Whether your kid is a beginner in photography or wants to improve their photography skills and take it a level up by shooting aerial images, a drone can be a great tool to keep their interests going and to help them explore new techniques and skills in photography in a fun way.
Drones for kids are available in various budgets and age range and you will need to choose one based on your kids’ interests and budget. Here are some of the best drones that you can check out if you are looking to buy a drone for your kid.
Best Drone For Kids
Ryze Tech Tello – Mini Drone Quadcopter
A drone with a decent camera can be purchased for as little as $50 and there are great drones in the market that are affordable and perfect for kids, to capture some photos and videos. Before investing in a drone, there are some features to watch for (discussed later in this article), that will help you to make the right decision.
Note: While children as young as age 4 can fly a drone, it is good to wait till your child is about 10 years old if the drone will be used for capturing photos and videos and not as a toy for recreational purposes. If you wish to purchase a drone that requires registration, remember that in most countries, the minimum age is 13 and above in order to sign for the registration.
What Type Of Drone Is Perfect For Kids?
Before purchasing a drone for your kids, remember that children should not be allowed to operate the drone without supervision. Since drones can fly over houses, backyards, powerlines, and other public and private spaces, it is dangerous to allow kids to fly the drones unsupervised.
Choose drones that do not fly very high, are easy to operate, and have protective features, especially for the propellers. Drones need to be below 250 grams for kids to operate them without a license, and this is a law in most countries.
All the drones mentioned here are below 250 grams, may not fly very high, and hence may not require a registration. Always check the age recommendation for the drone on the package it came in. Also, make sure that your kid will be responsible in respecting their and others’ privacy and safety.
Note: If you are only investing in one drone, then it is good to wait till your kid turns 13, so you can buy them a better drone instead of investing in a small or toy drone that will become useless when your child grows up.
Below we have listed 7 drones under various price range and weight that we thought were some of the best for kids.
The 7 Best Drones For Kids
1. DJI Mini 2 SE
DJI Mini 2 SE
Lightweight and Foldable
Mini Drone with QHD Video
under 249 g
This is one of the best low cost drones for beginners in aerial photography and also a great drone for kids. If your child has some experience already flying drones and if they are above 13, then this is one of the best drones that you can buy for your kid.
The DJI Mini 2 SE is lightweight, weighing less than 250 grams, and hence may not require a license or any form of registration to operate the drone. It has an incredible flight time of up to 30 minutes and comes with a remote control.
It also comes with a good camera that can shoot high quality videos and 12 MP still photos with raw DNG output. It however does not support HDR. It can also be quite expensive compared to kids’ drones by other manufacturers.
2. Ryze Tech Tello
Ryze Tech Tello
Mini Drone Quadcopter Kids
5MP Camera, HD720 Video
13min Flight Time
The Ryze Tech Tello is a compact drone that comes with a high definition camera capable of shooting 720p videos and good quality photos, although not of very high resolution. It comes with a flight time of about 12 to 13 minutes and the battery can be charged using a USB cable.
The drone can be controlled using a smartphone connected to the Drone’s WiFi. There are two flying modes – normal and high speed and the lack of internal memory means you have to save any media directly to your smartphone.
The Ryze Tello is very lightweight weighing less than 100grams, with maximum altitude of 30meters and a maximum speed of 8m/s making it a good choice of drone for kids.
Overall, it's a really fun toy and a great way to start with drones. It's really well built and powerful for the price and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to start playing with drones without spending a ton of money.
5 stars – Really well performing drone for the price
3. Autel Robotics Evo Nano+
Autel Robotics Evo Nano+
249g Mini Drone
4K RYYB Camera
The Autel Robotics Evo Nano+ is another light weight drone weighing less than 250 grams and hence may not require a registration or license to fly. It comes with a good battery life of about 28 minutes.
This drone has a few interesting features like obstacle detection, stabilised high definition video and other automated camera moves including hyperlapse and high quality photos. This drone is slightly on the costlier side and if you are looking for a drone for your kid who already has experience flying drones and wishes to improve their skills, then this Autel Robotics Evo Nano+ will be a good choice.
