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The 8 Best Telescopes For Children – Guidebook

The 8 Best Telescopes For Children – Guidebook

The universe is fascinating for children as well as adults. Often they wonder at an early age what all there is outside the earth. A telescope is therefore a great gift to give children the fun of exploring. To make your purchase decision easier and to give you a better overview of the different models, we have taken a closer look at telescopes for children and compared individual products.

We have compiled the best models in our product recommendations. You’re sure to find what you’re looking for in these telescopes for kids.

Checklist For Telescopes For Children

Age
  • Children under 6 years of age usually cannot see anything through the telescope eyepiece yet, or can only see blurry images.
  • Children up to 10 years should use telescopes only under supervision/guidance.
  • Astrophotography makes sense from about 14 years, when the child can already operate the telescope.
Lens Telescope (refractor telescope) or reflector telescope (reflector telescope):
  • They are rather narrow and can therefore be transported more easily and thus used on the road. The operation is also somewhat easier here.
  • They are suitable for viewing planets, sun, moon and are often used in urban environments.
  • Lens telescopes are robust, insensitive and easy to use.
  • The images are rich in contrast.
  • It has a diameter of about 80 mm and about 1000-1200 mm focal length.
  • The aperture is 100 to 120 millimeters with an eyepiece of 10 mm and 20 mm.
  • There are two types of mount: the azimuthal or dobsonian mount, also called a table mount. This one is simpler.
  • Then there is the equatorial or parallactic mount, which uses a tripod to secure it. This is more complicated.
  • Lens telescopes are more expensive than reflecting telescopes, but have the same power.
Reflecting Telescopes: Light is reflected from the primary mirror
  • Reflecting telescopes are suitable for viewing the sun, stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies (deep sky).
  • They are usually used in rural environments.
  • They are somewhat more complicated to operate than lens telescopes.
  • The instrument needs time to cool down.
  • The diameter is about 114 mm, and the aperture is about 60 mm.
  • The telescope has one to two high quality eyepieces, including wide field eyepieces.
  • It has Barlow lens for eyepiece magnification.
  • Again, there is an azimuthal or dobson mount/table mount (simpler) and an equatorial or parallactic mount/tripod with a fuse (more complicated).
Astrophotography
  • A high quality telescope is needed. So it is not a beginner’s model.
  • There are only equatorial or parallactic mounts.
  • The mount is made on the telescope tube, on the counterweight bar or on the eyepiece focuser.
  • For SLR cameras , universal camera adapters and T-rings are needed.
Accessories
  • Color filters for observing planets.
  • Lunar filters, neutral density filters, gray filters attenuate light and thus enhance contrast for lunar observation.
  • Solar filters must be used for observing the sun, otherwise eyes can be damaged.
  • Rotating star chart for orientation in the night sky.
  • Red light in case light is needed. It takes time for the eye to become accustomed to darkness. A brief exposure to light, e.g. from a cell phone or laptop, is enough to ruin the adjustment.
  • Flashlight for a night hike with children who are still too small for a telescope.

We have collected the best and most interesting telescopes for children.

Tip: You can find many recommended microscopes for kids in our The 10 best microscopes for kids guide.

The Best Sellers Of Telescopes For Children

In a list of bestsellers, we have compiled the most popular telescopes for children for you.

