10 Best Telescope for Kids Picks in 2020 | Reviews and Recommendations

1 JingleStar Telescope for Kids

Our first entry in the best telescope for kids department is a 5-stars refractor telescope, featuring 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length. Its best feature is that it stimulates children’s curiosity about the sky above and the land in front, making it an exceptional learning and entertainment instrument. The JingleStar kids’ telescope will soon turn your little stargazer into a pro astronomer. 

Why choose the JingleStar Telescope for Kids?

Parents and teachers show great enthusiasm for this little but excellent device. It comes with impressive tech specs for its size and weight and the image is as sharp as it can get. Easy to assemble and carry around for sky and land observations, this is one of the best telescopes for young children.

Here are some more things you need to know about this kids’ telescope:

• It features a compact and portable design, perfect for the on-the-go sky gazer.
  
• The preassembled adjustable aluminum full-size photographic tripod ensures a stable platform.
• The custom backpack allows easy carry and storage, so you can take the telescope outside the house and have a family science workshop under the night’s sky. If you were looking for a science gift for your child, you cannot get wrong with this telescope!
  

Verdict

The first installment on our best telescope for kids list is a great tool to spark kids’ curiosity and love for everything around them and above them. The JingleStar telescope comes with a 5×24 finderscope with mounting bracket and erect-image diagonal to ease the little ones in the world of optics. Take it outdoors for wildlife observations or in the back yard at night for stargazing and everybody will love it!

2 Aomekie Telescope for Kids

We should have put this product on our list of best telescopes for beginners, but we will make amends right now. A beginner’s whole-family telescope, the Aomekie will open an entirely new world of discovery and exploration for children and adults alike. Great aperture and tech specs are just the tips of the iceberg when it comes to this incredible educational tool.

Why Choose the Aomekie Telescope for Kids?

The metal Moon filter, together with the good aperture and rotatable observing angle make this the best telescope for kids that parents and science teachers also love. The phone adapter opens the door towards astrophotography. This is a kids’ friendly learning tool that will keep the little one curious and busy in the long term.

Here are some more things you need to know about the Aomekie telescope:

• The item comes with one 1.5X erecting eyepiece, offering an erect image (as opposed to the usual inverted ones) and 1.5X magnification for children to observe easier, faster, and better, thus enhancing their skills and knowledge in the field of optics.
  
• The telescope provides beginners with a large field of view and sharp images of celestial and land objects.
  
• The Star Target planisphere is an excellent educational instrument in the field of astronomy.
  

Verdict

The Aomekie telescope comes with enthusiast reviews from parents and science teachers. It makes an excellent educational tool for the little scientists at home, especially those interested in astronomy and nature observations. Good price, good value, and happy kids, what could you ask more? There are tens of well known and less known facts about space that a curious child should learn and this telescope can become her gate to the stars!

3 CSSEA Telescope for Kids

As we said above, when you look for the best telescope for kids also look for durability and warranty. The CSSEA is the best telescope for kids in this regard with its lifetime warranty. While the little one will probably want to move on to the next level in optics and astronomy, the CSSEA telescope will stand the test of time. With its tech specs and features, you can be sure it is not going to bore kids anytime soon.

Why Choose the CSSEA Telescope for Kids?

Considering that the CSSEA telescope for kids has excellent tech specs and great teaching value for the young generation, you should consider buying it and make the best out of it. Let’s see the best specs of this product to help you make an educated choice:

• The telescope excels at daytime observations, wildlife viewings, scenery, and sky objects.
• It requires no tools for a quick set up and helps you find your objects.
  
• It comes with a carry bag; the telescope and tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and on-the-go stargazing.

In other words, it makes an excellent tool for individual study, a science project, family fun, and overall the best type of science education a child can get.

Verdict

Considering its tech specs, price, and features, the CSSEA astronomical telescope is an excellent choice for science-passionate families and teachers. A great educational instrument, it can help the little ones get early contact with connected sciences – from physics to math, and from astronomy to biology. It works very well with nature observations, so if you want to learn even more fun facts about animals, use the telescope at its maximum of potential!

