Top Picks: Best Drones for Kids to Fly, Learn, and Have Fun

Although almost everyone I have worked with gets excited about drones, kids are especially enthusiastic about flying, particularly when they are doing so for the first time.

Until someone shows us the world from a different point of view, we see things only from the way they look when our feet are planted firmly on the ground. Drones can fly high above us and provide that never-before-seen view of our house, the ocean, a herd of wild horses, or our friends playing their favorite sport. Flying drones is not only fun but can be educational as well. It even teaches a marketable skill that kids can use as adults.

When looking for a drone for kids, especially that first one, it’s important to find the balance between fun and safety. Drones can inspire creativity, teach valuable skills, and provide endless entertainment.

However, finding the right one requires considering a few key factors. To make the task easier for you, here’s a list of the top five drones to buy for children. Each of these balances safety and fun while also providing options for all budget levels. 

Before purchasing a drone for kids, it’s important to consider a few factors. You definitely want to ensure the drone matches their age, skill level, and interests while not sacrificing safety and ease of use. Here are a few tips to make that decision a little easier.

Drones can be a lot of fun, but there are safety considerations every parent must consider before letting their child take to the skies. Rapidly spinning propellers can easily cut, and no matter how small they are, a drone can down a crewed aircraft or, if it falls out of the sky, seriously hurt someone on the ground. Drones worth buying include built-in features like those listed below.

Some of the most economical drones out there are held together with very weak materials. A single crash can easily destroy the drone. Most kids will crash a drone. The first time I flew one, I was in my 30s and sent it right into the garage door. Granted, drones are much easier to control now than when I started flying them a decade ago, but the point is to consider how sturdy the build is and look for impact-resistant materials. Customer reviews are great for checking this out.

More advanced drones come with a wide range of features that allow you to change the handling of the drone. These are great when you are already an experienced pilot but can make new pilots frustrated, as controlling the drone is more complicated. Beginners should look for drones with intuitive controls and preprogrammed features, making it easy to learn how to fly.

Finally, come flight time and range. Some drones, especially the very inexpensive ones, have ridiculously short battery times. Imagine the heartbreak of buying your child a drone and watching them get excited for just two minutes of flying it before the battery dies. Then imagine waiting another hour for that battery to fully charge. Avoid flight times below five minutes, and don’t forget to buy extra batteries.

Good drones for beginners have a limited range of no more than 100 feet or so, while more advanced drones can fly many miles away from where they take off. Pick a range that matches the child’s abilities and comfort, with safety always as your top priority.

In 2018, Ryze Tech partnered with DJI and Intel to create the Tello drone. It was designed for kids and education. The Tello is a fun drone to fly (I have owned one since it came out) and has the added bonus of being a tool for homeschooling, classroom enrichment, or academic clubs. Students can learn programming while flying the drone, making it ideal as a drone that bridges fun and education. The flight time is 13 minutes, so make sure to buy extra batteries.

Features: The Tello drone is a compact marvel, weighing only 80 grams, yet packed with robust DJI Flight technology and an Intel processor. Preprogrammed flight functions allow pilots to perform aerial stunts with ease, including eight somersaults and bounce mode, where the drone gracefully lifts and lands from your hand. Enjoy up to 13 minutes of uninterrupted flight, one of the longest in its class, thanks to a high-performance battery. Designed for fun and learning, Tello is programmable using Scratch, an MIT-developed coding system, allowing you to create custom flight patterns. The package includes the drone, propellers, guards, battery, and USB cable for seamless flying adventures.

Cost: $198

The DJI Neo is a great drone for children. It can be flown with voice commands, has a great camera, and is the perfect drone for kids looking to capture the world around them. There are many great features in this small but powerful drone.

