Editor’s Note – This list of the best drone for kids was updated on March 31, 2023, to add newly listed products and improve content relevance and usefulness.
In the past, purchasing a drone for kids would have seemed like a far-fetched idea. Toy companies made a few attempts at creating flying toys, one of them being those tiny toy helicopters that were chaos. Recently, toy and tech companies have developed and designed a wide range of drones available to everyone, including your kids.
Spacekey FPV
This remote control is pretty sweet! You can attach your phone to it, letting you watch your flight path and easily navigate. The removable battery gives you 7-8 minutes of uninterrupted flying time. And get this – it can fly up to 260-320 feet high.
Our Top Picks
Rules and Regulations for Flying a Drone
Flying a drone is pretty straightforward when it comes to rules and regulations. The only time things get more complicated is if you’re using your drone for commercial purposes or if it weighs over 55 pounds.
Here are the basic rules to follow when flying your drone.
The rules mentioned above are mostly general, such as being considerate of others and mindful of potential hazards in your surroundings. However, it’s important to note and follow your state’s specific laws regarding drone usage.
A Word On Safety
Designated “no-fly zones” are areas where you cannot lawfully fly your drone. Your flying could interfere with the activities in your surrounding area and could be dangerous for all those involved.
Below we have listed a few no-fly zones:
– Airspace (Within 5 miles of an airport)
– Land owned by the National Park Service
– High-security areas, such as military bases, the White House, and so forth
– Marine protection areas
– Anywhere with a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
If you are wondering about a permit for your drone for kids, you won’t need one for the drones on our list. However, simply follow local laws and regulations to avoid trouble with the authorities.
Types of Drones for Kids
There are several different types of drones for kids, each with unique features and capabilities. Some of the most popular types of drones for kids include:
- Mini Drones: These small, lightweight drones are easy to control and perfect for indoor use. They often have LED lights and can perform fun tricks and stunts.
- Camera Drones: These drones have high-quality cameras that allow kids to capture aerial photos and videos. They are ideal for older kids who are interested in photography and videography.
- Racing Drones: These are fast, agile drones designed for competitive racing. They often come with the first-person view (FPV) technology that allows kids to see what the drone sees in real-time.
Overall, the type of drone best for a child will depend on their age, interests, and skill level. It is important for parents to carefully consider these factors when choosing a drone for their child.
Are There Any Developmental Benefits to Drones?
Drones offer a variety of benefits for kids, both in terms of their personal development and educational pursuits. Here are some of the key benefits of drones for kids:
- Enhancing Creativity: Drones can inspire creativity and imagination in kids. They can experiment with different flight patterns, angles, and perspectives to capture unique images and videos.
- Developing STEM Skills: Drones offer a hands-on way for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They can learn about aerodynamics, coding, and electronics as they build and operate their drones.
- Improving Hand-Eye Coordination: Flying a drone requires hand-eye coordination and motor skills, which can be improved with practice. This can also help kids develop spatial awareness and balance.
- Promoting Outdoor Activities: Drones can encourage kids to spend more time outdoors and explore their surroundings. This can lead to a greater appreciation for nature and physical activity.
- Inspiring Future Career Paths: Learning about drones can open up new career paths for kids in engineering, aviation, and photography.
Drones can provide a fun and educational experience while promoting valuable skills and interests. Parents need to supervise their child’s drone usage and ensure they follow safety guidelines.
How Does a Drone Work?
You can think of a drone for kids as multiple parts that work together to make the whole. There are about six main components that allow the drone to function. These components create lift. Lift is essentially the drone creating a force greater than gravity to be able to ascend. To descend, the drone creates a force lesser than gravity.
Do You Need Adventure Ideas for Your Drone?
When it comes to drones, the possibilities are endless! If you’re starting with a basic drone that doesn’t have a camera, you can try racing games or create your obstacle course to practice your flying skills. You can also bring your drone along for family hikes or beach trips. Don’t forget about those family vacations, either!
For older kids interested in photography, you might consider getting a more advanced drone with a camera and video capabilities. Aerial photography can give you a fresh perspective and capture amazing action shots. Just imagine how cool it would be to capture footage of someone skiing, skateboarding, or biking from above! And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even fly your drone over water to capture boats or water sports. The sky is truly the limit!
A Backyard Drone Obstacle Guide
A cool idea for you and your kids to try with your drone is a backyard obstacle course! It’s a great way for kids to learn to make the most of their drone’s abilities. You can either purchase a pre-made obstacle course or create your custom course.
