Kids can be especially awed by the power of a telescope. Instead of reading dry facts about space in their school textbooks, they can turn astronomy into a living subject right before their eyes! If you want to start or nurture your child’s interest in space, consider buying them a telescope. You don’t have to be a technical genius to shop around for the best telescopes for kids or cool astronomy gadgets. In fact, with this buying guide, ordering a children’s telescope will be a breeze. Let’s get started!
Types Of Telescopes
Before you can buy the perfect telescope, you’ll need to understand the different types. They’re usually broken down into three categories:
Refractor Telescopes
This is the most common kind of telescope. It’s basically a long tube attached to a lens, and it can be used for magnifying objects both in the sky and on the ground. If you’re looking for a telescope that you can use for birdwatching after your kid is done stargazing, you’ll want a refractor.
Pros:
– Affordable
– Easy to use
– Can be used for both space and earth objects
Cons:
– Not strong enough for very distant space objects
Reflector Telescopes
Reflector telescopes use a mirror instead of a lens. They offer great clarity and quality, and they can see distant objects much better than refractors, but the trade-off is that they aren’t ideal for earth viewing. They’re not as multipurpose as refractors.
Pros:
– Great for faint or distant objects
– High image quality
Cons:
– Not ideal for earth objects
Compound Telescopes
Also known as “catadioptric telescopes,” compound telescopes offer the best of both worlds. They can be used for both space and earth objects, and they offer sharp, clear images thanks to a dual combination of lenses and mirrors within their tubes. Their only downside is that their professional-level quality also comes with a professional-level price tag, and they might not be suitable for very young children.
Pros:
– Can be used for both space and earth objects
– Good image quality
Cons:
– Expensive
– Complex design
Telescope Basics
Now that you know the different types of telescopes and what they’re used for, let’s dive into the basics of telescope use.
Parts
Most amateur telescopes are built with the same parts:
– Optical tube. This is the biggest, most obvious part of a telescope. If it’s a refractor, it will have a lens; if it’s a reflector, it will have a mirror. Where it’s a compound, it will have both.
– Tripod. The tripod holds your telescope still. For kids, you’ll want an adjustable tripod that can accommodate their growing heights.
– Eyepiece. This is the part of the telescope that you actually use for viewing. Different eyepieces have different magnification capabilities, so a lot of telescopes will include multiple eyepieces that you can swap out.
– Finderscope. A finderscope is a mini-telescope attached to a bigger one. It’s an assistance tool that can help you line up your angles and eye lines properly.
Features
We could spend all day talking about the various functions and features of telescopes, but if you just want a quick rundown on the things that you’ll see mentioned with children’s telescopes, here are the three terms that you’ll want to know:
– Aperture. This refers to the size of the telescope’s mirror/lens. A bigger aperture will let in more light, so it will allow you to see more distant nighttime objects.
– Focal length. This describes the length between the telescope’s mirror/lens and the focal point of the optical tube. The bigger the focal length, the bigger that objects will appear in your eyepiece.
– Magnification. This is measured in units like 10x, 20x and 30x. As with aperture and focal length, bigger is usually better.
Best Telescopes For Kids Under 7
If your preschooler is showing an interest in space, you’ll want a simple, durable telescope that can be carried by small hands or adjusted for low eye lines. You don’t have to sacrifice things like magnification rate, but you can make sure that everything is accessible for your little one. Here are just a few telescopes for kids under seven!
Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club MoonScope and Star Gazer
This bright, colorful telescope is great for young children who like to do things on their own. It’s made with adjustable pieces that can be swapped out for different kinds of stargazing, but it’s straightforward enough that your child can take control of the lenses, filters, scopes and tripods.
The main draw of the Nancy B is its “moonscope.” It comes with two different eyepieces (4 mm and 20 mm) and two different magnification settings (18x and 90x) so that kids can zoom in on every lunar crater. Even on foggy nights, they’ll be able to fiddle with their telescope like a real astronomer and figure out the best settings for the job.
There are other things to like about the Nancy B as well. There’s a special filter that can be added to the lens if celestial objects are too bright for the naked eye, and little LED lights will keep you appraised of power levels. There’s even a 22-page activity journal where kids can draw, compare lunar phases, record their nighttime observations and learn fun facts about the stars.