4 Moonee Telescope for Kids

The best telescope for kids should keep their entertainment levels high, teach them a lot of things, open the door to science for them, and not burn a hole in your budget. Next on our list of best telescope for kids reviews, we have one with impressive tech specs and an unbeatable price!

Why Choose the Moonee Telescope for Kids?

When you decide to open the astronomy world for your kids or classroom, one of the first things you will discuss is going to be the Moon, probably. Well, the Moonee is the best telescope for kids in its price range and tech specs that allows sharp and revealing lunar observations. As the Artemis Moon Mission date is approaching at a fast pace, the Moon is going to be all the rage in space exploration in the upcoming years. So seize the opportunity and allow your child to become a part of this wonderful adventure.

Let’s learn a few more things about this telescope!

• The detailed views of the Moon surface includes craters, volcanoes, plateaus, and more.
  
• Easy to assemble, ready to use, and quite portable even for small children.
• The stable tripod, and simple vertical and horizontal adjustments make the telescope’s use a breeze for nigh observations.

Verdict

For Moon and land observations, you can trust the Moonee to open the door to astronomy and a passion for science in general. Considering the price/value ratio and the 90 mm aperture, this is the best telescope for kids of small ages to start learning, observing, discovering. Who knows, maybe your child will become that adult amateur astronomer who will unravel some technological mysteries in a few years…

5 Celestron AstroMaster Telescope for Kids

The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a powerful and user-friendly refractor telescope with excellent educational potential. The Starry Night Basic Edition astronomy software for interactive sky simulation is a bonus for children and parents alike. While the price is quite high, the tech specs are amazing and worth every cent.

Why choose the Celestron Telescope for Kids?

It is a bit pricey, but it is also an excellent tool to teach kids the wonders of stargazing. This Celestron telescope does an impressive job and will keep kids entertained for years, especially since it is more of an astronomy’s beginner tool rather than a kid’s toy. In fact, Celestron makes some of the best telescopes in general, not to mention that it is a leading brand in the field of telescopes for astrophotography. Let’s see some tech specs to understand better this product.

• The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ features a fully coated 70mm glass optic objective lens, erect image optics, and plenty of other tech specs kids and beginners will fully appreciate.
• The telescope comes with the free Starry Night astronomy software to help children understand what they see.
  
• The warranty and the unlimited access to technical support are hard to beat.
  

If you want even a more powerful instrument, we also recommend the Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ, a work of art when it comes to telescopes. The Newtonian reflector comes together with Celestron’s trademark “The Sky” database containing over 10,000 objects for all children, teens, and adult beginner astronomers to discover.

Verdict

Imagine a kid’s joy seeing the Moon, Saturn’s rings, bright space objects, and other wonders for the first time – all together with the free software! This Celestron is one of the best telescopes for kids if you want to make an investment on the long term, as you will not buy a new one any time soon! Worth every penny if you ask us! If you want more suggestions and recommendations regarding the best Celestron telescopes on the market for all levels, check out our guide!

6 ToyerBee Telescope for Kids

We have talked about the ToyerBee telescope before, listing it on our best telescope for beginners. Nevertheless, this is a great tool for teaching kids about celestial objects and you should consider it as the best telescope for kids who want more than toys, but a reliable instrument for stargazing and land observations.

Why Choose the ToyerBee Telescope for Kids?

Everybody loves the ToyerBee telescope – from kids, to parents, to teachers. It is hard to not love it, since its tech specs are great and its price is more than affordable for this type of optics. Let’s see some specs, shall we?

• As educational value goes, the telescope comes with written instructions and video guidelines for installation and use, which is extremely helpful for the little ones.
  
• It comes with 360 degrees rotation.
• No tools required for the installation.

Verdict

Considering the tech specs, the price, and the fact that this telescope is able to satisfy beginners’ and advanced astronomy hobbyists requirements and desires, you can get it for kids as well with no problems. It works incredibly well – as you can see from the reviews – and will keep the little ones hooked for years.