Features: The DJI Neo is a lightweight, regulation-friendly drone weighing only 135 grams, making it easy to carry anywhere without FAA registration. With palm takeoff and landing, it’s perfect for spontaneous adventures like family BBQs or hiking trips. Capture stunning 4K ultra-stabilized video with AI subject tracking and QuickShots, offering eight creative modes for professional-quality footage. Its multiple control options, including voice commands, app control, or RC, make flying accessible for everyone. The full-coverage propeller guards ensure safe indoor and outdoor flights, while the three-battery combo provides up to 54 minutes of flight time, ensuring endless fun for all your adventures.

Cost: $289

If you like the features of the DJI Neo, you’ll love the Mini 4K. This compact folding drone is just under the weight limit required by the FAA to register the drone, assuming you are just flying it for fun. It offers stable flights, 4K video, and cinematic shots with the tap of a button. The quality of this drone is without question. Of the drones on this list, it is my top pick for kids. Just remember to buy propeller guards and extra batteries.

Features: The DJI Mini 4K combines portability and power, weighing under 249g to exempt recreational users from FAA registration and Remote ID requirements. Capture breathtaking 4K Ultra HD video with a 3-axis gimbal for smooth, cinematic-quality footage, even in low light. Its brushless motors and Level 5 wind resistance ensure stable performance. With a 10 kilometer HD video transmission range and excellent anti-interference, explore vast landscapes with clarity. Enjoy extended flight times of up to 93 minutes with multiple battery options. Beginner-friendly features like one-tap takeoff, GPS Return to Home, and in-app tutorials make flying effortless.

Cost: $239

This drone has many reasons to like it as a drone for kids. The cage around the propellers helps to keep kids safe while offering easy-to-use features like hovering, bird’s-eye view flight, and follow-me functions. In addition to being easy to use, the drone folds in half to a very compact size, making it perfect to carry in a backpack and take out for whatever adventures you and your kids find themselves on.

Features: The HoverAir X1 is a lightweight, portable, self-flying drone weighing just 125 grams, exempt from FAA registration. Its Intelligent Follow-Me Camera tracks movements up to 15 mph, perfect for capturing sports like cycling or skateboarding. Pre-programmed flight paths, such as Orbit and Bird’s Eye, offer hands-free shooting, while manual controls allow precision adjustments. Record stunning 2.7K@30fps and 1080P HDR video with a triple stabilization system for smooth, vibrant footage. Enjoy real-time camera previews through the Hover X1 App and easily share creations via built-in 32GB storage. With fully enclosed safety guards, the HoverAir X1 ensures safe, worry-free flying for everyone.

Cost: $319

The last drone on our list is designed for those looking to find a drone under $50. With a low price point, you are not going to get many of the features that come with more expensive drones. For example, the drone has some cool features like different speed modes and pre-programmed flips, but it does not have a camera, and the flight time is only seven minutes per battery. But for the price point, it’s a good drone.

Features: This mini drone offers endless fun with features like Toss to Launch, Circle Fly, 3D Flips, and Auto Rotation, perfect for kids and beginners. User-friendly functions like Altitude Hold and Headless Mode ensure stable, carefree flying, while three included batteries extend flight time to 21 minutes. Its protective guards keep kids safe and prevent damage, making it an ideal gift for young adventurers. 

Cost: $29.59

Drones open a world of creativity, learning, and fun for kids. By choosing the right drone tailored to their age and skills, you ensure a safe and exciting experience. Whether it’s the DJI Mini 4K or a budget-friendly option, these drones provide endless opportunities for exploration and skill-building. 

Are drones safe for kids to use?
Yes, drones designed for kids include safety features like propeller guards, altitude hold, and emergency stop buttons to minimize risks. Always supervise younger children and follow safety guidelines.

Do kids’ drones require FAA registration?
Most kids’ drones weighing under 250g, like the DJI Mini 4K or HoverAir X1, do not require FAA registration for recreational use. Check local regulations to be sure.

What features should I look for in a drone for beginners?
Beginner-friendly drones should include intuitive controls, stable flight features like altitude hold, and durable designs to withstand crashes. Extras like one-key takeoff and landing make flying easier.