Best Drones for Kids in 2023 (9 Fun Toy Drones for 7+ year olds)

If you’re shopping for the best drones for kids, you’re in luck – there are several great models available at really affordable prices.

However, it has to be said – investing a little more in a kid’s drone is a good idea, especially if you’re a parent who values having a child who’s really engaged in their first drone photography experience.

The best toy drones will have a longer flying time (better batteries), offer helpful pilot-assist features and be much easier to operate.

As a result, your child will enjoy flying their first drone a lot more than if you try and save a few bucks with a cheap toy drone.

Some other useful features on the best drones for kids include Altitude Hold Mode, Single Button Takeoff and Landing, Headless Mode and Stabilization.

You’ll also need to choose a mini drone with a camera if your child wants to try aerial photography and videos.

Above all, kids’ drones need to be safe. Propeller guards are a must, especially when flying indoors, and steer clear of FPV drones – it’s too early for that!

Let’s take a closer look at the top models in each age category.

What are the Best Drones for Kids in 2023?

Image	Product	Features
	Ryze Tech TelloOUR #1 CHOICE FOR KIDS	VR Headset Compatibility High-quality Image Processor Tello App Controller Compatibility	View Price →
	Mavic Mini 2BEST FOR TEENAGERS	Level 5 Wind Resistance Lightweight 31-min Max Flight Time 4K Ultra-clear Video	View Price →
	Altair Aerial AA300HIGHLY RECOMMENDED	GPS Stability 1080P Camera Range of 150m Simplified Flying	View Price →
	Potensic A30W	Custom Flight Path Altitude Hold Mode Gravity Induction Mode WiFi Transmition	View Price →
	DROCON Ninja	Easy to Control Gravity Control 1080P Full HD Camera Altitude Hold Mode	View Price →
	Potensic P7	Gravity Sensor Control Propeller Protection Custom Path Flight 360° Flip Mode	View Price →

 

Ryze Tech Tello

Despite being a kids drone, the Ryze Tech Tello has great image quality and build because it’s powered by DJI – the brand that;’s been producing the best drones since 2006.

It’s the best drone for kids aged 8 to 16 as they can use it safely unattended both indoors and outdoors. It’s perfect for beginners as it has multiple pre-programmed ‘EZ Shots’ which take all the trouble out of complicated filming maneuvers – our favourite is the EZ shot 360.

You can also program other actions into the Tello using Scratch, a block-based visual programming language. This expands the appeal and possibilities of this kids drone by giving the little ones another educational tool.

With the Ryze Tech Tello, they can learn programming, photography and videography as well as drone piloting skills.

The battery lasts 13 mins per flight, which is actually good for a mini drone at this price point. Also, you can further accessorize it by buying a remote control or a VR headset.

The Tello is easily the best drone for under $100, but you can also invest a little more for the Tello Boost combo – for an extra 70-ish bucks, you’ll get spare propeller guards, propellers, 3 batteries and a charging dock to really enhance your child’s first flying experience.

Mavic Mini 2

This is the best drone for a teenager – it’s recommended for 14 years old and over. In fact, it’s no longer classified as a toy drone, but thanks to its carefully calculated 249g weight, it can be used safely without a UAV license in most countries.

The Mavic Mini 2 is a great drone for photography and videography as you can adjust all the main camera settings. As for quality, it has a 12MP camera and captures 1080p video. It also has a 2x lossless quality zoom or a 4x digital zoom for extra magnification.

You can save your photos and videos on your phone and share them easily online. To save on storage space, you can trim the video before downloading it using the handy DJI Fly app.

Kids will enjoy using the Fly app to edit photos too, and the Enhance Photo Option is a one-click solution to getting great-looking images.

The Mini 2 comes with multiple pre-programmed movements and capture modes such as panoramas, boomerang, auto-exposure bracketing, sphere, timed shots and more.

Just remember to attach the included propeller guards to keep your kids safe when flying.

Flight time is impressive at 31 minutes – the best by far of any of the best kids drones in this list. If you want to keep your drone hovering longer, the Mavic Mini 2 is the one to get.

(If you’re on a stricter budget, look for the Mavic Mini 1 which also has a 30 minute flight time – as it’s an older model, you may find it on sale here.)

Altair Aerial AA300

This is one of the best drones for pre-teens – it’s recommended for ages 12 and up. The GPS Satellite Stability function keeps it balanced and makes it easy to fly – especially for beginners.

The Altair comes packed with auto functions that make it easy and fun to use from the get-go – other drones for kids don’t include these options. Then, as your kids become more experienced, they can fly the drone in advanced mode for better overall control.

You can use the Aerial AA300 with the controller or mount a phone to it to have a live view of the scene while flying, as well as to record photos and video remotely. The flight time is around 15 minutes, which is easily enough for their first aerial photography experience.

As for safety, this kids drone has three auto-return features that work even when you lose connection, so you’re at way less risk of losing it – something that most children have a habit of doing with new toys!

Unfortunately, as the Aerial is such great value at under $200 for a 1080p drone, it’s often out of stock. If that’s the case, we recommend any of the other best drones for kids in this guide.

Potensic A30W

This is a very basic beginner drone – there’s no assembly required. It doesn’t have many features or functions, although you can connect it to your phone and have a live view as well as save photos or videos.

The Potensic has a one-button take-off and landing feature that makes it very easy to use for children. However, it’s not as easy to control when flying since it doesn’t have a stabilizer – this is probably the reason why it’s recommended for kids aged 14 and up.

It has three-speed modes, and there’s a handy emergency stop feature in case you lose control – a feature that most kids drones at this price point don’t have.

