You’re slowly exploring the never-before-seen world of drones. They’re new, they’re ingenious, and they offer pictures and
videos as you’ve never seen them before. Here at 10beasts, we’re all about finding the next top drone cameras and tech-savvy tips for you.
That’s why we want to help you in your hunt for the best drone for kids available today. Since you’ve become such a fan of viewing the world in a whole new drone-magnified way, you’ve probably noticed that your son or daughter has also started to pay attention.
That’s no surprise, really. You’re passionate about drones, and your newfound passion has piqued your children’s interest. Lucky for you, drones have piqued our interest as well. We’ve rounded up the 10 best drones for kids.
From the best all-around drone to the best drone available for your child’s age (between 6 and 13 years), we’ve got you covered. Read more to find out which is the best drone for kids.
We also have categorized them in a price range for you: under 100 USD, under 200 USD, under 300 USD and under 500 USD.
Contents
- Kids’ Drones Reviews
- 1. Hand-Operated Drone For Kids Scoot Helicopter (Best Drone for Younger Kids)
- 2. Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone Easy To Fly (Best Drone for Ages 6+)
- 3. Dwi Dowellin Mini Drone Crash Proof RC (Best Drones for Ages 7+)
- 4. Holy Stone Mini Drone For Kids And Beginners (Best Drone for Kids Age 8+)
- 5. UFO Mini Drones For Kids – UFO 3000 LED (Best Drone for Ages 9+)
- 6. SNAPTAIN S5C WiFi FPV Drone With 720P HD Camera (Best Drone Ages 10+)
- 7. DROCON Ninja Foldable Drone For Kids And Beginners (Best Drone for Ages 11+)
- 8. DBPOWER U845 UFO Drone For Kids With Camera (Best Drone for Ages 9-12)
- 9. SGOTA RC Drone With Dual 720P HD 2mp Cameras (Best Quadcopter for Kids)
- 10. Drone with 1080P HD Camera For Kids And Adults (Best for Supervised Ages 12+)
- Buying Guide
- FAA Registration Rules
- Conclusion
Kids’ Drones Reviews
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 drones we recommend for kids in 2019. It’s not in order from best to least, but runs from younger ages to older ages.
Last update on 2019-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Hand-Operated Drone For Kids Scoot Helicopter (Best Drone for Younger Kids)
As you’re looking through drones, you might get frustrated with all of the remote and phone requirements. Isn’t there a simple toy drone for young kids so they can feel like they’re getting in on the drone action? Something with a simple remote option for kids?
How about no remote? This drone-line helicopter toy, which has the memorable name “Scoot”, is perfect for younger children (think ages 3+), but it can even be a fun gift for older kids. While it’s not necessarily as interactive as the picture-snapping drones we’re used to seeing, this drone-like toy is a great secondary option for kids too young to handle complex remotes.
Actually, it’s so simple all they’d need is their hand to get it going. With a light toss in the air, this cute toy can fly around with hand guidance for about eight minutes. It has a shorter charging time than most flying toys and drones (usually less than an hour) and it is durable and safe for smaller hands.
As a quick warning, this is an inside toy. Taking it outside could result in the toy drone rising out of reach and far away. Keeping it inside is completely safe and recommended, and so long as your excited younger child isn’t leaping off couches to catch it, you’ll have no issue with Scoot.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know:
- Recommended age: While the manufacturer suggests ages 8 and older play with this fun hands-free toy drone, it’s a lot of fun for kids younger and older, and even adults.
- Weight: 5 ounces (0.31 lb)
- Registration not required: Since it is under 0.55 lb, this doesn’t require any registration with the FAA, which means no extra $5 fee.
- No camera: This toy is best for younger children and does not have a camera as most drones do. This toy is like training wheels for a more typical drone.
- Control: This toy is hand-launched and controlled. If it begins to drift towards you, all you need to do is waft your hand towards it, almost like you’re underwater and it’ll float toward you. Or hover your hand nearby and it will respond this way. Once you’re done flying it, simply reach out and grab it from midair.
