When it comes to the best telescopes for kids, they're not the lightweight plastic novelty versions found in local toy stores. These toy telescopes usually lack proper optical capabilities. In contrast, the best telescopes for kids are the "real" ones, serving as valuable tools for learning about astronomy and exploring the night sky. The focus is on simplicity and ease of use. Fortunately, there are numerous affordable options available, often priced below $100. You don't have to spend a fortune for your child to experience the joy of stargazing alongside the whole family.
We've found that the best telescopes for children will be models that are rugged enough to withstand the odd accidental knock and bump and be portable enough for nights away camping under the stars.
As previously mentioned, it's important to understand that these telescopes are not toys, even though they may be durable. It's crucial to handle them with care because the delicate optics inside can be easily damaged if the telescope is dropped or mishandled. It's a good idea to teach your child the proper care and maintenance of their telescope to ensure its longevity. Additionally, supervising their use can help minimize the risk of accidental damage and maximize the lifespan of the telescope.
Kid-friendly models are easy to set up, either by the child themselves or with some help from their guardians. We want to avoid scopes with lengthy alignment procedures as this can put some youngsters who want to get up and running quickly off.
We've selected and listed the best telescopes for kids and put them through their paces with real-world, hands-on experience. We also have a guide for the best telescopes under $500 if you can spend a little more money on scopes more suited for older or more experienced family members. We also have the general best telescopes guide, which features models for all experience levels and budgets.
Telescopes are just one of the options for stargazing and for viewing things in the distance more generally. You could also consider one of the best binoculars for kids as they are sometimes a favorable portable option, and again, we have a general guide on what we think are the best binoculars on the market right now.
Best telescopes for kids 2023
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Best telescopes for kids 2023 ranked
The Explorer EQ2 is equipped with an equatorial mount, which adds a slight complexity to its operation compared to other telescopes featured in this guide. The use of an equatorial mount necessitates additional setup and alignment steps, in contrast to the simpler alt-azimuth mounts. Consequently, the Explorer EQ2 is particularly suitable for older children under the guidance of knowledgeable adults, ensuring a rewarding astronomical experience.
The equatorial mount offers certain advantages. Once it is set up and aligned, it provides smoother tracking of celestial objects as they move across the sky compared to an alt-azimuth mount. The reason behind this is that an equatorial mount aligns with the Earth's axis of rotation. As a result, it can effortlessly track objects in the same direction that the Earth is rotating. This makes it particularly convenient for observing objects near the ecliptic, which is the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun.
The Explorer 130 EQ2 has one of the widest apertures at this affordable price point. It can take in lots of light and offers good-quality optics for exploring bright deep-sky objects. It is supplied with two eyepieces and a 2x Barlow lens. The f/7 aperture enables you to see high magnifications with sharp views. In our hands-on Sky-Watcher Explorer 130 EQ2 review we could see reasonably sharp views of the Jovian System, with Jupiter's moons easily visible. Saturn's rings also looked impressive.
Because of its sizeable footprint and weight, it will primarily be used for backyard stargazing rather than traveling to multiple dark sky areas. Please note — this telescope is pretty hard to get your hands on. If you want it and see it available, don't wait too long.
- Read our full Sky-Watcher Explorer 130 EQ2 review
The Celestron Inspire 80AZ is a classic telescope that is both easy to assemble and get to grips with. It is perfect for kids who are interested in astronomy and want to spend hours under the night sky, learning their way around without technology — a great way to reduce screen time.
The Inspire 80AZ refractor telescope is designed with an alt-azimuth mount and a convenient panning handle for precise movements. This setup enables observers to easily and accurately focus on specific targets. Unlike mounts that may result in sudden and drastic shifts, this refractor telescope allows for smooth and gradual adjustments to the tube's position. However, younger observers might need a bit of patience when learning to navigate the sky. For this reason, we suggest adult supervision, especially during the initial uses of the Inspire 80AZ, to assist them in exploring the night sky with confidence.
