The hubby bought a starter drone for himself and a mini drone for kids for our six-year-old to play with. Really, I think they were originally both for him, but who can say no to the face of a sweet little girl? Apparently, not him.
But, let me just say, he did not disappoint. She gets a kick out of these things. We all do. At first, it was necessary to fly indoors until she got the hang of it, but with a little help and a whole lot of supervision, she’s now allowed outside with them from time to time.
Plus, I’m not a fan of having to detangle my hair when she gets too close to me with her drone, although the smile on her face makes it worth it.
My favorite drone is the RED5 Motion Controlled Drone. It’s definitely the best value you can get for your money.
For older kids, you can’t go wrong with the #2: DJI Mavic Mini. This is by far the best drone for older kids if you can handle the price tag.
Keep reading to see my full list of the best drones for kids, and how to choose the right one for your family.
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks for the Best Drone for Kids of 2024
- #1: RED5 Motion Controlled Drone (Best Value)
- #2: DJI Mavic Mini (Best Overall)
- #3: Snaptain SP500 (Best for Photographers)
- #4: Potensic A20 (Best Low Cost)
- #5: DJI Tello EDU (Best for Miniature Computer Programmers)
- #6: Ryze Tech Tello Iron Man (Best for Marvel Comic Fans)
- #7: Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone (Best for Drone Training)
- What Should I Look for in a Drone for Kids?
- Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Drone for Kids
- What Age Is Appropriate for a Drone?
- Verdict: Your Best Drone for Kids
Drones are one of the best (and most fun) toys you can get for your kids in 2024. Watch as they learn to fly a drone and master their take-off and landing skills as well as perform cool tricks such as making 360 degree turns, maneuvering altitude holds and altitude lock, taking pictures, and staring at their own amateur videos. Prices can vary quite a bit on the different drones, but it’s all relative to their various features.
Our Top Picks for the Best Drone for Kids of 2024
#1: RED5 Motion Controlled Drone (Best Value)
The RED5 Motion Controlled Drone is my #1 pick for the best drones for kids because it offers all of the basic features a kid could ask for in a beginner’s drone at a decent price that parents will love. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
It’s Super Easy to Control
There’s a reason the box says this toy is recommended for ages 18 months and up – because it’s super simple and easy to use. Your child simply holds the controller between their fingers and the drone will respond to their hand gestures. Pretty cool, right? I will say, though, supervision is key. So, if you want to let your toddler play with it, that’s fine, but keep an eye on him or her.
It Includes Four Channels
This drone comes with the four basic channels: throttle, yaw, pitch, and roll. Your kids will have so much fun learning different maneuvers with these channels.
There’s a Headless Mode
Headless mode means the drone will remember the orientation in which it took off. This means that no matter where your drone is in the air, it’ll move with your point of view. The RED5 Motion Controlled Drone offers this feature.
It Has a 360-Degree Stunt Feature
Your kids will be amazed at the 360-degree stunt feature. Watch them master their drone with neat new tricks every time.
The Drone Has LED Lights
To top it off, this drone has LED lights that flash, for an awesome visual effect.
Parents and grandparents agree that this drone is great for beginners of all ages. Just keep in mind that it requires three AAA batteries that aren’t included, so you’ll want to make sure to pick some up when placing your order for your new drone.
#2: DJI Mavic Mini (Best Overall)
If you’re looking to get your older kids the best of the best in the world of drones, this just might be it. Admittedly, it’s got a bit of a price tag, but that’s because this thing is pretty amazing. Keep reading to find out why.
It Has 30 Minutes of Fly Time
This kids’ drone has 30 minutes of flight time on a single battery charge.
There Are Already Batteries Included
Speaking of batteries, unlike the RED5 Motion Controlled Drone, the DKU Mavic Mini comes with an included lithium-ion battery, so you can save yourself an unnecessary last-second run to the store.
You Can Stream Video
The controller is designed to work with both Android and iOS smartphones. This gives you the ability to stream HD video feed from up to 2.5 miles away while easily controlling your drone.
It Comes With a Gimbal Camera
This mini drone also has a stabilized 3-axis gimbal HD camera that can produce up to 12MP images along with 2.7K Quad HD videos and cinematic shots.
It Comes With an App
You can download the DJI Flying App on your phone’s play store for added features and benefits.
Consumers who bought this say it’s great for older kids and adults alike. It’s an easy-to-fly drone that is perfect for first-time flyers of all ages.
#3: Snaptain SP500 (Best for Photographers)
The Snaptain SP500 is one of the best drones for kids ages 14 and up who are interested in drone photography. This high-quality drone is great for beginners with its two speed modes (low and high), the altitude hold function, emergency stop, one-key takeoff and landing feature, and so much more.
The Drone Can Return Home
This drone will return home to your child if the battery gets low, the signal is lost, or your kid just lost track of it and needs to get it back.
