Starter Telescope For Kids
Why buy a child a telescope?
Children love looking up at the night sky. It fills them with wonder and curiosity. Giving a child a telescope opens up the universe to them and along with a little passed on knowledge can be a wonderful educational tool that will fuel their imagination for years to come.
But buying a telescope is more than buying something to entertain them. It can also be the planting of a seed that will grow into something far greater: a passion.
Whether you are a parent, uncle, aunt, or even a middle/high school teacher looking to challenge pupils, buying a telescope could be the start of an amazing journey.
How do I know which telescope to buy?
There are many factors to take into account when buying a telescope for a child:
- The age of the child will determine which telescope is appropriate for them. There’s no point in buying a large, heavy scope for a young child who will have difficulty wielding or understanding how to use it.
- You want the telescope to challenge your child but not be too complex that they are put off using it. Strike a balance between complexity and ease of use that is right for your child.
Here are some options for starter telescopes for different ages and levels of skill.
What are the main features the telescope should include?
When deciding on the best scope for your child, it is important to consider what they will want to look at through it. There are many types of telescope that offer different features. So it’s important to ask yourself what will be important for your child.
The two main things to consider are the telescopes aperture and magnification.
- Aperture is the most important feature of a telescope. The larger the aperture, the more light will be allowed into the telescope, and as a result, the brighter and clearer the image will be. A large aperture for children is generally important so they get a better view of whatever it is they are looking at.
- Magnification is how far the telescope will zoom in and will affect how much of the night sky you can see. Ideally any telescope should have both a high magnification and high aperture rating.
What type of telescope should I choose?
There are 3 basic types of telescopes:
Refractor Telescopes
Refractor telescopes are the most common type of telescope available. They comprise of a long tube with a large lens at one end and an eyepiece at the other.
The advantage of a Refractor telescope is that they are simple and easy to use and require little to no maintenance.
The main disadvantage is that they generally have small apertures and are heavier and longer than other types of telescope
Top 3 Beginner Refractor Telescopes
SaleBestseller No. 1
Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture Refractor (15X-150X) Portable Travel Telescope with Phone Adapter & Wireless Remote, Astronomy Beginners Gifts, Black
- 【Great Telescope for Kids& Beginners!】 The telescope meets all the needs of astronomy beginners, the adults & kids’ astronomical journey begins from here! Equipped with 3X Barlow len and two eyepieces, H20mm and H6mm, you can get magnification of 15X to 150X. This is a great telescope for adults astronomy beginners.Whether it's viewing planets and stars, our telescope is the best helper for adults & kids.
- 【70mm Large Aperture】The telescope equipped with 70mm aperture and 300mm focal length, which provide more lights and clearer images, even beginners can get clear images. The bigger the aperture, the bigger the field of vision, and the clearer the image.
- 【Wireless Control】This telescope set includes one phone adapter and one Wireless camera remote. Just install your mobile phone on the phone adapter, connect to the the eyepieces of the telescope. These help you explore the nature of the world easily through the screen and you can take some amazing images.
- 【Easy to assemble& dismount】 We have a full set of paper and video Installation Guidelines. Don't worry about any installation problems. Even for first-time users, kids&beginners can install it themselves without any tools. It is a great telescope for 8-12 kids and it’s a great astronomy gift to send them.
- 【Reliable Service Team】You can get unlimited technical support from our customer service and online expert team. Regardless of any questions, please contact us.
Bestseller No. 2
Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 450X,for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter
- Telescope for Adults High Powered: Love exploring the night sky? HETEKAN telescope for adults, kids, and beginners wanting to observe the Moon and planets up close. Its design simplifies viewing, revealing lunar features and celestial details
- 90 MM Large Aperture: This 90 mm aperture telescope offers excellent light-gathering capability for brighter, more impressive images. Fully multi-coated optical glass lenses minimize light reflection, delivering stunning imagery while protecting your eyes
- Magnification 36X-450X: This telescope for adults features 3 eyepieces (25 mm/10 mm/6 mm) and a 3x Barlow lens, offering 36X-450X magnification with a 900 mm focal length. It includes a 5x24 finder scope, phone adapter, and a stargazing mount
- Adjustable Tripod: telescope astronomical features a sturdy tripod. It offers 360 degrees horizontal and 180 degrees vertical movement for versatile viewing angles. The height adjusts from 29 to 46 inches, accommodating users of various heights
- Easy to Setup and Service Support: This telescope sparks interest in astronomy, allowing users to explore the unknown. we provide a detailed guide for easy setup and operation, helping beginners start their stargazing journey with confidence
SaleBestseller No. 3
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
- Superior Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect full positive telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
- Magnification: Come with two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens.3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines inside make locating objects easily.