If you’re feeling handy, you can get some PVC pipe from the hardware store to create obstacles or make shapes to fly your drone around. The possibilities are endless! You can set up stand-up hoops for the drone to fly through, cones in different shapes to follow like a car on a racecourse, or anything else you can come up with.
There are two great reasons to set up an obstacle course. Firstly, it’s a fantastic way to improve your drone flying skills by practicing maneuvering your drone left, right, up, and down in a low-pressure environment. And secondly, it’s just plain fun! You can time each other’s runs through the obstacle course and get creative with the obstacles. It’s a great activity for the whole family to enjoy!
Things You Can Use In Your Course:
Scavenger Hunt
Hide small objects around your backyard or a nearby park and use the drone to search for them from above. See who can find all the objects the fastest!
Nature Exploration
Take your drone to a nearby park or hiking trail and explore nature from a new perspective. Fly your drone over lakes, rivers, and forests to see what you can discover.
Create a Music Video
Use your drone to film a music video for your favorite song. Get creative with your shots and angles to make an awesome video you can share with friends and family!
Drone Racing
Create a fun racing course in your backyard and see who can complete it the fastest. Please make it a competition and award prizes to the winner!
Ultimate Guide to Buying Drones for Kids: Everything You Need to Know
Drones have become increasingly popular with kids of all ages. They offer a fun and unique way for children to explore and learn about the world around them. If you’re considering buying a drone for your child, there are several factors to consider.
Age Appropriateness
The first thing to consider when buying a drone for your child is age appropriateness. Different drones have different age recommendations, so choosing a drone suitable for your child’s age and skill level is important.
You need to ensure they target the drone toward your kid’s age. Drones made for kids have the following features that can make them very easy to fly.
Safety Features
Another crucial consideration is safety features. You want to ensure that the drone you buy has features like propeller guards and a sturdy frame to prevent damage to the drone or harm to your child or others. Also, look for drones with an auto-landing and auto-return feature so your child doesn’t lose the drone if they fly it out of range.
Durability and Build Quality
When buying a drone for kids, choosing one that’s durable and well-built is important. Kids are bound to crash the drone a few times while learning to fly it, so you want to ensure it can withstand a few knocks without breaking.
Flight Time
Flight time is another important consideration. Some drones have a longer battery life than others, so you want to choose one that offers a reasonable amount of flying time.
Camera Quality
If your child is interested in photography or videography, you may want to consider a drone with a camera. The camera quality is an important factor to consider. Look for drones with high-definition cameras and other features like image stabilization for smoother video footage.
Ease of Use
Make sure the drone you choose is easy for your child to use. Some drones have remote controllers that may be too complicated for younger children, while others may have smartphone apps that make them easier to control.
Price
Finally, price is a crucial factor to consider when buying a drone for kids. Drones come at various prices, so budgeting before shopping is important. Remember that cheaper drones may have fewer features, while more expensive drones may offer more advanced features.
Durability
The best drone for kids can handle a few accidental hits without breaking. A key feature to look out for is blade guards, which prevent the blades from breaking if they bump into something. It’s also a great idea to check if the kid’s drone has extra blades, as bumps and accidents are inevitable for a first-time pilot. Another feature to watch is if the drone’s propellers stop moving automatically when it flies into something.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Easiest Drone to Fly?
All the drones on this list are easy to fly. They have simple controls, and a few have features that help you with take-off, landing, and stability. If we had to pick one, it’d probably be the Potensic A20 because of its easy-to-understand instructions, simple-to-use remote control, and three-speed levels. It is a breeze to use.
Are the Less Expensive Cheap Drones Any Good?
Budget-friendly drones can be a tremendous amount of fun. They are less expensive because they are smaller, have lower-quality video resolution and transmission, less advanced software, and are less costly materials.
However, with less expensive drones, you still get many benefits as they are effortless to fly, are much safer, and don’t have to worry about regulations and the added cost of permits. Budget-friendly drones are perfect for kids and adults who want an introduction to drones.
How Do You Fly a Drone for the First Time?
It differs from one model to the next. It’s always a good idea to read the instructions carefully. Keep the drone low to the ground and close to you until you get used to the controls. If you lose control, you can land it immediately with minimal damage. Many drones have one-key take-off and landing, which is very useful.
Update History
- 31/03/2023 – Updated listed products and added additional supplementary content to improve the usefulness for readers.