Children are small creators. They always try their best to get our attention by coming up with the craziest stories. Our little storytellers often find themselves stargazing. Their creativity is almost boundless for as long as they are interested in something, and they keep coming up with questions about everything they see. To help their creative process, we can give them the best telescope for kids, and with it, they will be one step closer to the boundless universe.
A telescope is not just a tool for our children. It is a way to reach the distant places they imagine. This optical instrument can be an essential part of their imaginary spaceships as long as it is easy to use and move around. The telescope will also be a key to some precious memories when they grow up. If you invest in the best telescope for kids and keep it in good condition, they most likely have something to cherish with their loved ones too.
What You Should Know When You Are Looking For A Telescope
When it comes to finding the best telescope for your kid, the mission can prove to be more difficult than expected. Telescopes are made with curved mirrors or lenses which are used to focus and gather the lights from the sky. To get the best view the optic elements have to be big because the bigger they are the more light can be gathered and focused by the telescope. Also, the optics must be in very good condition, any scratches, spots, or other flaws can blur the image.
There are three types of telescopes:
- Refracting telescopes are made with lenses. They collect less light but they are easier to clean. Also, they don’t always show the best colors because of the focusing capacity of the lens.
- Reflecting telescopes are made with curved mirrors. They collect more light but they are harder to clean. They usually show the best colors. They work by reflecting the light rays through a combination of mirrors.
- Compound telescopes are made with lenses and curved mirrors. They are good at collecting light. Most of the time they weigh less than the others and they are also good at magnifying. However, they have a narrower field of view.
Below, we have dedicated an entire article to help you find the best telescope for kids.
Check out these popular and quality options for your children below.
1. Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope
Click here to see more pictures on Amazon.
| AVERAGE USER RATING | PRODUCT DIMENSIONS | FOCAL LENGTH | CHILDREN AGED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9/5 | 7 x 18 x 14 | 400mm | >8 years |
Take your family on camping trips and introduce your children to stargazing with this refractor telescope.
Celestron has designed the Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope as one of the best telescopes for kids while on the move, and as a fantastic way to keep educating them on vacations.
The Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Telescope for kids can be your next reason to spend more quality time with your family in the great outdoors.
If you take a look at the Travel Scope on Amazon, you will instantly notice that it is one of the best-selling refracting telescopes.
Accessories
This very reasonably priced refractor comes with a custom-made backpack, and it only weighs 3.3 pounds, for light traveling. Its portable features make it a great telescope for kids. The package comes with both low and high power eyepieces, as well as astronomy software.
Conclusions
You can also use the Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope for taking some jaw-dropping images if you’re into astrophotography.
We truly recommend this to parents who are looking forward to having memorable adventures outdoors with their kids while not breaking the bank.
2. Celestron – 76mm Signature Series FirstScope
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| AVERAGE USER RATING | PRODUCT DIMENSIONS | FOCAL LENGTH | CHILDREN AGED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0/5 | 16 x 9 x 9 | 300mm | > 6 years |
This is an extry-level reflector telescope. It’s no wonder that Celestron named this model the FirstScope. It’s one of the most promising telescopes for kids and adult beginners alike.
In our Celestron FirstScope Telescope review, we mentioned that this 2009 model received several awards. In addition, it’s highly appreciated by all customers across the United States, and not just as a kids’ telescope.
Almost half of the user reviews on Amazon offer the Celestron FirstScope 5-star positive feedback. Customers state that they are highly pleased with their purchase.
Given customer feedback, this one is clearly one of the best-selling scopes in its class.
The product itself is extremely affordable (around $50 without the accessory kit), and also benefits from free shipping on Amazon.
More details
The main tube can be moved, so you can easily navigate. The package also includes two eyepieces. At just 4.5 pounds, the FirstScope is incredibly lightweight which makes it another great portable option when traveling. It is 9 inches long, 9 inches wide, and 16 inches tall. The reflector optical tube has a 76mm aperture and the entire system’s ease of use makes it one of the best choices for kids.
The FirstScope, a reflecting Newtonian telescope, has been reportedly inspired by Galileo Galilei’s story. It can also serve as an intriguing history lesson for your kids.
Conclusions
Just like the Travel Scope, the Celestron FirstScope Telescope is an excellent choice when traveling to remote areas. Pack up your scope, gather the family, and take a ride toward an unforgettable experience. It is a perfect choice when you know you’ll have an open field with a broad view to observe.
For more info, you can check out our Celestron FirstScope Telescope full review.
3. Celestron – PowerSeeker 60AZ Telescope
Click here to see more pictures on Amazon.
| AVERAGE USER RATING | PRODUCT DIMENSIONS | FOCAL LENGTH | CHILDREN AGED |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7/5 | 29.5 x 10 x 16.5 | 700mm | > 6 years |
As we explained in our Celestron 21041 60mm PowerSeeker Telescope review, it’s hard to find a telescope that can fit into a tight budget and offer great value.
Celestron 21041 is exceptional from this point of view, and excellent as a kid’s telescope. It is one of the most celebrated and praised telescopes for kids and beginners on the market.
The Celestron 21041 60mm PowerSeeker Telescope is a delightful choice if you want to benefit from a quality product that is worth your money. It’s a refractor telescope, which means that it is simple to set up and use. That’s yet another reason why it’s a strong contender to the title of best telescope for kids.
Accessories
One of the perks of buying this telescope on Amazon is that it comes along with a 3X Barlow lens. That takes the magnification of each eyepiece and triples the power. Your order also comes with an astronomy software and two eyepieces (4mm and 20mm). You can use it to observe both terrestrial and celestial objects, so you get the best of both worlds.
One of the greatest advantages that this scope has is that you get an abundance of accessories by just ordering it. Most telescopes usually come with the instrument itself, and an eyepiece or two.
Conclusions
Most customer reviews recommend this scope for beginners. It can help one ease into the world of astronomy at a nice pace. It might just be the best first telescope for kids due to the effortless access.
It’s one of the best telescopes for kids who want to explore everything around them, and this is a lovely opportunity to save money and get a good telescope for your kid. Check it out here on Amazon.
Final thoughts
We hope this search for the best telescope for kids helped you find an appropriate telescope for your kid. Remember that, in the end, you should make star gazing an entertaining and informative activity. The best telescope for kids will help you do just that. Never forget to have fun and enjoy the quality time spent with your little one.
You can also consult our Complete Guide on How to Use a Telescope for detailed instructions for different types of scopes.
It’s a great informative article indeed. I have a little interest in astronomical works and I always wish that if I could be an astronaut. We all dreams never come true always. From this article, I learn much information about a rotating multiple mirror telescope. I appreciate the effort you took to share it with us. Hope, will get more from you soon.