As a kid, I could only dream of having a toy that flies, and I’m sure most of you oldies can relate! However, that doesn’t have to be the case for your child, since toy drones have become incredibly available and affordable in almost every part of the world.
These drones are the perfect addition to your kid’s toys and they also make the most wonderful gift. I mean, which child wouldn’t get excited to get their hands on a drone controller?
So, if you are a parent or just a well-wisher looking to buy a present for a child, you must consider getting a toy drone. To help you guide through the countless options that the market offers, here I have reviewed some of the best toy drones for kids that I have come across in my career as a drone photographer.
Toy Drone Buying Guide
The best mini drones wouldn’t only serve recreational purposes. Rather, these would accustom your child to the advanced technologies and also enhance your child’s skills.
But among the thousands of options, how does one choose the best one? Below is a toy drone guide that tells you the things you should consider before buying a drone.
Age Appropriacy
The blades or other sharp edges of the drones can cause injuries at any time. Therefore, you must let a child handle a toy drone by themselves only when they are old enough to do it. I would recommend the age of 13 to 14.
And of course, toy drones that are designed for teenagers vary from the ones designed for younger children. You must ensure that the drone is appropriate for your child’s age.
Camera
A toy drone with camera is much more than a mere toy, it leads your child to learn versatile usage of drones such as photography, cinematography, or surveillance. However, they cost more and also might teach your child to hinder someone’s privacy.
For beginners, it is also alright to use a toy drone without camera, since you can always get an external camera when needed.
Flight Time
For an indoor toy drone, the flight time doesn’t matter much, because you can plug it into the charger whenever you need to.
But if you are planning to assure maximum excitement for your little pilot, go for a drone that is capable of flying for a longer time. I would highly vouch for the ones with removable batteries.
Controlling Options
The best toy drones for kids are the ones that are easier and yet, fun to control. There are a few options that make your kid’s fly time smooth and full of confidence, such as built-in stabilization, one button take-off, and landing, altitude hold mode, headless mode, etc.
The more of these the toy drone has, the better it is.
Best 9 Toy Drones for Kids
Considering the design, performance, price, and all the other features, the below-mentioned ones are my top picks for toy drones.
1. POTENSIC A20W MINI DRONE WITH CAMERA
If you want to give your kid the full-fledged experience of operating a drone camera while they are still beginners, this is the perfect choice for you. The easy operating system along with the 480p camera makes this the ideal beginning for your child to build interest in aerial photography or videography.
This drone is tiny in size but is quite powerful. It contains altitude hold mode so that it stays stable even when you are not holding the control sticks.
The headless mode ensures that you can fly the drone in any direction of your choice, regardless of its orientation in the air. It also possesses some more advanced features, like flight route functioning through your smartphone and three different speed options.
It does not require any registration or pilot ID, so unpack and start playing!
Features:
- Age suitability: 7+
- Batteries: 2, rechargeable
- Flight time: 12 minutes combining both batteries
- Camera: 480p
- Price: $52.99
Pros:
- Easy controlling system
- Steady flights
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Poor video quality
2. WALLE KIDS DRONE
This isn’t the traditional kind of drone that you fly with a controller. Rather, it is controlled by your gestures.
To start this drone, your kid simply needs to throw it in the air. The height and direction are determined by the movement of the pilot’s hands. When your kid is done flying it, grab it by hand and turn it upside down, that’s all. Does flying a drone get any easier than this?
Sure, it doesn’t give the authentic experience of flying drones. But the sensory detection system gives a whole new kind of thrill to younger children. It is also a sociable toy since multiple kids can play with it at once.
The bumper cage prevents the drone from crashing against the walls. So, as a low price toy drone, I think this is a quite worthy deal.
Features:
- Age: 6+
- Batteries: 1, USB chargeable
- Charging time: 40 minutes
- Flight time: 5-8 minutes
Pros:
- Low priced
- Easy to operate
- Safe for younger children
- Prevents collisions and accidents
Cons:
- Less flight time
3. POTENSIC A20 MINI DRONE FOR KIDS
This is quite similar to the previously-mentioned Potensic A20 drone, but it is an indoor version without a camera.
Its ultra-small size lets you use it even in small and confined rooms. So, if you are trying to distract your kids from TV without taking them outside, this drone can come in handy.
You don’t necessarily have to supervise your kids while they fly this drone. The blades are protected so that these don’t cause any harm to your kids or the pieces of furniture in your home.
It also has a headless mode for steady flying. The one-button take-off and landing make it easy for your child to control this toy drone.
Features:
- Age: 7+
- Batteries: 2, rechargeable
- Flight time: 12 minutes combing two batteries
Pros:
- Great for indoor flying
- Enough flight time
- Ultra-small size
- Safe for all
Cons:
- No camera
- Cannot be used outdoors
4. HOLY STONE HS210 KIDS MINI DRONE
Recharging the batteries, again and again, is the most frustrating part of flying drones, but not with this one! This drone has the latest technologies along with a 21 minutes fly time, which makes it one of the best toy drones for kids.
