Drones for Kids

Through our personal experience at children’s birthdays and at holidays, very few tech gifts under $50 can bring such excitement to kids than a quadcopter. In general, children are more technologically savvy since the arrival of smart phones and tablets in the last decade. My mom would tell you that her granddaughter can control the 2 oz. quadcopter better than she can.

Checklist for buying drones for kids

• Age of the child – under the age of ten?
• Flying skills – any experience with flying a quadcopter?
• Cost – it depends on your tolerance of crashing dollars to the ground. Is it $30, $50, $100? Keep in mind that children will destroy stuff. If you buy an expensive quadcopter, will you feel bad about the damage and the cost of replacing it?
• Safety
  – check for propeller guards. They help to protect little fingers, minimize damage to the quadcopter and your furniture. (Nothing says “ouch!” like seeing a quadcopter fly into the flat screen TV and leave a spider web pattern on the screen.)
  – The weight of the quadcopter is important too. The less the quadcopter weighs, the less damage it can do. I have caught a quadcopter in my hand and I know first-hand that the blades can really hurt. (At this weight, they won’t cut, but the amount of pain really surprised me.) If the quadcopter weight is higher than about 2 to 4 oz., then the propeller can actually cut your hand or finger. So, remember to get a quadcopter that weighs less than 4 oz. for children.

If the child has no experience with quadcopters, we suggest that you start with a $20 quadcopter and require the child to learn and demonstrate certain skills before buying the next level quadcopter for them. For example:

• Be able to take off and land on a paper plate placed on the floor five feet away from the take off point.
• Be able to take off and hover for 10 – 30 seconds, then land gently right where you took off.
• Be able to take off and fly around the room in a circle, then gently land on a target. (No crashes, no accidental landings.)

Children in the 10-15 year-old range typically have better eye-hand coordination than younger children. It is still a good idea to start them on a less expensive indoor quadcopter and then allow them to gradually move up to a more expensive and more powerful quadcopter

Drones for kids under 10 year-old

Youth groups everywhere tell the leaders that beginning at about age 10 or 11 children have developmental jump in skills. Fine motor skills improvement rapidly at this time and interests involving testing their skills increases. We suggest that these quadcopters will be exciting tech gifts for children developing their skills. Safety is paramount. Blade guards or ducts should be considered for children in this age group.

Here are our top choice of kid-friendly drones for kids under ten:

Blade Inductrix RTF Ultra Micro Drone with Safe Technology

Model: Blade Inductrix RTF Ultra Micro Drone with Safe Technology
Dimension: 3.8 x 3.8 x 2.3 inches
Weight: 0.3 ounces
Price: $70 range
Who is suitable for: Kids under 10 year-old to up to 12 year-old
Skill level: Beginner or experienced pilot
Quick Spec:

• Durable rotor housings prevent damage
• Lightweight
• Fully assembled and RTF
• Four specially tuned EDF (Electric Ducted Fans) rotor systems
• Flight time = 6–8 minute flying time

Summary: The Blade Inductrix™ drone RTF is an ultra-micro drone that is lightweight and it comes fully assembled. This is a quiet quadcopter compared to a conventional propeller-rotor drone – thanks to the four specially tuned EDF rotor system (like a jet system vs a propeller system). You can fly this quad indoors and outdoors. It has a durable housing that prevents damage to your kid or your furniture. This is an easy-to-control quad – it uses a SAFE technology that enables self-leveling – a great feature for a beginner. The Blade Inductrix™ drone works with any 4+ channel transmitter with Spektrum™ DSMX; 2.4GHz technology (included). And, it has LED light. This is a fun, safe and durable quadcopter for kids 10-12 year-old.