The camera films at 720p, and you can rotate it 90-degrees for some creativity in your shots. The battery life is very short, though, ranging from 3 to 5 minutes, which may leave your kids a little frustrated.

However, at this price, it’s still a compelling option for young pilots or as a drone for kids who want to buy it with limited pocket money!

DROCON Ninja

The Ninja is one of the best camera drones for kids at this price since it has a 1080p/30fps HD wi-fi camera with an ultra-wide-angle lens that can be rotated 90-degrees.

It also features a 2.4GHz live video feed, which will transfer footage in real-time to a smartphone that can be mounted on the Ninja’s remote controller.

The 6-axis gyro offers excellent stabilization and altitude hold, making hover mode on this little drone simple for all kids ages. It also folds up nice and small for easy portability.

It has a modular battery to enhance the 7 minute flight time (we recommend you purchase a spare battery), and it’s loaded with beginner-friendly functions such as one-key take-off and landing, 360 flips and three-speed modes.

We think it’s the best drone for kids who are aged 14 years and higher who don’t have the budget for the Tello drone or another DJI model.

Potensic P7

While you can use this mini drone for photos and video, its biggest appeal is ‘battle mode’. Activating this feature, you can play with other of the same model kids drones and hit each other with infrared waves – the first one to receive three hits is defeated!

The P7 comes with two batteries to reach a combined flight time of 20 minutes, and it also has gesture control when you don’t want to use the remote controller – children of all ages will love this magical feature. Show it the palm of your hand to start a video or hold two fingers up to take a photo.

We couldn’t find an age recommendation, but on the manufacturer’s website it says safe for the whole family. And, the advertising video shows a kid using it to fight his dad, so from ages 8 to 12 would be an estimated age range.

Please use your own judgment to determine if it’s a toy drone that you find appropriate for your child.

Sanrock U61W

This mini drone is definitely beginner-friendly and has all the usual auto functions that you can expect as one of the best drones for kids.

It has that all-important altitude hold feature, a headless mode where it the drone’s orientation doesn’t matter while flying, an emergency stop feature to prevent it from crashing, and several other great features to enhance the enjoyment of piloting.

Also, unlike most other kids drones, the Sanrock has a custom flight route where you can trace on your phone where you want it to fly, and it will follow that path. This makes it much easier to control.

The two included batteries allow you to have approximately 14 minutes of flight time, and due to its compact nature, the Sanrock is very portable.

This kids drone is recommended for ages 14 years and up. However, all the advertising images feature younger kids using it, so the target age group is not exactly clear.

The camera records 720p video, but the Sanrock is mainly an indoor drone as its weaker motors mean that it won’t hold up very well in strong winds – either way, we don’t advise flying drones in strong winds or adverse weather conditions.

Tomzone Mini

The Tomzone mini drone is really fun to use day or night, thanks to its colorful LED lights which younger kids will love.

It’s very easy to fly thanks to auto functions such as one-key take-off and landing, one-key return, headless mode, and other features that should really be on all the best drones for kids.

To make your night flights really eye-catching, the Tomzon can turn around 360 degrees while flashing all its LEDs, and it has three speeds. The included batteries add up to a 15 minute flight time.

It’s advertised for kids, although we’ve seen a recommended age between 12 and 14 years old on many retail websites. Keep in mind that the Tomzone is mainly an indoor drone since its motors aren’t powerful enough for stable flight in outdoor winds.

Xinhome Hand Free Mini Drone

This is a very cool drone for young kids – recommended for 6-year-olds and older. It can be described as a ‘UFO’ that you can control using hand gestures!

A flexible plastic cage conceals the propellers, so it’s completely safe to use. It’s armed with five motion sensors that detect when there’s something ahead, and it changes directions automatically.

This means that it won’t crash into walls or furniture. It’s also the way to control the Xinhome when you play with it – just hold your hand next to it to send it back to your playmate.

With 30 minutes of USB recharging, the battery lasts for 5-8 minutes of flight, which should be enough to keep a child with a short attention span entertained!

It doesn’t have a camera or remote control – think of this UFO as more of a fun and interactive toy than a mini drone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is appropriate for a drone?

While every kid is different, the average age recommended for toy drones is 8 years old. It’s always encouraged to have a parent or an adult with the child when using a drone – preferably one that knows all the safety rules. More advanced drones have a minimum age requirement of 16 y/o – this might change in your area, be sure to check with the local authorities.

Can 10-year-olds fly drones?

Technically speaking, children from 10 and even a couple of years younger can fly toy drones. The average drone for kids usually has auto functions to keep them easy to use. Legally speaking, certain drone categories have a minimum age requirement regardless of the child’s skills – generally speaking, this age is 16.

What is the best drone for a 7-year-old?

Even if it’s recommended for kids from 8 years of age – as most drones for kids are – the Ryze Tech Tello offers the best quality and easy to use functionality. With the proper supervision, it’s the best drone for young children.

What is the best drone for a 12-year-old?

The Altair Aerial AA300 is the best drone for pre-teens. It has many automatic functions to use as a beginner that you can switch to advanced once you are more experienced. This makes it a kids drone that can grow with your kid and won’t be forgotten in the back of the closet after a few uses.

Final Words

As you can see, there are many types of drones for kids and teens on the market, from UFOs that can float around to laser beam shooting battle drones!

Depending on your child’s age and interest  (and, of course, your budget ), you can choose any of these drones for kids to step into the aerial world.

Undoubtedly drones are here to stay, and they will become more and more popular beyond 2023. You’re not only giving your kids a toy to play with but also a skill that will come in handy as they grow.

I hope you found a model that suits your needs in this roundup for the best kids drones. Be sure to check out our article on underwater drones too for more exciting options for kids.