The Best Binoculars for Kids

Gary B.

UPDATED May 14, 2019
in Learning & STEM toys

Best Overall

Living Squad
Kids Binoculars

Do you have a backyard explorer or small sleuthing spy on your hands? If so, then there’s no better gift to give them than a pair of kid-sized binoculars. We’ve got 10 of the best pint-sized distant-viewing optical instruments you can imagine! Read along for a closer look at these depth-defying eyepieces!

Our Top Picks

How to Pick the Best Binoculars for Kids

1. Recommended Age

Recommended Age: It’s important to take your child’s age into consideration when purchasing them binoculars. For one, it is important to choose glasses that are durable enough to withstand the brutish force of a vibrant youngster. It’s also important that the binoculars have integrated safety features, like breakaway lanyard straps, padded eyepieces, and unbreakable lenses. Keep in mind that little ones are easily frustrated by complicated focus dials. What’s more, they don’t demand the same magnification intensity as older children do.

2. Magnification

Young children are typically wowed by minute magnification. Binoculars that double, triple, or even quadruple their view are enough to make the world around them seem literally larger than life. Meanwhile, older children may wish for viewing finders with an adjustable long-distant focus.

3. Durability

Keep an eye out for field-ready child-sized binoculars. Ask yourself, will these eyepieces hold up to countless inevitable drops? Are they easy to clutch? Can they withstand moisture and grit? While we don’t expect toy binoculars to test high on the Ingress Progress rating chart, we do expect them to be built for the great outdoors (or, at the least, the backyard).

4. Carrying Case

A great way to keep your binoculars in good working condition is to store them in a carrying case when they aren’t in use. As such, we are more than happy to give bonus points to any product that comes with a predesignated carrying case or storage pouch!

5. Neck Strap

Obviously ,budding outdoor explorers need their hands free for collecting specimens and taking field notes. A handy-dandy neck strap is all your little one needs to keep their long-distance sightseers with them at all times. Of course, it’s super important that the neck strap feature a detachable safety lanyard.

6.Color

See near and far in style! Child-sized binoculars come in hundreds of different colorways. Why not choose one that fits your little one’s personality or is at least the color of week?

The Winners

Living Squad Kids Binoculars

Editor's Choice

With thousands of binoculars to choose from, there’s a reason the Living Squad Kids Binoculars are our editor’s choice. With high-quality optics and solid long-distance magnification, these binoculars make splendid bird-watching and all-around sight-scouting sessions a surefire hit. Images are crisp, colorful, and easy to focus. What’s more, these incredible spectacles are easy to hold, safe to drape around your neck, and durable enough to withstand multiple falls. Did we mention they come with a lifetime guarantee?! There are few better ways to enjoy nature’s splendors than staring it down, and these bad boys are here to help!

Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Magnification: Eight-times
Durability: Shock-proof, lifetime warranty
Carrying Case: Yes
Neck Strap: 2-foot nylon strap
Color: Blue/black, green/blue, pink/blue, or black

Nikon Prostaff Binocular

Upgrade Choice

Here’s where we separate the toys from the machines. The Nikon Prostaff Binocular are the real deal when it comes to long-distance sightseeing. These powerful magnifiers are the perfect gift for your soon-to-be eagle scout. Nikon has used the same scientifically proven optical lenses they boast in their renowned camera systems, making for a crisp, clear image with minimal loss of light. While you’ll need to make a sizable investment if you want to get your hands on these incredible viewfinders, the rubber armor guarantees them for several years of extreme outdoor use.

You'll love:
Phase-correction prism technology
Multilayered coated lenses
Turn-and-slide rubber eye cups
Adjustable bridge
Rubber-coated
Extreme magnification
Watch for: Pricey

Recommended Age: 12 years and older
Magnification: 8-by-30
Durability: Rubber-armored body waterproof, fog-proof
Carrying Case: No
Neck Strap: No
Color: Black

BESPIN Binoculars Reversible

Best for bird watching

Robins, crows, and chickadees, oh my! This lovely pair of child-sized binoculars comes with a double-sided bird identification map. If you have any chance of marking off even a small fraction of the 583 North American birds listed, the BESPIN Binoculars Reversible are your ticket to success. Not only are these incredible binoculars coated in a shock- and kid-resistant rubber coating, but they offer crisp optics of far-off sights. Don’t let low-light prevent you from peaking in the forest’s shadowy skyscape, the Bespin’s feature light-pending prism technology that will outperform any run-of-the-mill flashlight.