7 GazerOptics Telescope for Kids

Next on our list of best telescopes for kids is the GazerOptics – a runner up in our book, with few but powerful users’ reviews and the potential of becoming a best-seller if you ask us. But let’s see more about it, shall we?

Why Choose the GazerOptics Telescope for Kids?

As we said, you can consider the GazerOptics the best telescope for kids in the runner up category. We picked it up for its impressive reviews, hoping that more and more people will discover it. Let’s see what this beauty can do!

• The upgraded FMC lens with 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length permits impeccable image brightness while protecting the little one’s eyes in the process. 
• The smartphone attachment allows kids to capture amazing images and videos through the screen.
• It is a well-built instrument for travel, land, and sky observations. Durable and resilient to wear and tear, this little piece of optical jewelry will accompany the child in all her adventures. 

Verdict

The price is right and the tech specs are impressive. GazerOptics is a reliable learning and entertaining tool for all children wanting to expand their knowledge about the land and the sky above. Parents are enthusiastic and even beginner astronomy adults love the item. A true bargain, we would say!

8 Gskyer Telescope for Kids

We have talked about the Gskyer AZ70400 when we discussed the best telescopes for beginners, but when it comes to the best telescope for kids, the AZ60350 does an incredible job as a learning instrument that keeps on giving. Let’s see what it is about!

Why Choose the Gskyer AZ60350 Telescope for Kids?

For its tech specs, the price is surprising, to say the least, but the capabilities of this telescope are the ones that can take your breath away. The wireless remote allows the child or beginner astronomer to hook up and sync the telescope’s remote control with your smartphone (just once) so you can manage the telescope better and take land pictures at 30 feet distance. Nevertheless, the telescope comes with even more interesting features:

• The 350 mm focal length and 60 mm aperture makes an exceptional pair with the optical glass coat for enhanced image brightness to protect the little ones’ eyes.
  
• The erect image diagonal helps the kids understand how telescopes work and what they can actually see through them.
• The telescope needs no tools for easy and quick setup and you can install it in about 10 minutes.

Verdict

It is true that most of us have set unrealistic expectations regarding telescopes since the Hubble spoils us with almost surreal images. However, you should understand that not even the best telescopes for kids or beginners can measure up to Hubble. This being said, the Gskyer AZ 60350 is a useful educational tool for kids who want to explore the sky above or the land around, learning both fun facts about animals and interesting facts about space. The telescope works very well with sightseeing and the usual suspects in the sky.

9 Qurious Space Telescope for Kids

The next entry on our list of best telescope for kids reviews is the Qurious space telescope. This refractor scope with 66 mm aperture, finderscope, and two eyepieces is more than a toy, but one of the best astronomy teaching kits money can buy!

Why Choose the Qurious Space Telescope for Kids?

The telescope is more than a toy – it is a science and teaching kit, designed to encourage continued science and STEM learning in kids at a very young age. The telescope comes as a fun addition to the Qurious Space game and offers a wide range of opportunities to the little ones to make sense of the world around them. But let’s see the details!

• The telescope features a few teaching perks we think no parent or STEM teacher should ignore: built-in compass, star, and lunar charts, space activity guide, reusable glow-in-the-dark solar system stickers, quick start guide, 2 eyepieces, detachable tabletop tripod, side viewfinder, and high-quality optics for sharp images.
• The rugged protective carry case is eco-friendly and non-toxic.
• Compact, lightweight, fun, and easy to carry around, the telescope is an instant success among kids, parents, and educators.

Verdict

For its small price and additional STEM education features, the Qurious Space telescope for kids is the best money can buy in the science education department. It works well with very young children who now are en route to discovering the world around them, as older kids will probably enjoy one of the more advanced telescopes for kids that we reviewed here. A useful and affordable educational tool to spark the passion for science!

10 Orion FunScope Telescope for Kids

The last item we consider to be the best telescope for kids in the tabletop category is the Orion 10033 FunScope, a small compact reflector that packs a big punch when it comes to STEM learning and education in general.

Why hoose the Orion FunScope Telescope for Kids?