The Celestron Inspire 80AZ provides everything children need to begin their stargazing journey. It comes with a tripod, and two eyepieces with different focal lengths (20mm and 10mm), offering magnifications of 45x and 90x respectively. Additionally, it includes a red LED flashlight to maintain night vision, a star diagonal, a StarPointer Pro red-dot finderscope and Celestron's Starry Night Basic Edition Software. Previously, the software was provided on a CD, but now it can be easily downloaded using an access code after purchasing your telescope.
A smartphone adapter is included in the bundle, handy if your young observer wants to take and share images of their astronomical discoveries with friends or try their hands at basic astrophotography.
In our Celestron Inspire 80AZ review, we found a little chromatic aberration (color fringing) around bright targets. Still, for the price, it's not too concerning. We were happy with the telescope's clear views of planets and stars. Jupiter looks particularly radiant, with some of its belts visible. The ice giant Uranus is also identifiable as a faint star in the field of view.
The 3.15-inch (80 mm) aperture made short work of picking out Starbirth at the center of the Orion Nebula (Messier 42), while magnified pin-sharp views of the Hyades star cluster in Taurus dazzle through the optical system.
The Inspire range is also available in apertures of 2.76 inches (70mm) and 3.14 inches (100 mm). If you're looking for an instrument that will take a few years to outgrow, the Inspire 80AZ is the ideal choice.
- Read our full Celestron Inspire 80AZ review
What we love about Celestron's FirstScope is that it's so easy to use and pack away. There's also no complicated setup process — it arrives assembled and ready to go — fantastic for the more impatient youngster and guardians. It negates the need to assemble and disassemble the telescope between skywatching sessions which makes the hobby less of a 'chore.'
Despite its lower price tag, we think the FirstScope is good quality. It's also a nicely portable telescope, weighing just 4.5 lbs (2.04 kilograms). The plastics used are not glossy and cheap, as is commonly the case with other telescopes within a similar price bracket.
During our Celestron FirstScope 76 Tabletop telescope review, we found that it's ideal for little hands since the tube can easily be pushed to the desired target. It is also fully equipped for good night sky observations with two basic eyepieces — 4mm and 20mm — thrown into the package. Like the other Celestron models in this guide, a basic edition of Starry Night astronomy software is included as a download — an excellent resource for young skywatchers who want to learn more about the universe alongside their parents.
Unfortunately, the FirstScope doesn't include a finderscope. Finderscopes are helpful tools for aligning telescopes with specific celestial targets, offering a wider field of view to locate objects more easily. Since trial and error can discourage young astronomers, we recommend considering the addition of a red dot finder which simplifies the process of moving between stars, making it more convenient for young stargazers to navigate the night sky.
With an aperture of nearly three inches (76mm), this telescope enables skywatchers to observe prominent objects in our solar system, such as the moon, Venus and Jupiter. Additionally, its optical system's fast focal ratio of f/3.95 allows for the clear viewing of dazzling deep-sky targets like star clusters.
With the supplied eyepieces, which work with the optics to provide magnifications of 75x and 15x, astronomers won't get hugely close-up sights of targets — something we discovered when we turned our attention to the moon. However, we were able to pick out craters and, despite a view that isn't massively pin-sharp due to a fairly loose focuser, young skywatchers will surely be delighted with what they can see compared with the naked eye.
When observing with the telescope we found Jupiter dazzled at magnitude -1.9, views are basic, but the moons of Jupiter can be found comfortably using the FirstScope. Io, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa appear as bright points of light on either side of the gas giant's equator. That said, detecting Jupiter's atmospheric bands and belts is challenging without using planetary filters. Saturn is seen as a small, faint, fuzzy object. and we could just about make out the gas giant's rings and yellow coloration.
If you want a problem-free skywatching experience for a casual viewer, then the Celestron FirstScope is ideal. To get the biggest bang for your buck, we'd highly encourage accessorizing with a finderscope and improved eyepieces.
- Read our full Celestron FirstScope 76 Tabletop telescope review
A reflector is often recommended as a starter telescope since the design facilitates excellent light-gathering power. The Orion SpaceProbe II 76 is no exception, collecting 60% more light than most beginner scopes with apertures of 2.36 inches (60mm). Despite this, it's on the market for less than $100.
