Today's generation is mastering all the new gadgets on the gadget market with lightning speed. And if you are thinking about a gift that can be not only a toy that is perceived with delight, but also an item that promotes the development of motor and cognitive skills, a great way to spend time both at home and outside, a drone for a child is the best option. Already at this stage, an interest may form that will develop into a lifelong pursuit, be it drone building or working with video and photography.
Introduction
We think the presented rating will be especially popular not only among young pilots. To a greater extent, it will be of interest to modern parents who are always aware of new trends and want their children to keep up with the times. As you have already seen, the modern world of drones is extremely large and in order to understand this variety of unmanned products, you need to spend a lot of time, which adults, as always, do not have enough.
We have collected here the most popular quadcopters that can be recommended as a first drone for children aged 8–14 years. The TOP 10 includes two types of drones: Nano and Mini, the main task of which is to teach how to operate a drone correctly and safely. The offered products can also be used by children under eight years of age, but only under the strict supervision of adults. In order for a quadcopter to be included in this top, it had to meet such parameters as: safety, workmanship, flight performance, durability, functionality, popularity. Let's start with the last one - 10th place. For those who do not have time to fully familiarize themselves with the rating, we have prepared the table below.
Dear parents, as well as all-knowing young pilots!
Before reading the rating, we simply must remind you that no matter what size the drone is, in careless and inept hands it can be equally dangerous for both the user and others. To get a positive experience from owning a device, you will first need discipline, which is equally present in any responsible task. Remember! Safety first! By following simple rules for launching a UAV, you can avoid many troubles. Parents are strongly encouraged to read the rules and familiarize their children with them!
comparison table
| Name | Availability of camera | Flight time | FPV | Height/Position Hold | Headless mode | Flight environment | Price | Review |
| Eachine E010/JJRC H36 | No | 5 minutes | No | No | Yes | room/street | from 23$ | There is |
| Dwi Dowellin D7 | 2MP | 5 minutes | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi | barometer | Yes | room/street | from 40$ | There is |
| Eachine E013 Small Pepper | 1000TVL | 5 minutes | 5.8GHz analog | No | Yes | room/street | 36$ | There is |
| Parrot Mambo FPV | HD | 10 min | WiFi | Ultrasound + optical sensors | No | room/street | 179.99$ | There is |
| Hubsan H111D | HD | 6 min | 5.8GHz analog | No | Yes | room/street | 98$ | There is |
| Hubsan X4 H107D | HD | 5 minutes | 5.8GHz analog | barometer | Yes | room/street | from 80$ | There is |
| Xiaomi MiTu | 2MP | 10 min | 5GHz Wi-Fi | GPS + sensors | No | room/street | from 60$ | There is |
| Tello Drone | 5MP | 13 min | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi | Ultrasound + optical sensors | No | room/street | from 99$ | There is |
| Blade Inductrix FPV | 600TVL | 4 min | 5.8GHz analog | No | No | room/street | 199$ | There is |
| Hubsan X4 H502S | HD | 12 min | 5.8GHz analog | GPS | Yes | Street | from 120$ | There is |
If you think that our rating is missing some model, then tell us about it in the comments below and we will definitely consider it.
At what age can you buy a quadcopter for your child?
To avoid various injuries, children under five years of age are not recommended to use copters without parental supervision. Each set is full of small details that attract attention. Curiosity may result in tasting the item or losing it completely, with further disruption of the functionality of the system.
It is better to make your first flight attempts under your supervision and in an open area in order to understand the control features and not damage anything valuable in the house. The main rule is not to fly a children's quadcopter on busy streets. Even though modern models are equipped with technology to prevent sudden falls, there is a (small) chance that something could go wrong. Therefore, make sure that children fly drones in areas where there are no passersby.
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!
I know very well that many people throw away the instructions that come with them. And we are talking about any technology in principle. However, in the case of quadcopters, the instructions should still be studied. For what? At a minimum, because each unmanned device has its own differences, even though they operate on the same principles. All control features and details of using certain functions are described in detail in the manuals. That is why I advise you to take a little time and read them. Who knows what useful information you will find in them. But one thing I can say for sure is that you will definitely be able to surprise your children with your skills in piloting quadcopters.
This article contains all the information about drones that are best for children of all ages. All of them are sorted into several age categories and with a description of each model to help you navigate the variety of models on the drone market.
Price
The pricing policy of quadcopters depends on their capabilities and the quality of the materials used in production.
| Model name | price, rub. |
| Syma X4 Assault | 1490 |
| VISUO XS809W | 2448-4452 |
| SYMA X54HW with barometer | 3290 |
| Dji Mavic Pro | 73890 |
| Himoto HI6052 | 2490 |
Read the link for some musical toys that sing songs that won’t harm your child’s hearing.