- Flight time: After getting a full charge, it is supposed to fly for about 8 minutes on average. However, many buyers have said that it lasts more around 5 or 6 minutes.
- Main highlight: Hands-tree/No remote
This toy can be exciting and surreal for younger kids, but there are some pros and cons associated with it. According to the mostly-positive reviews it’s been getting on Amazon, here’s what you need to know:
- Great for younger children
- Lights up and holds interest
- Has several colors
- Surprisingly durable
- Lots of good reviews for good reason
- Even adults like these
- Decent flight time on average
- Actually works
- Customer service responds well
- Screwed into the packaging and can be a little difficult to get out
- Occasionally rises to the ceiling and doesn’t come down until the battery drains
- Sometimes the battery life doesn’t last long
- Appears flimsy or cheap
- Can be broken in certain circumstances
- Shorter children sometimes barely get to play with it before it flies out of reach
2. Potensic Upgraded A20 Mini Drone Easy To Fly (Best Drone for Ages 6+)
If you’re looking for a simplified drone which your child can get the hang of in a matter of minutes and which has a good warranty, we’ve got you covered.
The Potensic A20 Mini-Drone (Upgraded) is a fun, colorful option with a very simple remote control and obviously drone-like propellers, which tend to mesmerize kids. It’s easily portable, can be maneuvered very easily, and has two batteries for twice-as-long flight time.
If your son or daughter is interested in a simple drone with no confusing camera or fancy buttons to worry about, this is a great drone for a great price on Amazon.
The need-to-knows include:
- Recommended age: The manufacturer suggests users ages 8 and up, although it is extremely easy to explain the controls to children 6 or so years old. This is a great starting option for kids who are interested in drones but not naturally tech-savvy.
- Weight: 6.7 oz (0.42 lb)
- Registration not required: Since it is under 0.55 lb, this doesn’t require any registration with the FAA, which means no extra $5 fee.
- No camera: No camera is included with this simplified drone option for children.
- Control: The remote control for this drone has four controls: 1) the launch and land button, 2) the left control toggle, 3) the right control toggle, 4) the on/off power button. Easy controls make for a smooth, fun experience for children who don’t want to memorize buttons for a new toy.
- Flight time: About 5 minutes or so. It also charges quickly, usually taking around 45 minutes to fully charge before being ready to fly once more. This is great for younger kids who don’t want to wait an hour to an hour and a half.
- Main highlight: Simple controls + Safe battery for kids
It also has other attractive features. Here’s the breakdown:
- 2 detachable batteries
- 3 different speed settings for a customizable experience
- Agile maneuverability
- Simplified controller
- Quick charge
- Portable (around the width of an iPhone 5) and lightweight
- 12-month warranty
- Safe battery slot for child protection
While this is a great starting drone for many children, here are some pros and cons which some past customers have reviewed online:
- Easy to control
- Altitude lock works
- Durable
- Fun, palm-sized toy
- Kids really enjoy it
- Great price
- Easy to get it flying right away
- It’s a smaller toy which can be broken
- Not great for outdoors
- Drifts without control sometimes
- Difficulty charging
If this simplified drone toy is looking like a win for your daughter or son, go for it. If it seems like a good choice, but you’d like to find one with a camera or cooler design, we have several more options for you to look over.
3. Dwi Dowellin Mini Drone Crash Proof RC (Best Drones for Ages 7+)
If you’re worried about your child’s piloting skills due to their young age, this drone is a great fit. Not only does it have crash-proof guards around the propellers, but it also has a quality warranty and money-back guarantee.
If your younger child wouldn’t be completely happy with a hovering drone-like toy, this one is really a tiny, camera-less drone with an easy-to-use remote control and sleek, mature design. It is a mini drone, which means it’s pretty small compared to regular drones, but it’s actually proportionally appropriate for smaller kids.
While it might take a couple of supervised test runs and a couple of repeated instructions about which button is the “takeoff” one, this drone is definitely an exciting toy for younger kids and will make them feel like they’re all grown-up.
