Did you know that drone cameras can now capture images in 8K resolution? That’s like comparing a single grain of sand to an entire sandbox in terms of detail!
As drone technology continues to advance, even kids can now enjoy the thrill of piloting their own high-flying gadgets. But with so many options available, how do you find the best camera drones for kids?
Fear not, I’ve done the hard work of figuring out which ones are worth your time and money.
I’ve been flying drones ever since they became popular and have helped countless people learn about these fantastic machines so I know my way around them!
Best Overall |
Runner-up |
Best Budget |
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$399.00
| $151.00
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Pros:
| Pros:
| Pros:
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- Camera: 2.7K (12MP)
- Ease of Use: 5/5
- Flight Time: 30 min
- Reliability: 5/5
- Camera: 4K
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Flight Time: 23 min
- Reliability: 4/5
- Camera: 4K (6MP)
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Flight Time: 15 min
- Reliability: 3/5
1. DJI Mini SE – Best Camera Drone for Kids
The DJI Mini SE is a lightweight drone that can record HD video and capture 12-megapixel images.
It has a 3-axis gimbal for smooth video and it can fly for 30 minutes and has a 2.5-mile transmission range.
It's easy to carry and wind-resistant, making it a good choice for beginner pilots who want to create content.
The DJI Mini, despite its name, is not just a mini-drone for kids; it stands in a unique category of its own. While not a toy, its lightweight design allows it to be exempt from registration requirements in many countries, making it perfect for young drone enthusiasts.
This kid-friendly camera drone provides the same flight time and essential components as more expensive models, featuring a stabilized camera for breathtaking photos and sharp 2.7K videos.
It’s the perfect gift for children who are passionate about drones, complete with sensors for added safety and accurate positioning (no more guessing which tree their drone is stuck in).
The DJI Mini also includes a return home button, enabling the drone to automatically fly back without any manual control input.
However, it is important to note that the DJI Mini doesn’t come with propeller guards, so adult supervision around kids is highly recommended.
To enhance the kid-friendly experience, the DJI Mini kit comes with an app that offers tips, lessons, tutorials, and access to a flight school, perfect for young pilots in training.
The app also provides preset photo shots and easy-to-use editing options. The drone is equipped with a dedicated remote, but a smartphone can also be connected for extra features, making it a fantastic and accessible choice for children.
2. Holy Stone HS175D
The Holy Stone HS175D drone is exceptional at practically everything you need out of a drone.
This drone offers the best flight performance, a 4K camera, and GPS-assisted flight, which makes bringing your drone back home much more straightforward.
This quiet drone allows camera control to point straight or down, and with its GPS altitude feature, it remains stable in the air. The single-key takeoff and landing button is a neat addition.
The Holy Stone HS175D camera drone, designed with beginners in mind, offers more than what meets the eye. With features like flying in circles and following its user without manual control, it does everything really well and is perfect for young pilots.
This quiet drone allows children to control the camera, easily pointing it straight or downward. Even without controlling the drone, the GPS altitude feature enables it to hover in one place in the air, making flying a breeze.
A cool feature is the single-key takeoff and landing button on the remote control, simplifying the process.
The Holy Stone offers even more kid-friendly features: it can follow your child, snap pictures when they pose, and its foldable design makes it easy to set up. The flight time is good and is similar to the drones in its category.
Additionally, the optical flow feature helps the drone measure distances better, ensuring an enjoyable and safe flying experience.
However, do note that I had a few instances of connection hiccups with the drone disconnecting at close range. Keep this in mind while your child enjoys their flying adventure.
3. Exo Scout
EXO Scout can fly in a 315ft range, making it a rather useful drone for both kids and beginners.
It comes with two batteries, supporting it to fly up to 18 minutes per battery which is considered a roughly short time. It also takes an hour for a battery to be fully recharged.
The EXO Scout's user-friendly features, make it an excellent option for beginners looking for a high-quality and easy-to-fly drone.
The EXO Scout is a versatile camera drone equipped with 4K photo capabilities and 1080p video shots. It also features a 90° camera tilt and birds-eye view, making it great for users of all ages, including kids. Powered by brushless motors, the Scout offers three-speed levels and can reach speeds of up to 15MPH. For more cautious flying, you can also reduce the speed to 7MPH.
This drone is designed to hold its position and altitude even when you take your hands off the controls.
In my testing, I did have some trouble with stronger winds. the drone would just drift with the wind and not compensate. Keep this in mind when flying it!
The EXO Scout can be set up for flying in just 30 seconds with a simple tap, and landing is equally easy with no complicated controls.