Syma X23W
Photo: https://beru.ru/
Like the previous model, the X23W is capable of flying for 7 minutes on a single charge. The quadcopter has a lot of advantages: it can fly from point to point, perform auto-landing, and stop if the propeller is damaged or overloaded. Thanks to the barometer, the drone can maintain altitude while staying at one point. You can control it using the remote control within a radius of 70 meters, as well as from any gadget. Syma X23W has a camera and has the ability to shoot in first person. The robust body is made of plastic and metal. And the engine is protected from overheating and from being fully charged. If you are still thinking about which quadcopter is best for children, take a closer look at this model.
Syma X23W
Advantages:
- convenient control
- compact
- easy
- camera
- price
Flaws:
- camera quality
- brushed motors
Drones for children 12 – 16 years old
| Model | Age | Camera | Radius of action | Flight time | Price |
| MJX Bugs 2w | 14+ | 1080p | 1 km | 18 min | 18,000 rub. |
| Parrot Bebop 2 | 14+ | 1080p | 2 km | 25 min | 52,000 rub. (with controller) |
| DJI Phantom 3 Standard | 14+ | 2.7K | 2 km | 25 min | 32,000 rub. |
MJX BUGS 2W
If you have a teenager in your family, then he will probably want to receive a more powerful quadcopter as a gift than the models discussed above. In this case, we recommend paying attention to the MJX Bugs 2W model. This is an excellent drone device with high-end quality, impressive performance and a number of outstanding features. In terms of price-quality ratio, this is one of the best quadcopters on the market. Just look at its functions.
Technical characteristics The characteristics of this model cannot be called anything other than amazing. It is noticeably more powerful than its predecessor Bugs 3, which was incredibly popular at one time. The flight duration of MJX Bugs 2W is 15-18 minutes. And this is not surprising, given that this drone is lighter and smaller than the Bugs 3 model. A 2S lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 1800 mAh is installed on board, but, unfortunately, the device, unlike its predecessor, does not work with 3S batteries. And finally, the range is about 500-800 meters, which really deserves praise from the manufacturers.
Camera and other features If you haven't noticed yet, the quadcopter has two huge eyes (that's why the line of models is called Bugs) and a miniature camera is installed at the bottom of the body. And it’s worth noting that this is a pretty good camera – it’s capable of recording aerial video in 1080p format. Moreover, the letter W in the name indicates WiFi support in first-person video shooting mode. Depending on the smartphone, the data transmission range is from 200 to 500 meters. Keep in mind that this uses 5GHz WiFi, which means you'll need a device that supports 802.11ac frequencies.
Before us is a full-fledged quadcopter with GPS support. This means that the Return to Home and Altitude Hold functions work using GPS. The first, as you might guess from the name, returns the quadcopter to the take-off point. And holding the height will allow the device to automatically linger at the selected level, which is extremely convenient for selfies. MJX Bugs 2W also has a headless mode, which should be appreciated by all beginners in the field of quadcopter flying.
PARROT BEBOP 2 Another model from Parrot, Bebop 2, is a major update to the AR 2.0 Elite. Among the main innovations: the unique Skycontroller 2 control panel, which significantly increases the range of action, and VR glasses supplied in the kit. They allow you to observe the flight of a quadcopter in virtual reality in real time from the first person, and this is the only model on the list with this feature.
Bebop 2 attracts not only its VR functions. Take, for example, a 14MP camera recording FHD video and attached to a 3-axis digital stabilizer. The camera allows you to shoot high-quality videos and aerial photos and allows you to see even the smallest details in your surroundings. The drone uses a 2700 mAh battery, which is enough for 25 minutes of flight. And the Skycontroller 2 control panel increases the range of action up to 2 kilometers, which, together with all other characteristics, allows us to call this model truly unique!
DJI PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL Phantom 3, which is noticeably cheaper than the DJI Phantom 4, is still in demand and has not yet disappeared from the market. The thing is that this quadcopter is a real work of art. It, of course, is not equipped with the most modern lenses and sensors, but it still has everything necessary to be considered the best in its field (and we are talking about models for teenagers). It's not too expensive (unlike the latest Phantom models), but it has everything you need on board. Reliable and high-quality quadcopter with excellent flight characteristics.
There is a gorgeous 12MP camera with a resolution of 2.7K, attached to a 3-axis stabilization system. This will allow you to record video from the air in incredibly clear resolution. And, of course, there is support for first-person view mode... in HD format!
It's also important to note that the P3 has all the standard features like course plotting, landmark marking, single-track motion, and even a video sensor for indoor flight. Each of these features uses GPS technology. Speaking of technology, it is worth noting that DJI did not skimp on features for the Phantom 3. It has a record flight time and range (over 25 minutes and over 2 kilometers). And if you are not impressed by these numbers, then I advise you to pay attention to the Advanced or Pro version, in which the range is usually twice as high.