Consider the Nancy B if you’re looking for a first-time telescope for hands-on learners. It will put your child into the driver’s seat as they explore the night sky and all of its wonders.
Pros:
– Adjustable lenses and eyepieces
– Good magnification range
– Simple, kid-friendly design
Cons:
– Can only be adjusted to predetermined magnifications
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Solomark Telescope for Kids
Unpacking the Solomark Telescope for Kids is a bit like unwrapping a present on Christmas morning. There are lots of goodies in the box:
– Telescope
– Backpack
– Tripod
– Sun shade
– 3x Barlow lens
– Finder scope
– 20mm eyepiece
– 9mm eyepiece
– Smartphone adapter
As for what your child can do with all of these pieces, it depends on their particular interests. For the kid that likes stargazing, it’s easy to set up the 9mm or 20mm eyepiece for nighttime observation. If they want to see animals on safari, they can use the Barlow lens to get up close and personal with a tiger’s stripes. If they like taking pictures and videos, they can hook up their camera to the smartphone mount. The sky is the limit with the Solomark Telescope for Kids!
You don’t have to be intimidated by all of these pieces, however. The Solomark Telescope for Kids is a “grab and go” product that can be used right out of the box; everything else is optional.
Consider the Solomark Telescope for Kids if you’re looking for a telescope that’s simple and versatile at the same time. Your toddlers can use its most basic form; your older kids and teenagers can add the accessories whenever they’re ready. It’s a telescope that can provide entertainment for the whole family.
Pros:
– Lots of add-ons
– Bright, clear optics
– Includes backpack for carrying all of its accessories
Cons:
– Many small parts
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Gskyer 70mm Aperture Astronomical Refracting Telescope
Gskyer is a well-known brand that helps tons of people dive head-first into the world of astronomy. This telescope model is a perfect example of Gskyer’s accessibility. The optical device is a beginner-friendly tool that anyone can use.
The coolest feature is the smartphone adapter. Astrophotography used to be a hobby that was out of reach for most. But with the included adapter, you can start snapping pictures to your heart’s content! It positions your phone’s camera to where your eye would be. That way, it can capture the light that’s filling the optical tube. It even comes with a wireless remote so that you can save pictures without ruining your telescope’s position.
Pros:
– 70mm aperture
– High-transmission lens coating
– Smartphone adapter and remote
– Includes multiple eyepieces and a Barlow lens
– All-in-one kit
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Emarth Refractor Telescope
Looking for a telescope that newbies can handle? Check out this model from Emarth! It’s a cost-efficient option that’s easy enough for kids to take advantage of. The telescope doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as some other models. But that’s what makes it so great.
It’s small, lightweight, and easy to carry anywhere. The device comes with everything you would need to start gazing up at the stars. For example, it comes with a tripod to get set up on a bumpy surface, multiple eyepieces to get focused, and a Barlow lens to magnify the image as much as possible. It has it all!
Pros:
– 70mm aperture
– Includes numerous magnification accessories
– Adjustable tripod
– Beginner-friendly design
– Compact and lightweight
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Best Telescopes For Kids Over 7
When your child is ready to graduate from toy telescopes to the real deal, they’ll need something with increased technological capabilities that’s still easy to operate for school-age children. Here are just a few suggestions for telescopes for kids over seven years old.
Celestron 31045 AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope
The Celestron AstroMaster has a lot of fancy features, but they aren’t prohibitive to young or inexperienced astronomers. For example, the scope has a red dot “StarPointer” to help you find objects in the night sky, and the knob that turns the telescope wheel is clearly marked with notches so that you can keep track of its movements.
The Celestron AstroMaster is also compatible with Starry Night software, so if you want to keep the learning going even after you’ve packed up the telescope, you can download the program on your phone or computer. It offers more than 10,000 celestial objects for you and your child to go through together.
Two eyepieces (10mm and 20mm) control image depth and quality. A tripod can be adjusted at multiple angles for following stars or finding constellations. If your child is interested in astrophotography, you can order the telescope with a smartphone mount.
All things considered, the Celestron AstroMaster is a good telescope for the intermediate crowd. It’s a step above the very simple telescope models that are meant for young children, but it still comes with user-friendly features that make it easy to stargaze.