You'll love:
Strong magnified optics
Comes with two-sided bird map
Shock-proof rubber coating
Comes with two-sided bird map
Adjustable focus
Prism technology

Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Magnification: Eight-times
Durability: Shock-proof rubber armor
Carrying Case: Yes
Neck Strap: Yes
Color: Light blue

Little Experimenter Night Vision

Best night vision binoculars

Is there a cooler way to beat a fear of darkness than with night-vision binoculars? The Little Experimenter Night Vision Binoculars is a grippy rubber-lined sight finders designed for stubby toddler and preschooler hands. Not to mention, they’re durable enough to withstand the countless inevitable blunders at the hands of your surely busy child. Enable your little one to follow you into the light and dark by providing them with tools they need to succeed. Catch a glimpse of nighttime magic with these one-of-a-kind binoculars.

You'll love:
Two-times magnification in dark conditions
Built-in flashlight
Easy to hold
Rubber-lined view finder
Watch for: Requires batteries

Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Magnification: Two-times
Suitable for outdoors
Carrying Case: No
Neck Strap: Detachable lanyard
Color: Light blue, yellow, and white

Educational Geosafari Jr. Kidnoculars

Best for toddlers

Looking for a kid-proof viewfinder that your little one can take to the play yard? The Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Kidnoculars have earned our hard-to-sell toddler seal of approval for their extra-large eyepiece and focus-free optics. While the double magnification won’t blow your school-ager out of the water, it’s all it takes to get a load of heart-melting oohs and ahhs out of your teetering toddler.

You'll love:
Extra-large padded eyepiece
Focus-free optics
Double magnification for close-up sightseeing
Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers
Snap-release neck band

Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Magnification: Two-times
Durability: Suitable for Outdoors
Carrying Case: No
Neck Strap: Snap-off
Color: Blue, green, purple,and orange

Kidwinz Shock Proof 8x21

Does your rug rat have a knack for backyard birding? If so, these high-resolution Kidwinz Shock Proof 8×21 Kids Binoculars offer an amazing view of feathery fowls. They’re also conveniently shock-proof, meaning they can withstand quite a hefty amount of abuse. With gentle rubber eyecups and an adjustable bridge, these will please the most fickle of children. Heck, these even come with a carry case, neck strap, cleaning cloth, and operations manual! Not to mention, they’re covered by a 1-year warranty. Throw in a copy of the Guide to North American Birds, and your young conservationist will be on cloud nine.

You'll love:
Adjustable width
Child-friendly focus dial
Shock-proof rubber coating
1-year warranty
Strong magnification
Case, strap, and cleaning cloth included

Recommended Age: 3 years and up
Magnification: 8-by-21
Durability: Shock-proof
Carrying Case: Included
Neck Strap: 2-foot canvas strap
Color: Green and blue

Kids Binoculars,Cobiz

Looking for extreme optics that won’t overpower your explorative youngin’? The Cobiz 10×25 Kids Binoculars offer a detailed view with a range of 380 to 1,000 feet. They even feature a seven-layer prism that enables little ones to sightsee in low-light conditions. With a fine-tuned adjustable focus, your child will never miss out on the opportunity to see long-distance sports plays or spot elusive wildlife. The sky isn’t even off-limit with these long-distance viewfinders!

You'll love:
10-time magnification
Fully adjustable focus
Fold into a compact bundle
Come with a neck strap and cleaning cloth
Features prism technology
Watch for: Dial is easily knocked out of focus

Recommended Age: 4 years and up
Magnification: 10-by-25
Durability: Suitable for outdoors
Carrying Case: Not included
Neck Strap: Adjustable canvas
Color: Black and white

HABA Terra Kids Binoculars

Foster exploration and learning with these handy outdoor exploring tools! They may be toys, but the HABA binoculars provide enough magnification for your little one to hone in on long-distance sights. Not only that, but HABA Terra Kids Binocular’s breakaway lanyard and comfortable eyepiece makes these mom-approved masterpieces some of our go-to sight finders for scouts and other outdoor enthusiasts.

