Childrens’ binoculars make a great addition to your Grandma Toy Library, and here’s why: They open up a small pair of eyes to a world of being curious. And also, they are adorable! Is there anything cuter than seeing a tiny squished face trying to look through binoculars!?
Choosing a Great Set of Childrens’ Binoculars
One of our favorite brands for a young birder just starting out is Obuby Binoculars! These are compact enough for a child’s hands and come in a dozen colors. For less than $20, you get a set of functioning binoculars (not a toy that barely magnifies things). They have nice wide-angle 8x magnification and you can adjust for differences in vision in each eye. They are shockproof and waterproof as well, so you worry a lot less about accidental damage.
We take a set of binoculars out when we are exploring for birds and other creatures. Download this free birdwatching journal to go along with your binoculars!
You’ll find dozens of great options on the market for kids’ binoculars, and luckily, there are many experienced users who are willing to give their recommendations. We appreciated this review from Worldbird.org that helped explain some of the features a grandparent might consider before making a purchase.
Try a Great Birdwatching App Along with Your Childrens’ Binoculars!
Are you new to birdwatching or a veteran? Comment and let us know! We love the Merlin Bird ID app developed in collaboration with the Cornell Ornithology Lab! This fun app seems almost magical in its ability to help you identify birds with just a few clicks and even preschoolers can manage the app’s intuitive interface. Once you ID your bird, you’ll have access to beautiful full-color photos of adults and juveniles, both male and female. You can listen to songs and calls of your bird as well. Just tap the “sounds” button. A map shows breeding areas and migration patterns.
Check out their “Bird Cams” at @cornellbirdcams on Instagram as well. Birdwatching is a great playdate idea!
If you only ever have a single birdwatching day, you will not be sorry. You can make the adventure as simple as a trek to the park to feed the ducks, or as grandiose as a visit to a bird refuge or aviary. Older children might appreciate a hike in the woods or near a marsh with a good pair of chidrens’ binoculars for each of you!