Weighing only 180 grams, the lightweight Scout comes with 8 propellers and 4 propeller guards in the package.
It boasts over 10 smart features, such as pin-fly, virtual reality, follow-me, and video commands, making it a fun and engaging option for both kids and adults alike.
Although that may seem all well on paper, I did have issues with the app for this drone which was slow at times.
4. Ryze Tech Tello
The Tello Boost is a small, easy-to-use drone made by Ryze Robotics using DJI flight technology.
It's safe, with features like failsafe protection and low battery protection, and it has a visual positioning system for precise hovering.
It's compatible with mobile VR headsets and has a 13-minute flight time. The Tello App simplifies the flight process and offers a fun Bounce Mode. It's a good value for beginners who want to learn how to fly.
The Ryze Tech Tello is a perfect blend of safety, affordability, and educational features, making it an excellent choice for users of all ages, including kids. Its sturdy frame and propeller guards ensure safe flying, while the user-friendly app allows young pilots to easily control the drone.
Offering great value, the Tello comes with a high-quality camera capable of capturing five-megapixel images and 720P videos. Great to get started with but I found wanting more after taking a few videos.
The kit includes everything needed for flying, and its compatibility with Scratch, a popular programming system, makes it a favorite among children interested in STEM.
Young pilots can impress their friends with flips, tricks, and special functions, and also edit videos and photos directly on the app.
The Tello app allows users to control the drone with a smartphone and provides entertaining games that teach programming skills, making it fun and engaging for kids.
However, be aware of the relatively short battery life. Although the Tello boasts one of the longest flight times in the mini-drone category at 13 minutes, it can still feel like it’s over in a flash.
5. AirSelfie AIR NEO
This is probably the most compact and most durable drone out there. Its intuitive controls allow anyone to become a master pilot almost instantly.
Designed for instant mastery with its intuitive controls. This selfie stick on steroids is perfect for capturing photos, group selfies, and 360-degree videos on-the-go.
Equipped with AI technology, it tracks movement, recognizes faces, and automatically adjusts zoom and angles for the perfect shot before returning to you.
The AIR NEO is the perfect easy-to-use drone for capturing stunning self-portraits in front of famous landmarks without the horrors of learning how to fly it.
For older kids and selfie enthusiasts, it even offers features that allow direct uploading of your pictures to social media!
The AirSelfie AIR NEO is incredibly user-friendly, with beginners on Amazon praising its step-by-step instructions. It also comes with backup propellers in case of any accidents. This drone is ideal for kids looking to experiment with drones with minimal hassle.
However, it’s important to note that the AIR NEO is primarily designed for one purpose and may not measure up to more advanced drones. It’s an excellent choice for kids who want to have fun on vacation or in the park, but experienced drone pilots may find better models.
I did have several issues with the SD card when testing this drone. After contacting the manufacturer, they confirmed that this is a known issue and a fix is coming…
Either way, if the AIR NEO sparks your interest in drones, rest assured that you’ve only just scratched the surface of what drones can offer!
Types Of Camera Drones
As you can see from the above list, when it comes to camera drones for kids, there are plenty of options out there.
First off, to help you choose we need to talk about the different types of control methods that these drones have.
For example, many models come with remote controls, so you can fly them just like a toy plane or helicopter. Some even include smartphone apps that let you control the drone with your phone!
If you’re looking for something more advanced, some companies offer GPS-enabled models that allow you to choose specific flying conditions and set up automated flight paths.
Another factor to consider is how much time they’ll be able to stay in the air before needing a recharge. This will depend on the model and size of the drone as well as other factors such as wind speed and weight capacity.
Be sure to pay attention to these factors when picking out a drone for your kid so that they have one that suits their needs best.
Camera Quality
It’s important to know this stuff if you’re looking for a drone that’ll take awesome pictures and videos!
Here are three things I think are key when it comes to cameras:
- Image stabilization helps reduce blurriness in videos so they look super smooth.
- Video resolution is basically how many pixels your camera can shoot – like HD or 4K.
- Slightly unrelated but important – battery life. It affects how long your drone will stay up in the air before it needs to come back down to charge again.
When shopping around for kid-friendly drones with good cameras, pay attention to these features. Look out for ones that have:
- Image stabilization
- High video resolutions (like 1080p or above)
- Decent battery lives (at least 15 minutes)
That way, you know you’ll be getting something that takes crystal clear photos and videos every time!
The drones listed above are a good option to get you started.
