Kids 6-10
We've got little telescopes for little people. For our youngest stargazers, we recommend smaller, simpler telescopes that anyone can use. Keep in mind that a 6 or 7 year-old child is going to need some adult supervision with almost any telescope. But kids closer to 10 can use more advanced telescopes on their own with a little bit of guidance. We generally don't recommend computerized telescopes for kids this young, but an older child could benefit from one. You're best bet is with a manually controlled scope.
Hands down, our best-selling (and the best) kids telescope is the 80mm AstroVenture Refractor Telescope. It's a great scope, compact, portable, excellent optics, and easy-to-use. The 80mm AstroVenture is available as a portable telescope with a mini-tripod, or with an optional full-size tripod. Another favorite is the value priced 60mm Refractor Telescope, which comes with a full-size tripod, carrying case, and built-in compass.
Don't miss our Kids Pak Deals. Our Kids Pak deals can only be found here at ProTelescope.com. Designed exclusively for Kids ages 6-10, our Pros have included all the extras, add-ons, and bonus items that turn a simple telescope into an incredible space gift for the future astronomer. Most of our Kids Paks for younger kids include a pack of Glow-in-the-dark star stickers to paste up in their room, a Laminated Map of the Moon featuring the best 100 lunar features, 200 minutes to use at Slooh.com, a web-based remote-controlled telescope with a complete Kids Space Activity Book, and a Constellation Star Wheel.
Under $75
On a budget? Try our simple 50mm refractor telescope. It's perfect stocking stuffer for young children. Comes with a full-size tripod and light enough for even the youngest children to carry.
$75 to $150
Of course, we love the Kids Paks. They've got all the bells and whistles a child would want to keep from getting bored. Our 80mm features top-of-the-line optical quality and the 60mm has a hard-shell carrying case.
$150-$200
A telescope to grow into, the 80mm refractor is our best-selling kids telescope for a reason. It's not a toy, but a full-featured beginner telescope that has the optical punch to delivery adult-quality space views.
$200 & Up
Fully automatic with a built-in computer the Meade 80mm is a favorite, your young child will need some help with this one. But we all know kids love any gadget with buttons and they'll take over before you know it.
Pro's Picks for Kids 6-10
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Kids Pak - AstroVenture 80mm Telescope Full Size Tripod
Our Price: $ 182.42 -
AstroVenture 80mm Refractor Telescope
Our Price: $ 119.99 -
Kids Pak - FirstView 60mm Refractor Telescope
Our Price: $ 139.97 -
FirstView 50mm Refractor Telescope
Our Price: $ 74.99
Kids 11-14
For older kids there are a lot options. Our favorite telescope for older kids is the 80mm Refractor Telescope with a Full-Sized Tripod. This scope delivers very high quality optics but is still easy enough to use that your child won't get discouraged, and it won't break the bank either. For kids who love a challenge, we like the 70mm Refractor Telescope with an EQ mount designed for advanced star tracking. If you're looking for a scope you can take to college and beyond, try a 90mm Cassegrain -- it's good for daytime viewing too.
Today's computer saavy kids can benefit from an entry level computer controlled telescope, or even a telescope with an on-board GPS system. We have a good selection under $350. But be warned, these sophisticated systems are serious instruments and are more suited to the mature young teen than a wild pre-teen.
We often recommend our Kids Pak Bundles for kids this age. Our Pros put together these packages with a complete set of accessories kids will love including: time on Slooh.com's internet telescopes, glow-in-the-dark star stickers, a Laminated Moon Map, and a Star Planishpere (star wheel). But older kids will benefit from buying one of our exclusive, you'll-only-find-'em-here, Beginner Bundles. These packages include books like Astronomy for Dummies and accessories like Redshift 7 Planetarium Software to start any child on the path to a lifetime of star exploration.
Under $150
If you're trying to keep the cost down, our Pros have picked out some winners for your kids. We love our mid-sized refractors, and our 3" reflector is a best buy.
$150 to $200
Your serious little space buff will love the 70mm refractor and she can grow into it over the years. Our 80mm full-sized scopes have world-class optics.
$200-$350
In this price range, we're thrilled to offer older kids fully-automatic "go-to" style telescopes. Adult supervision is recommended for those on the younger end of the scale but these scopes do it all.
$350 & Up
If you want to buy your child a telescope they won't want to replace, ever, then you'll need to break out the wallet. But for this price you can start them off right with a fully-automatic GPS controlled telescope.
Pro's Picks for Kids 11-14
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Beginner Bundle - FirstView 60mm Refractor Telescope
Our Price: $ 149.97 -
AstroVenture 80mm Refractor Telescope - with Full-Sized Tripod
Our Price: $ 152.10 -
AstroVenture 80mm Computer Controlled Refractor Telescope
Our Price: $ 309.97 -
FirstView 3" GPS Computer Controlled Reflector Telescope
Our Price: $ 399.99
Kids 15 & Up
For space crazed teens we've got great choices. We've selected some of our favorite "adult" telescopes that are fairly easy to use or packed with lots of features. We love it when a teen ends up with one of our Beginner Bundles or Deluxe Bundles. These great packages include lots of important extras such as a copy of like Astronomy for Dummies, or the great book Nightwatch, along with great software that help teens learn about the planets and observing. The goal here is to find a telescope or package that sets up a child to learn a ton about space and astronomy and prepares them for a lifetime of challenging fun using their telescope.
One of the best telescopes for older kids is the 80mm Refractor. It's portable and offers high quality optics. We recommend it like crazy. For older kids, we like to see them in a Fully-Automatic 80mm Telescope. Or an 80mm Telescope with GPS. Both are computerized telescopes (with built-in computers, no PC needed) and have on-board starfinding and star-tracking capabilities. Teens love the gadgets. Other great fully automatic telescopes include the Automatic 3" Reflector with or without GPS. Or consider the bigger 102mm Meade Go-To Telescope.
If you don't want to go all-out with a computerized scope, we have great manually controlled telescopes. A great value is our basic 60mm telescope, good for day and nighttime observations -- it comes with a carrying case. Also fun is the 4.5" Reflector Telescope, a very serious instrument that is suitable for kids of all ages. We're also big fans of the 90mm Cassegrain Deluxe Bundle because it is a fully loaded package. It comes with everything your teen will need to know it all, even if your teen is already a "know-it-all." .
Under $150
Hard to get a great telescope for teens in this price range, but we've picked out a few that will do the job. All of these will wet any space crazed teen's appetite for more space.
$150 to $200
Teens will go ape over these fantastic, easy-to-use, manually controlled telescopes. They'll love it that you're buying them "adult" telescopes.
$200-$350
Now we're talking easy. In this price range we like to put teens in automatic "go-to" style telescopes, or fully featured deluxe bundles that have all the added goodies..
$350 & Up
If your teen wants to be treated like an adult, the treat them to an "adult" telescope. Our GPS enabled go-to scopes are some of the best we sell and are easy enough for anyone to use.
Pro's Picks for Kids 15 & Up
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Beginner Bundle - AstroVenture 70mm Telescope
Our Price: $ 179.99 -
AstroVenture 80mm Computer Controlled Refractor Telescope
Our Price: $ 309.97 -
Deluxe Bundle - AstroVenture 90mm Cassegrain Telescope
Our Price: $ 309.86 -
FirstView 3" GPS Computer Controlled Reflector Telescope
Our Price: $ 399.99
the perfect telescope for your friends & family."
