Drones can be very entertaining and educational STEM-focused toys that will keep your kids active and playing outside. Drones can also be expensive, have a steep learning curve, and come with some serious safety guidelines that always need to be followed. We analyzed dozens of options on the market and spoke to two experts to find the best options. Here are the best drones for kids. The DJI Mini kit includes an app that provides tips, lessons, comprehensive tutorials, and access to an engaging flight school. The app also allows you to select from a number of preset types of photo shots and has an easy-to-use editing feature. The drone comes with its own remote, but there is an option to add a smartphone as a remote to access additional features. Price at time of publication: $299 This drone is best suited for indoor use only, as it is very sensitive to winds. While this may be a dealbreaker for some, setting up an indoor space for young pilots (a playroom, bedroom, etc.) can help create a safe area for your kiddo to play and have fun. Price at time of publication: $50 This drone includes a set of first-person view (FPV) goggles that allow the pilot to see what the drone sees and give them the experience of sitting in the drone’s cockpit. Keep in mind, however, that beginner pilots should get comfortable with the remote control before wearing the goggles. This drone is best for indoor use only. The main drawback is the short flight time and lack of backup batteries, so it might be a good idea to purchase additional batteries to extend playtime. Price at time of publication: $156 We love that it comes with three batteries, so while each lasts about 7 minutes on a full charge, it’s easy to swap them out and continue flying. A low battery alarm on the remote gives you some warning, so playtime isn’t abruptly cut short. This is an indoor-only drone without a camera, so it’s recommended for the younger set, but the added features and tricks ensure it’s still fun for older kids. Price at time of publication: $37 One unique feature of this drone is that it doesn’t have a remote control, so pilots will need to use a smartphone as the remote and download the Tello app to fly the drone. From a STEM learning perspective, this drone is a great teaching tool. The Tello app supports the kid-friendly programming language known as Scratch. Within the app, teens use Scratch to move coding blocks which then command the drone to perform all types of movements and tricks. Beyond coding, there are challenging leveled games that teach programming skills and utilize the drone’s full capability. The kit includes the aircraft, two sets of four propellers, propeller guards, a charging hub, and three rechargeable batteries. Price at time of publication: $149 This high-tech drone doesn’t have a remote, so a smartphone with the AirSelfie app is necessary to fly the drone. The app is pretty intuitive and has both manual and auto-fly modes. Keep in mind that this drone isn’t really made for tricks, so if your kid wants to expand their trick skills, you may want to consider a different choice. Unlike other options on our list, the battery is not removable, so when it’s time to recharge, the entire drone is out of commission while it charges. Price at time of publication: $160 For young photography or video aficionados, the D20 is equipped with a high-definition Wi-Fi camera that gives them first-person view (FPV) of what the drone sees via the DEERC app on their smartphones. In addition, the camera can recognize hand commands when taking selfies, such as the “V” signal to start shooting video or a palm in front of the camera to take a photo. The app also enables the user to dictate voice commands or create flight courses that the drone will then follow on its own. The kit includes the drone and controller, two rechargeable batteries, four extra propellers and guards, and a charging cable. Price at time of publication: $60 The Snaptain Mini also has many of the same features seen in larger drones, such as altitude hold (to hover in place), headless mode (which allows the drone to go in any direction regardless of where the front is), a 3D flip function, three speeds, and one-key return. In addition to the drone and remote control, the set includes three rechargeable batteries, four replacement propellers, and charging cables. Price at time of publication: $32 The drone is also equipped with LED lights that make it especially fun to play with at night. One major downside to this fun little toy is that flight time is only 5 minutes, and the battery can’t be replaced, but it will take you only 45 minutes to charge it up again. Price at time of publication: $25 When flying, this drone can go up to a distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and reach speeds of up to 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph). Where it really wows is the flight time—pilots will get over 35 minutes of flying time with one charge. This is a major upgrade from many other (and less expensive) drones. Besides being able to fly fast and far, it’s extremely wind resistant (level 8, for winds up to 46 miles per hour). The camera is also quite impressive, with 3D digital zoom and 4K video capabilities. In addition to the remote control, users can download the app to access additional features and control the drone via Wi-Fi. GPS real-time tracking rounds up this very complete drone. Price at time of publication: $494
Battery
Look for drones with “a battery life of 10 minutes or more,” says Samik Ghosh, sales expert in the aerial department of B&H Photo and Video. Battery life that’s too short will severely limit your flying ability and will not be much fun for the drone pilot. Many, like the Holy Stone Beginners Quadcopter, come with multiple rechargeable batteries, so a quick swap is easy to execute.
Remote control
Ghosh advises parents who are buying drones for young kids to “look for a dedicated remote controller with a stop button.” For younger kids, it’s much easier to stay focused with a remote control that is made solely for the drone. More advanced drones may connect or rely on a smartphone for access. Smartphone connections are less precise, can be an interface they need to learn, rely on Wi-Fi, and may be an overall distraction.
Camera
A camera is not necessary to have fun with a drone, but it’s a feature many kids enjoy, especially the older set. For most drones, adding a camera will increase the price and complexity of flying. In the interest of cost savings and safety, it may be best to purchase an initial drone without a camera; you can always upgrade if your kid excels and enjoys flying.
Safety features
“We recommend propeller guards to everyone with their first drone. Once they get used to flying and are confident enough to fly following all safety rules, they might fly a drone without propeller guards,” says Ghosh. Additionally, Sergei Manevich, owner and drone expert at ArenaSTEM, advises parents to be careful with long hair and drones. “Kids with long hair can get their hair stuck in the propeller if they get too close, so a guard can help prevent that and is recommended,” he says.
How We Selected the Best Drones for Kids
To select the best drones for kids, we researched dozens of beginner drones available on the market and selected those that offer the best value, are easy to fly, provide fun features, and have a good range and battery life. We also spoke to two recreational drone experts who provided us with insights and product recommendations, Sergei Manevich, owner and drone expert at ArenaSTEM, and Samik Ghosh, sales expert in the aerial department of B&H Photo and Video. If your little one is dying to play with a drone, you can always start them off with a basic model that will teach them the basics of flying, such as the Force 1 Cosmo Indoor Drone or the HASAKEE Q9 Drone. Keep in mind that children should always have adult supervision when flying drones, especially outdoors.
Fly only for recreational purposes.Keep your drone within the visual line of sight.Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.Keep your drone below 400 feet above the ground (this is called uncontrolled airspace).Avoid flying your drone near airports; even at ground level, these areas are considered “controlled airspace.” Other government facilities and sensitive areas may also be off-limits. Be sure to check the FAA’s B4UFLY app for interactive maps of controlled airspace areas and additional resources.
The FAA also requires that recreational flyers complete an aeronautical knowledge and safety test that can be taken online. Drones designed to be flown outdoors will list their wind resistance level on a scale between 1 and 12, with level 1 indicating wind speeds of 1-3 miles per hour and 12 reaching speeds greater than 73 miles per hour. Range is another important factor to consider and refers to the maximum distance at which the controller will be able to communicate with the drone. Although the range may be listed as hundreds of feet, keep in mind that the FAA recommends that recreational flyers maintain a “visual line of sight,” which means that you should always be able to see your drone when flying.
Why Trust Very Well Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 12-year-old son, a 9-year-old son, and a 5-year-old daughter. Her oldest son had a very low-quality drone go missing over a fence at a big field many years ago, and she wants to make sure your child doesn’t go through the same frustrating experience. She routinely researches toys and products for the family, always looking for the best value and quality.