Haktoys HAK907C 2.4GHz 4CH RC Quadcopter with camera

Model: Haktoys HAK907C 2.4GHz 4CH RC Quadcopter (camera)
Dimension: 13 x 13 x 3 inches
Weight: .29 lbs
Price: $60 range
Who is suitable for: kids age 7 to 14 year-old
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• 4 Channels: forward, backward, up, down, clockwise, anti-clockwise, left cyclic, right cyclic.
• Loop function (360° eversion). 3 speed modes; 30%, 60%, and 100%
• Flight time: 8 -10 min. (Recharge 90 min)
• Ready to fly. (Camera included, but not installed.)
• Two batteries.

Summary: The HAK907C 2.4GHz 4CH RC Quadcopter has complete wrap around blade guards. It protects the blades when it crashes and protects the kid’s fingers. The extra battery means that you can enjoy flying this copter longer. Simply charge up both batteries, fly with one battery until it runs down, and then switch batteries. It is suggested for in-door use, but it can be flown out-doors (weather permitting).

Horizon Hobby Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter

Model: Horizon Hobby Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter
Dimension: 14.1 x 8.4 x 4.5 inches
Weight: .6 oz
Price: $60 range
Who is suitable for: kids age 6 -12 year-old
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:
• Features exclusive SAFE technology with stability and agility modes
• Small enough to fly in any room or office (Even a cubical!)
• Tough, lightweight airframe with blade guards
• Potent brushed motors that provide smooth and powerful lift
• Includes yellow and green canopies with sharp Nano QX graphics

Summary: Horizon Hobby Blade Nano QX RTF Quadcopter has a SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology that delivers flight control that’s a nice step forward. It is tuned for rotary wing aircraft, making the aircraft intelligent enough to understand its flight attitude and makes RC flight easier than ever before. This Horizon Hobby Blade Nano QX RTF helps to build a beginner pilot’s confidence.

Syma X11C RC Quadcopter with camera

Model: Syma X11C RC Quadcopter
Dimension: 14.5 x 7.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 15.2 oz
Price: $40 range
Who is suitable for: kids age 6 -10 year-old
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• Forward/backward, Up/down, Turn left/right, 3D stunt (can do 360 flip), Sideward flight, Camera, With LED lights.
• Flight time: 6 – 8 min

Summary: Syma X11C RC Quadcopter is an affordable way to get into FPV (First Person View) flying for a kid under 10 year-old. FPV mode give the pilot the ability to fly as if he/she were inside looking out the front. The viewer screen shows the view out the front of the copter. This camera drone can do forward/backward, up/down, turn left/right, 3D stunt (yes, it can do 360 flip) and sideward flight with LED lights.

Estes RTF Proto Z micro Quadcopter

Model: Estes RTF Proto Z micro Quadcopter
Dimension: 9.6 x 5 x 2.6 inches
Weight: 1.5 oz.
Price: $20 range
Who is suitable for: kids under 10 year-old
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• Flight time: 7-10 minutes
• Range: about 90 ft.
• Controller: yes
• Camera: No
• Recharge time: 45 minutes.

Summary: The Estes Proto Z is light weight and low cost (under $20). It is an excellent starter for a child under ten year-old. Read our review of Estes Proto Z. It comes with a controller. No camera. It includes four replacement propellers. It is relatively safe to fly indoors as it is small enough to fit in your hand, and its lightweight airframe of 1.5 oz. won’t damage your furniture.

Drones for kids age 10-15 year-old

Kids age 10 to 15 year-old are old enough to control copters, but they still try to push their limits. As gown-ups, we know not to fly so close to a tree, but they just seem to be compelled to try it. What tech gift to buy for that super kid?

• Keep the price down to a level where you won’t feel real bad when they crash it.
• Try to pick something fairly safe (light weight quadcopter, or with blade guards or duct)
• Feature rich with lots of things to do
• Explain to your kids to fly responsibly

Here are our top choice of drones for kids 10-15 year-old:

GoolRC T36 Mini RC Quadcopter

Model: GoolRC T36 Mini RC Quadcopter
Dimension: 3.3 x 3.3 x 1.4 inches
Weight: 21 g
Price: $20 range
Who is suitable for: children up to 15 year-old
Skill level: beginner or experienced pilot
Quick Spec:

• Headless mode
• One-key return
• 3D Flips
• Flight time = about 5 min
• No camera

Summary: The GoolRC T36 Mini RC Quadcopter is a light-weight, 6-axis Gyro quadcopter suitable for children up to 15. This is an easy-to-operate drone. It has headless mode – you don’t have to adjust which way the quad faces before flying. It features a one-key return – you can take off and land with a push of button. With its low/high speed options, either a beginner or an experience pilot will enjoy flying this quad. The GoolRC T36 features 2.4GHz technology adopted for anti-interference. It has LED light to give you an option to fly at night. And, it can do a 3D 360 Flips!

Estes Proto X Nano R/C Quadcopter

Model: Estes Proto X Nano R/C Quadcopter
Dimension: 1.8 x 1.8 x 2.6 inches (50mm motor to motor)
Weight: 4 oz (11.5 g)
Price: $30 range
Who is suitable for: kids age 10 year-old and up
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• 6 axis gyro stabilization
• LED lights make it easier to follow
• Flight time 10-15 min
• Recharge time is about 30 min
• No camera

Summary: The Estes Proto X Nano R/C Quadcopter is tiny but durable (somewhat like piloting a bug.) It is an excellent quadcopter for beginner pilot to learn how to fly a quad. It has 6 axis gyro stabilization and LED lights. This is an affordable first drone to demonstrate what a quadcopter can do.

SYMA X5C-1 Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with HD Camera

Model: SYMA X5C-1 Explorers 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with HD Camera
Dimension: 12.4 x 12.4 x 2.9 inches
Weight: 3.4 lbs.
Price: $60 range
Who is suitable for: kids age 10 year-old and up
Skill level: Beginners

• Lift/Right, Forward/Backward, Up/Down, 360 Flip and Roll sideways fight
• Flight time about 8 min
• Recharge time: 1hr 40 min
• Has led lights
• No camera

Summary: The SYMA X5C-1 Explorers 2.4G 4CH quadcopter is big enough that it can be taken outside to fly. Your kids will have great fun to fly outside at twilight. The blinking LED’s help to keep it in sight. After you have flown it a few times you will enjoy showing friends and family what it can do. It has moves such as lift/right, forward/backward, up/down, 360 flip and roll, sideways fight. The SYMA X5C-1 Explorers is also small enough that it can be flown in a large room indoors.

Syma X5SW Explorers2 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis RC Quadcopter

Model: Syma X5SW Explorers2 2.4G 4CH 6-Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter with 0.3MP Camera (FPV) Bundle
Dimensions:12.4 x 12.4 x 4.1 in (315 x 315x 105mm)
Price : $60 range
Who is suitable for: Kids 14 year-old and up
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• Ready to Fly (Just attach and tighten props)
• 4CH with 6 Axis
• 0.3 MP 480P camera
• Controller range is about 50 Meters
• Flight time about 7 minutes
• Viewer app available for IOS devices and Android smart phones.

The Syma X5SW-V3 Explorers2.2 is an affordable tech gift under $50 for kids 14 years old and up. It is one of the very best quadcopters to learn on. It is light weight enough so that you can practice indoors without doing a lot of damage. Read our review for Syma X5SW Explorers2. It has 4CH with 6 Axis and ready to fly (just attach and tighten props). The right-hand controller can be configured for left hand throttle. Controller range is about 50 meters. The First Person View (FPV) camera is HD and allows even a beginner to shoot an in-flight video. There is a holder on the ground controller to allow you to clamp on your smart phone and then watch the flight. Viewer apps available for Android OS and IOS smart phones. It has headless mode – makes it easier for a beginner pilot can learn to fly much sooner. Flight time is about 7 minutes. The Syma X5SW comes with spares for the parts that a beginner is most likely to break. It has a plastic body which is designed to be shatter resistant, another good feature for a beginner.