The Orion SpaceProbe II provides an aperture of 2.99 inches (76mm), which — just like the aforementioned Celestron FirstScope — will reveal the solar system, lunar surface and a selection of bright deep-sky targets.
With a weight of 7.05 lbs (3.2 kilograms), the SpaceProbe is a conveniently portable telescope that you can easily grab and take with you. It's perfect for sky-watching during camping trips or impromptu stargazing sessions in your backyard. Despite its lightweight design, the telescope doesn't sacrifice build quality. The sturdy steel tube ensures durability and can withstand occasional bumps and knocks without any issues.
The initial setup of this telescope offers magnifications of 28x and 70x, but it has the capability to achieve magnifications of up to 152x with the appropriate accessories. Moreover, this reflector telescope comes with a generous selection of included equipment: 10mm and 25mm Kellner eyepieces, a red dot finder and a moon map. If you're willing to invest a bit more, there are several bundles available that include additional items such as a planisphere (star chart) for extra guidance, a red flashlight to preserve night vision and a 2x Barlow lens to further enhance your viewing experience.
Unlike other scopes in this guide, the SpaceProbe II has a red dot finder, making star hopping easy even when stargazing in skies with light pollution. Adults will need to help young children to set the telescope up and align the finderscope — attaching the tripod legs to the alt-azimuth mount is also a touch fiddly, so it's best done before it gets dark.
Orion's SpaceProbe II offers wide-field views, making it ideal for more diffuse objects like bright nebulas and star clusters; however, this reflector comes into its own for lunar and planetary viewing.
It's worth mentioning that due to the telescope's spherical mirror, views are not 100% sharp across the frame. Nevertheless, they are sure to please young skywatchers wanting to get a closer look at craters on the moon and small, fair views of Saturn. Like with many of the more affordable scopes, we recommend furnishing the telescope with upgraded eyepieces and filters to provide extra detail on chosen solar system targets.
The Orion SpaceProbe II is especially suited to skywatchers younger than ten. Because of the low price point, it would also work well for beginner astronomers who are new to skywatching and unsure if it will be a long-term hobby.
- See our Best eyepieces for telescopes guide for optional upgrades
The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a no-frills telescope that makes a good starter instrument for skywatchers aged seven years and up — particularly those who prefer not to physically stoop to use a tabletop telescope.
Similar to other beginner telescopes, the AstroMaster 70AZ doesn't require any additional tools for setup. It comes with all the necessary components to start a fulfilling hobby of skywatching. These include 10mm and 20mm eyepieces, an erect star diagonal (which helps with comfortable viewing) and a battery-operated red dot finderscope (to assist in locating objects in the sky).
A download of Starry Night Basic software is also included and features a database of 36,000 targets to explore, including printable sky maps and three-dimensional renderings of galaxies, exoplanets and stars. Whichever way skywatching pans out for your young astronomer — whether it's a passing phase or a lifelong passion — this refractor is a great option that won't break the bank.
During our Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ review, we found more plastic features on it than we'd like (the star diagonal feels inferior quality). Still, given the low cost and good overall build, the telescope will last for many observation sessions — provided it's treated with care. It'll be able to withstand a few knocks but be wary of giving this instrument to youngsters who are unlikely to respect the delicate optics.
The steel tripod can be adjusted to the desired height for a comfortable viewing experience. The optical tube assembly provides high-quality magnified views of the solar system, star clusters and bright naked-eye nebulas, such as the Orion Nebula (Messier 42).
During our review, we found that the alt-azimuth control operates smoothly with no stiffness. And, when the time came to lock onto a chosen target, the panhandle tightened sufficiently to prevent any sagging of the tube. A feature that ensures young skywatchers can take in the views without continually re-adjusting the scope.