Here are some of the need-to-knows:
- Recommended age: While the manufacturer suggests ages 14 and up, this drone is protected and relatively safe for children ages 6 or 7+. It depends partially on whether or not the child is the careful type or if they need something more durable.
- Weight: 0.64 ounces (0.04 lb)
- Registration not required: Since it is under 0.55 lb, this doesn’t require any registration with the FAA, which means no extra $5 fee.
- No camera: This one does not have a camera. It’s a fun option for younger children because it looks like a drone and flies like a drone, and it even has fun lights that can turn on, but it’s convenient because it leaves out complications which cameras or phone connections and screens might cause.
- Control: The remote control which comes with the Dwi Dowellin Mini Drone is one that might need a little bit of instruction for younger practice pilots. It has a convenient one-button takeoff and landing button, and it has general toggle speed control and right/left side tuning controls, which take a tiny bit of practice to manage. That is part of the fun for many children, as it presents an achievable challenge.
- Flight time: After getting a full charge, it is supposed to fly for about 10 minutes, but many have found that it lasts closer to 5 or 6 minutes.
- Main highlight: Crash-free/No screen
With a design similar to “grown-up” drones, many younger children enjoy feeling mature enough to pilot their own little drone. However, keep in mind that this is a little more complicated than the previous option and the individual child’s personality should be taken into consideration when deciding if this is a good fit.
Some main features include:
- Grown-up drone design for younger kids
- No screen/no camera complications
- No registration with FAA required
- Miniature design
- Remote-controlled
- Comes with a carrying case
- Altitude Hold allows the drone to hover in place at a certain point
- One key used for takeoff and landing the toy
- Quality warranty
- Money-back guarantee
- Extra battery included
- Fun lights
- 360-degree rolls and turns
- Positive reviews
While this is a great toy, it does have a couple of pros and cons to consider overall. Here are some which previous customers have mentioned:
- Easy to maneuver
- Pretty sturdy mini-drone
- Children enjoy it a lot, even younger ones
- Pretty reliable
- Easy to control
- >Withstands crashes
- Considerably tiny
- Can need frequent resetting after “failed” flights (crashing)
- Short flight time
- Replacing the battery can be difficult
4. Holy Stone Mini Drone For Kids And Beginners (Best Drone for Kids Age 8+)
For the price and the overall product quality, this fourth option is excellent for kids who are interested in drones, but don’t necessarily need the protective, crash-proof, and circular design of Option #3.
This mini-drone is perfect for taking on trips or using in houses. It has three batteries for extended flight time, easy instructions, and great protection. While it’s not as advanced as some of the later drones in this list, it’s great for ages 8+.
Furthermore, this miniature drone can fit in the palm of your hand (perfect for smaller 8-year-olds) and has some fantastic reviews. It’s tons of fun, plus the remote control is remarkably easy to use. With a solid design and extended flight times, your child will have lots of opportunities to experience the thrill of drone piloting at a beginner stage.
Here’s a quick breakdown for you:
- Recommended age: The recommended age for this drone is 14 and up, but it’s actually super easy to use and is perfect for children ages 8+.
- Weight: 1.6 ounces (0.1 lb)
- Registration not required: Since it is under 0.55 lb, this doesn’t require any registration with the FAA, which means no extra $5 fee.
- No camera: This mini-drone doesn’t have a camera built-in or included. The bells and whistles mainly consist of 360-degree turns, the easy-to-use remote, and great control.
- Control: The remote control comes with eight buttons and toggles total, made up of the power button, the launch/land button, the elevation toggle, the direction toggle, the 360-degree turn button, and a couple of other general function controls. It is extremely easy to get the hang of for younger children after a couple of practices.
- Flight time: Flight time is estimated to be about 7 minutes, and that’s after a charge time of 40-60 minutes.