Holy Stone F180W Mini RC Drone FPV Quadcopter

Model: Holy Stone F180W Mini RC Drone FPV Quadcopter
Dimension: 5.1(L) x 5.1(W) x 1.2(H) Inches
Weight: 1.9 oz.
Price: $79.99
Who is suitable for: kids age 10 year-old and up
Skill level: Beginners
Quick Spec:

• HD camera modes 1280 and 720p
• Flies up/down, left/right, forward/back, fly leftward, fly rightward.
• 360 degree flip & roll in four directions
• Flight time 7 – 9 min. (recharge time = 45 min.)
• Has a HD camera
• Indoors / outdoors
• Headless auto return to home. (If it gets out of range of the ground control transmitter, it will automatically return to take-off point (RTH “return to home”)

Summary: Holy Stone F180W FPV Quadcopter is small, but not tiny. Since it comes with a camera, this quadcopter will be a great tool for your teenager to learn piloting skills and shoot some videos. Small enough to fly indoors, but motors are powerful enough to fly outside (if the breeze is light enough). It has features such as fly up/down, left/right, forward/back, fly leftward, and fly rightward. It can do 360 degree flip & roll in four directions.

Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4 RC Quadcopter

Model: Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4 RC Quadcopter
Dimension: 14.2 x 2.4 x 14.2 inches
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Price: $50 range
Who is suitable for: 14 year-old and up (No blade guard)
Skill level: Beginners
Quick Spec:

• 3D flips
• 3D Full flight control – Up, Down, Left, Right, Forward, Backward, Leftward flight, Rightward flight.
• Flight time: 8 to 10 min
• Has indoor / outdoor modes

Summary: You can fly the Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4 RC Quadcopter indoors (better have a big room) or take it outdoors. It has a cute bumble bee design. This copter is excellent for a responsible teenager. It can be a fun and an exciting challenge to operate 3D full flight control of up, down, left, right, forward, backward, leftward flight, and rightward flight.

Drones for kids age 16 year-old and up

Teenagers are a difficult age group when it comes to buying gifts. Sometimes teenagers seem to be ready to go off to college, at other times, well, let’s just say “Not so much.” Teenagers over 16 usually have a driver’s license and (in our family) a part time job. They can often buy small things for themselves. The kind of tech gift we want to give them is:

• Something they can’t afford to buy themselves.
• Something that will last and give them a lot of fun.
• Explain to your teenagers to fly responsibly

Here are our top choice of drones for age group 16+:

UDI U818A HD Camera Drone

Model: UDI U818A HD Camera Drone
Dimension: 13 x 13 x 3 inches
Weight: 4.6 ounces (No FAA registration is required)
Price: under $100
Age: Teenager 16+
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Quick Spec:

• Headless Mode
• HD+ 720P Camera
• 4 Channel, 2.4GHz transmitter with LCD screen
• 360° Flips
• Flight time = 7-9 min
• Charging time = 90-120 mins

Summary: UDI U818A is a 6 Axis Gyro ready-to-fly camera drone. It has great features such as powerful motors, durable frame, headless mode and HD+ 720P Camera. This RTF camera drone is easy to control – thanks to the 4 Channel, 2.4GHz transmitter with a LCD screen that displays full flight status. It has two joysticks that move the quadcopter in all directions. UDI U818A has LED running lights, remote control signal light and, it can do 360° flips!

Blade Inductrix FPV RTF

Model: Blade Inductrix FPV RTF
Dimension: 10.6 x 82. x 3.4 inch
Weight: 1 lb.
Price: $200 range
Age: 16 year-old and up
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• Has LED lights
• Compatible with Fatshark VR Goggles. (Not needed, but nice to have. Can fly using monitor on flight control, but VR goggles improve the experience.)
• Flight time is around 4 minutes
• Very quiet
• 4.3” monitor

Summary: Inductrix FPV Pro BNF is ready to fly. Its design uses ducts so the propeller blades are not as likely to get broken. It has good durable frame. This model is often used as a base model and upgraded with more powerful motors and batteries to be used in competitions. FPV (First Person View) is the experience of viewing the copter’s flight as if you are looking out of the front of the copter. This experience is enhanced by using VR (Virtual Reality) goggles. Hand radio license may be required for this powerful video transmitter. Inductrix FPV Pro BNF has a small frame and very light weight which means it can be flown in-doors. Powerful motors means it can be flown out-doors (weather permitting).

