It has non-slip feet which do a good job at anchoring the tripod to the ground and absorbing vibrations.

When the tripod is set up, there is a handy base tray to hold the eyepieces or other small parts that you may need. The tripod is pre-assembled and ready to use straight out of the box, and it’s to set up for viewing.

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is not a good telescope for younger children. This is a more serious instrument that’s well suited elementary or perhaps middle school kids that are just getting interested in astronomy or upgrading from a more basic telescope.

This telescope has the perfect mix of simplicity for kids in those age groups, and it provides crystal clear images.

Setting up the 9mm or 20mm eyepiece to observe the night skies is simple, and if they want to watch something else, they can use the Barlow lens. Every kid likes to take pictures and videos, and they can connect their favorite device to the included smartphone mount.

Having all this stuff straight out of the box is fantastic, but it may seem a little intimidating for the new astronomer.

However, this shouldn’t be a concern; the Solomark Telescope for Kids is a ready to grab and use immediately. All of the extra parts are optional extras that your kid can start to use when they become more comfortable with the telescope.

The best way to approach the Solomark Telescope for Kids is to consider it as a simple and yet versatile telescope that can grow with your child. Even a toddler can use the basic telescope straight out of the box, but an older child or perhaps even a teenager will get a lot of use out of those accessories later.

This is a great little telescope that kids in a wide age band will appreciate, and it’s fun for the entire family.

Pros

• This telescope works well with terrestrial and celestial viewing.
• There are strong magnification options available.

Cons

• Younger kids may find this telescope to be too complicated to use.
• This telescope is not very portable, meaning that it can be tough to pack up and it’s not easy to carry around with you.

Verdict

Another Celestron option, instead a Newtonian reflector as opposed to a refractor. This will give you a lot of aperture and capabilities to see far into the distance – it’s a good choice for observing planets and other celestial objects like the Orion Nebula.

Gskyer Telescope

Aperture: 70mm | Focal Length: 400mm | Focal Ratio: f/5.7

The Gskyer 70mm Compact Kids Telescope is a great product to introduce kids to astronomy. This refracting telescope can be set up and put away in around five minutes, and you simply point it at what you want to observe.

The telescope has a 400mm focal length with 25x and 10x magnification from the 10mm and 25mm lenses. A 3x Barlow lens is also included with magnifications of 30x and 100x, and if the 1.5x “Erecting Eyepiece” is used, the magnification is increased by 150%.

The larger objective lens is a full refractor telescope that provides astonishingly clear views of the moon and other objects in our solar system. With more experience, it’s even possible to view deep space objects such as binary star systems and the Orion Nebulae.

The eyepieces are a fantastic option for close object viewing during the day. These two features combined together make this a very versatile option for kids to view nature close up and very far away.

This may sound complex, but the Gskyer 70mm Compact Kids Telescope is ready to use within five minutes of opening the box. A full sized Aluminium tripod and accompanying Altazimuth Mount are provided with this telescope. This offers the user a number of different viewing options, and it can easily fold away into a traveling bag.

Pros

• This is a very versatile telescope for night and day use.
• This product is easy to set up and start using straight out of the box.
• The full sized aluminium tripod adds a great deal of value.

Cons

• This may be a little complex for very young kids.

Verdict

This refractor telescope is cheap and very portable, so you can easily take it with you anywhere and set it up quickly. A good choice for those brand new to astronomy. It’s a durable telescope that’s quick and easy to set up, and it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a children’s telescope.

ToyerBee Telescope

Aperture: 70mm | Focal Length: 300mm | Focal Ratio: f/4.3

The ToyerBee telescope comes with a lot of stuff, including the telescope, a tripod, a finder scope, a 3x Barlow lens, a sunshade, a smartphone adaptor, a 6mm and a 20mm eyepiece. All of the pieces combine together to give your child an effective and easy to use telescope.

Setting up the 6mm or 20mm eyepiece to observe the night skies is simple, and if they want to watch something else, they can use the Barlow lens. Every kid likes to take pictures and videos, and they can connect their favorite device to the included smartphone mount.

Having all this stuff straight out of the box is fantastic, but it may seem a little intimidating for the new astronomer. However, this shouldn’t be a concern; the ToyerBee Telescope is a ready to grab and use immediately. All of the extra parts are optional extras that your kid can start to use when they become more comfortable with the telescope.

The best way to approach the ToyerBee Telescope is to consider it as a simple and yet versatile telescope that can grow with your child. Even a toddler can use the basic telescope straight out of the box, but an older child or perhaps even a teenager will get a lot of use out of those accessories later.

When it comes to the best telescope for kids, most people are looking for something at a low price point that covers the basics well. This is a great little telescope that kids in a wide age band will appreciate, and it’s fun for the entire family.

Pros

• This telescope has decent optics that provide a bright and clear image.
• ToyerBee has packed a lot of accessories in this package.
• The included backpack is a great touch.

Cons

• There are many smaller parts; younger kids should play with the basic telescope until they get a little older.

Verdict

This isn’t one of the big name brands, but it comes with a ton of accessories which can help your kids get used to astronomy quickly. It’s another awesome choice if you have young kids looking to get into astronomy, as it can allow you to magnify objects and can be extremely useful for earth viewing.

Kids Telescope Buying Guide

A kid-friendly telescope is a great investment if your child has even a passing interest in astronomy. These optical instruments are geared towards beginners, so they don’t have a lot of technical controls to master. All the child has to do is point the telescope at an object and observe, and this makes it simple to operate.