- Wireless Remote: This refractor telescope includes one smart phone adapter and one Wireless camera remote to explore the nature of the world easily through the screen and take amazing celestial images.
- Adjustable Tripod: This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and a carry bag, the telescope and tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and storage.
- Satisfaction: Buy with confidence from a leading manufacturer.
Reflector telescopes
Reflector telescopes use mirrors instead of a lens to capture light. They look similar to Refractor telescopes but have an eyepiece on the side of the tube, not on the end.
The advantage of a Reflector telescope is that they are pretty easy to use but unlike Refractor scopes generally have large apertures for brighter images. They are also quite compact and can be a little cheaper in price.
The disadvantages of a Reflector telescope is that they can require heavy maintenance as the tube is open to the air allowing dust to accumulate on the optics over time.
Top 3 Beginner Reflector Telescopes
Bestseller No. 1
MEEZAA Telescope, 150EQ Reflector Telescope for Adults Astronomy Beginners, Manual Equatorial Professional Telescopes Astronomy with 2X Barlow Lens, Phone Adapter, Adjustable Tripod and Moon Filter
- 150mm Large Aperture: The reflector telescope for adults astronomy has a 650mm focal length and 150mm aperture, providing excellent light-gathering power, ensuring exceptional image quality, perfect for the observation of deep space celestial objectives
- Excellent Quality Optics: Equipped with two excellent-quality eyepieces (25 mm and 10 mm) and a 2X Barlow lens. Magnificate moon up to 26X or 130X.The red dot finderscope makes locating objects easy. The moon filter will reduce glare and protect your eye
- Upgraded Equatorial Mount: The reflector telescope features a German equatorial mount with a dial and slow-motion cables for smooth accurate pointing and fast-tracking of celestial objects. You can enjoy the amazing process of tracking the moon's planets
- Stable Tripod: Comes with an adjustable sturdy stainless steel tripod that offer superior stability, minimizing any unwanted shake. Our telescope for adults can be adjusted to the optimum height for comfortable viewing and enhanced clarity when stargazing
- Multiple Accessories: Includes 2 premium eyepieces, a 2X Barlow lens, red dot finderscope, moon filter, phone adapter, tripod, and instructions. MEEZAA delivers everything beginners and families need for exciting stargazing adventures
SaleBestseller No. 2
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope – 114mm Newtonian Reflector with Smartphone Dock & StarSense App – iPhone & Android Compatible – Easy-to-Use for Beginners
- SMARTPHONE-POWERED SKY TOUR: No experience needed! Just dock your phone, launch the StarSense Explorer app, and follow the on-screen arrows to locate stars, planets, nebulae, and more.
- PATENTED STARSENSE TECHNOLOGY: Unlike other astronomy apps, StarSense Explorer uses sky recognition technology to turn your phone into a celestial navigation system, analyzing star patterns overhead to pinpoint your telescope’s position.
- TONIGHT’S BEST TARGETS, INSTANTLY: The app generates a curated list of the top objects to see based on your time and location. See planets, bright nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters from the city—and even more from dark skies.
- SIMPLE SETUP, SMOOTH TRACKING: Features a manual altazimuth mount with altitude slow motion adjustment with a sliding rod. Follow the on-screen arrows to your target; when the bullseye turns green, you can view it clearly through the eyepiece.
- 114MM REFLECTOR WITH IMPRESSIVE VIEWS: The 4.5" Newtonian reflector with high-reflectivity coatings delivers sharp, vivid views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and deep-sky favorites like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy.
