We researched the best telescopes on the market for kids, considering factors including focal length, aperture, and magnification. Our best overall pick is the Gskyer AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope. The bestselling telescope collects a lot of light, has a wide field of view, and includes a Bluetooth remote for taking photos of your findings. Here are the best telescopes for kids. The short stand is perfect for kids to scan the sky for celestial objects. It is important to note that in places with a lot of light pollution, finding planets will definitely be difficult. Luckily, this pick is easy-to-use for beginners, but really small kids may need a hand finding their first sight. Users note that setup is relatively simple and only takes about 10 minutes. There may be a learning curve for first-time telescope users, but the high ratings confirm this pick is a great entry level purchase that comes at a much more affordable price than more advanced options. Price at time of publish: $130 Dimensions: 24.8 x 4.92 x 8.46 inches | Weight: 5.64 pounds | Focal length: 15.74 inches | Aperture: 2.75 inches The sturdy tripod, easy setup, and informational manual makes this a perfect budget-friendly beginner telescope. The adjustable tripod will grow with you, whether buying for a tween or adult amateur astronomer. Price at time of publish: $78 Dimensions: 18.07 x 8.74 x 4.41 inches | Weight: 2.47 pounds | Focal length: 14.17 inches | Aperture: 2.76 inches The best part of this option is the included smartphone app which assists you in finding every visible object in the sky. Your iPhone or Android will give you a guided tour with arrows to locate different stars and planets for a great bonding experience for the whole family. Keep the telescope set up in your living space for a celestial touch to your decor.
Price at time of publish: $460 Dimensions: 39 x 17 x 9 inches | Weight: 14.2 pounds | Focal length: 26 inches | Aperture: 4 inches This interactive toy features the voice of Emily Calandrelli, the star of Netflix’s show Emily’s Wonder Lab, who shares over 200 fun facts about space in four different languages. With just three batteries, young ones can spends hour learning and observing beyond our atmosphere before they are ready for the real thing. Price at time of publish: $35 Dimensions: 9 x 14.9 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Focal length: Not Applicable | Aperture: Not Applicable Still, this choice comes with a tripod for stabilizing, a pan handle control for smooth and accurate pointing, and an accessory tray for storing any small parts or tools. This portable and easy-to-set-up telescope will make a great gift for the person in your life wanting to explore the night sky for the first time before graduating to a higher aperture option. Price at time of publish: $160 Dimensions: 36 x 36 x 62.5 inches | Weight: 13.4 pounds | Focal length: Not Listed | Aperture: 2.75 inches The refractor telescope boasts a big 3.93 inch lens treated with advanced coatings to maximize light collection. The 26 in focal length produces bright images, and it ships with 0.8- and 0.4-inch Kellner eyepieces for up to 66 times magnification. Each scope in Celestron’s Inspire lineup includes their SkyPortal app that guides amateur astronomers through a database of thousands of celestial bodies, including Jupiter and its Galilean moons. Price at time of publish: $360 Dimensions: 38 x 33 x 52 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Focal length: 25.98 inches | Aperture: 3.94 inches If you don’t know what to observe, press the Sky Tour button for a guided tour of the night sky viewing all of the best sites available at that moment. Explore more with the bonus starry night software or the free SkyPortal app with hundreds of audio descriptions of the items you can find with the easy-to-use high aperture telescope. Price at time of publish: $440 Dimensions: 35 x 16 x 11 inches | Weight: 13.2 pounds | Focal length: 39 inches | Aperture: 4.49 inches The scope uses the same low dispersion (ED) optics utilized in its camera lenses for optimum resolution, and it can achieve up to 60 times magnification. No eyepieces are included, but it’s compatible with standard 1 ¼ inch interchangeable telescope eyepieces, and you can mount it to your digital camera to transform it into a powerful astrophotography lens. Price at time of publish: $656 Dimensions: 4.72 x 15.55 x 3.86 inches | Weight: 3.09 pounds | Focal length: 15.63 inches | Aperture: 3.15 inches The GoTo computer locates and tracks some 40,000 celestial bodies, and SkyAlign tech will have your telescope ready for stargazing with just a few steps. The 6SE is expandable for easy software updates, and Celestron peripherals like GPS-powered SkySync, Skyris camera for astrophotography and SkyPortal WiFi module allow you to align and control the telescope with a smartphone or tablet loaded with Celestron’s SkyPortal app.  Price at time of publish: $1,079 Dimensions: 32.01 x 26 x 12 inches | Weight: 21 pounds | Focal length: 59.06 inches | Aperture: 6 inches | Recommended Age: Not Listed Price at time of publish: $950 Dimensions: 39 x 10 x 17 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Focal length: 25.59 inches | Aperture: 5.12 inches

Focal Length 

The focal length is the distance measured in millimeters from the telescope’s mirror or lens to the focal point (the point where the telescope is in focus) of the optical tube. A longer focal length results in a larger image.

Magnification

A higher magnification number results in a larger image. Magnification isn’t the most important measurement to consider for a child’s first telescope. Instead, look for a large aperture and long focal length.

Refractor or Reflector

Reflector telescopes use a curved mirror to magnify and are best for viewing celestial objects like the moon, planets and stars. Refractor telescopes use a lens to magnify and are also good for looking at objects in the night sky, plus they can be used to look at mountains or birds. Refractor telescopes are more versatile, but reflector telescopes provide a better viewing experience for celestial objects. (A third type of telescope, called a compound telescope, provides the best of both a reflector and refractor telescope, but compound telescopes are expensive and generally too advanced for kids.) 

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This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more.