It Has a ‘Follow Me’ Feature
With this feature, your kids’ drones will literally follow them. Or use the ‘Drawing a Route’ on the Snaptain app to get the drone to circle an object or desired route.
Take HD Pictures and Videos
This camera drone takes HD pictures with its 110 degrees wide-angle 1080P HD camera with an adjustable angle, allowing your kids to capture high-quality pictures and video as well as clean aerial photos. The 5G Wi-Fi 800-foot transmission ensures that your child will be able to produce high-speed, real-time images with this camera drone.
You Can Use Gesture Control or Be Hands-Free
With the gesture control, your kids will easily master the camera. They’ll be taking photos and videos in no time. This is also the only drone with a hands-free mode, so your kids can show off for the camera while having fun with their friends.
It Has 30 Minutes of Flight Time
Similar to the DJI Mavic Mini, your kids will be able to fly this drone for more than just a few minutes. You won’t have to worry about short battery life because this drone comes with two lithium-ion batteries for a combined roughly 30 minutes of fly time on a single charging time.
It Comes With an App
This mini drone also comes with an app. All you have to do is download Snaptain onto your smartphone from your play store and your kids can watch their drone in real-time.
Parents like this kids drone for their aspiring young photographer because of the great camera qualities and many extra features.
#4: Potensic A20 (Best Low Cost)
Recommended for kids ages 14 and up, this is the best drone on this list for the price tag. At just under $30, the Potensic A20 is an inexpensive drone that won’t disappoint.
It Has 10 to 13 Minutes of Flight Time
These drones come with the batteries needed to get your children flying as soon as they’re done opening the box. The included batteries allow for 10 to 13 minutes of pure fun each time.
It Has a Headless Mode
Similar to the RED5 Motion Controlled Drone, this low-cost drone features a headless mode as well as one-key take-off and landing and altitude hold features.
It Features Three Speeds
Unlike the Red5 Motion Controlled Drone, this drone has three different flight speeds. Watch as your kids learn to fly in different environments and get a feel for the flying experience.
It Comes With Protection Guards
Because this drone is meant to fly indoors as well as outdoors, it comes with propeller guards. This will protect you and your belongings while your kid is learning to fly his or her own drone.
It Has a Kid-Friendly Remote Control
The kid-friendly remote control is small and smooth, making it great for small hands and little fingers to use. The simple function buttons make it easy for kids of all ages.
Everyone agrees that this cheap drone is one of the best drones for kids. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and is safe to use indoors. What’s not to love?
#5: DJI Tello EDU (Best for Miniature Computer Programmers)
This drone is not only great for flying, but it allows your wannabe computer programmer the option to learn code. This is a great toy for the tech kids in your life.
Learn to Program Code
Kids will love making this kids drone feel like their very own. Watch your children as they learn about computer programming and code. They will be able to customize the controls via Scratch 3.0, Swift, and Python coding along with the SDK (software development kit) 2.0.
It Has 13 Minutes of Flight Time
These drones for kids come with 13 minutes of fly time on the included rechargeable battery. You should know, however, that the charger isn’t included. The drone charges via standard micro USB charger power adapters, so keep that in mind when making your purchase.
Kids Can Control Multiple Drones
One of the neat features of this drone is the ability to control multiple Tello EDU drones with Drone Swarm.
720P HD Camera and Video Drone
The built-in camera on this drone takes 5MP stills and shoots 720P HD video from over 300 feet away.
Parents say that, much like the Potensic A20, this drone can be used indoors or outdoors. It takes great pictures. They also agree that the ability to pair the drone with your smartphone was a great idea on the manufacturer’s part.
#6: Ryze Tech Tello Iron Man (Best for Marvel Comic Fans)
These are the best drones for kids if your kids are into comics and superheroes. If your kid is a huge Marvel’s comics fan, this drone is for them. It’s a Ryze Tech Tello Iron Man drone. That kind of says all it needs to, in my opinion. The drone was literally designed based on Iron Man’s suit of armor.
It Has a Flight Time of 13 Minutes
Comparable to many other drones on this list, this drone has 13 minutes of fly time on a single lithium-ion battery charge. Only the DJI Mavic Mini and Snaptain SP500 have a longer flying time (30 minutes).
It Shoots Photos and Videos
These drones have the capabilities to shoot 5MP pictures and 720P videos.
It’s Programmable
This is another good mini drone for kids that are into programming and code. Similar to the DJI Tello EDU, these kids’ drones are programmable with the Intel Processor and Scratch SDK. It just doesn’t include Swift and Python. They’ll be learning code while playing with their drones. Your kids won’t even know they’re learning!
It Comes With an App
Your kids will have a blast flying heroic missions with the drone’s Tello app. The drone is also compatible with Bluetooth controllers when using Wi-Fi.