Parrot AR 2.0 Elite Edition Quadcopter

Model: Parrot AR 2.0 Elite Edition Quadcopter
Dimension: 23 x 23 x 5 inches
Weight: 4.8 lb
Price: $250 range
Who is suitable for? Age 16 year-old and up
Skill level: Intermediate
Quick Spec:

• Excellent for camera shots.
• Flight time: 7 -11 min.
• 720p high-definition live video streaming & recording to smartphone or tablet while flying.

Summary: You will use a smart phone to control the Parrot AR 2.0 Elite Edition drone. Read our review of Parrot AR 2.0 Elite Edition Quadcopter. Install the app and connect to the drone, then use the app to control the drone. Press and hold the joy stick “button” on the phone app, and tilt the phone in the direction that you want it to go. The phone controls are not as sensitive as a real joy stick and takes someone who is a bit more experienced to control the drone. This drone can provide many hours of fun for your teenager.

Syma X6SW 480P Camera Wifi FPV

Model: Syma X6SW 480P Camera Wifi FPV
Dimension: 42.3 * 22.5 * 10.2cm / 16.7 * 8.9 * 4in
Weight: 123 g/ 1.5 lb
Price: $70 range
Who is suitable for: 16 year-old plus
Skill level: Beginner
Quick Spec:

• Fly up, down, forward, backward, left, right, and sideways.
• Can do flips.
• 6 axis stabilization
• Flight time: 7 min
• Charge time: 2 hours

Summary: Syma X6SW WIFI FPV allows you to see where you are flying, Video can be recorded at the same time to show your friends. It can do fly up, down, forward, backward, left, right, and sideways. With all of the different flying modes and the ability to perform tricks, this copter will provide many hours of entertainment and fun for a teenager.

DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone

Model: DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter 4K UHD Video Camera Drone
Dimension: 8 x 13 x 18 inches
Weight: 9.2 pounds (Requires FAA registration)
Price: under $1000
Who is suitable for: Age 18 and plus. Serious drone pilot.
Skill level: Intermediate
Quick Spec:

• 4K video
• Flight time: 23 min

Summary:

• 4k UHD video recording with fully stabilized 3-axis camera mount gimbal.
• Vision positioning system allows stable flight indoors. (Outside you can use the GPS stabilization.)
• Lightbridge digital streaming allows live viewing of 720p video (Full 4k Ultra High Def. resolution video is simultaneously recorded on the internal micro SD card)
• Included flight battery and rechargeable remote controller means that this system is ready to fly out of the box.
• If you have a smart device you can use the DJI Pilot app for iOS and Android to view camera image and control the camera (phone/tablet sold separately; see DJI’s website for compatible models)

Warning:

The FAA has rules regarding where one can fly quadcopters and other drones.

• Please do not fly near accidents, police scenes or any area where emergency crews are working. Fly responsibly. Quadcopters interfere with emergency responder’s helicopters, so stay away.
• FAA has regulations about flying near any airports, too. Quadcopters endanger airplanes.
• DJI has locked all Phantoms now being sold from being able to even start the motor if you are within a 15 mile radius of the White House. This encompasses not only D.C. but much of Prince Georges County, Arlington, Fairfax, Silver Spring, Falls Church and Montgomery County. DJI does not warn you of this prior to purchase. Outside of this 15 mile radius, the drone works normally, but be aware, that if you bought it and try to fly within the restricted zone, you will not be able to fly it, even on your own property.
• Do not fly near Federal office buildings, military bases or national parks.

Check out our drone reviews to choose a beginner drone that meets your needs. We also have a blog on drone tips to fly your first drone, including things not to do when flying a drone and drone etiquette. Have fun shopping for the best drone for your kids and happy flying!