10 Best Telescopes for Kids

Are you looking for a telescope because your child wants to observe the night sky to learn about the stars and planets?

As an item that helps develop the exploratory mind, a telescope is an item you should consider buying for your kid. However, it is difficult to choose a suitable telescope due to the variety of models on the market.

To help you out with this, here are the ten best telescopes for kids you can consider. Read on to know which one meets your needs!

Our Top Picks:

With a wide range of prices and different types, below are the telescopes on the market at affordable prices. Of course, you can consider the more advanced types if you are deep in this field.

1. GeoSafari Jr. Talking Telescope – Best for Overall

Important Specifications

Brand	Educational Insights
Product Dimensions	14.9 x 9 x 7 inches
Power Source	Batteries
Item Weight	1.8 Pounds

Product’s highlights

Without having to leave the house, Talking Telescope GeoSafari Jr. teaches young children information about space!

Unlike traditional telescopes, they allow users to observe the many planets and stars and learn everything there is to know about them.

This clever small telescope can reveal 120 interesting space-related facts and host an entertaining quiz show. With 24 live visuals, it will assist your child in discovering more fascinating facts about the cosmos.

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What we like

• Features 24 images from NASA
• Features 240 fun facts and quiz questions
• Perfect for preschoolers

Things to consider

• Not a real telescope

2. AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope – Best for Viewfinder

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Product Dimensions	14.96 x 5.12 x 3.94 inches
Item Weight	18 Pounds

Product’s highlights

If you are looking for a professionally built, reliable, and adaptable telescope, the AstroMaster 70AZ is the best choice. The telescope is for a pre-intermediate or advanced beginning.

This user-friendly telescope has a red-dot viewfinder, a height-adjustable tripod, and two eyepieces. The red-spot viewfinder proved quite beneficial for locating the planets.

This telescope can provide bright and sharp views of the Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter. In addition, it is simple to assemble and takes little time to set up.

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What we like

• Affordable price
• Compact and lightweight design
• Foldable tripod
• Has a red-dot viewfinder

Things to consider

• Have no carry bag

3. Gskyer 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope – Best for Sturdy Mount

Important Specifications

Brand	Gskyer
Objective Lens Diameter	80 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	40 x 13.3 x 9.3 inches
Focal Length Description	400 millimeters

Product’s highlights

If you want to see the stars without spending $500 or more, this telescope is a great value. It comes with a 3X guardrail, mount/tripod, three eyepieces, and optical tube assembly.

According to my testing, it works as an astronomical telescope at night and a viewfinder during the day.

It is the best first viewfinder thanks to its simple operation and sturdy mount. Also, it would be a great travel device due to its small size.

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What we like

• Stable mount
• Lightweight and compact size
• Affordable price

Things to consider

• No eyecups on eyepieces

4. Celestron Travel Scope – Best for On-the-go

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Objective Lens Diameter	70 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	18 x 7 x 14 inches
Item Weight	3.3 Pounds

Product’s highlights

The Celestron Travel Scope is a professionally made refracting telescope ideal for watching the sky or the earth on the go.

My five-year-old son can easily carry it during a trip thanks to its modest weight, which keeps them actively involved in the setup. Besides, you can fit your laptop in the provided backpack.

The aperture enables high-resolution viewing without significantly increasing weight. When you look at the Moon, you can discern the ridges of the highest crater over its north pole with amazing clarity.

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What we like

• Easy to assemble
• Compact and lightweight
• Good eyepieces
• Great for entry-level

Things to consider

• Tripod is flimsy

5. Gskyer Travel Scope AZ70400 – Best for Beginners

Important Specifications

Brand	Gskyer
Objective Lens Diameter	70 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	24.8 x 4.92 x 8.46 inches
Focal Length Description	400 millimeters

Product’s highlights

The Gskyer AZ70400 telescope is a good choice for newbies looking for a telescope that combines quality and affordability for its low price.

The highlight of this telescope is its image resolution and optical capabilities.

This 70x400mm refracting telescope can assist me in accurately observing celestial bodies and objects and is best used for Moon viewing.

In addition, the assembly is simple and suitable for beginners. Its small and portable design will allow you to take it anywhere.

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What we like

• Lightweight
• Affordable price
• Comes with a bag
• Provides clear, sharp images

Things to consider

• Lenses are easy to collect dust

6. AstroMaster LT 76AZ Newtonian Telescope – Best for Ease of Use

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Objective Lens Diameter	76 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	40 x 13 x 10 inches
Item Weight	8.65 Pounds

Product’s highlights

The Celestron AstroMaster Newtonian Telescope is great for a novice astronomer. It is portable, lightweight, and easy to put together.

The views of the Moon and planets produced by the AstroMaster series are sharp and vivid. Even without paying close attention, I can see things and people clearly from a great distance.

The right price for your child to learn about the sky overhead! There is nothing to be upset about unless your child is a full-time astronomer.

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What we like

• Lightweight and portable
• Affordable price
• See the Moon and celestial bodies clearly

Things to consider

• The tripod is not sturdy

7. StarSense Explorer Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope – Best for Observing the Moon

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Objective Lens Diameter	80 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	38.98 x 18.03 x 11.02 inches
Item Weight	9.2 Pounds

Product’s highlights

It is simple to set up, operate and search for celestial bodies with this Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ!

