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
Bestseller No. 1
Catadioptric Telescopes Aperture Refractor Telescope for Beginners - Ideal for Stargazing 70mm 400mm
- 70mm Large Aperture: Collects ample light for bright, clear views of celestial objects.
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics: Reduces glare and enhances contrast for superior image quality.
- Flexible Magnification: Includes 25mm (17x) and 10mm (50x) eyepieces, with a 3x Barlow lens for up to 150x magnification.
- Adjustable Aluminum Tripod: Offers three height settings (20", 39", 48") and multi-angle movement for versatile positioning.
- Astrophotography Ready: Comes with a smartphone adapter and Bluetooth remote for easy, vibration-free celestial photography.
SaleBestseller No. 2
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. 3
HUGERSTAR Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 800mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Adults Astronomy Beginners with AZ Mount Stainless Tripod, Carry Bag and Moon Filter
- Superior Optics: The 90mm aperture and 800mm focal length (f/8.89) telescope for adults provides clear, bright views. Fully multi-coated lenses with high-light transmission create stunning images, perfect for exploring stars, the moon, and beyond
- Optimum Magnification (32X-240X): The refractor telescope comes with two replaceable eyepieces (10mm and 25mm) and a 3X Barlow lens. The 3X Barlow lens triples the magnification of each eyepiece. With 5x24 finder scope makes locating objects easy
- Adjustable Tripod: The astronomical telescope includes a sturdy stainless steel tripod adjustable from 28.7 to 46.4 inches, suitable for users of different heights. Comes with an accessory tray for eyepieces and a carry bag for easy travel and storage
- Phone Adapter & Moon Filter: Includes a phone adapter for capturing and sharing photos with your smartphone – great for family fun or travel. The moon filter reduces glare and reveals more lunar detail for clearer, more comfortable moon observation
- Satisfaction: Quick, no tool assembly – 90% of users complete setup in under 10 minutes. Clear instructions make it beginner-friendly. Ideal for explore the cosmos at night and nature’s beauty by day. 24/7 customer service with replies in under 12 hours
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
Celestron 21049 PowerSeeker 127EQ Reflector Telescope, Black
- PERFECT ENTRY-LEVEL TELESCOPE: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an easy-to-use and powerful telescope. This 127mm Newtonian Reflector offers enough light gathering ability to see planets, the Moon's craters, distant stars, the Orion Nebula, and more.
- MANUAL GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT: With its slow-motion altitude rod, the German Equatorial mount allows you to navigate the sky with ease. Find celestial objects quickly and follow them smoothly & accurately as they appear to drift across the night sky.
- COMPACT AND PORTABLE: The ideal telescope for adults and kids to use together, the PowerSeeker is compact, lightweight, and portable. Take it to your favorite campsite, a dark sky observing site, or simply the backyard.
- MULTIPLE ACCESSORIES: The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope comes with 2 quality eyepieces (20mm and 4mm) plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power of each. You'll also receive a FREE download of one of the top-rated astronomy software programs.
- UNBEATABLE WARRANTY & SUPPORT: Buy with confidence from Celestron, a leading telescope brand in California since 1960. Your purchase includes a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from our team of US-based experts.
Bestseller No. 2
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
- 150 mm Large Aperture: Dianfan 150 EQ reflector telescope is 150 mm aperture and 650 mm focal length.Its large aperture provides excellent light-gathering power, ensuring exceptional image quality.This telescope is great for adults and children, astronomical beginners and experienced astronomers
- New Equatorial Mount: New German Equatorial with dial and slow motion cables.We have pre-assembled it, no need to be assembled by the customer.It's easy to set up for beginners.This reflecting telescope is designed for observing celestial objects and landscapes, with landscape images appearing inverted.No effect on observing celestial bodies
- Fully Equipped Telescope: The 150 EQ reflector telescope is a powerful and user-friendly.It features fully-coated glass optics, a full-height tripod, 2 quality eyepieces,a 2x Barlow Lens and a red dot finderscope,a detailed illustrated instructions,a new phone adapter and moon filter.The magnification of the telescope is 26x to 130x
- Stable Tripod: This telescope features a sturdy stainless steel tripod that offers excellent support and stability.Sturdy and durable construction with a stable mount ensures reliable performance.Easy to set up and use, making it great for both novice and experienced stargazers
- Quality Service: Believe in Dianfan and choose Dianfan telescope.Reach us if you encounter any problem, we promise you will get a satisfactory answer within hours
SaleBestseller No. 3
Celestron 22452 StarSense Explore LT114AZ Newtonian Reflector Telescope with Smartphone App-Enabled Technology - Includes Two Eyepieces, 2X Barlow Lens, Phone Dock and Height-Adjustable Tripod, Black
- 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.