Pros:
– 6x – 33x magnification
– Fully adjustable knobs and controls
– Compatible with Starry Night software
Cons:
– Not the best at viewing terrestrial objects
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments Infinity 102 Refractor Telescope
Offering a 102mm aperture, the Infinity 102 Telescope is ideal for zooming in on faraway objects. It doesn’t matter if you’re hoping to see the rings of Saturn or the speckled eggs of a bird’s nest; the Infinity 102 Telescope can get the job done.
Part of its power comes from the fact that it offers low, medium and high magnification eyepieces. You can also double the magnification of each eyepiece with the help of the included Barlow lens.
Another nice thing about the Infinity 102 Telescope is its altazimuth mount. It’s fully adjustable with panhandle controls and slow motion tracking so that you won’t miss a single moment of an eclipse.
The Infinity 102 Telescope is the largest and clearest telescope in the Infinity series made by Meade Instruments. If you’re going to buy one, get the best one!
Pros:
– 102mm aperture
– Three different eyepieces of various strengths
– Red dot viewfinder for tracking objects
Cons:
– Lots of fiddly parts that might be lost or swallowed by smaller children
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Celestron 22030 Travel Scope
Measuring just 22 x 13 inches, the Celestron 22030 Travel Scope lives up to its name as a travel-friendly telescope. Not only is it portable, flexible and lightweight, but it also comes with a backpack to store all of its parts when not in use.
Two eye pieces (10 mm and 20 mm) can be exchanged for different levels of depth and magnification. The adjustable tripod can be used as a tall freestanding mount or a compact base that sits atop a desk or picnic table. An erect image diagonal will make sure that everything looks good in your lens.
The Celestron 22030 Travel Scope is a telescope that will suit the whole family. Kids will appreciate the fact that it can be modified to fit their height; parents will love its laser starfinders and panhandle controls.
If you’re looking for a telescope that everyone can enjoy, the Celestron 22030 Travel Scope is here to answer your prayers. It might not be perfect, but it’ll let you observe every twinkling star in the galaxy, and that’s all that you can really ask of a telescope.
Pros:
– Strong magnification in multiple eyepieces
– Precision panhandle control with up/down and left/right movements
– Includes smartphone adapter
Cons:
– Tripod can be a little unstable
– Image quality isn’t always the best
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Vanstarry Telescopes for Kids
Here’s a no-frills telescope that’s perfect for budding space explorers! Vanstarry built this device to be as user-friendly as possible. While not the most powerful out there, the refracting technology is more than capable of viewing nearby stars, the moon, and more.
Set up is a breeze! The kit comes with everything you need to get started. You have your collapsible tripod to give you a steady surface, an altazimuth mount to keep the optical tube secure, and a finderscope to line up the view. It even comes with swappable eyepieces, allowing your child to get the magnification level they’re after.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- Up to 120X magnification
- Altazimuth mount
- Fully coated optics
- Finderscope
- It comes with a tripod
- It includes astrophotography accessories
- Two eyepieces and a Barlow lens
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Orion SpaceProbe II 76mm Equatorial Reflector Telescope
This reflector telescope from Orion is a great option for on-the-go stargazing. Because it’s a reflector model, it utilizes mirrors rather than magnifying lenses to create the image. The mirrors are more stable and easier to manage than lenses.
The wide aperture lets plenty of light in. Meanwhile, the long focal length provides ample travel distance for the light, allowing it to create a wide-angle image of the cosmos. This telescope is a fantastic choice for viewing nearby objects like the moon as well as some distant planets.
Pros:
– 76mm aperture
– Red dot finder
– Comes with tripod
– Includes coated eyepieces
– Up to 70X magnification
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Telescope for Kids and Beginners
When you’re just getting started with astronomy, the quality of your telescope can make or break the stargazing experience. Fortunately, this model has a lot to offer. It’s not the most robust optical device on the market. But it’s affordably priced and does a surprisingly good job of showing you the cosmos!
The wide objective lens does wonders to improve image brightness. For magnification, you have two eyepiece options. The more powerful of the two can give you up to 128X magnification. It’s perfect for viewing star constellations, the lunar surface, and more.