Flight Time And Battery Life
When it comes to your kid’s drone, flight time and battery life are two of the most important features. Kids will want a drone that can keep up with their energy level! Range limitation is also key, since you don’t want them flying too far away from you.
Here’s what to look for:
- I’ve said it before and ill say it again – battery Life: Look for drones with long-lasting batteries so they can enjoy more playtime without having to worry about recharging or replacing batteries regularly. Try to find a drone that offers at least 10 minutes of flight time – this way, kids have enough time to explore and grow in skill level before needing to recharge.
- Recharge Time: The faster the recharge time, the better! Your kid won’t be waiting around all day while their drone charges back up.
- Replacement Batteries: If possible, try getting multiple replacement batteries so your child never has to stop playing when one runs out of juice.
Price Range
Well, the camera quality of the drones is something that needs to be taken into consideration when buying a drone for kids.
But another important factor to consider is price range. If you’re looking for an ages appropriate and accessible option, then there are plenty of great choices out there!
Believe it or not, with today’s technology we can find kid-friendly drones with amazing features at prices as low as $200! That means you don’t have to break your budget just to get your kids a fun flying experience.
Plus, these options often come with extra batteries so you don’t need to worry about running out of juice during their playtime. So if affordability is what you’re after, then these lower-priced models might be perfect for your little ones.
Safety Considerations
Imagine that you’re a young kid, ready to take your first flight. You can feel the excitement coursing through your veins as you get ready to experience the world from an entirely different perspective.
With all of this anticipation comes certain safety considerations when it comes to flying camera drones.
First and foremost is age restrictions – children under 16 years old must be supervised by an adult while operating a drone in most countries around the world.
Additionally, many cities have geographic limits on where a person may fly their drone; for example, some places may not allow flights over residential areas or public parks.
It’s important to read up on local laws and regulations before heading out with your camera drone so that you don’t find yourself in trouble!
Below is a fantastic video from CASA (Australia FAA equivalent) going over some basic rules that apply to any part of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Camera Drones Suitable For Younger Children?
Are camera drones suitable for younger children?
Well, it really depends on the child. Safety precautions should always be taken when using a drone, regardless of age.
However, some features like altitude hold and obstacle avoidance may make flying easier and safer for kids.
It’s best to do research before making a purchase so you can find a drone with features that are appropriate for your kid’s skill level!
How Easy Is It To Control A Camera Drone?
Controlling a camera drone is surprisingly easy! With the right safety and operation guidelines, you’ll be ready to take off within no time.
Plus, with modern drones boasting features like high-resolution cameras and intuitive controls, navigating your new device will feel second nature.
Whether you’re looking for smooth aerial shots or just a fun way to explore the skies, controlling a camera drone has never been easier!
Is It Possible To Upgrade The Camera On A Drone?
No, usually you don’t have many options to upgrade the camera on a drone.
Drones usually have proprietary camera technology and will prevent consumers from upgrading the cameras. your only option is to wait for a newer drone to come out and buy that instead.
Otherwise, you can go down the DIY route and build your own camera drone. Here is a guide to get you started
Is There A Risk Of Losing The Drone?
The risk is real, after all, it’s an expensive piece of equipment and the last thing you want is for something like that to be floating around in the sky!
Fortunately, modern drones come with safety measures to help prevent any mishaps from occurring. Operating instructions are typically included so that users can understand how to fly their device safely as well as other necessary precautions.
In addition, most drones also have GPS tracking systems installed which allow owners to locate their device if it does happen to get lost.
Are There Any Special Regulations For Flying Camera Drones?
Privacy concerns need to be taken into account – if you plan on recording in public places, it’s important to make sure that people aren’t being filmed without their permission.
Additionally, repair costs can add up if something goes wrong with the drone, so it’s a good idea to get insurance or look for models that have high durability ratings.
All these things should be considered before deciding which camera drone is right for you!
Conclusion
Well, I think it’s pretty clear that camera drones are definitely suitable for younger children! They’re really easy to control and you can even upgrade the camera if you want.
Of course, there is always a risk of losing your drone – but hey, what kind of adventure would be complete without some risks?
Plus, there are special regulations in place so kids don’t have to worry about getting into trouble with the law while they fly their cameras around.
All in all, I’d say that camera drones are an awesome way for kids to explore the world around them and take pictures at the same time!
The DJI Mini SE is a lightweight drone that can record HD video and capture 12-megapixel images.
It has a 3-axis gimbal for smooth video and it can fly for 30 minutes and has a 2.5-mile transmission range.
It's easy to carry and wind-resistant, making it a good choice for beginner pilots who want to create content.
