Drones are a tempting toy and the hobbyist’s dream, but which are the best drones for kids?
If you are looking for the best drones for kids that are easy to fly, has long battery life, and even takes good bird-eye view photos, you’re at the right place.
If you’re a parent or guardian reading this, we suspect your little ones have seen your pricey camera drone in action and are desperate to fly it themselves. Quite rightly so, you’re probably worried about turning over the keys to a minor, but thankfully there are plenty of fantastic features to show the best kids drones.
In this guide we’ll walk you through what the best kids drones offer in terms of features, performance and safety, so that you can make the right choice for the little one you are buying for.
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Buying guide for the Best Drones for Kids
For people of all ages, flying drones have been a popular pastime, and now these four-propeller devices are giving birth to a whole new generation of fans of radio-controlled drones. Children enjoy drones for their ability to navigate and the height they can achieve. Flying a drone can be a thrilling way to get kids out and into the outdoors from behind a screen.
Some drones are designed exclusively for the joy of flying, inhabiting a world somewhere between a toy and a tool, while others have excellent features cameras that allow you to take incredible pictures while you fly.
Take a look at our shopping guide if your child has been begging for a drone to get an understanding of what is available on the market and the relevant things to remember before you purchase. Check out our top tips for even faster shopping.
Drone Features that you need to consider
HD camera: A high-definition camera brings to the drone a real “wow” feature. This may be why your child is clamoring to have one. To take eye movies or still shots of the place, a drone with an HD camera will sail up over the top of the building, a game, school, or park. Camera drones are more costly and far more likely to require FAA registration (even if your child is just using it for fun).
Variable speed: For beginners, this is great because it helps children to exercise their maneuvering ability at slower speeds and less risk of the drone crashing. If they sharpen their powers, kids can fly faster.
Headless mode: Simply placed, Headless mode indicates that the drone has no specified “front” side. Compared to the controller, the drone adjusts its direction. The drone goes left as the pilot aims the joystick left, no matter the direction the drone faces. For beginners, this makes the drone easier to navigate.
Hover: If the pilot lets go of the controls, several drones stop flying and begin to fall. The better models have a Hover feature that holds the propellers spinning in one position to carry the drone. This suggests that instead of falling to the ground and eventually breaking, the drone will retain altitude.
Return: Many drones have a Return feature that enables the pilot to push one button to get the system back to the controller. Considering that certain relatively cheap drones will also fly 100 to 300 feet away from the pilot, if your child loses sight of it, this is an effective way to keep track of the drone.
Tips
- When you first learn to fly a drone, monitor your child. These devices require some ability to fly and can end up in unrepairable places easily. Before you’re confident of the ability of your kid, fly the drone with him or her. You do not want to risk the drone on its first flight.
- In a large, open field, fly the drone. Drones will also fly reasonably high into the sky for kids. Without nearby trees or buildings, the safest option for using one is to take it to an open area.
- Encourage tolerance with your kids. Mini drones don’t cost a lot, but learning to use them can also be a little difficult. Encourage your child’s patience, and keep in mind that when your child is older, this toy may be a better fit.
- For nighttime flying, buy a drone with LED lights. LED lights are a must-have option and typically do not increase the cost of a professional drone if there is some risk your child may choose to fly the drone at night.
Best Drones for Kids 2021 – Reviews
1. ALTAIR AA108 KIDS DRONE
If your child has been looking with rapacious eyes at your full-size drone, but you are nervous about letting them loose on such a powerful machine, the AA108 packs top-end styling but with enough features to ensure that it is a secure and enjoyable drone to learn the basics of piloting. No wonder it’s our top choice for the kids’ best drone.
The tension of becoming airborne is taken away by one touch take-off and landing, and Headless and Altitude Keep modes ensure that the drone will not fall out of the sky or fly out of range unwittingly; Fixed propeller guards are on hand to protect people and surroundings.
The AA108 is also a drone to advance with: the FlyingSee companion app introduces new pilots to custom flight paths – automatically sends the drone along a particular route mapped on your smartphone screen – and the 720p wide-angle 120 degree camera is a perfect starting point for aerial photography skills growth.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to fly
- Great 720p camera
- Resembles more ‘grown up’ drones
2. OAXIS MYFIRST DRONE
For younger kids, the Oaxis myFirst Drone is the perfect beginner drone, since it is easy to use and safe to fly-the tiny propellers are mounted within a cage design, so they are enclosed when the drone is in operation.
Available in blue and pink, this inexpensive kid’s drone uses Air Hover technology and self-flying modes to ease your child into flying a drone. There is an altitude sensor which allows the drone to hover for your peace of mind at a maximum height of three meters.
To use it, just turn it on and chuck it up and it will be taken from there by the drone. The flight time is seven minutes per battery charge (charging time is 40 minutes), with the drone being taken down very slowly and safely by Air Bounce technology.