So far, very satisfied with this Autel Nano Plus, premium package. I say better than expected because some reviews had some issues with flight performance. But it has performed very well. Images and video great. The HDR seems to be available just for the video, but photos can be taken automatically while video is in progress and pre-determined intervals. There is a lot yet to explore, but for now am very satisfied.
5 stars – Performing better than expected.
4. Holy Stone HS260 Drone
Holy Stone HS260
1080P HD Adjustable Camera
Foldable RC Quadcopter
30 Mins Flight time
The Holy Stone HS260 Drone is a compact drone with HD camera and foldable arms. The drone can be controlled with a dual joystick and the camera can be controlled remotely from front facing to 90 degrees facing vertically down.
The drone comes with two batteries, each with 15 minutes flight time. The batteries can be charged using USB cables, which means they can be charged on the go using any battery pack that you may have.
The Holy Stone HS260 Drone is lightweight, weighing about 140grams making it another good choice for kids as you may not have to register or get a license to fly it.
5. DEERC D20
DEERC D20
720p HD FPV Camera
Propeller protection
8 mins flight time
The DEERC D20 drone is an easy to use drone that comes with 2 batteries, extra propellers and about 9 minutes of flight time. The drone is foldable and is comparatively one of the most silent drones.
It has a tiltable camera that has good resolution of 720p but the weight of the drone at just 69 grams, making it very less resistant to wind, leading to shaky videos. It has a good flying time suitable for kids, has some automatic features for beginners and comes in multiple colours making it a good drone for kids.
6. Sanrock U61W Drone
Sanrock U61W Drone
FPV Mini Drone with 720p Camera
Altitude hold and 2 Batteries
The Sanrock U61W Drone is a drone for beginners, is very compact and comes with a high definition camera that is capable of capturing good quality photos and videos. The kit comes packed with extra batteries and blades.
The flight time is short, about 14 minutes and hence is suited for a kid who is just starting to use a drone. This drone can be controlled using a remote controller or a phone and also has a steady hold mode for a specific altitude, which can be a safe feature for beginners.
7. POTENSIC A20 Mini Drone
POTENSIC A20 Mini Drone
Quadcopter with Auto Hovering
Headless Mode
3 Batteries and Remote Control
The POTENSIC A20 Mini drone is a great drone for kids just starting to fly a drone, especially for younger kids. It comes with a console style controller that needs a phone to operate along with the usual controls and gravity sensing. The propellers come with guards, which can be a great safety feature for small kids and since this drone is very lightweight, it may not require a license to operate or fly.
The camera can shoot high quality videos using the 720p camera and hence can be a good choice for kids who are interested in shooting aerial footage. The drone is small, portable, and comes with three batteries.
| Drone | Features |
|---|---|
| DJI Mini 2 SE | Best for kids who already have experience flying drones. Weighs less than 250 g, high resolution camera and great flying time |
| Ryze Tech Tello | Compact drone with high definition camera capable of shooting 720p videos and a flight time of about 12 to 13 minutes. Weighs less than 100grams. |
| Autel Robotics Evo Nano+ | Light weight drone weighing less than 250 g, stabilised high definition video and other automated camera moves. Good for kids with some experience. |
| Holy Stone HS260 Drone | Compact drone with HD camera and foldable arms, 15 minutes flight time and weighing about 140g |
| DEERC D20 | Easy to use drone, comes with 2 batteries, extra propellers and about 9 minutes of flight time. Drone is just 69 grams, very less resistant to wind. |
| Sanrock U61W Drone | Compact and comes with a high definition camera, packed with extra batteries and blades. Flight time is short, about 14 minutes. |
| POTENSIC A20 Mini Drone | Great drone for younger kids just starting to fly a drone, propellers come with guards, high quality videos using the 720p camera. |
Before purchasing a drone, keep the following things in mind when deciding to choose a drone for a kid. This is a set of factors plus FAQs relating to drones for kids.
Minimum Age For Flying A Drone
There is no minimum age for flying a drone because there are a lot of toy drones in the market even without a camera, that are designed for children and drones used as toys could be used by kids who are about 5 years old and above. Look for local and national laws relating to flying drones and you will be able to decide what works best based on the kid’s interest.
