9 Best Telescopes for Kids

How fascinating it is to keep the majestic celestial bodies in space in front of your eyes? One can have this beautiful experience by simply buying a telescope. Astronomy has always been one of the greatest subjects and telescopes play a vital role in this study. In addition to adults, kids can also increase their knowledge about stars and planets by purchasing a suitable telescope.

Types of Telescopes

Telescopes are generally segregated into the following three categories.

• Refractor telescopes – This is the most common type of telescope. Refractor telescopes consist of a long tube that is attached to a lens. They are affordable and hence suitable for kids who want to observe celestial objects.
• Reflector telescopes – They are comprised of a curved mirror instead of a lens. This allows them to provide a more vibrant and clear view of the sky. Their only drawback is that their scope is restricted to the sky and cannot be used for Earth-viewing.    
• Compound telescopes – They are a balanced combo of both refractor and reflector telescopes. This is because compound telescopes have lenses as well as mirrors. For this reason, they can see very clearly in space and on Earth. However, they are too expensive and cannot be used by beginners or kids.

It is very important to find the right telescope for your kids, based on their motives and requirements. Below is a sifted list of some eloquent telescopes that are suitable for kids.     

Celestron 31045 Astromaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope

​This amazing telescope comes with loads of features. It has a  6x-33x magnification and 2 eyepieces (10mm and 20mm) that give a fine image depth and quality. Fully adjustable knobs (with proper notches) and controls ensure user-friendliness and the adjustable tripod enables you to explore several different angles. Therefore, your kids can follow the stars or find constellations in all directions.

Another standalone feature of this telescope is its compatibility with the Starry Night software. You can simply install this software on your laptop and use it to study more than 10,000 celestial objects. The versatile features and convenience in operation make this reflector telescope helpful for both professionals and kids.

Levenhuk LabZZ MTB3 Combo

Through this product, Levenhuk offers a complete package to its customers. The term ‘MTB3’ in the name stands for Microscope, Telescope, and Binoculars. As a result, this kit allows your kid to have a complete exploration of science, astronomy, and nature.

The refractor telescope included in this kit has a small aperture of 2-inch size. It provides your kid with a charming view of the moon and discloses the colors of Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Likewise, it is also suitable for terrestrial viewing because of its 120x magnification.

In addition to that, the kit also contains a portable microscope, with a battery-powered light source. This microscope contains three lenses with different magnification ranges, 150x, 450x, and 900x. All in all, this is a really economical and gainful combo for kids.

​MaxUSee Refractor Telescope

With a variable magnification, this refractor telescope is viable for both night sky and terrestrial viewing. It has a 70 mm aperture that ensures a vivid and bright view of the distant objects in space. It has four 1.25-inch eyepieces with adjustable magnification and a 400mm focal lens. Last but not least, this refractor telescope is user-friendly and very easy to assemble.

A mobile adaptor also comes with this telescope to help you capture your observations. The balanced design of this telescope offers both quality and durability. It is lightweight, portable, and can be taken along on a journey. For this reason, adults, as well as kids, can benefit from this convenient telescope.

Nancy B’s Science Club MoonScope

This telescope has a great response in the market. It is particularly liked by parents because it comes with a bulk of educational tools, including a book and slides. This allows the children to develop and maintain their interest in learning astronomy. 

This telescope comes in wonderful colors that are always attractive for kids. It is specially designed for younger kids and contains all the necessary stuff that is required for moon gazing. For instance, it has a finder scope, 18x and 90x magnifications, and a Moon filter to lessen glare. Likewise, it comes with a 22-page journal that covers all the guidelines about the usage of Nancy B’s MoonScope.  

Solomark Telescope 70EQ

If your child is growing up and wants to be stepped up in his/her stargazing activity, Solomark Telescope 70EQ is an ideal alternative. It has a sleek aluminum body with glass made optical components. The sensitive and easy controls of this telescope are amazing for stargazing at night. However, they can be a little complex for younger kids and you may need to guide them.

This telescope has two eyepieces (measuring 10mm and 20mm) and a fully adjustable tripod with EQ mount. It carries an accurate slow-motion control to follow any object in space, irrespective of the Earth’s rotation. These versatile features induce appetite in your kids to use it again and again.  

Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope

This telescope has articulated advanced features for advanced users while still being handy for kids and newbies. It is an ideal option for those people who have a great interest in Astronomy. With a variety of features, PowerSeeker 127EQ can be upgraded according to the utility and age of the user.

For instance, two eyepieces measuring 4mm and 20mm are included in the package. This means that you can look at stars, planets, constellations, and even nebulae with minimum effort. The wide range of magnification (150x-450x and 3x Barlow lens) makes sure that nothing in space can evade your eyes.

Moreover, this telescope has fully adjustable controls and compatibility with the Starry Night software. All these features make it an all-in-all source for learning and practicing stargazing.

Orion 10016 StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope

If your kid has gained enough expertise and wants to step up, there is no better option than the Orion StarBlast 6 Astro Reflector Telescope. It carries a 150mm aperture for much vivid images of stars and nebulas that are beyond our galaxy.

This telescope is convenient to use because it comes preassembled. Being a tabletop telescope, it has no tripod. Portability is an issue with this telescope, but the quality it offers (for effective study) compensates for that drawback.

Black TwinStar AstroMark 80mm 16-40x Power Portable Refractor Telescope

This high-quality product comes with an 80mm fully-coated chromatic objective lens. Likewise, it has a 400mm focal length and f/5.0 ratio that give clearest views of the celestial entities. Along with its immaculate features, the convenience (use and assembly) of this telescope makes it a real gem for stargazing.

A well-explained guide and user manual are also available with this telescope. It is not only a celestial telescope, but it can also be used for terrestrial purposes. Overall, it is a magnificent telescope for both kids and adult beginners.

Meade Instruments Infinity 102 Refractor Telescope

This telescope comes with a 102mm aperture that is perfect for getting an explicit picture of the farthest celestial bodies. Similarly, it is also exceptional for terrestrial gazing.

The real power of this refractor telescope lies in its low, medium, and high magnification eyepieces. The presence of a 2x Barlow lens also helps to double the magnification.  It’s adjustable panhandle controls and slow-motion tracking helps you to capture every moment of an eclipse. Infinity 102 is considered best for kids because it’s very easy to use.