- Main highlight: Easy remote/Extendable flight time
Some of the key features of this product include the following:
- Auto hovering
- 3 batteries for up to 21 minutes of flight time
- Easy-to-understand, functional remote
- Miniature size for children
- Portable design
- Propeller protection + extra propellers (just in case)
- 3D-flip enabled
- Emergency stop, altitude hold, and headless mode included
- One-button launch/land command
- Low battery alarm
- 3 speed settings for better control
- Great reviews
Although the product is still slowly gaining attention, several reviews and high praises have been given to this mini blue drone. Some of the points they make throughout these reviews include these:
- Easy to use
- Nice that it has three batteries
- Chargers are convenient
- Great product
- Not “too fast”, great for younger kids
- Durable
- Customer service seems on top of things
- None
So far, no cons have made the review list on Amazon, and this mini-drone comes at a convenient, affordable cost for a child’s happiness.
5. UFO Mini Drones For Kids – UFO 3000 LED (Best Drone for Ages 9+)
Some kids are more interested in sleek-looking drones than others. Some drones come chic, shiny, and with complex-looking remotes, and others are simplified and fun for kids. This drone is a great in-between mix for kids who are interested in drones that can do stunts.
Equipped with LED lights and a 360-degree flip button, this drone is easy to get the hang of and comes with some fantastic features (such as the altitude hold or headless mode). From bright lights, which create “glow trails” at night, to a video-game-like controller, which is easy to get the hang of, your child will enjoy this interesting option.
You can find some great reviews for this drone, as well as plenty of questions answered about it. Curious about the details? Here are the specs:
- Recommended age: The manufacturer suggests ages 14 and up, but the UFO 3000 LED Mini Drone is propeller-protected and relatively safe for children ages 8 or 9+.
- Weight: 12.8 ounces (0.8 lb)
- Registration required: Since this drone is over 0.55 lb, FAA requires that it be registered with them, which means a $5 fee (which covers 3 years.) We’ll go over this some more later on in the article, as any drone over 0.55 requires FAA registration.
- No camera: With 360-degree flips, engaging light trails and design, and a fun, easy remote, you can understand why this drone didn’t need a camera added on to all of its features and selling points.
- Control: The remote control has several controls and toggles, which might be a little confusing for younger children at the forefront, but can be easily learned. The toggles do have interesting tips, but kids seem to enjoy the design
- Flight time: After getting a full charge (which generally takes 70-85 minutes), this drone is meant to fly for 7-9 minutes.
- Main highlight: LED lights/Easy to use
You can expect lots of time spent flying this drone around either inside or outside, and particularly in the dark where the glow trails following the UFO drone will be a huge hit.
Some of the other features this affordable drone have to offer are:
- Small, portable design
- LED lights leaving glow trails in the dark
- 1-key start/stop option
- Unique toggle design
- 2 mini drone batteries included for extra flight time
- 360-degree mini flip button
- Altitude hold for better control
- Headless mode orientation
- Spare propellers included
- Great reviews
- Indoor & outdoor flight options
- Requires FAA registration ($5 covers 3 years)
Overall, this drone is an excellent option for kids interested primarily in the flight capacities of drones. While it comes with lots of bells and whistles, this specific option might not be for everyone. Here are the common pros and cons listed by actual buyers over the last few years:
- Great quality build for a mini drone, well-protected
- Customer service responds quickly
- Good for beginners
- Children really like this indoors and out
- Good price for what you get
- Looks cool at night
- Lots of fun
- Occasionally breaks after a couple tries
- Contacting the manufacturer doesn’t always work
- Not the best durability/occasional malfunctions with product
Generally speaking, customer service seemed to be attentive to any breakages or issues with this drone. However, a couple of reviewers did state that they were difficult to get ahold of and the problem was not resolved.
6. SNAPTAIN S5C WiFi FPV Drone With 720P HD Camera (Best Drone Ages 10+)
A lot of the best drones for kids listed above are fairly simple and tons of fun, but they do all miss one thing: a camera. If your child is mainly interested in drones for photography purposes or because they want to capture a fantastic, high-quality video, this is the drone you’ve been waiting for.
