Drones have become increasingly user-friendly, safer, and more accessible, making them an ideal piece of technology for early childhood learning and development. That’s why drones for kids can provide priceless learning opportunities.
Children gain valuable skills through childhood experiences. They love to play, explore, and observe the world around them. Early childhood education sets a strong foundation for adult learning, and begins the journey towards a bright future, full of amazing opportunities.
Giving your little one the opportunity to experience aerial aviation is a great way to teach them about science, technology, and engineering. With the emergence of affordable and easy to operate unmanned aerial vehicles, otherwise known as UAV’s or drones, children can experience the joy of flight at a much younger age than ever before.
Before we dive into the list we’ve put together for the best drones for kids, let’s take a look at some of the top features that all of the drones in our list have in common.
Best Drones for Kids Buying Guide: What Features to Look For
There are several top features that all of the drones in our roundup have in common, that are important things to consider when teaching young kids to fly a drone.
Beginner Mode
It’s important for kids to have an easy way to takeoff and land a drone when they are learning to fly for the first time. We’ve ensured that our roundup includes drones that offer beginner modes, which allow kids to begin flying easily, using one-touch takeoff and landing options.
Safety Features
All of the drones in our roundup offer robust safety features, which is especially important when looking for a drone for kids. Things like prop guards, LED indicator lights, and intelligent return to home features are all meant to ensure a safe and enjoyable flight experience.
Size & Weight
When looking for a first drone for your kids, you’ll want to start with something compact and lightweight. All of the drones in our roundup are small and are easy to manage, with some being as lightweight as 249 grams.
Price
Price is a very important thing to consider when looking to purchase a drone for your kids, which is why all of our drone recommendations come in at under $300. You won’t want to overspend on their first drone, since they’ll just be getting their wings, and may run into an obstacle here and there. $300 is an excellent budget for a kids drone, yet it still offers some incredible options that even adults would enjoy.
Best Drones for Kids in 2022
Swift Stream RC Z-9
The Swift Stream RC Z-9 is a foldable and customizable drone with a remote control and goggles. The RC Z-11 includes a 4Hz wireless remote control, and a 6-axis gyroscope stabilization system.
Convenient features include a auto-hover option where the drone will hover at the pre-determined height, making the Swift Stream RC Z-9 super easy to fly and land. It can stay in flight for 7 minutes, and has a flight distance of up to 200 ft. The Swift Stream RC Z-9 can also do fun tricks like 360-degree flips, and is small enough to fit into your pocket.
Swift Stream RC Z-11 Key Features:
- 6-axis gyro for easy flight
- 360 degree aerial stunts
- Built-in LED lights
- Maximum flight time: 7 minutes
- Flight distance: 200 feet
- Weight: 4.2 oz (119g)
Syma Z3 FPV RC Drone Quadcopter
The Syma Z3’s folding design gets this small drone ready to fly in seconds, and taking to the skies is a breeze thanks to the one-key takeoff and landing. It’s never been easier to get airborne than with this kid’s drone.
The included remote control commands this first-person view (FPV) drone, but the Z3 works with smartphones, too. When you use your phone, you can draw flight plans on-screen and tilt the phone to tilt the drone. Plus, there’s a hover mode to ensure pixel-perfect photos from the 720p HD camera on this FPV drone.
Syma Z3 Key Features:
- 720P camera
- 2.4G frequency remote control
- Maximum flight time: 8 minutes
- Flight distance: 80 feet
- Weight: 4.09 oz (116g)
RYZE Tello Intelligent Drone
If your kids love video games, then they’ll love the RYZE Tello. It comes with a control pad that wouldn’t look out of place next to a PlayStation. It’s also easy to control, making it a perfect beginner drone.
Your kids can also control this mini drone with a slick smartphone app. It has an HD camera, an impressive 100mm range, and components designed by the drone experts at DJI. It works with VR headsets, too, and it takes off with an easy toss into the air. And with its small, sturdy structure that focuses on the fun of flying, the RYZE Tello is a great drone for kids.
RYZE Tello Key Features:
- HD 720p/30 fps video
- 5MP camera
- Maximum flight time: 13 minutes
- Flight distance: 328 feet (100m)
- Weight: 2.82 oz (80g)
Syma X22W FPV Mini Quadcopter
The Syma X22W FPV is a great beginner drone for ages 8 and up, and comes with many of the features that are found in more expensive compact drones. The built-in camera is great for kids to experience FPV flight, while the automatic takeoff and landing features make it easy to operate.