Bestseller No. 3
Telescope 150EQ Astronomical Reflector Telescopes for Adults,Professional Manual Equatorial Telescope for Beginners.Comes with 2X Barlow Lens Phone Adapter,Stainless Tripod and Moon Filter
- 150mm Large Aperture: Capture bright, clear, and detailed views of the night sky with a 150mm aperture and 650mm focal length. Its powerful light-gathering ability delivers sharp images—perfect for beginners, experienced stargazers and families
- New Equatorial Mount: Enjoy smooth, precise tracking with a German-style equatorial mount featuring intuitive dials and slow-motion control cables. Pre-assembled for your convenience, it takes beginners about 20 minutes to set up. Ideal for exploring both the starry sky and distant landscapes, it offers inverted daytime views for terrestrial objects without affecting celestial observation
- Comprehensive Kit & Clear Viewing: Features fully-coated glass optics and a stable full-height tripod. It includes two eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, a red dot finderscope, a phone adapter, and a moon filter for versatile use. With 26x–130x magnification, it delivers detailed lunar views such as craters and lunar seas, and under suitable conditions, it can also reveal bright celestial objects
- Stable Tripod: Comes with a stainless steel tripod that provides solid support and stable views. Durable and reliable for every session, it is easy to set up and user-friendly for both adults and children, making stargazing and sky exploration effortless
- Professional Astronomical Telescope: The Dianfan 150 EQ telescope combines quality , functionality and reliability. It delivers high-resolution views that bring the universe closer. Designed for adults high powered, it inspires interest in astronomy and science while encouraging exploration of the starry sky
Catadioptric Telescopes
Catadioptric telescopes are a hybrid of Refractor and Reflector telescopes in that they use a combination of mirrors and lenses.
Because of this they share many of the advantages of both Refractor and Reflector scopes. They are compact and durable, requiring little maintenance. They come with a good range of aperture settings and are easy to use.
The main disadvantage of Catadioptric telescopes is that they are more expensive than other types of telescope.
Other things to look out for
- Comfort and stability are important factors when choosing a telescope for a child. Make sure the telescope isn’t too big for both the child and the space you have available in your home.
- Be sure to find out what type of mount the telescope uses. There are two basic types of mounts, altazimuth (AZ) mounts, and equatorial (EQ) mounts. AZ mounts allow for manual adjustments to the telescope. EQ mounts are easier to use and have a slow-motion control that moves the telescope in an arc across the sky.
- You’ll need a tripod for your telescope to ensure it can be used comfortably.
Top-rated starter telescopes for astrophotography
Bestseller No. 1
SVBONY SV105 Telescope Camera, 1.25" IMX307 CMOS Color Astrophotography Camera, Electronic Telescope Eyepiece for Telescope, Suitable for Astrophotography Beginners
- SV105 telescope camera is the basic method for starting astronomical imaging; you can use the SV105 electronic telescope eyepiece to image it; which is more suitable for beginners who like to do astrophotography
- SV105 telescope camera is suitable for lunar and planetary photography; share the view of bright planets; moon and terrestrial targets; just point the telescope at the moon or planet and record a quick video; you can transfer the real-time view of the telescope to your laptop or PC
- Plug and play; no driver required; real-time dynamic observation; clear images; SV105 telescope eyepiece camera compatible with Windows system needs to download Sharpcap Capture; Linux system needs to download AstroDMx Capture; Android system needs to download USB Camera
- The image processor adopts dark light compensation technology; SV105 svbony camera can greatly improve the image clarity of the astronomy camera under low light conditions
- Interesting and useful USB eyepiece camera; standard 1.25 inches; threaded M28.5x0.6; can be used with telescope filters; directly connected to the telescope
Bestseller No. 2
ZWO Seestar S50 Smart Digital Telescope All-in-One Autofocus Portable for Beginners and Experienced Users
- ✨【Lightweight Design】Highly integrated all-in-one smart telescope. Seestar is a compact body that integrates a telescope, electrical focuser, astronomical camera, ASIAIR, altazimuth mount and dew heater, all weighing only 2.5kg.