With voice control, an excellent camera, a great price, and one-key takeoff, it’s no wonder this drone by Snaptain is so popular. The voice control allows younger children to tell the drone what he or she wants, which is a huge selling point for many people, as it eliminates the complications which remotes, apps, and phones can cause.
Interested in the specs? Here they are:
- Recommended age: The manufacturer actually suggests that this high-quality drone’s recommended user be ages 10+.
- Weight: 24.8 oz (1.55 lb)
- Registration required: Since this drone is over 0.55 lb, FAA requires that it be registered with them, which means a $5 fee (which covers 3 years.)
- Camera: The camera included on this bad boy is a 60-degree wide-angle camera with a capacity of 720P in HD quality, plus it can be connected to a VR (virtual reality) headset and can be connected to a smartphone with its real-time transmission FPV system.
- Control: This drone can be connected to smartphones through the Snaptain Era App, which allows gravity control, 3D VR connection, voice controls (perfect for younger kids), and trajectory flight, which allows you to draw out the path of the drone ahead of time. It also comes with a simpler drone controller, which can be connected to smartphones for instant video or pictures.
- Flight time: The battery included allows for up to 10 minutes of flight time, although that generally lasts 7 minutes. Charge time varies to around 1 hour.
- Main highlight: Great camera/Easy controls
This drone is quite a technological step forward and comes with more options and controls than the previous best drones we have listed for kids. While it might seem overwhelmingly awesome, here are some of the main highlights to keep in mind:
- 60-degree Wide-angle 720P HD Camera
- Compatible with smartphones and has its own app
- Trajectory control enabled flight planning
- Voice controls (perfect for younger kids)
- Easy-to-use remote with 1-button launch/land and controls
- Fantastic Reviews
- VR-headset connectable
- Video transmission up to 262 feet away
- Extra battery
- Extra propellers
- G-sensor option for smartphone control
- Altitude hold + headless mode
- Propeller guards and extra propellers included
- 3 speed modes available
While the reviews for this top-selling drone have been mainly very positive, there are a few key points several past customers have made that we’d like to briefly go over here:
- Perfect for beginners
- Great quality
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive for quality you get
- Lightweight
- Great control
- Customer service is easy to work with
- Lots of bells and whistles
- Quick to get started with
- Can take time for kids to get the hang of
- Occasionally flies out of the control area and will continue flying away
- Emergency land button sometimes doesn’t work
- The Snaptain Era app doesn’t work with all phones
- Controls can be finicky
While this is the 100% responsive, high-tech drone with flawless images some customers wish for, it’s also in a budget-friendly price range for the quality and many features you’re buying, and it’s perfect for younger children just getting started in their interest in photography and videography.
With practice and some general care, this drone is the perfect match for many 10-year-olds interested in drones, and it just might be a fun drone for adults, too.
7. DROCON Ninja Foldable Drone For Kids And Beginners (Best Drone for Ages 11+)
This quality drone comes at a recognizably great price for the quality of camera it has and the convenient, foldable design it boasts. Convenient for packing away and using to take pictures during a camping trip, or simply folding up to store in a tidy space, this is a durable drone comes with a camera children will enjoy practicing with.
This drone has been optimized for convenient control to make the beginning easier for any drone pilot just branching into a new hobby. Check out some of its basic rundown:
- Recommended age: While the recommended age bracket is 14+, this drone is easy to get the hang of for kids 11+ and the controls are straightforward.
- Weight: 17.6 oz (1.1 lb)
- Registration required: Since this drone is over 0.55 lb, FAA requires that it be registered with them, which means a $5 fee (which covers 3 years.)
- Camera: This camera is a 120-degree adjustable 720P HD camera with a wide-angle lense.
- Control: This drone can be connected to smartphones and controlled through an app via Wi-Fi, or it can be controlled using the remote control, which is easy-to-understand. The toggles for the altitude and directions are similar to that of Option #5.
- Flight time: The manufacturer says the flight time is generally 5-7 minutes and it will vary, while charge time is generally close to 60 minutes.
