Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Binoculars for kids

What’s decent, either rugged or has excellent warranty, and not crazy money for kids. Thinking 8x?

I need to buy a pair for my 7 year old and my 12 year old nephew. Anything used I should be looking for that are a great value?

I am no binocular expert or snob. Just need some input and help

Still a fan of leupold Yosemite/ Kowa YF binos.

About a $100 bucks and pretty rugged.

Yep.

Sorry, but just can't help this.

When I was 7 I had two toilet paper tubes taped together.

But seriously. Walmart has/had several choices. Choose size & price there for the first time out ? One of those choices still reside in the console of one of my vehicles.

My 8yr old son uses BX-4 8x32 with no issues

For young folks who might want to look at nature as well as look for deer, Pentax makes a smaller binocular that can focus from 20 inches to wherever. It's called Papillio.
With our Master Naturalists, we use them in to look at insects like butterflies and dragonflies as well as birds where we don't need 10X or more. They are resonalbly small, light and decent glass and are nice especially with kids or adults like me who get bored looking way off somewhere. They are available in 6.5 and 8.5 powers and are usually $100-125. They are not Swaros and are not for hard core Alaskan guides, but nice, smaller clear, lightweights. I have the 6.5's, but I find that for distance detail birding and deer hunting, like my old 7x35's thay are a little weak. BUt I have old eyes and prefer my old, heavy10X Kahles for that.
Bfly

Thanks guys. As you know kids enjoy binoculars while in the woods as much or more than anything!

Huge fan of the Leupold 6X for kiddos. Like them so much, I usually use them myself when deer hunting in IN.

Only fault I've found with my sample of one is the eye cups not staying extended.

As wonderful as they may be, I'd be leery of buying Pentax optics if support down the road is of any concern.

Entry level vortex or leupold will have the best warranty on the cheap.

My 11 year old carried my old nikon monarch 10x42 this year.
I also have monarchs in 8x30 that he wore when he was younger.

Take a look at the Hawke Vantage 8x42 Binocular on sale for only $69.99
Fully coated optics produce clear images
Focus knob with 2.4 turns - close focus 16.4ft/5m
High resolution BAK-4 roof prisms
Lightweight and durable rubber coated chassis
Stay-on lens covers for maximum lens protection
Twist-up eye cups with position stops for eye relief

I wonder how many very young kids are able to focus binoculars properly.

But since their accommodation is generally very good, maybe one of the auto-focus models.

If you’re curious, ask them to operate a game console or computer. Just stand aside when they say: “Hold my juice box!” If focusing were an issue, make it a game. Adjust it way out and time them to focus. They’ll win your marbles. Except today’s kids have no idea what marbles are. 😁

I got one of each for my great grandsons & they love them use them constantly. They got vortex harnesses last year that protect them better.

I expect in 5 years they will likely need some warranty service but the good binoculars addiction & appreciation will be with them long after I’m gone.

Will need to get something new in about 6 years they have a new little brother.

Don’t forget to check interpupilary distance… many times, roof prisms won’t swing together closely enough to fit smaller faces. Most porro prisms are able to fit narrow faces better. None of my “good” roof prisms fit my wife’s face well… got her a pair of old Nikon action extremes and they work out well for her uses.