Reviews from parents that have drones for themselves say this is one of the best kids drones because it basically flies itself. It proved great with kids of all ages with its ability to launch and land itself as well as keep itself flying in the air without constantly crashing.
#7: Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone (Best for Drone Training)
The Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone is one of the best drones for drone training. Its headless features and flexible stabilization system will allow your little ones to get the hang of flying their new toy. It also comes with three different speed modes as your beginner gets more advanced: slow, fast, and super fast.
It Has Headless Features
Much like the RED5 Motion Controlled Drone and the Potensic A20, the Holy Stone drone includes a headless feature with four channels. Your kid will be able to get the hang of flying drones in no time.
It Has a Flexible Stabilization System
These drones have a six-axis gyro stabilization system. This will be fun for all the tricks and maneuvers that they will soon be doing with their own drone.
It Has a Flight Time of Six to Eight Minutes
This drone has the least amount of flight time compared to the others on this list, but your children will still get a good six to eight minutes of flight time with this drone in a roughly 100 to 150 feet radius. It comes with lithium-ion batteries that take 45 to 60 minutes to fully charge.
Parents say that this Holy Stone drone is great if you’re looking for one of the best beginner drone models and flies almost flawlessly. Definitely a great buy.
What Should I Look for in a Drone for Kids?
Keep in mind when searching for the perfect easy-to-fly drone that many of these have all kinds of extra features, depending on the price. Some features you may want, while others you could probably do without, especially when buying a drone for a beginner. Because you’ll want to find the best and most appropriate drone for your children to play with, there are certain criteria you’ll want to consider.
Criteria #1: How long is the battery life?
Most toy drones have a battery life of about 10 to 15 minutes of flight time on a full charge. Look for drones that come with multiple battery capabilities for extended fun.
Criteria #2: How fast and how far will it travel?
Consider how fast and how far your toy drones will travel. Most of them have at least two speeds: slow and fast. They also might have a specific range of distance that they can safely travel while your kids still have some type of control over the drone. The last thing you want is for your drone to go down somewhere and you have no idea where it’s at.
Want a piece of unsolicited advice? Find a drone with a ‘return to me’ feature or something comparable. I’m not going to lie, some of these drones can go pretty high and pretty far, so it can be like an Easter egg hunt when one goes down. Thankfully, you can find a GPS drone if you want, or an easy to fly kids toy drone. From my experience, the mini drones for kids are best for little fingers to get the hang of the various functions and controls. As a parent, one thing you need to consider when flying a drone in the United States is the air space regulations. Make sure you check with your local law enforcement for recommendations on a good and safe location for flying.
Criteria #3: Is it easy to control?
Simpler is better. This is especially important for young kids and beginners. Don’t go looking for a kids drone that has a whole lot of buttons or unnecessary features. Your kids may not stay interested in their new drone if it’s too complicated for them to fly.
Criteria #4: How old is your child?
Most drones are designed for eight-year-olds and up. You should always keep in mind the age of your child and their skill level when looking for a drone. It’s best to get a toy drone for kids that has a one-key take-off and landing button or a small remote control for their little hands. An easy-to-fly drone will give them the confidence to move onto bigger drones once they have their toy drones mastered.
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Drone for Kids
When choosing the best drones for this list, I considered several factors. I looked at the price compared to the features as well as the number of features. I also took into consideration the reviews. What better way to find the best product than by seeing what other parents have to say about them? Parents and grandparents tend to be the best critics, considering they’re spending their hard-earned money on a toy for their kids that they hope will last more than two or three uses.
What Age Is Appropriate for a Drone?
This kind of goes with the criteria section above, but in case you missed it, most drones are designed for kids aged eight and up. While it’ll be up to you as a parent, just make sure your kid is ready for a toy drone. Quite a few of them now have prop guards that will protect your children and those around them, as well as pets and household items, if flying indoors.
Verdict: Your Best Drone for Kids
I know we all get busy from time to time and maybe you’re one of those busy people that only has a quick minute to read this, but you’re really wanting to purchase the perfect drone for your children. Don’t sweat it. I’ve got you covered. Here are Cliff’s notes so you can quickly find what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for a great value, choose the RED5 Motion Controlled Drone.
If you want the very best drones for kids, choose the DJI Mavic Mini.
If you are looking at camera drones for a young photographer, choose the Snaptain SP500.
If you want a good affordable drone, choose the Potensic A20.
If you have an amateur computer programmer, choose the DJI Tello EDU.
If you have a comic book fan, choose the Ryze Tech Tello Iron Man.
If you are looking for the best headless drone, choose the Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone.
No matter what drone you choose, you’ll probably need to make sure the batteries are completely charged. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for charging time. Here’s another bit of advice: find a model with prop guards that your kids can learn on. You can always upgrade later. Kids are all but guaranteed to love their new toy aircraft.