Safety For Kids When Using A Drone
It is important to have your kid under supervision when operating the drone, especially when they are below 13 years old. It is good to keep the drone at the lowest speed in order to avoid injuries, and then slowly increase the speed as your kid becomes experienced and is more confident when flying the drone.
Make sure the blades are protected using propeller guards. Most drones for kids come with these attachements, but if not, you can purchase them separately.
Make sure your kid flies the drone in open spaces where there are no obstacles like trees, buildings, other people and most importantly power lines and communication lines.
Size Of The Drone
Depending on the age of your child, you need to invest in a drone of the right size so it will be easier for them to handle. Smaller drones will also have fewer features that are not complicated, so the kids will find it easier to operate. Some drones are even capable of flying in an enclosed area and so if you are concerned about your kid flying the drone outdoors, you can allow them to practise indoors and once they gain experience, you can take them outdoors.
Ease Of Use
Drones are easier to operate but needs some practice for younger children. Look for drones that come with a remote control, as it is a very important accessory to easily control the drone. Look for specific features, design and functions and see if your child is of the right age to understand and implement those when using their drone.
Camera Quality
A lot of the children’s drones come with good quality cameras that are capable of capturing high resolution photos and videos up to 1080p. This can be a great feature if your kid is a photography or videography enthusiast and is looking forward to capturing their first aerial footage.
Safety Features
Kids especially during the early days of flying the drones may be prone to causing accidents like crashing the drones, etc., and hence you need to look for safety features in the drone itself like covered blades to prevent injury, slow flying drones, so that the impact isn’t too much in case of an accident or injury.
Besides, look for drones that have an option to maintain a stable height and this can help the kids capture stable footage and prevent crash landings. Toy like drones that fly lower and ones that are easy to operate will be good choices when buying a drone for kids.
Flight Time / Battery Life
Drones are operated by rechargeable batteries and for kids drones, because of the light weight, the battery life could be about 10 to 15 minutes or sometimes even less, depending on the drone. So it is always good to have one or more spare batteries for longer flight times.
Depending on your child’s age and the purpose for which they will be flying the drone (photo and video, or just practising) you will need to invest in a drone with particular battery life. Remember that, the more the battery life, the heavier the battery, the heavier the drone and more the price as well.
Note: Each time you need to change a battery, you will need to land the drone. The flight time includes take-off and landing times as well.
Registration Requirements
Registration and license requirements to fly drones vary with countries. The registration age could be anything from 13 to 18 years of age and it also depends on the weight/size of the drone. Drones that weigh over 250 grams will usually need a license / registration in order to fly.
Kids’ drones are usually designed to be lightweight, unless you decide to invest in another drone that is a mini version of a bigger drone. If you are buying a drone designed for kids, it should be lightweight and well below 250 grams and hence it may not require a registration.
So when purchasing a drone for your kid, keep in mind to buy a lightweight drone that can be flown without any issues. Anything above 250 grams may need a registration.
Note: Registration and license rules and laws vary for different countries and even for regions and localities. It is important that you check all the safety and legal laws/rules for your specific country or region, before purchasing a drone for your kids.
Affordability / Value For Money
Most drones for kids are priced between $50 to $150 and you can expect reasonable to high quality in these drones. Drone prices vary based on camera quality, features, size and various other factors. Drones with a HD camera will have a higher price tag whereas a drone with a normal camera can be purchased at a relatively lower price.
Keeping the above factors in mind, decide on a drone that you think is suitable for your kid.
Overall, we think that the RYZE Tech Tello is a great choice of drone for kids around the age of 13 as it comes with a good camera, propeller guards, decent battery life and a good design that feels strong and sturdy. It is also lightweight, weighing below 250 grams and may not require registration, but it is always good to check the local rules and laws relating to using or flying drones.
Best Drone For Kids
Ryze Tech Tello – Mini Drone Quadcopter
Do you have experience with drones for kids? Which one do you think is the best for kids and why? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