- Main highlight: Foldable design/Great practice drone
Key features include:
- Wide-lense 120-degree 720P HD camera for panoramic views
- App and remote control options
- Altitude hold option for more control
- One-key launch and return
- Simple controls
- 3D-flips enabled
- 12-month warranty
- Collapsible design
- Gravity Sensor
Mainly, this drone has pretty high reviews as a beginner’s photography drone, but it’s not without its imperfections. Here are the pros and cons we’ve rounded up from reviewers on Amazon.com:
- 12-month warranty
- Customer service was easy to work with
- Great beginner drone
- Fantastic price
- Great transmission
- Great images
- Kids love it
- Doesn’t always do great in the wind
- Can break in certain circumstances
- Propellers can break sometimes
- Can be confusing for children too little
- Instructions aren’t always clear
8. DBPOWER U845 UFO Drone For Kids With Camera (Best Drone for Ages 9-12)
If you’re looking for a unique and fun drone for your child who wants to explore your new passion, try out this UFO-style drone. Besides boasting some pretty fun features (camera included), the design of this particular drone is fun and can capture the interest of any age.
This drone looks like a UFO. It has six red propellers and a fancy metal cap on top. Also, it comes with an extra battery and is marketed towards kids. Besides being overall fun, you can take some decent pictures with its HD camera.
Here are some basics to keep in mind with the DBPower U845 UFO Drone:
- Recommended age: While the recommended age bracket is 14+, this drone is easy to get the hang of for kids 9+ and the design is entertaining for everyone.
- Weight: 14.1 oz (0.88 lb)
- Registration required: Since this drone is over 0.55 lb, FAA requires that it be registered with them, which means a $5 fee (which covers 3 years.)
- Camera: This UFO-like drone does come with an HD camera, which can be connected to smartphones and can be a lot of fun, although the image quality isn’t as sharp as that of Options #8 or #9.
- Control: This drone can be connected to smartphones and also controlled with the gamer-like controller with it comes. If you fly it within 30 meters, the range is good enough for FPV transmission (closing other apps on your phone while running this is most effective).
- Flight time: The battery will let a flight last around 7 minutes, and since it comes with an extra battery you can swap in, the run time can be extended to 14 minutes.
- Main highlight: Unique UFO design/Simple HD camera
Here are some features to look over when considering this UFO Drone:
- Unique UFO design
- HD Camera with FPV real-time transmission within 30 meters
- Headless mode enabled
- App control option for ease
- Extra battery included for lengthened flying time
- Low power alarm
- Phone holder included
- Easy-to-use controller
- Great reviews
Here’s what many of the reviewers have noticed:
- Fantastic price
- Lightweight
- Easy to control
- Great for beginners
- Customer service is good
- Fun for any age
- Good controller
- Kids really like this design
- Phone controls aren’t very easy
- No “hover only” button
- Description on Amazon can be confusing
- Battery life isn’t what was expected
- Takes some getting used to
9. SGOTA RC Drone With Dual 720P HD 2mp Cameras (Best Quadcopter for Kids)
This sleek quadcopter/drone has a 720-pixel camera and plenty of 5-star reviews. It also has 360-degree rolling turns and a durable frame. With this high-resolution camera, you can fly for up to 10 minutes, capturing footage and pictures like never before. Children just branching into their new hobby of photography will be thrilled by a quadcopter like this.
With a similar price range to Option #6 and a black, modern look, this drone actually comes with two cameras and lots of pairing options. Here are the basics:
- Recommended age: The manufacturer recommends ages 14-18 get started with this quadcopter, but it is easy for younger kids to pick up on the controls and many features this SGOTA RC drone/quadcopter has.
- Weight: 21.6 oz (1.25 lb)
- Registration required: Since this product is over 0.55 lb, FAA requires that it be registered with them, which means a $5 fee (which covers 3 years.)
- Camera: There are two cameras included with this drone. One is at the front and another is centered below the drone for unique, picturesque perspectives. Each camera is a 720P HD quality camera. The quadcopter can also be connected to 3D-VR headsets.