Syma X56WP
Photo: https://beru.ru/
An updated Syma X56W quadcopter with a broadcast camera, a barometer and a set of spatial positioning sensors. A special feature of the model is pressure sensors and optical flow localization, which help position the drone in the air as accurately as possible. Thanks to these sensors, the quadcopter is perfectly controlled both outdoors and indoors. It is equipped with a WiFi FPV broadcast camera with improved video quality and a matrix with a resolution of 1 megapixel and 720P quality, which is quite a lot for a budget model of this class. The quadcopter can be controlled in two ways - traditionally with a remote control, or directly with your smartphone through a mobile application. Takeoff and landing are accomplished by simply pressing a button. Precise positioning and an intuitive Headless mode will help you navigate the most difficult situations, and the pilot mode will add excitement as you perform somersaults in different directions at 360 degrees.
Syma X56WP
Advantages:
- price
- quality
- Ease of Management
- flight altitude
- propeller protection
- good camera
- long flight
- pressure and localization sensors
Flaws:
- charging time
- navigation
- timer
Tips and conclusions
Don't throw away the drone after the first failure - if the quadcopter suddenly stops working, there is no need to worry. And, of course, you shouldn’t throw it away (and some parents do just that). The fact is that most problems can be fixed in literally 5 minutes or even less.
In most cases, the motors or speed controllers (ESC) are the first to fail. They can be easily replaced at a very reasonable cost. At the same time, you can show your child how a drone works. Sometimes the problem is a faulty battery. Remember that if you do not recharge a lithium polymer battery for a long time, it may fail. Even if you don't use the copter, recharge it at least once a month. There is no need to throw away the device. Take it apart, find the source of the problem and decide whether it's worth fixing. The drone will be useful not only for entertainment, but also for teaching your child. You can clearly explain how three-way flight works and show what parts the drone consists of. Or show how to connect the motors and the flight controller, how to attach the camera and which wires are responsible for operation.
Quadcopters are not toys. Yes, they may look like toys, but they are not! Even the smallest of them can cause injury if not taught to operate them properly, so it is extremely important to let your children know that this is not just another toy. Teach them to fly simple models and gradually move on to more advanced quadcopters!
Additional ratings of the best quadcopters with a camera
If you still haven’t decided on the choice of drone, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with our new rating of the TOP 5 best drones (quadcopters) with a camera in 2021, or you can also look at the TOP 10 best quadcopters with a camera in 2021. It presents as many as 12 popular models. This review will definitely help you make the right choice and not make a mistake.
Quadcopters for children 5 – 6 years old
| Model | Age | Camera | Radius of action | Flight time | Price |
| Syma X11 | 5+ | 2 MP | 30 m | 7 min | 1700 rub. |
| JJRC H36 | 5+ | No | 35 m | 6 min | 700 rub. |
| Holy Stone HS170 | 5+ | No | 50 m | 7 min | 1800 rub. |
| Air Hogs Helix Ion | 5+ | No | 30 m | 8 min | 3000 rub. |
| Millennium Falcon | 5+ | No | 60 m | 7 min | 1150 rub. |
SYMA X11C Syma is a well-known brand that produces budget models for young children. The company has a wide range of products, where you can find many interesting models. One of them is a surprisingly children's quadcopter with remote control SYMA X11C, which definitely deserves your attention.
The X11C quadcopter is notable primarily for its sporty design and the presence of guards, thanks to which the propellers will remain safe even during a fall or collision with something. And the main advantage of the model is, of course, the presence of a camera. There is a modest but reliable camera with two megapixels that allows you to take low-resolution pictures.
The Syma X11C control panel with an intuitive design and convenient buttons will allow your child to quickly get used to piloting a quadcopter. It is also worth noting that the model is equipped with LED lighting, thanks to which it can be launched into the air even at night.
The range of this model is 30 meters, and the flight time is up to 8 minutes. Charging the device will take about 40 minutes. In general, Syma X11C is an excellent budget option that is ideal for all children who want to learn the basics of quadcopter piloting.
JJRC H36 MINI
JJRC H36 is not quite a full-fledged quadcopter. This model is intended more for use at home, as it does not have significant power. However, you should not perceive it as a toy. High strength and multiple protective shields will allow the JJRC H36 to survive low falls and collisions with walls.
It’s surprising that at such a low price, the model has a so-called “headless” mode and a return home function at the press of one button. Both of these features are useful for those who are flying a quadcopter for the first time. Moreover, the model is equipped with a 6-axis stabilization system, which ensures a stable position in the air. But don't expect flawless flight outdoors, as the quadcopter is quite small and even a light wind can throw it off course.
And last but not least, the JJRC has a flight time of up to 6 minutes, and charging takes about an hour (actually, a little less). And the range of action is 30 meters, which is quite enough for starting at home. Thus, we have an excellent model for a six-year-old child. Do you think this is really one of the best children's quadcopters?