Reasons to Buy
- Safe to use
- Easy to use
- Great for outdoors play
3. POTENSIC MINI DRONE FOR KIDS
For use in the home, this ultra-small drone is suitable. Small enough to cross bits of furniture and quickly fly around your house’s spaces. To keep children from coming by, the Potensic Mini Drone for Kids has a special battery slot. It also features full blade guards to help stop damaging fingers if they come too close.
There is a heading hold mode when it comes to takeoff, which means the controls still stay the same and a convenient one-button take-off and landing option. This is an amazing drone for both the kids and the whole family to have fun in the house.
Reasons to Buy
- Ultra-small and easy to transport
- Protected blades
- Easy to control
4. HUBSAN NANO Q4 SE QUADCOPTER
Look no further than Hubsan’s, lightweight Q4 SE Nano drone if space is a problem and your little one is just going to be flying indoors. Inside the controller itself, the quadcopter is stored, making it a neat package.
The pocket-sized flyer is kept stable in the air by a 6-axis stability mechanism and flip and roll maneuvers can be carried out simply by pressing down on the throttle stick of the joystick.
The flight time could be limited to only three minutes, but in just 30 minutes, the Nano Q4 SE charges, so you’ll be able to easily return to the skies.
Reasons to Buy
- Effortlessly portable
- Built-in stabilization system
- Fast charging time
5. HOLY STONE DEERC170 PREDATOR MINI RC QUADCOPTER
One of the greatest challenges for children, as they begin to fly drones, is balance. Basically, knowing how the controls flip based on whether or not the drone is entering them or leaving.
There is some clever technology in the Holy Stone DEERC170 Predator that fixes the controls of the drones to the controller rather than the drone head. This headless mode ensures that no matter which direction it is pointed, left on the controller will still be left on the drone.
With 6-axis stabilisation enabling safe flying, and enjoyable modes such as flip and roll, it is a perfect drone for new flyers.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to fly
- Advanced stabilisation
- 45-60 minute charge times
6. PARROT AIRBORNE NIGHT DRONE MACLANE
The Parrot Airborne Night Drone Maclane is definitely a change from regular kid’s drones, aiming for something new. This compact drone, designed for night flight, comes fitted with lights and ultrasound to make it easier to see and navigate after dark.
The Parrot Airborne Night Drone is filled with funny flip and roll features. There is also a stunning freefall feature that kills the engines and enables mid-flight restart and recovery.
It also comes with a built-in camera to capture selfies or replay your flying acrobatics for your kids.
Reasons to Buy
- Night flight features
- One button tricks
- Freefall mode
7. PROFLIGHT ORBIT FOLDING CAMERA DRONE
Drones can be hard to transport, even tiny ones, but not the ProFlight Orbit. The folding arms see the drone pack up to the same size and shape as a regular sports bottle, making it easy to pack and move without the concern of damaging a propeller or arm.
This drone is all about adventure, and there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained with features like the autonomous hands-free follow me mode and programmable flight paths. It is interesting to see GPS technology, which makes advanced flight modes, at this price.
A built-in camera will enable your children to capture your summer experiences with stunning 1080p video footage.
The combination of high-resolution camera and orbit flight modes will encourage your children to take striking 360-degree footage that you can share with family and friends.
Reasons to Buy
- Folds down and easy to carry
- Long flight times
- Shoots 360º footage
8. SYMA X5C DRONE
It takes time to learn a drone’s controls, and while many drones are built to be kid-friendly, with a convenient slow mode, the Syma X5C takes things one step further.
The strong built-in 6-axis stabilisation maintains the drone secure in the air until switched, allowing anyone to take control of the flight without fear of this drone speeding off into the sky.
There’s also a built-in camera that allows you to get a POV view from the drone itself, as well as the easy to use flight modes.
Reasons to Buy
- Slow mode for starting out
- Built-in camera with FPV ability
- Good stabilisation
9. UDI RC U27
Beginners can practice well within their means with its three modes. As they learn the ropes, Mode 1 provides maximum flexibility. For all the tricks, bells, and whistles, they will progress to Mode 2 for medium speed and Mode 3.
Headless mode, which is actually a help, not a hindrance, suggests that before flight, no adjustment to the aircraft is required, making it much easier for beginners to learn the basics. Attach the fact that it has cool flashy lighting and you’ve got a big success for yourself.
Reasons to Buy
- Master 180 flips
- 3 speed controls for beginner, intermediate and advanced flyers
10. JOYGEEK MINI DRONE
One of the smallest and hardest UAVs on this list is the Joygeek Mini Drone, making it supremely lightweight and impossible to falter in the event of a collision.
Just a single button press is needed to carry the drone into the ground to make it easier for newbie pilots, and an advanced positioning system keeps it steady in the air, maximizing stability. The drone also has high and low speed modes, so when you continue to master simple controls, you can start off gradually.
Once you’ve earned your pilot’s wings, there are four fun 3D flip stunts to explore and cool LED lights for when you’re confident enough to try a night flight.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to fly
- Performs cool stunts
- Fly indoors or out