- Control: This drone comes with a small remote and is mainly controlled via smartphone. It also comes with “Follow Me Mode”, a great and entertaining option for younger children who love it when the drone follows and records them.
- Flight time: The battery charge time is around 90 minutes, while flight time is generally 10, depending on wind conditions or recording.
- Main highlight: Two cameras/Follow Me Mode
Here are some key features to take into consideration for this unique quadcopter:
- Two 720P HD cameras for alternate perspectives
- Follow Me Mode
- Air pressure/altitude hold
- Headless mode
- Automatic return button
- Two speed modes available and LED lights included
- Fantastic reviews
- Collapsible
- Sleek design
This quadcopter has wonderful reviews on Amazon.com and actually has yet to receive a negative rating. The mentions of both good and bad qualities have been summarized for you below:
- Plenty of functions
- Steady flight
- Easy instructions and setup
- Great starter drone for kids
- Great customer service with SGOTA
- Collapsibility is convenient and portable
- Extra batteries available for purchase
- Easy to operate
- Smaller than expected
- Battery life doesn’t always last
- Doesn’t fly perfect in the wind
10. Drone with 1080P HD Camera For Kids And Adults (Best for Supervised Ages 12+)
This is an excellent option for kids wanting to get into drones for the long run. It has 14-minutes of flight time and a 1080p HD camera. This is perfect for the starting photographer. Not only does the longer flight time give your child more time to take exquisite videos and pictures of the outside world, but it offers higher resolution than many other drones in this price range.
Speaking of which, the price range is what many customers are pleased with. This drone has managed mainly 5-star reviews and comes with many features and great camera quality.
Here’s the breakdown so you can see why it’s so popular:
- Recommended age: The manufacturer recommends ages 14+ for this product, but it is definitely something that can be fun for 12+ (with supervision recommended).
- Weight: 19.36 oz (1.21 lb)
- Registration required: Since this product is over 0.55 lb, FAA requires that it be registered with them, which means a $5 fee (which covers 3 years.)
- Camera: The camera on this bad boy is particularly good, offering 1080P HD perfection to get your child into quality photographs early-on. It can also flip and roll for unique videos and entertaining flights.
- Control: This drone comes with a very simplified remote and also can be controlled in several ways on a smartphone, such as trajectory-planned, gravity-sensor mode, and even voice control for younger kids to try commanding this awesome drone.
- Flight time: The battery charge time varies, as it comes with two batteries, which can be swapped around for longer flights (14-minutes per battery on average).
- Main highlight: Fantastic camera/Easy controls for beginners
This drone has several features that are sure to capture the interest of a child getting into photography or who is interested in exploring the world from above. Here’s a list of several selling points you could pitch to him or her:
- 1020P HD camera
- WiFi FVP transmission
- Great video/picture quality
- Longer flight time (extra battery)
- Foldable for portable convenience
- Voice commands optional
- Easy-to-use remote and app options
- High-quality build
- Altitude hold mode
- Headless mode
- 360-degree flips, rolls, and turns for entertaining videos
- Great reviews
- Speed adjustment and one-key launch/land button
While this is the ultimate beginner’s drone for pictures, you might think there have to be at least a few cons. Actually, reviewers have only left positive 4- and 5-star reviews for this great drone, and their children have enjoyed it immensely. However, here are some honorable mentions for cons, along with several pros:
- Great price
- App works well
- Battery life is good
- Range is good
- Phenomenal design and quality
- Super fun, especially for kids
- Good camera
- High quality and durable at a good price range
- Good for adults and kids
- 10-minute assembly
- Doesn’t fold again unless you disassemble it a little bit
- Videos and pictures aren’t as sharp as some drones just over this price range
Buying Guide
Which drone you should purchase for your child depends on his or her age and also their main interest in it. For example, if your 6-year old wants a “flying toy” like you have, Option #3 (the Scoot helicopter) is probably the best fit.
However, if you’re looking for one that will help your 12-year-old get started into a new and probably long-lasting hobby of photography, videography, and drone-flying, then Options #7 or #9 would be perfect.