HOLY STONE HS170
In the children's quadcopter section, the Holy Stone HS170 is a real bestseller on Amazon, given the reviews from satisfied customers (and there are already more than 3,200 of them). This miniature drone stands out from the rest with its stylish design and excellent air stabilization. Since this quadcopter is designed for children, do not expect high-speed maneuvers or other tricks from it. Instead, the Holy Stone HS170 will allow all beginners to quickly learn the basics of flying drones. Your children will be delighted with it.
Technical characteristics Holy Stone is a well-respected brand on the market, under which a number of high-quality models are produced, including the HS170. The quadcopter's flight time is 6-8 minutes, and its range is 50 meters. Charging takes approximately an hour. It is recommended that you purchase additional batteries to unlock the full potential of the HS170.
Camera and other functions Let's start with the most important thing - Holy Stone HS170 is not equipped with a camera. And while this may be a problem for experienced users, I doubt that newbies will be upset by its absence. They will be able to learn to fly without being distracted by extraneous factors. Moreover, this model has a headless mode. In addition, it has the easiest-to-use control mechanism and a 6-axis stabilization system, without which almost no modern quadcopter can do. Thus, if you need a budget and proven option, it is best to pay attention to the Holy Stone HS170.
AIR HOGS HELIX ION When talking about children's drones, one cannot fail to mention the Air Hogs brand, which is quite popular in this area. The company has already released a number of outstanding models, each of which looks very decent. And as part of this selection, we will look at the Helix Ion model. This is a miniature quadcopter designed for home use. Of course, no one is stopping you from running it outside, but I would recommend limiting it to indoor spaces. Why? Because it has modest dimensions, and it can be blown away even with a slight breeze... And now it’s time to talk about the technical characteristics, after which we will move on to the main functions of the device. So let's get started!
Technical characteristics There is nothing superfluous or unnecessary here. The manufacturers themselves indicate that the quadcopter is designed primarily for launching indoors, and therefore the range is so small - approximately 20-30 meters. The average flight time is 6-8 minutes, and it is important to note that the quadcopter uses simplified propellers, thereby keeping energy consumption to a minimum.
Camera and Other Features The Air Hogs Helix Ion does not have a camera, so let's focus on the other features of the drone. Let's start with the stunning design. Even despite the low cost of the model, its quality does not raise any questions. This is a durable and reliable device that can survive dozens of falls. The quadcopter is equipped with three-blade propellers with a protective layer on the sides and is capable of making flips in the air by pressing just one button. It’s also worth noting the nice-looking control panel, made in the same style as the quadcopter itself. As you can see, it has virtually no downsides.
AIR HOGS MILLENNIUM FALCON We have another children's model from the Air Hogs company. However, the Millennium Falcon is slightly larger than the Helix Ion. And another difference between this drone and the previous one is that it can be safely launched outdoors. You, of course, have already noticed that we are talking about one of the most popular spaceships in the history of cinema. Therefore, if your child loves the Star Wars universe, then you know what to please him with... All that remains is to figure out whether this model will be able to break away from the imperial fighters.
Technical characteristics of the Air Hogs Millennium Falcon fully justifies its price and noticeably outperforms the same Helix Ion. This bird can fly at high speeds and has good maneuverability and stabilization in the air. The Air Hogs Millennium Falcon has a range of 60 meters, which means you can safely fly it in your backyard. The battery charge lasts for 5-7 minutes. And if you don’t fly at full speed, you can extend the pleasure for 8 minutes.
Camera and other features The Millennium Falcon does not boast a camera.
But this is more than compensated for by incredible flight stabilization and intuitive controls. Any child can quickly figure out how to pilot this device. This model reproduces the sounds of the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars. Bright lighting and engine sounds will give you unforgettable moments of nostalgia for your childhood. Separately, it is worth noting the design of this copter. The model has a shockproof body, thanks to which it is not afraid of falls and collisions with various objects. So if you want your child to become a Star Wars fan like you, it's hard to imagine a better gift. You'll both love the Air Hogs Millennium Falcon.
Main selection criteria
To answer the question of which quadcopter is best to buy for a child, you need to take into account several factors, the main one being age. This parameter implies requirements for the safety of the aircraft, its resistance to damage, ease of control and functionality.
A model intended for a preschooler or first-grader must have increased safety parameters. If a quadcopter is purchased for a teenager, then special attention should be paid to the on-board video equipment and flight functionality of the aircraft.
It is advisable to choose a car produced by a reputable manufacturer. A reputable brand guarantees that replacing a failed part will not turn into an insoluble problem. The cost also plays an important role, which should be within reasonable limits (from 20 to 100 dollars). You can buy a quadcopter for a child either on-line or in specialized stores or departments.