- ✨【Clean & Low Noise Images】The professional-grade triplet apochromatic optics provide crisp images of the night sky while maintaining excellent control of chromatic aberration. The included high-quality coating on the lens helps reduce light loss and enables you to get the most out of your visual observation.
- ✨【Full-Automatic Find & Track】With your phone, you can easily get access to tonight's best, target GoTo, live star database view and other functions. Auto voice broadcast will tell you the current imaging progress.
- ✨【Powerful features with Seestar APP - EQ Mode, Plan Mode & Mosaic Mode】EQ Mode uses an equatorial mount setup, which is a more accurate way of tracking objects in the night sky compared to the standard Alt-Az mode. The Plan Mode enables you to select multiple targets you wish to capture, set up the necessary parameters for each, and schedule when to shoot them. The Mosaic Mode can automatically stitch two images together from adjacent patches of the night sky. This allows you to get larger fields of view than normally possible, like a panorama photo can.
- ✨【Built-in Bluetooth/Wi-Fi】Dual-mode reliable connection. Wirelessly connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Seamlessly connect wirelessly through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Bestseller No. 3
SVBONY SV48P Telescope, 90mm Aperture F5.5 Refractor OTA for Adults Beginners, Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers, Telescopes for Deep Sky Astrophotography and Visual Astronomy
- 90 mm aperture; 500mm focal length; compared with 70mm and 80mm; 90mm telescope has more light input and a wider field of view; observe the moon and deep space; which is very suitable for astronomy beginners
- Double speed focuser; the 2 inches rotatable double speed focuser; gear ratio of 1:10; precise adjustability for smooth operation
- The focusing mount with metal interface has higher interface accuracy; guarantees the parallelism of the optical axis; and enhances the observation experience
- Fully multil green coated lens; fitted with achromatic glass for good edge-to-edge viewing; fully multi green coated lens maximize light transmission eliminating false color
- 360 degrees rotation; convenient for photographic composition and visual observation; loosen the screw; the focus can be rotated 360 degrees; you can achieve astronomical shooting
And the winner is…
Here are the bestselling beginner and children’s telescopes at the moment.
SaleBestseller No. 1
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
- Superior Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect full positive telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
- Magnification: Come with two replaceable eyepieces and one 3x Barlow lens.3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines inside make locating objects easily.
- Wireless Remote: This refractor telescope includes one smart phone adapter and one Wireless camera remote to explore the nature of the world easily through the screen and take amazing celestial images.
- Adjustable Tripod: This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable aluminum alloy tripod and a carry bag, the telescope and tripod can fit inside the bag for easy traveling and storage.
- Satisfaction: Buy with confidence from a leading manufacturer.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Telescope for Adults & Beginner Astronomers - 80mm Aperture 600mm Fully Multi-Coated High Transmission Coatings with AZ Mount Tripod Phone Adapter, Carrying Bag, Wireless Control.
- Optimum Magnification & Easy Object Locating: Equipped with two high-quality eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) for 24X and 60X magnification, and a 3x Barlow lens that triples the magnification power. The 5x24 finder scope makes it easy to locate objects, with the ability to magnify the moon up to 72X or 180X for detailed views.
- Excellent Optical Quality: With a 600mm focal length (f/6.7) and 80mm aperture, this telescope captures more light for brighter images. The multi-layer fully coated all-optical lenses enhance image clarity and brightness, offering stunning views of the night sky.
- Portable & Convenient for Easy Stargazing: This telescope comes with a phone adapter, adjustable aluminum tripod, wireless remote control, and a carrying bag, making it portable and easy to capture breathtaking images from any location. Perfect for both beginners and experienced stargazers.
- User-Friendly Setup & Satisfaction Guarantee: No tools are required for assembly, making it quick and easy to set up. Even novices can easily focus and begin stargazing right away. Lifetime maintenance and satisfaction guarantee: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us. We will assist you within 24 hours.