It is a beginner-friendly drone. The controlling system is dependent on the controller and not on the head of the drone. This mode implies that no matter which way the drone is pointed, the left side of the controller will be the left side for the drone.
The 3D flip mode is another fun property of this toy.
Features:
- Age: 7+
- Batteries: 3, rechargeable
- Flight time: 21 minutes combining three batteries
Pros:
- Longer flight time
- Three batteries
- Ideal for practising flight skills
Cons:
- Charging requires much time
5. HUBSAN NANO Q4 SE QUADCOPTER
So far we have only talked about drones for young children, now let me present to you the best drone for teens. Husban’s Nano drone is a tiny, lightweight, and indoor toy that entertains teenagers, without them having to leave the comfort of home.
It is so small that you can easily carry it in your pocket. The quadcopter can be kept inside the controller, so it looks pretty cute too.
The drone contains a 6-axis stabilization system. That’s why it stays stable in the air and can easily perform flips and turns. Even the parents would be lured to play with it once in every while!
The only downside of this drone is that it has a very short flight time, but it also gets fully charged in 30 minutes. So, no biggie!
Features:
- Age: 14+
- Batteries: 1
- Flight time: 3 minutes
- Charging time: 30 minutes
Pros:
- Compact size
- Smooth flight
- Takes less time to get charged
Cons:
- Flight time is too short
6. PARROT AIRBORNE NIGHT DRONE
Want to have a drone flying session with your kid in the night sky? This drone allows you to do that with the utmost ease. It is tiny in size and it was specifically designed for use at night. Therefore, you can use this drone whenever and wherever you want to.
The built-in lights and ultrasound let you easily monitor it even in the darkest places. It has various exciting modes, such as flipping or rolling.
Flying this drone is like having your own shooting star. It has its own camera for your kids to take selfies or videos.
The stability of this drone is also notable. It stays so steady in the air that it will only take a few minutes for your kid to learn to operate it.
Features:
- Age: 14+
- Batteries: 1
- Flight time: 9 minutes
Pros:
- Suitable for both day and night
- Contains various fun features
- Built-in camera
Cons:
- Pricy
7. HOLYTON HT02 MINI DRONE
This mini drone offers you the maximum flight time in the cheapest budget, which makes it a deserving name in this list of the best toy drones for kids.
It is a quadcopter that comes with many advanced options like altitude hold, headless mode, and emergency stop. Pilots of any skill level can easily get habituated with this toy.
This RC drone has three speed options and three batteries, giving you enough flight time to take your drone to faraway places. Its small size also adds to its portability.
Plus, it doesn’t need to be registered to the CAA. Therefore, no hassle and trouble-free flying!
Features:
- Age: 8+
- Batteries: 3
- Flight time: 24 minutes
- Weight: 19g
Pros:
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor
- Longer flight time
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not much sturdy
8. JOYGEEK MINI DRONE
Of all the drones I have mentioned in this article, this is probably the smallest and the toughest. It can easily fit on your palm or inside your pocket. So, you can carry it for trips or picnics.
This drone is a life-saver for newbies. Frankly speaking, you can crash it once or twice and it will still continue to work. It also has three speed options, so you can start slow and increase the speed as you master the skills.
Landing the drones often become a difficult task for kids, but not with this one! Just ask your child to push a button and it will land safely.
Once your kid has learned the basics, they can try the cool stunts that this drone can perform, such as 3D flips. It also has LED lights for nighttime flying.
Features:
- Age: 12+
- Batteries: 1
- Flight time: 5 minutes
Pros:
- Sturdy body
- Portable
- Good for practising
- Suitable for both day and night
9. Flying Spinner Toy
The idea of flying a drone even without using a remote, sounds fun? Then this UFO drone is for you. The design of this drone is sure to win any kid’s heart, and the operating process too is extremely child-friendly.
It is like a fidget-spinner that flies in the air. You would also activate this in the same way you do to a fidget-spinner, by holding the center and spinning the outer circle.
Although it doesn’t give the same vibe that flying RC drones would, this can be of great fun too. Multiple people can play catch using this drone, which makes it a sociable toy.
Features:
- Age: 8+
- Battery: 1
- Flight time: 8 minutes
- Weight: 68g
Pros:
- Extremely child-friendly
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor
- Ideal for playing alone or in groups
Cons:
- Not as exciting as RC drones
Also Read: 11 Best Drones for Kids
Toy drones are quite luxurious items in comparison to typical children’s toys. If you are thinking of investing in these drones, I assume you will only want the best one for your kid.
So, be sure about the specifications you want in your drone and go for the one that will not only entertain your child but also educate them.
I personally would go for the Potensic A20W mini drone with a camera among the ones I have listed here. But don’t take my words for it, do your own research and get your kid many exciting hours of flying drones!