Young stargazers need something simple enough to setup – otherwise, if it takes a long time to set the telescope up every time they use it, there’s a good chance they may lose interest in things pretty quickly.

These types of telescopes often have larger buttons that are easier to press and size appropriate tripods. Many of the telescopes on our list are available in bright colors, and some have accessories such as books, stickers, journals, and even backpacks that adds extra excitement. If you want to buy the best telescope for a child, there are a few things that you need to consider.

3 Types of Telescopes

There are three main types of domestic telescope on the market. They make up the best telescopes for kids, but they’re all slightly different in their design. Let’s run through them briefly to see why they might make a good choice, or why they may be something you want to avoid.

The Refractor Telescope

This is the most common type of telescope. It’s a long tube with an attached lens, and it could be mounted on a tripod if it’s a larger product. This can be used to view celestial objects, so you could use it for astronomy or ornithology.

With a refractor telescope, you generally sacrifice a high aperture in favor of a simple setup process and affordable cost. You’ll still have the ability to see brighter images, but with relatively low magnification in budget options, you’ll likely want to stick to wide field views.

One reason you may want to choose a refractor is that for children, they’re quick and easy to use. You don’t really need to worry about collimation with refractor telescopes, which makes them extremely child friendly.

Pros

• Refractors are usually the cheapest of the bunch, and they allow a good stargazing experience with very little upfront investment.
• A refractor telescope is easy to use with very little setup time, so they’re perfect if you’re looking for a travel telescope.
• They are versatile and tend to be good for use in any scenario, whether inside, outside or somewhere else.

Cons

• This type of telescope lacks the power to view very distant objects when buying a cheap version. You can get more powerful refractors, but you need a significant budget for this.

Overall, refractor telescopes can give you some great views of the night sky without having to go through a complicated setup and collimation process. You can usually get them at a pretty low price point, and they’re an ideal choice if you’re looking for something easily portable.

The Reflector Telescope

This type of telescope improves the quality and clarity of the image by reflecting it onto a mirror. This allows the user to see distant celestial objects that a refractor telescope simply cannot reach. But, there is a caveat; a reflector telescope cannot magnify terrestrial objects.

Reflectors can typically be bought for as little as a few hundred dollars. You can find refractors for this price, but they’ll come with a much lower aperture. You’re very unlikely to find a Cassegrain telescope as this kind of low cost, unless you find something secondhand online.

Some examples of reflector telescopes are Dobsonians and Newtonians, which are very common and often said to provide the best value for money overall. They’re perfect if you’re looking for a portable telescope to take on a camping trip with you.

Pros

• On an aperture to cost ratio, they usually give you the highest value for money.
• A reflector telescope provides high quality images, though they usually aren’t the first choice when it comes to astrophotography.
• This is a great option for stargazing if you’re just getting started with telescopes and aren’t exactly sure where to begin.

Cons

• It can take a while to collimate a reflector telescope before setup, which isn’t the case with a refractor.
• This style of telescope is generally better to get a narrow field of view, closely zoomed in on a planet or moon.

If you want a telescope with a large aperture, then a Dobsonian or Newtonian reflector telescope is likely going to be the right choice for you. They typically come with user friendly features, and though they can take a while to get used to, the additional power is often worth it.

The Compound Telescope (Catadioptric)

A compound telescope gives the user the best of reflector and refractor instrument. They are perfect for terrestrial viewing well because they have a combination of lenses and mirrors to create a sharp image.

But, these types of telescopes are designed for professionals; they are sensitive instruments and expensive. For this reason, compound telescopes are not suitable for younger kids.

Compound telescopes are also referred to as Catadioptric, or in some cases, hybrid telescopes. Because of their complexity, they’re a much more recent invention than both reflectors and refractors, with many intermediate and advanced astronomers preferring them.

They are very good for high magnification and planet spotting, though a larger aperture usually comes a higher price attached. Generally, because of their higher focal length, they have a more narrow field of view. This makes them perfect for planet spotting and exploring star clusters.

Pros

• They enable you to get high quality celestial and terrestrial images when you’re using it, on par with other telescope types.
• These are versatile telescopes, which combine the best of both worlds when it comes to finding outer space objects.

Cons

• They can be too complicated for most kids, which is why you’ll usually find them targeted at adults and more advanced users, as opposed to amateur astronomers.
• They’re an expensive option in comparison to both refractors and reflectors

One of our favorite options for space viewing, a solid compound telescope can be a great choice for the entire family. They do typically come at a premium cost, but it can be a small price to pay if you want clearer images of the night sky.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you don’t really need a professional grade telescope for a kid. That being said, the telescopes on our list can deliver great results, and they will certainly spark a child’s imagination. A kid’s telescope is an affordable way to gauge a child’s interest in an engrossing subject and have fun at the same time. This list of telescopes is aimed at younger kids though – if you have a teenager, you might be better off looking at a more powerful telescopes.

The accessories that come with the telescope can be tempting but consider what you really need first. A younger child probably just wants something they can point at distant objects and observe them. So, they won’t need a lot of extra stuff that would probably ignore anyway. However, more mature kids will appreciate accessories, such as star charts, viewing journals, stickers, and backpacks.

Three accessories that you should consider carefully are the Barlow lens, a good tripod, and a smartphone mount. The Barlow lens can double or triple the magnification of an attached eyepiece. A sturdy tripod is essential to create a stable viewing platform. A smartphone mount is the best way to carry out basic astrophotography. Finally, most kid-friendly telescopes have a one year warranty for peace of mind.