The Syma X22W can fly for 7 to 9 minutes per battery, and has a transmission distance of 82 ft. The included controller is responsive, has great ergonomics, and features buttons for auto-takeoff, auto-landing, and 360 degree acrobatic flips. The Syma X22W can also be flown using the mobile app, which enables additional flight options, like waypoint mode, and gravity control mode.
Syma X22W FPV Key Features:
- Real-Time Live Video
- Altitude Hold
- Gravity Sensor Control
- Adjustable Speed Modes
- One Key Start/Land
- 3D Flips & Rolls
- Fly with mobile app or included controller
- Maximum flight time: 5 minutes
- Flight distance: 229 feet (70m)
- Weight: 2.47 oz (70g)
XDrone Spy Quadcopter
The XDrone Spy Quadcopter is a fast flying camera drone, capable of capturing videos and photos at speeds of up to 16mph. It features 10 to 12 minutes of flight time per battery, and its included 2.4ghz wireless controller has a range of over 150 ft. Included propeller guards provide safety for any unforeseen obstacles, and give peace of mind when flying at high speeds.
The XDrone Spy Quadcopter can also perform acrobatic flips, including backflips, front flips, barrel rolls, and double backflips, which are even more exciting at high speeds. The XDrone Spy weighs 312 grams, and is perfect for both indoor and outdoor flights, thanks to its auto-stabilizing sensors, which provide precision and stability.
XDrone Spy Quadcopter Key Features:
- 6-axis gyroscope stabilizing sensors
- Can fly at up to 16mph
- Included propeller guards for safety
- Acrobatic flips, including backflips, front flips, barrel rolls, and double backflips
- Maximum flight time: 10-12 minutes
- Flight distance: 150 feet (45m)
- Weight: 11 oz (311.84g)
UDI RC MIRAGE PRO U52G Drone
The UDI RC MIRAGE PRO U52G is an advanced drone for kids, offering features that are typical of enthusiast level adult oriented drones. The UDI RC MIRAGE PRO U52G includes a wide-angle 1080P HD camera, and can be controlled with GPS signals at up to 500m away when paired to its included 5.8GHZ wireless remote controller. It can take high quality photos and videos, thanks to the fixed hover capabilities that GPS signals provide.
The UDI mobile app offers intelligent flight modes, including Follow Me, 360 surround mode, and map based waypoint mode. Auto-return home is a safety feature of the UDI MIRAGE PRO U52G, allowing the drone to safely return to its take-off point, when signal is lost or battery runs low.
UDI RC MIRAGE PRO U52G Key Features:
- Low-battery and out-of-range alarms for safety
- Precise hover for sharp photos and videos
- 120 degree wide angle 1080P camera
- Intelligent follow and 360 flight modes
- One button takeoff and landing
- Maximum flight time: 12 minutes
- Flight distance: 500 feet (152m)
- Weight: 6.34 oz (180g)
Blade Glimpse FPV Multi-Rotor BNF Drone
The Blade Glimpse is a nano-sized FPV drone with a durable design. It features a flexible airframe that can withstand running into obstacles, and its Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope technology helps it to fly smoothly in windy conditions. The Blade Glimpse is equipped with coreless motors that have pre-set pitch and roll limits, offering a flight envelope that makes staying in control easy.
The integrated camera of the Blade Glimpse can capture 720P HD video, and take sharp 1.0 megapixel photos, thanks to electronic self-leveling technology, which brings the drone into a hover attitude the instant you release the sticks for stable image capture. It has 6 to 8 minutes of flight time per battery, and can send a live 480P video feed to multiple mobile devices with Team View.
Blade Glimpse Key Features:
- Team View, with live FPV video via 480p Wi-Fi downlink to multiple mobile devices
- 1280 x 720p HD video and 1.0MP photo
- Tough yet lightweight airframe with durable blade guards
- SAFE (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology helps it to fly smoothly in windy conditions
- Electronic self-leveling technology for stable hovering
- 8GB Micro SD memory card included
- Coreless motors with pre-set pitch and roll limits for easy operation
- Maximum flight time: 6-8 minutes
- Flight distance: 80 feet (24m)
- Weight: 1.8 oz (52g)
Emax EZ Pilot Ready-To-Fly FPV Drone
The Emax EZ Pilot FPV drone is an immersive drone that kids will love. It allows kids to experience the thrill of flight from a bid’s-eye view, through the use of FPV, or First Person View goggles. It offers a complete FPV package that is ready to fly out of the box, including the drone, wireless controller, and FPV goggles.
