For as long as history books have had records, humans have loved looking up at the stars. And kids are no different! Whether you’re trying to encourage STEM interests in your toddler or just have a young one fascinated by the sky, this list of the best telescopes for kids will help ensure you get the perfect device to facilitate their wonder.
Our Top Picks
Need to make a decision at light speed? No problem! Take a quick look at our favorites before you buy.
  | Best Overall: Gyskyer Telescope AZ70400. This highly-rated telescope comes with multiple magnification lenses, an adjustable tripod, a phone mount, and even a carry case. |
  | Budget Pick: Surefect Nasa Lunar Telescope for Kids. At under 2 pounds and less than $30, this incredibly affordable telescope offers 90x magnification and can easily be brought with you on any adventure. |
  | Best Under $100: Celestron Travel Scope 70. With up to 165x magnification, you’ll be able to make out details like the rings around Saturn or even the moons around Jupiter. |
  | Best for Beginners: Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ. If you’re willing to shell out a little extra, the best beginner’s telescope is the one that’s the easiest to use and yields the best results! |
  | Best for Toddlers: Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. This colorful, durable kids telescope magnifies things 100 feet away up to 9x, making it perfect for little adventurers to explore their world. |
A Closer Look: The 5 Best Telescopes for Kids
Zoom in and see what makes each telescope sparkle.
1. Gskyer Telescope AZ70400
The best telescope for kids overall.
Brand: Gskyer | Aperture: 70 mm. | Magnification: Up to 120x | Weight: 5.7 lbs. | Price: 💰💰
With over 17,000 5-star reviews, the Gskyer Telescope AZ70400 easily tops our list as the best telescope for kids. In addition to the basics like the height-adjustable, alt-azimuth (adjustable both vertically and horizontally) tripod and interchangeable magnification lenses, this state-of-the-art device also comes with a smartphone adapter and wireless remote so you can take pictures and videos of the things you see!
Reviewers Like
- Lightweight and easy to transport with the included carrying case.
- The step-by-step instruction manual makes set-up fast and easy.
- Simple to switch between different magnification lenses.
Reviewers Dislike
- The tripod adjusts loosely, and bumping into it may change the angle of the telescope.
- Some reports of telescopes arrived without the phone mount accessories.
2. Surefect Nasa Lunar Telescope for Kids
The best kids telescope for the money.
Brand: Surefect | Aperture: 70 mm. | Magnification: 90x | Weight: 1.63 lbs. | Price: 💰
Telescopes aren’t cheap – even kids ones. If you’re hoping to introduce your child to the joy of astronomy but aren’t looking to break the bank, check out the Surefect Nasa Lunar Telescope for Kids.
This lightweight, portable telescope offers about 90x magnification, perfect for looking at the moon, the stars, and even a few planets when they’re close by! The small tabletop alt-azimuth mount tripod allows you to move the telescope up and down as well as side-to-side so you can view any angle.
Reviewers Like
- Incredibly lightweight and easy to bring on camping trips, outings to the park, and more.
- The low price makes an interest in the stars affordable.
- Easy to set up and get started.
Reviewers Dislike
- Not very durable, especially in the face of rowdy children liable to drop things.
- Some found the instruction manual difficult to follow.
3. Celestron Travel Scope 70
The best telescope for kids under $100
Brand: Celestron | Aperture: 70 mm. | Magnification: Up to 165x | Weight: 4.2 lbs. | Price: 💰💰
If you’re looking for a great telescope that isn’t the cheapest around, but is still within reason, check out the Celestron Travel Scope 70.
It comes with two interchangeable lenses so you can adjust the magnification level, and sits on a height-adjustable tripod with an alt-azimuth mount so you can find that perfect angle every time. As a bonus, this telescope comes with access to the Celetron Sky Portal Planetarium App, one of the top-rated astronomy software programs available.
Reviewers Like
- With 165x magnification, you can see pretty much anything you want to – like the rings of Saturn or the moons of Jupiter
- Set up is fast and easy, and once you get the hang of it, takes less than 5 minutes
- Fully-coated glass optics offer a crystal-clear image quality
Reviewers Dislike
- The included tripod gets shaky if the legs are extended to their full height, which makes focusing the telescope difficult
- Even when not fully extended, the tripod can shift angles if bumped
4. Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ
The best beginner telescope for kids
Brand: Celestron | Aperture: 70 mm. | Magnification: 165x | Weight: 11 lbs. | Price: 💰💰💰
If you want something easy to use that gives you stellar views, check out the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ. It’s by far the most expensive telescope on our list, but according to the astronomy community, most affordable “beginner” telescopes are actually more difficult to operate and offer lower-quality magnification and zoom.
In addition to the basics, like an alt-azimuth tripod and multiple magnification lenses, this telescope comes with what’s called an erect image diagonal, which allows you to easily view what’s overhead without tilting the telescope straight up at the sky.
Reviewers Like
- Compatible with Celestron’s lens add-on kit for even deeper magnification.
- Easily adjustable alt-azimuth tripod allows for any viewing angle
- Incredible magnification can make out popular deep sky objects
Reviewers Dislike
- At 11 pounds, this telescope is a little more difficult to transport than others on our list
- The tripod legs can get shaky when extended to their full height
5. Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr.
The best kids telescope for toddlers.
Brand: Educational Insights | Aperture: N/A | Magnification: 9x | Weight: 1.76 lbs. | Price: 💰
When your 3-year-old takes an interest in the stars, consider getting them the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. This toy telescope actually works, though with just 9x magnification, it’s best for viewing across the backyard rather than across the solar system. The extra-large dual eyepieces make it easy for younger kids to get a good look, without squinting with one eye through a tiny lens.
Reviewers Like
- Focus-free design doesn’t require any complicated adjusting or fine-tuning
- Durable construction stands up to the rougher use of younger hands
- Available in two bright, fun color options to engage your child
Reviewers Dislike
- With no way to adjust focus, you can only view things at least 100 feet away
- The tripod is not height-adjustable
Our Process
For this guide on telescopes for kids, our team spent 2 hours researching the most popular options from over 5 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about 50 user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each telescope. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 5 telescopes for kids on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.
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Further Reading