You can include this small piece of tech wonder on your list of “the first telescope for the family” to test the waters and see if there is real interest for stargazing among the little ones. The price is great and the tech specs don’t fall far from the Orion tree, so you don’t risk anything. As a matter of fact, some of the best telescopes on the market come from Orion. The manufacturers is also among the biggest players in the field when it comes to the best telescopes for astrophotography as well, so you cannot go wrong with an Orion telescope. On the contrary, you may learn that your kid has an innate talent for STEM. But let’s see the most important features of the scope!

• The 76 mm aperture gathers enough light for the child to see the Moon and its specific details or land objects that spark her interest.
• Easy to take on camping or to the backyard, keep in the house or the classroom.
• The Orion Moon Map 260 makes an excellent teaching instrument for lunar understanding.

Verdict

Orion is a brand worth mentioning on every list of best telescope for kids, beginners, or even advanced astronomers. This tabletop telescope for first timers is a nice addition to a home or a classroom if you want to introduce the little ones to stargazing and understanding how the world functions. The price is compelling and the tech specs/bonus features just perfect for kids to learn about the universe in a fun way! However, if you want upgraded, pro-level Orion telescopes, we recommend the Orion StarSeeker IV for stunning lunar and deep sky exploration from your back yard. We also recommend the Orion Newtonian Astrograph Reflector Telescope for astrophotography.

Buying the Best Telescope for Kids: A Few More Things to Know

Before you buy any telescope – especially one for the children or beginners – you need to help them set their expectations right. They will not see astronauts having (or rather not having) dinner in space.

On a clear night, with the right scope, they will see the Moon, bright celestial objects, some stars, clusters, and even nebulas – they will not be Hubble-level though. 

Another thing you should know before and during using the best telescope for kids you chose to buy is to prevent the little one – at any cost – to look directly into the sun, with or without the telescope, lenses, and so on.

• This is not a joke, a myth, or something we can trade lightly. Staring at the sun may cause retina damages. 

If you want to understand better how telescopes work, we have a guide on optical concepts you might find useful. We also have a guide for beginners on the most common types of telescopes you find on the market. Both these articles will help you understand the differences between refractor and reflector telescopes, lens types, aperture, magnification, and other types of telescopes for kids, beginners, and advanced astronomers.

Now, we invite you to check out our telescopes’ buying guide below to understand some of the technology behind such products and the most important aspects you need to factor in your purchase decision.

Look below for the details and telescopes’ buying guide!

Best Telescope for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions

Before we wrap up this guide on what is and how to choose the best telescope for kids, let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to such devices!

How do I choose a telescope for kids?

The first thing you should do is avoid buying a toy telescope. Instead, pick one that will grow together with your child and allow upgrades. Read our guide on picking the best telescope for kids and make sure you understand a telescope’s tech specs and features. Always choose a telescope that your child will be able to use with just a bit of guidance. If you are willing to spend a medium-to-high budget on a telescope for children, make sure the unit comes with extras, educational software, and plenty of accessories as well. 

What is the best kids’ telescope for viewing planets?

If you want to offer your child the opportunity to view deep sky celestial objects, planets, nebulae, and galaxies, some of the best options on the market right now include:

• The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ telescope with the Starry Night Basic Edition astronomy software for interactive sky simulations;
• The ToyerBee telescope, an excellent choice for kids and beginners;
• The Orion 10033 FunScope for viewing the Moon, bright planets, bright star clusters, nebulae, and other celestial bodies.

If you are serious about astronomy and you want a more advanced telescope for beginners so your child can use it for years in a row and not outgrow it, here is our guide on the best telescopes for beginners! The Orion Space Probe 130 ST, the Celestron NexStar 6 SE, the Orion StarBlast telescope, or the Meade LX200 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain are some of the best telescopes for beginners and intermediate star gazers. 

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed each best telescope for kids on this list. Now it’s time for you to tell us a few things: do you or your child have a telescope? Are you happy with it? What else should our community of casual scientists know about telescopes in general? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!