Cheap Drone Toys For Kids

While many of us drool over high-flying camera drones and superfast racing quads, for kids and adults just getting into the hobby, far more affordable toy drones offer plenty of fun. Built to zip around the living room or backyard for a few minutes at a time, these smaller devices are designed to be easily controllable, easy to repair after inevitable crashes and a great way to develop piloting skills.

They’re also an excellent toy for multi-player play — whether it’s a single child running around chasing after the drone and trying to beat their personal best or several kids gathered together in a circle, squaring off to see who can fly the drone the longest, the quickest or do the most flips and stunts. As such, it’s important to consider what you’re looking for in a kids drone and what you’re willing to spend before buying one.

The most expensive drones are those that have features like GPS for easier and safer piloting or cameras for first-person-view flying, but those technologies come with a hefty price tag that’s out of the range of most parents. Instead, look for a drone that’s aimed at kids, with a dedicated remote controller and a safe and simple design that can help your kid pick up the skill without a lot of frustration.

One of the easiest to find, this UFO-inspired drone is ideal for kids. It comes to life with bright LEDs when tossed in the air and can be controlled simply by waving hands beside it thanks to its built-in sensors. It has three modes, 3 speeds and auto take off and is quiet and safe enough for indoor use.

Another good option for beginners is this palm-sized, easy-to-assemble drone from X-Shop. It’s one of the cheapest toy drones to feature a camera and flies better than its price point suggests. It’s also crash-friendly and comes with a handy ‘headless mode’ for simplified control, along with a tap fly feature that lets you draw your desired flight path on the app using your smartphone.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, this Deerc D20 mini drone is loaded with cool tricks and has a high-end feel. It has a surprisingly long control distance for its size and can even shoot HD video and record audio. Plus, if it does lose control of itself, it can return to where it took off with the press of a button or if its battery starts to run low.

Drones aren’t the kind of toys that last forever, and they’re likely to get broken or damaged at some point. So it’s worth taking a look at how durable each model is and what the warranty covers. And remember, this isn’t a set of indestructible Legos — drones have delicate working parts and kids are going to mess with them. That said, many toy drones hold up well against a fair amount of rough play.