Key Features:
- 70mm objective lens
- 360mm focal length
- Altazimuth mount
- It comes with two eyepieces
- Up to 128X magnification
- Adjustable tripod
- It includes a case and instructions
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Celestron 31036 AstroMaster
Great for both celestial and terrestrial viewing, the Celestron AstroMaster will let you marvel at all of the wonders of the land, sea and sky. Its glass mirrors are coated with aluminum and SiO2, so you’ll enjoy crystal-clear magnification, and you can switch between eyepieces depending on the distance of the object that you want to observe.
You’ll also appreciate the rugged steel tripod of the Celestron AstroMaster. Even though it’s mobile and flexible, it comes pre-assembled with strong tube legs to ensure safety and stability, and its non-slip feet will keep it firmly anchored to the ground so that vibrations don’t disturb your viewing.
The Celestron AstroMaster might not be the biggest or fanciest telescope on the market, but it’s great for kids in the elementary and middle school range. It isn’t too complicated for a child to master, but it’ll still offer the power that they need for crisp, clear images from outer space.
Pros:
– Can be used for both earth and sky objects
– Stable tripod with steel legs and accessory tray
– Strong magnification
Cons:
– Not the most portable
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Best Telescope Brands
Ask six different people about telescope brands, and you’ll receive six different answers about which one is best. If we’re talking about bestsellers, however, there are a few brands that you’ll see over and over again:
– Orion
– Celestron
– Meade Instruments
– Solomark
– Levenhuk
These are all popular, well-known brands with good reputations for quality. They’re mostly famous for their adult telescopes, but many of them have branched into children’s telescopes as well.
You should still read reviews before you buy something from them, of course. You should still compare and contrast between their products to find the right telescope for you. Generally speaking, however, you can trust these brands. They’re bestsellers for a reason.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kid’s Telescopes
Do you still have questions about buying a children’s telescope? Here’s a quick FAQ that might help.
Can adults use a telescope meant for kids?
Sure. A children’s telescope is still a fully-functioning telescope; it’s just designed to be more comfortable and convenient for kids. As long as you don’t expect it to have the same image quality as a professional telescope, you can enjoy it right along with your little ones.
Can you take pictures through a telescope?
The short answer is yes. Just stick your camera against the eyepiece and take a picture of whatever is being reflected there. If you’re having problems with your optics, however, or if your telescope shifts too much whenever your camera bumps it, you can look for a telescope with a smartphone adapter.
What’s a Barlow lens?
A Barlow lens is a special kind of magnification lens that can be attached to various eyepieces. You’ll find it included with a lot of children’s telescopes because it’s a quick and easy way to boost magnification range. If you have two eyepieces and one Barlow lens, you basically have four eyepieces.
Do you really need a tripod to use a telescope?
Yes. Vibrations can drastically reduce your image quality when looking through a telescope, so you’ll want to avoid shaky hands, strong winds, flapping jackets and anything else that might knock your telescope’s crosshairs off-kilter. A tripod is the best way to keep everything steady.
What’s the difference between celestial and terrestrial?
These are terms that refer to a telescope’s ability to see sky objects or earth objects. “Celestial” means that it’s good for stargazing. “Terrestrial” means that it can be used for things like birdwatching or seafaring.
Why should you buy a children’s telescope instead of a regular telescope?
There are lots of benefits to buying a kid-friendly telescope for your littlest stargazer.
For starters, they won’t have to struggle with highly technical controls. Most children’s telescopes are simple enough to just point and shoot. Children’s telescopes are also made with smaller tripods and larger buttons, so they’re easier for kids to handle on their own.
Additionally, children’s telescopes might be painted with fun colors to get your child excited about using them. They might come with extras like stickers, backpacks, moon maps, star charts and activity books.
Long story short, children’s telescopes are more convenient for kids than telescopes meant for adults. They’re usually more fun, too!
Children’s Telescopes: Educating and Entertaining All At Once
Telescopes are a great gift for kids who are interested in space, astronomy or just science in general. Even when their feet are on the ground, a telescope can send them throughout the universe! Use this guide to find a good children’s telescope and help your kids understand the full majesty of the night sky.