# Preview Product
1 NASA Lunar Telescope for Kids – 90x Magnification, Includes Two Eyepieces, Tabletop Tripod, and Finder Scope- Kids Telescope for Astronomy Beginners, Space Toys, NASA Gifts (Amazon Exclusive) NASA Lunar Telescope for Kids – 90x Magnification, Includes Two Eyepieces, Tabletop Tripod, and...
2 Gskyer Telescope • 70mm Aperture • 400mm AZ Mount • Astronomical Refracting Telescope • for Kids Beginners • Travel Telescope • with Carry Bag • Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote Gskyer Telescope • 70mm Aperture • 400mm AZ Mount • Astronomical Refracting Telescope • for...
3 ToyerBee Kids Telescope, Includes 3 Magnification Eyepieces & Compass & Finder Scope, Portable Moon Telescope for Kids and Astronomy Beginners, Great Space & Educational Toys, Easy to use ToyerBee Kids Telescope, Includes 3 Magnification Eyepieces & Compass & Finder Scope, Portable Moon...
4 Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Kids Telescope, STEM Toy, Gift for Kids Ages 4+ Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Kids Telescope, STEM Toy, Gift for Kids Ages 4+
5 Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture Refractor (15X-150X) Portable Travel Telescope with Phone Adapter & Wireless Remote, Astronomy Beginners Gifts, Black Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture Refractor (15X-150X) Portable Travel Telescope with Phone...
6 Telescope for Kids – Children's Telescopes and Projector, Educational Insights Book & 24 Space Images Included, Great STEM Activity Space Toys, Easter Gifts for Boys & Girls Ages 6-7 8-12+ Year Old Telescope for Kids – Children's Telescopes and Projector, Educational Insights Book & 24 Space...
7 MaxUSee Kids Telescope 400x40mm with Tripod & Finder Scope, Portable Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Travel Telescope with 3 Magnification Eyepieces and Moon Mirror MaxUSee Kids Telescope 400x40mm with Tripod & Finder Scope, Portable Telescope for Kids & Beginners,...
8 MaxUSee Lunar Telescope for Kids and Astronomy Beginners, Refractor Telescope with Finder Scope and 3 Eyepieces, Travel Telescope with Compact HD Binoculars for Moon Viewing Bird Watching Sightseeing MaxUSee Lunar Telescope for Kids and Astronomy Beginners, Refractor Telescope with Finder Scope and...
9 ToyerBee Telescope for Kids - with Compass, 3 Eyepieces, Finder Scope and Tabletop Tripod, Portable Kids Telescope for Astronomy Beginners, Great Space Toys Educational Gifts for Kids 3+ ToyerBee Telescope for Kids - with Compass, 3 Eyepieces, Finder Scope and Tabletop Tripod, Portable...
10 ArtCreativity Telescope for Starters - Includes Tripod Stand and 20x, 30x, 40x Eyepieces - Expensive Birthday Gifts for Kids Ages 3+ ArtCreativity Telescope for Starters - Includes Tripod Stand and 20x, 30x, 40x Eyepieces - Expensive...
11 Telescope for Kids Beginners Adults, 70mm Astronomy Refractor Telescope with Adjustable Tripod - Perfect Telescope Gift for Kids Telescope for Kids Beginners Adults, 70mm Astronomy Refractor Telescope with Adjustable Tripod -...
12 Nature Bound Telescope for Kids and Beginners, 16X Magnification and 15mm Lens for Indoor and Outdoor Use - Adjustable Tripod Included - for Kids Ages 6+, Green (NB538) Nature Bound Telescope for Kids and Beginners, 16X Magnification and 15mm Lens for Indoor and...
13 LeapFrog Magic Adventures Telescope LeapFrog Magic Adventures Telescope
14 Thames & Kosmos My Discovery Telescope | Refracting Telescope with 12x Magnification | Compact & Portable for Land & Night Sky Observations | See The Moon, Planets, Wild Animals in Your Backyard! Thames & Kosmos My Discovery Telescope | Refracting Telescope with 12x Magnification | Compact &...
15 Telescope for Kids - 90x Magnification, Includes Three Eyepieces, Tabletop Tripod and Moon Lens, Portable Refractor Telescope for Children and Beginners Telescope for Kids - 90x Magnification, Includes Three Eyepieces, Tabletop Tripod and Moon Lens,...
16 Kids Astronomical Telescope, Professional 90X Astronomical Landscape Telescope with Tripod, 2 Magnification Eyepieces, 1.5X Barlow Len, Early Science Educational Toys for 7+ Years Old Kids Astronomical Telescope, Professional 90X Astronomical Landscape Telescope with Tripod, 2...
17 ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture (15X-150X) Portable Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners, 300mm Professional Travel Telescope with A Smartphone Adapter& Wireless Remote ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture (15X-150X) Portable Refractor Telescopes for...
18 Telescope 70mm Aperture 500mm - for Kids & Adults Astronomical refracting Portable Telescopes AZ Mount Fully Multi-Coated Optics, with Tripod Phone Adapter, Wireless Remote, Carrying Bag Black Telescope 70mm Aperture 500mm - for Kids & Adults Astronomical refracting Portable Telescopes AZ...
19 Telescope for Kids Adults Beginners, 70mm Aperture Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners, Portable Travel Telescope with Phone Adapter & Remote, Astronomy Gifts for Kids Telescope for Kids Adults Beginners, 70mm Aperture Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners,...
20 ArtCreativity Telescope for Beginners - Fully Functioning Kids Telescope (60X Magnifcation) with 2 Eyepieces, Aluminum Tripod, Sturdy Carry Case, and Constellation Map - Telescope for Kids Star Gazing ArtCreativity Telescope for Beginners - Fully Functioning Kids Telescope (60X Magnifcation) with 2...

Tip: You can find many great kaleidoscopes for kids in our The 10 best kaleidoscopes for kids – guide.

Current Offers Of Telescopes For Children

The best current offers of telescopes for children can be found in this list.

SaleBestseller Nr. 3
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Kids Telescope, STEM Toy, Gift for Kids Ages 4+
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Kids Telescope, STEM Toy, Gift for Kids Ages 4+
A REAL, WORKING TELESCOPE: Explore the outdoors with 9x magnification
$34.99 −27% Amazon Prime
SaleBestseller Nr. 8
SaleBestseller Nr. 9
Thames & Kosmos My Discovery Telescope | Refracting Telescope with 12x Magnification | Compact & Portable for Land & Night Sky Observations | See The Moon, Planets, Wild Animals in Your Backyard!
Thames & Kosmos My Discovery Telescope | Refracting Telescope with 12x Magnification | Compact & Portable for Land & Night Sky Observations | See The Moon, Planets, Wild Animals in Your Backyard!
An entry-level telescope with 12x magnification power; Durable body and quality optics, with a soft shell ocular lens cover (eye-piece)
$24.95 −11% Amazon Prime

FAQ About Telescopes For Kids


How does a telescope work?

A telescope collects the faint light of the stars better than your eye can. With a telescope, you can discover many things in the sky that you couldn’t see with the naked eye. But not every telescope is built the same. There are two types of telescopes, reflecting telescopes and refracting telescopes.

How far can telescopes see?

A telescope mirror with a diameter of eight meters collects about one million times more light than a human eye fully adapted to darkness with its pupil wide open. With such a telescope, our sun could still be seen from a distance of up to 60,000 light years.

Which telescope is suitable for planets?

When observing planets, one primarily wants to see details that require sharpness and contrast in a telescope. Long focal length reflecting telescopes, such as Maksutow and Newton from f/6, are good and popular planetary observers.

Which telescopes for beginners?

From a price of about 300-350 Euro there are useful telescopes for beginners to buy. These are Dobsonian telescopes (i.e. reflector telescopes). If you are more inclined towards refractor telescopes, you should plan at least 500 Euro for the telescope.