Vanstarry shock-proof 8x21 binocular Vanstarry shock-proof 8x21 binocular

What features make a binocular appealing to children? Think fun, color and quality! Last week, in our October 10 Optics article we tapped the experts at Optics4Birding for advice about what to consider when choosing a binocular for a youngster. If your child or grandchild is already interested in birds and getting serious about birding, you’ll probably want to equip them with a more advanced binocular designed primarily for birding (check out today’s Gear & Products section for a good recommendation in this category).

This article focuses on binoculars that might appeal to kids who are just getting started exploring binoculars, birds and nature. For these youngsters, the secret is to choose a binocular that will be fun to use and that can compete with all the sophisticated electronic gadgets kids use today.

For young children, one way to get them intrigued with binoculars and the pleasure they bring is to choose a model that is fun to use, not unlike a toy, but a model that also introduces them to observing birds and nature. For a first-time binocular user, something that looks too serious may not look like fun. A good binocular that isn’t appealing or exciting to use won’t stimulate interest, or use. But, if it looks like fun, kids will want to use it. Once you get them interested in using their binoculars, you can gradually introduce them to better quality models more suited for more serious birding.

Choosing a first binocular is a little like choosing a first bicycle. The brightly colored bike with handlebar streamers, a horn, lights that flash, and other cool features will make them more likely to want to saddle up and start riding. Once they are hooked, you move them on to more serious bikes.

Brightly colored binoculars and those with appealing shapes and interesting features will be fun to play with and use. You’ll want to make sure focusing is easy and that the optics are good enough for the child to clearly see what they are looking at – a blurry image is a quick turn-off for anyone.

As with choosing a serious binocular for birding, it’s always best to try a variety of models in person if possible. Go with what you think your young birder and nature explorer will like best, and get them ready for a lifetime of adventure.

Article by Peter Stangel

TheGearHunt reviews their top 10 binoculars for kids at https://thegearhunt.com/best-kids-binoculars-reviewed/ These binoculars look like a lot of fun, and many models come with educational information.

BestReviews.Guide recently scanned nearly 2,000 reviews to come up with their list of top ten binocular models for kids at https://www.bestreviews.guide/binoculars-for-kids?origin=google&google_params[matchtype]=b&google_params[network]=g&google_params[device]=c&google_params[creative]=248076812565&google_params[keyword]=binoculars%20for%20kids&google_params[adposition]=1o1&google_params[adgroupid]=44126521367&google_params[campaignid]=769102214&bs=ZvNkeHSypjYqOn_SBLDMs49xIzvm22p9XjBnM0D0Ed-2R26SdFkb_lldGIIFy0N37rl4dokoFtiW8_boHQSmPA==&google_params[feeditemid]=&google_params[targetid]=kwd-309495288&google_params[loc_interest_ms]=&google_params[loc_physical_ms]=9010693&google_params[devicemodel]=&google_params[target]=&dest=0&sys_id=0|254&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr4beBRDNARIsAGZaZ5dWEkGubGRov8eK_0rhuWQW02bHNjz1yScONf8Q2Yg96pt-Ml-HO-0aAhjgEALw_wcB

To review the advice from the pros at Optics4Birding about selecting binoculars for children, refer to https://www.optics4birding.com/chkids.aspx