You'll love:
Moderate optics
Can take drops
Neoprene case and shoulder strap included
Comes with knowledge card

Recommended Age: 5 years and up
Magnification: Four times
Durability: Suitable for outdoors
Carrying Case: Neoprene carrying case with carbineer
Neck Strap: Snap-off neck strap
Color: Green, black, and orange

Fisher Price Kid Tough Binoculars

Preschoolers have a habit of lugging their belongings around with them everywhere they go. Since binoculars are an obvious and thrilling accessory choice for any adventure-bound little one, parents will be glad to learn that the Fisher Price Kid Tough Binoculars are virtually indestructible. Not only that, but they have softly padded eyepieces and an adjustable bridge that help keep complaints down to a bare minimum. While these glasses don’t offer over-the-top magnification, they certainly spark the imagination!

You'll love:
Minimal magnification for younger children
Adjustable width
Rubber bumpers to protect from falls
Safety lanyard
Playful colorway
Watch for: Poor focus wheel

Recommended Age: 36 months to 8 years
Magnification: 2.4-times
Durability: Rubberized lens guard bumpers
Carrying Case: No
Neck Strap: Detachable lanyard
Color: White, orange, and green

#10

Bresser BlueCabi Binoculars

Need to purchase more than one pair of binoculars? If so, the Bresser BlueCabi Binoculars come in three different unique colorways. In addition to attractive and distinguishable exteriors, these glasses provide solid magnification at long distances. Not to mention, a nylon neck strap and buttery soft rubber coating make them a great choice for sensory challenged kids.

You'll love:
6-by-21 magnification
Shock-proof
Comes in multiple color combinations
Rubber-coated
Nylon strap and carrying case included
Watch for: Finnicky focus wheel

Recommended Age: 36 months to 15 years
Magnification: 6-by-21
Durability: Shock-proof
Carrying Case: Included
Neck Strap: Nylon, included
Color: Red/black, blue/black, or purple/black

FAQs: All you need to know

Q How are binoculars’ magnifications rated?

A Binocular specs are often written in two number equations. For example, 8×25 or 10×50. The first number represents the binoculars’ magnification, while the second number represents the lens’s diameter. The bigger the magnification, the farther away you can see. The bigger the lens diameter, the more light that can enters the optics.

Q What does shock-proof mean in terms of binoculars?

A Shock-proof binoculars can withstand falls. This is important because kids will be kids, and binoculars are typically used in rough conditions. As such, shock-proof is the magic word when it comes to binocular durability!

Q Why do some binoculars have prisms?

A Prisms are often integrated into a binocular’s lenses in order to improve the quality of the image without having to increase the size of the device. Prisms have a seemingly magic ability to flip an inverted image so that it appears as it would in everyday life.

DIY, Craft and Décor: Ideas for BINOCULAR LOVER KIDS

Recycled Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

It just so happens that you can make anything out of recycled toilet paper rolls. Well, maybe not anything… Nevertheless, check out how adorable Buggy and Budy’s cloud-watching toilet paper roll binoculars are! Talk about the perfect craft for a celestial-driven toddler!

Paper Plate Safari Hats

There’s no better accessory to cap off an exploring session than with a safari hat. Widget Worm posted a super easy D.I.Y. safari cap made with paper plates and bowls. Move over Indiana Jones!

Nature scavenger hunt

Mom Blogger, Cathy, posted a printable nature scavenger hunt that’s perfect for pairing with children’s binoculars. This clever list will grab your little one’s attention while having them search high and low for nature’s splendors!

Quick Decision

Living Squad Kids Binoculars– Best Overall
The lovely comfortable eyepieces, and a lifetime warranty, you can’t go wrong with our editor’s choice.

Nikon Prostaff Binocular – Upgrade Choice
Of course, mom, dad, and big brother can all appreciate the impressive sightseeing power which have landed a well-earned place as our top upgrade option

BESPIN Binoculars Reversible – Best Budget Buy
For a budget-friendly pair of binoculars for your budding explorer.

Gary B.

Gary is a father of two, self-identified RC fanboy, and part-time guitar plucker. When he's not racing his collection of remote-controlled vehicles or strumming away, we bend his arm and get him to write with precision and expertise on a range of mechanical and electrical toys.

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