Top 9 Telescopes for Kids

1. Meade 114EQ-AR Equatorial Reflector

Get your kids started early with this excellent beginner's telescope from Meade. Short-tube reflector telescope combines great observing power with a number of convenient features in one affordable package.

Features

• 114mm Aperture (4.5")
• Focal Length - 1000mm
• Focal Ratio - f/8.8
• Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
• Equatorial Mount w/Slow Motion Controls
• Setting Circles
• Latitude Control w/Scale
• Two 1.25" Eyepieces - 9mm and 25mm
• Red Dot Viewfinder
• Aluminum Tripod w/Accessory Shelf
• Astronomical Software and Instructional DVD

It's ideal for the serious beginner to intermediate astronomers.

2. Meade 70AZ-AR Altazimuth Refractor

The Meade 70AZ-AR altazimuth refractor is a high performance 70mm telescope which is ideally suited to the beginning astronomer or to terrestrial observation.

Included

• 2 three-element, 1.25-inch (MA9mm, MA25mm) eyepieces
• Diagonal mirror
• 5x24 Red Dot viewfinder
• Adjustable aluminum tripod
• Planetarium software for the PC with 10,000-object database

Easily view the rings of Saturn, four satellites of Jupiter, and hundreds of Moon craters.

3. Meade ETX-80AT-TC Astro Telescope with AutoStar

This new, larger aperture Meade ETX-80AT TC Go To Computer Telescope is powerful companion for exploring the universe at an incredibly attractive price.

Included

• Built-in Barlow Lens flips into position when needed
• Internal Time Chip (TC) keeps precise factory calibrated time and date
• Bubble-level/Compass is provided to make initialization faster and easier
• Sturdy, adjustable, aluminum tripod
• 2 premium 4-element 1.25" Super Plossl eyepieces
• Bonus! AutoStar Suite Astronomer Software on DVD for PC, now with instructional DVD

View the Moon, planets, bright deep-space objects, and terrestrial landmarks.

4. Zhumell Bring em Near Pirate Spyglass 25x30

A classic, hand-held telescope with a gleaming brass finish. Extends from 5.5" to 13" and fits into its own padded case with belt loop and wrist strap.

• The 30mm objective lens and eyepiece are magnesium fluoride-coated to ensure optimal light transmission and image crispness throughout the entire field of view
• Eye relief of 15mm accommodates eyeglass wearers
• High, 25X magnification brings ‘em near indeed
• Knurled knob on the bottom barrel gives fast twist focus

5. Zhumell Zenith 60x600 Telescope

This scope is easy to set up, right out of the box. No in depth manuals to wade through to get it going. The Zhumell 60x600 Zenith telescope provides comfortable viewing with its 45 degree prism, as well as 3x Barlow lens for greater magnification. Also included are two eyepieces and a carrying case to carry them all in.

6. Tasco 50x50 Refractor w/ 900x Microscope

A terrific two-piece combo for the explorer in the family. The land and sky telescope is ideal for entry-level surveying, with 2x finderscope and 35x land eyepiece. The 19-piece 900x microscope includes assorted examination and preparation tools, slides and sample specimens.

7. Celestron ExploraScope 100

Celestron ExploraScope 100 is a perfect gift for kids and families. The impressive aperture allows users to explore the craters on the moon, marvel at rings of Saturn or, with the built-in erect image lens, use it as a land based spotting scope to view the wonders of nature.

Features

• Attached eyepiece brings objects 50 times closer
• Built-in erect-image lens for daytime land viewing
• Durable construction
• Carrying strap for hiking and backpacking
• Adapter for tripod mounting
• Adjustable collimation

Best of all, at only 5 lbs, you can bring your ExploraScope-100 anywhere you feet can take you!

8. Zhumell Tabletop 30mm refractor

The perfect gift for anyone who's an astronomer at heart, the Zhumell Tabletop 30mm sits perfectly on any desk or table, standing about 12 inches tall. Despite its small size, the Tabletop 30 is a fully functional telescope with slide focus. It can be used with or without the harness tripod and will help you take advantage of a great office view as well as give you great views of the moon and planets. Also great for children.

9. 2 in 1 Tele-Micro Scope

This is an 8 power telescope and a 30 power microscope all in one small pen sized package. It easily fits into a pocket. While you won't be viewing planets and deep sky objects, this could be a great introduction to the power of telescopes.