The multi-coated optics of this telescope allowed us to see vivid and sharp images of the moon, Jupiter, and Venus. By adjusting the focuser carefully, we were able to observe moon craters, the moons of Jupiter and even catch a glimpse of Jupiter's cloud bands and the changing phases of Venus. Like many entry-level refractor telescopes, there is a slight amount of color fringing, noticeable as purple-blue tints around the brightest objects. However, considering the price, this minor issue doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of observing celestial objects.
Because of the telescope's 2.76-inch (70mm) aperture and useful magnifications of 10x and 165x, the optics can be pushed a touch further without compromising on image quality. We recommend investing in some of the best eyepieces to show your young skywatcher more dazzling sights of the universe.
- Read our full Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ review
If you have a child that is interested in looking at the Moon, and perhaps Jupiter and its moons, this is a good telescope, and you don't need to break the bank. Be mindful though, as with other Encalife products, the price can fluctuate quite dramatically for no apparent reason. We wouldn't pay more than $100 for this telescope. Keep an eye on Amazon, especially around Prime Day and Black Friday/Cyber Monday later in the year, as Encalife is a brand that tends to drop the price of its products quite significantly around these sales events.
Among the telescopes featured in this guide, this particular model is one of the simplest and most basic options. It consists of a 2.75-inch refractor telescope mounted on a compact, portable, and lightweight tripod. Its main purpose is to provide enjoyable views of the moon, making it perfect for trips and outings. The telescope, along with its accessories, conveniently fits into a lightweight travel bag, and the setup and takedown process is effortless. However, it's important to note that this telescope lacks the power and capability to view other celestial objects effectively, making it less suitable for such observations.
As we concluded in our Encalife SVBONY 501 70 telescope review, your child will get good views of the moon thanks to the 400mm focal length, but if they are serious about astronomy and want to develop their knowledge and interest over time, this model's potential is pretty limited.
- Read our full Encalife SVBONY 501P 70 telescope review
Best telescopes for kids: What to look for
When searching for the best telescope for kids, there are a few key considerations before making a final decision. First, you need to establish what kind of objects your budding young astronomers want to observe. This will help you determine what type of telescope to purchase, whether it be a refractor, reflector, or catadioptric telescope.
Aperture: The diameter of the primary mirror or lens that allows a telescope to gather light.
Field of view: Area of sky visible through the eyepiece.
Focal length: A telescope's tube length. Short focal lengths offer a wide field of view and a small image.
Focal ratio: Also known as the telescope's speed. Small focal ratios provide lower magnifications, a wide field of view and a brighter image.
Magnification: Relationship between the telescope's optical system and the eyepiece.
A refractor is a great option for observing high-magnification targets such as the moon or planets. Small, lightweight and generally inexpensive, they are also simple to operate.
A reflector is better for observing fainter objects, like nebulas or distant galaxies, which require more light-gathering capabilities.
Catadioptrics (a hybrid between refractor and reflector telescopes) come in two forms: Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain. They can often be more user-friendly, are more modern and usually computerized and are great for viewing a wide range of objects.
However, they are often more expensive, and if your young astronomer is starting out, this extra cost may be a little too much to ask. But you can find some in our best beginner telescopes guide. Some children don't always take to astronomy as we would hope, so our recommendation would be to stick to cheaper (but still reliable) models, just in case!
Of course, if you want to spend a little more money or a little more time looking at other telescopes that the whole family can enjoy, you can always check out our best telescopes guide. Don't forget about checking out some of the best binoculars too; they are a cheaper alternative and still offer great views of the night sky.
How we test the best telescopes for kids
Here at Space.com, we review each telescope to ensure that our recommendations for the best telescopes to buy are honest and current. Our reviews are based on various criteria, including construction and design, optical function, and field performance.
Each telescope is carefully tested by our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each telescope and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use. For example, comparing a 10-inch Dobsonian to a 2.76-inch refractor wouldn’t be appropriate though each telescope might be the best pick in their own class.
We look at how easy it is to set up, whether computerized or motorized mounts are reliable and quiet, and if the telescope comes with appropriate eyepieces and a functional tripod. We also suggest wether a particular telescope would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best experience possible.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on telescopes, whether you should purchase an instrument or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