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
SaleBestseller No. 1
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
- Professional Astronomical Refractor Telescope: If you are interested in astronomy or like to explore the night sky, the MEEZAA astronomical telescope is for you. A perfect telescope for adults astronomy beginners to explore nature and the universe
- 90mm Large Aperture: The astronomy telescope has an 800mm(f/8.88) focal length and 90mm aperture. The 90mm aperture captures more light pictures, fully multi-coated optical glass lenses with high transmission coating improve image brightness and clarity
- Optimum Magnification (32X-240X): Our telescope for adults high powered is equipped with two eyepieces(10 mm and 25 mm) and a 3X Barlow lens. The 3X Barlow lens triples the magnification of each eyepiece, allowing us to observe unprecedented lunar details
- Convenient Accessories: Includes an adjustable stainless steel tripod (28 to 46 inches) for flexible viewing. All accessories fit neatly into the carry bag. Use the phone adapter to capture photos and videos, sharing moments. Ideal for backyard astronomy, camping nights, and outdoor star parties
- Easy to Assemble & Support: Includes a detailed paper manual, 90% of users complete setup in 10 minutes. Loved by thousands of satisfied stargazers, it’s great for learning astronomy and spending quality time together. 24/7 expert support available, with most inquiries answered within 12 hours
SaleBestseller No. 2
SVBONY SV105 Telescope Camera, 1.25 inch IMX307 CMOS Color Electronic Telescope Eyepiece, Planetary Camera for Telescope, Suitable for Astrophotography Beginners
- The SV105 electronic telescope eyepiece 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 electronic telescope eyepiece 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 electronic telescope eyepiece 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
SaleBestseller No. 3
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.
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
ToyerBee Telescope for Adults & Kids, 70mm Aperture Astronomical Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners (15X-150X), 300mm Portable Telescope with an Phone Adapter & A Wireless Remote
- 70mm Large Aperture: The telescope is equipped with a 70mm large aperture objective lens which makes the images brighter and clearer. The bigger the aperture is, the bigger the field of vision will be, so you can see clearer images. Professional telescope can help adults&kids view the planets and moon.
- 15X-150X Magnification: Our refractor telescope is equipped with two eyepieces (H20mm and H6mm) and a 3X Barlow lens. The 3x Barlow lens trebles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. So you can get magnification from 15X to 150X. Whether watching stars and moon at night or observing planets, ToyerBee telescope is the best helper for kids & adults & astronomy beginners.
- Adjustable Tripod: With an adjustable tripod, our astronomical telescope’s height can adjust from 13.8’’ to 40.5’’, which can adapt to different view positions. It’s also convenient to be carried when you go out and travel.
- Wireless Remote: ToyerBee telescope set includes one phone adapter and one wireless camera remote to explore the nature of the world easily through the screen. You can take some amazing photos to share with your friends. The telescope is a great astronomy gift to send the astronomy enthusiasts and 8-12 kids.
- Satisfaction Service: A 3-year customer service is offered by ToyerBee. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our telescopes and service.
SaleBestseller No. 3
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. 4
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!
SaleBestseller No. 5
Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescopes (20x-200x) for Kids & Adults, Portable Travel with Tripod Phone Adapter, Remote Control, Easy to Use, Black
- Superior quality optics: Our telescope uses high-quality lenses with anti-reflection coatings, delivering bright, clear, and high-contrast images. The lenses are also equipped with scratch-resistant coatings for added durability..
- 70mm Large Aperture: The telescope equipped with a focal length of 400mm(f/5.7) and an aperture of 70mm, good light collecting ability, imaging brighter, making it an excellent choice for amateur astronomers who want to explore the night sky.
- 20X-200X Magnification: The telescope equipped with 3 eyepieces(K6mm, K10mm, K25mm) and a 3X Barlow lens that can triple the magnifying power of each eyepiece. The telescope meets all the needs of astronomy beginners and is the best helper for children, adults and beginners in astronomy.
- Portable & Stable: Comes with a phone adapter and adjustable aluminum tripod. You can mount your phone onto the telescope with the adapter to take photos or videos. The tripod offers stable support and is easily adjustable for better viewing.
- Wireless Remote: The 5x24 finder scope with mounting bracket and cross-hair lines makes it easy to locate celestial objects. The included wireless remote provide a convenient way to explore and capture images.
Last update on 2025-07-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