Here are some general things to take into account when looking at purchasing a drone for your child:
Price
You buy what you pay for. While there can be some excellent deals on high-quality drones, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when a $15 or $20 drone doesn’t function perfectly after a while of flying or crashing it. Some of the more pricey options on this list are perfect for kids because while you’re not spending a fortune, you are ensuring that their mini aircraft will keep flying a little longer.
Durability
Most of the drones on our Top 10 list have propeller protectors or a design meant to protect the propellers from damage. Some have propeller replacements. A couple have slightly more fragile, intricate bodies and others have bulkier ones. If your child is younger and really just getting started, the bulkier bodies tend to be a little more durable.
Camera & Camera Quality
If your own passion for drone photography is what is inspiring your son or daughter to take up the practice, pick one of the options that have a nice, 720p-camera and convenient access to the pictures and videos they will take. If your child isn’t worried about pictures so much as they are about flying a cool object, a camera should take the backseat in your decision.
Your Child
Each child is different, and some might do better with fragile drones than others. Your 6-year-old might be better paired with the SGOTA RC Drone, or maybe your 11-year-old needs something easy to maneuver with a particularly durable design.
Age
Even if your 6-or-7-year-old is extremely responsible, you may want to get one of the drones with lights or a UFO design, which they’ll find more fun due to their age. Whatever drone they choose, or if you’re choosing a drone with them, make sure it’s one they’ll enjoy for a couple of years.
Weight
This is a relevant factor since nowadays any drone over 0.55 pounds in weight needs to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. Generally, the charge is pretty low, but that’s still something to take into account.
FAA Registration Rules
The Federal Aviation Administration (or FAA) now requires any unmanned aircraft to be registered with them in order to fly. Not abiding by this law can result in fines and other undesirable penalties.
No need to worry. Registering any drone over 0.55 pounds and under 55 pounds is actually extremely easy. The fee is $5 for three years for any drone and can be quickly taken care of online at FAADroneZone.
You’ll need to create an account with them, but otherwise, the process of registering a drone with the FAA has been streamlined and made convenient for the influx of interest drones have gotten over the last couple of years.
Conclusion
Whether you’re buying this drone for a child who has a budding love of photography, or a smaller toddler who wants to have the same kind of toy his parent does, these are the best options to get started.
Once again, keeping track of the weight of the drones you purchase is important and can be penalized by the FFA if it’s not taken into account and registered accordingly. The nice thing about this law is the controlled airspace it gives and the cheap $5 fee for three years, whether the drone is being used for recreation, business, commercial use, etc.
Three more things to take into account when you’re getting a drone for your child may include the following:
1. It’s a way to bond
When you’re outside or inside testing your drone, practicing with it, or using it for business purposes, your child will probably want to join you. That’s sometimes convenient and sometimes it’s not, but you should fly your drones (or drone-like toys) together sometimes. This creates a bonding experience and allows him or her to see that you recognize their interests.
2. It can become a lucrative hobby in his or her future
While it may seem like a simple toy or Christmas present, getting one of these 10 best drones for kids could be what sparks the interest in photography or videography, which leads your child to pursue a future in this field. Flying drones commercially and within businesses is a growing practice and could actually become lucrative for them. Furthermore, getting into videography or film-making with experience with drones can be a step forward for your daughter or son.
3. Sometimes it’s simply a great experience
If your child gets tired of the drone after a seemingly short time, that’s not necessarily negative. They tried it out. They did or didn’t like it, and now that they’ve experienced this hobby, they’ll know it’s for them or not. Whatever the end comes to, owning a drone or a drone-like toy can be a fun and interesting hobby for little ones to experience, and it can even open new doors for them.
Whether you’re trying out one of the simpler, camera-less drones to give your child a feel for piloting these machines, or whether you’re trying out a little drone and you want to get your child one as well so you can have drone races, these drones are definitely some of the top 10 best drones for kids available right now.
Last update on 2019-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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