Tailored towards convenience and entertainment for kids and beginners alike, the Emax EZ Pilot FPV drone gyroscopically self-levels the aircraft, while its Smart Height Assist technology intelligently manages the throttle controls. This allows kids and new pilots to focus more on learning to fly, versus having to deal with throttle management to stay in the air. Advanced mode is also available when your little one is ready to take on manual throttle controls, and soar through the skies with no limits.
Emax EZ Pilot FPV Key Feature:
- Real-time Hobby-grade First-Person-View (FPV) Video Transmission System
- Gyroscopic Self-leveling with 3-modes from beginner to advanced
- Smart Height Assist altitude control in beginner and full manual advanced mode
- On-board FPV camera to experience flight from inside the aircraft
- Ergonomic Radio Controller and Comfort Fit FPV Virtual Reality Goggle included
- EZ One Stick Control mixes yaw and roll into one stick for intuitive flight feel
- Maximum flight time: 4 minutes
- Flight distance: 180-200 feet (55-60m)
Aee Sparrow 2 Folding Drone
The Aee Sparrow 2 is the perfect drone for kids who are ready to fly an enthusiast level cinematic drone. It captures 6MP photos, and stable UHD 4K footage at 24 FPS. It has a transmission range of 0.5 miles, which is plenty of distance for young drone pilots who are looking for their first flight experience.
The Aee Sparrow 2 includes GPS flight control for enhanced stability, and 30 minutes of flight time, which is some of the best battery performance in this class of kids drones. The Aee Sparrow 2 is easy to use, convenient, and offers high-end features at an affordable price.
Aee Sparrow 2 Key Features:
- Up to 30 Minutes of Flight Time
- 6MP Stills & 4K Video at 24 fps
- 0.5-Mile Flight Distance
- GPS with waypoint control
- Smart object tracking with Follow Me
- 30 minutes of flight time per battery
- One Touch Flight Mode with Auto Sound Track
- Maximum flight time: 30 minutes
- Flight distance: .5 miles (800m)
- Weight: 15.8 oz (448g)
C-Fly Dream Foldable GPS Mini Drone
The C-Fly Dream is a great choice for kids who have advanced their drone piloting skills, and are ready to move on to an enthusiast class drone. Capable of shooting 1080P video with its 2-axis stabilized gimbal, the C-Fly Dream can transmit a 720P live view for a distance of 0.5 miles. It weighs in at under 249 grams, keeping it beneath the weight of drones that require FAA registration in the USA, and certain other countries.
The optical-flow sensors on the C-Fly Dream help to maintain hover stability on various ground textures, even when GPS signals are unavailable. It can also capture 4K still images, and has intelligent flight modes for follow, orbit, and waypoint modes.
C-Fly Dream Key Features:
- 2-axis stabilized camera gimbal with 0-90 degrees of tilt
- GPS and optical flow positioning for stable hover
- 1080P video capture
- 4K still image capture
- Intelligent flight modes for follow, orbit, and waypoints
- 0.5 miles of wireless image transmission for control
- 15 minutes of flight time
DJI Mini SE Drone
The DJI Mini SE is one of the best drones for kids available on the market today. It offers best-in-class technologies, from one of the leading drone manufacturers in the industry. The Mini SE includes premium hardware and design, including a 3-axis stabilized gimbal, GPS and vision sensors, and 2.5 miles of live-view image transmission. It can capture 2.7K Quad HD video and 12 megapixel photos.
The DJI Mini SE has some of the best automated software features from all of the drones in our roundup, allowing your little ones to create stunning cinematic videos, using the highly polished DJI Fly mobile application. Quickshots create pre-designed automated shot sequences with a single tap of a button, including Dronie, Circle, Helix, and Rocket.
DJI Mini SE Key Features:
- 30 minutes of flight time per battery
- Weighs just 249 grams
- 2.7 Quad HD video and 12mp photos
- 2.5 miles of wireless image transmission
- GPS and vision sensors for precision hovering
- Quickshot automated cinematic shots
- 3-axis stabilized gimbal
Drones for Kids: Final Thoughts
There’s no better time to create memorable experiences than when we’re young. It leaves a lasting impression, and opens our minds and expands our imagination. Giving kids the opportunity to experience aviation through flying drones is a great way to encourage learning about science and technology. Drones teach kids important skills, and give them the confidence to continue their educational journey as they grow up.
Adorama has tons of drone options from top brands like DJI, Syma, Hubsan, Freewell, Parrot, and more. If you’d like to help your kids take off, our selection has never been better.