- Satisfaction Quality: Lifetime maintenance. If you have any questions about the product and service, please feel free to contact us, we will do our best to help you in 24 hours
Bestseller No. 3
NASA Lunar Telescope for Kids – 90x Magnification, Includes Two Eyepieces, Tabletop Tripod, and Finder Scope- Kids Telescope for Astronomy Beginners, Space Toys, NASA Gifts (Amazon Exclusive)
- INSPIRE CURIOSITY – The NASA Lunar Telescope allows your child to see the moon in incredible detail; the perfect gift for girls and boys interested in space, the moon, and astronomy
- HIGH-QUALITY OPTICAL GLASS AND FINDER SCOPE – This easy-to-use telescope comes with a finder scope, low power, and high-power eyepieces; when used correctly, this combination will allow your child to easily locate the moon and then zoom in for a close-up view
- TABLETOP TRIPOD & SMOOTH MOUNT SYSTEM – Use the included tripod to steady your Lunar Telescope for optimal viewing, with a smooth mounting system that allows easy scanning of the entire lunar surface
- PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS – This telescope is easy to assemble and use, making it ideal for young scientists and parents to enjoy together
- HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL TOYS - We're proud to make the highest quality hands-on science toys, and all our products are backed by exceptional service. If your experience is less than stellar, let us know and we'll make things right!
Bestseller No. 4
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack
- 80mm Large Aperture - EACONN astronomical telescopes have a true 80mm aperture and a fully coated green optics glass lens. The big aperture can capture more light, the high transmission optics lens can improve light transmittance and reduce the reflection of light, so the telescopes for adults astronomy will bring you more bright and clear images.
- Using Rough Adjustment and Positioning Gimbal - EACONN telescope is equipped with a rough adjustment and positioning gimbal with scale, it can help you easy to adjust the altitude and azimuth. That will more comfortable to help you move wherever you want to point it.
- All You Need Accessories: Fully loaded with 2 eyepieces (K20mm and K9mm) with 30x-66x magnifications, 5x24 finder scope with a crosshair to locate the objects easily. We have equipped this telescope with a customized mobile phone adapter. Its two end positions are respectively prepared for K20 and K9 eyepieces, which can quickly and accurately locate the eyepiece and telescope. You only need to select the corresponding eyepiece according to the lettering on the adapter to use.
- Easy to Use and Carry - The telescope is easy to assemble even for astronomy beginners and kids. We have a detailed installation manual and video installation instructions to help you. Our refractor telescope has a bag and an adjustable tripod. All accessories can be packed into the bag, which is convenient for you to carry out. A carrying backpack makes it easier for you to portable and capture amazing images.
- Incredible Astronomy Gift - Perfect Christmas Gift for astronomy beginners and kids 8-12. Whether Keep it at home observing the moon or viewing planets, or bring this travel telescope on the road for bird watching and landscape viewing, it’s a great gift for beginners and it will enjoy various family fun times.
Bestseller No. 5
ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture (15X-150X) Portable Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners, 300mm Professional Travel Telescope with A Smartphone Adapter& Wireless Remote
- High Magnification: The telescope equipped with 2 eyepieces(H20mm and H6mm) and a 3X Barlow lens. The 3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece, so kids can get magnification from 15X to 150X. Whether it's viewing planets or moon, our telescope is the best helper for adults & kids. It’s a great telescope for adults & kids 8-12 & astronomy beginners.
- 70mm Large Aperture: The refractor telescope is equipped with a large 70mm objective lens and the lens is fully coated with high transmission coatings. The high transmission optics lens can increase light transmittance and reduce the reflection of light. The bigger the aperture is, the bigger the field of vision will be, so you can see the clearer and brighter images. Professional astromomy telescope can help adults & 8-12 kids view the planets and stars more easily.
- Wireless Remote & Phone Adapter: Our telescope is equipped with a wireless remote and phone adapter. Just install your mobile phone on the phone adapter, connect to the the eyepieces of the telescope, and use the wireless remote to take the photos. You can take clear and bright pictures easily.
- Easy to Assemble and Use: The telescope is easy to assemble even for astronomy beginners and kids. We have the detailed installation manual and video installation instructions to teach you. And our telescope is easy to focus, allowing kids to quickly find targets and see clear images. The telescopre is great for 8-12 kids and it’s good gift to send your children.
- Reliable Service Team: We provide 3 years satisfaction service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our telescopes and service.
Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