The StarSense app is for finding viewable objects near you. It is simple to calibrate and use this program.

The power of the viewfinder is lacking a bit, but that is acceptable since it is for beginners. With this range, Moon-watching is fun and simple because you can see each crater close.

All in all, I recommend this telescope to beginners; it is a simple approach to starting a new activity.

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What we like

• Has StarSense app
• Simple to use
• Observing the Moon is easy

Things to consider

• Tripod is not stable

8. PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope – Best for Budget

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Objective Lens Diameter	127 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	29.92 x 16.73 x 8.46 inches
Item Weight	21.4 Pounds

Product’s highlights

The quality of the telescope is relatively good for the price! With 2 eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, you can see the stars in the sky.

If you have little experience in locating the stars in the sky, Celestron offers you a subscription to the Starry Night program for PC or MAC. It shows on your computer the stars visible in the sky where you are and allows you to locate constellations, stars, and planets.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this telescope. The quality with which I can observe objects is very high.

Today’s best deals:

What we like

• Sharp optics and large aperture
• Reasonable price
• Solid connection

Things to consider

• Complex optics

9. Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ – Best for StarSense App

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Objective Lens Diameter	114 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	38 x 33 x 52 inches
Item Weight	4700 Grams

Product’s highlights

The Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ is for those who want to examine the Moon and planets more closely. Besides, the Jupiter and Saturn system looks great overall with the Barlow lens at 25mm.

In addition, StarSense, a practical application, is included with this telescope. The real-time position calculation capability of StarSense sky identification technology allows for the analysis of star patterns.

One more thing worth noting is that setting up this device is also very easy. I can even do it with my little son.

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What we like

• Supports the StarSense app
• Easy to set up
• Affordable price

Things to consider

• Lacks precision

10. Celestron 70mm Travel Telescope – Best for High-Quality

Important Specifications

Brand	Celestron
Objective Lens Diameter	70 Millimeters
Product Dimensions	9.1 x 9.1x 9.1 inches
Item Weight	3.3 Pounds

Product’s highlights

I noticed the high quality of the Celestron Travel Scope DX when I opened the box with the sturdy body and metal eyepiece.

The portability of this telescope is the first quality that I admire. I have no back pain when pulling it out because of the lightweight design.

The device is easy to set up and requires only a few minutes. You can see the Moon and other planets with excellent performance and images.

Although it is light, the quality is amazingly high. Overall, this is a good telescope for a child to start learning about astronomy.

Today’s best deals:

What we like

• Portable
• Easy to set up
• Sturdy
• Decent eyepieces.

Things to consider

• Weak tripod

Buying Guide

Here are some criteria you should consider before buying, to be able to choose the quality and most suitable telescope for your kid:

Reasons to buy

Determining the need before buying is essential to avoid waste. When buying a telescope for your child, you don’t need to buy a high-quality one at a high price.

As a beginner in the sky, you can find a cheap and easy-to-use telescope. Then when your child gets used to using the telescope, you can switch to other types with more functions.

Accessories

You do not require many extras because you are purchasing a telescope for your child. The essential accessories are as follows:

• Eyepieces: For your kid, two or three eyepieces should be adequate.
• Barlow Lens: A Barlow lens can increase the eyepiece’s magnification by two or even three times.
• Color filters: By affixing filters to the eyepiece, you can permit or block certain light wavelengths. For seeing our solar system, a 3-color filter is ideal.
• Maintenance kit: You need a simple maintenance kit for your telescopes to keep them clean.

Guarantee

You find it challenging when using the telescope for the first time because there will be unforeseen issues. The warranty has a significant impact at this point.

Telescopes often come with a year of warranty. If you have any problems, don’t be afraid to contact the manufacturer for assistance.

Price range

After considering the above factors, you need to decide on your budget. With a child learning about astronomy, you shouldn’t spend too much money on a telescope.

However, don’t buy a telescope for under $100. If you choose a product that is too cheap, the quality will not be good.

FAQs

What is the best telescope for kids and beginners?

Celestron 70AZ Telescope is the best choice for kids and beginners because of its Affordable price, compact design, and ease of use.

What is a good telescope for a 10-year-old?

Celestron Travel Scope is a good telescope for a 10-year-old. With the ease of gathering, your child will help you participate in the setup process. Besides, it is very compact and lightweight, and your kids can carry it around easily.

What age is required to start using a telescope?

For a telescope, children should be at least eight years old. At this age, their eyesight is grown enough to use all of the features on it correctly, and their hand-eye coordination is better than it was before.

What is the best telescope to start with?

If you have never used a telescope before, an easy-to-use lens like the AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope would be a perfect choice. With affordable prices and high quality, you will be able to have a pleasant experience.

What type of telescope should a beginner buy?

Beginners, who have no experience in observing and adjusting glasses, as well as how to store and move, should choose a refracting telescope. Because the refracting telescope is easy to use and maintain, and the image quality is good.

Conclusion

Above is our recommendation of what we consider the best kid’s telescopes.

These telescopes are of high quality at an affordable price. The important thing is that they are easy to use, and your child will quickly get used to them.

For those with no experience using a telescope, the Celestron 70AZ Telescope is a good device to start. Don’t hesitate to add to your cart!