Kids are born curious. It’s what fuels their urge to learn. One of the best ways to satisfy this inquisitiveness is through a microscope. A microscope opens up a new world for them fueling their imagination and curiosity. It’s also a great way of encouraging kids to pursue STEM subjects.
The best thing is that there is a wide range of microscopes designed for kids. These microscopes enable them to view the beauty and complexity of everyday objects that would otherwise not be seen with the naked eye.
Here is a compilation of the best microscopes for kids of different ages, to make it easier for you to choose.
Best Microscopes For Kids Reviews
1. AmScope 120X-1200X 52-Pcs Kids Beginner Microscope
Our top pick for the best microscope for kids is the AmScope 120X-1200X Kid’s Microscope. While this isn’t a high-end microscope, it is the ideal one for kids, especially those new to the world of microscopy.
It Is made of sturdy ABS plastic, except for the base and arm that are made from metal. It doesn’t require any assembly, making it suitable for beginners.
Objects viewed under this microscope can be illuminated either by the built-in reflecting mirror that provides natural lighting or the LED light source. However, you have to be careful as the LED light can be a bit blinding. What’s more, it comes with a built-in rotating color filter wheel to make the object viewing process more fun.
Its forward-facing turret provides 120X, 240X, 300X, 480X, 600X, and 1200X magnifications for a clear and precise view of the object. The microscope also features a coaxial coarse adjustment with a rack-and-pinion focus mechanism that provides an impressive level of clarity.
However, since it doesn’t have a fine adjustment, focusing on your object can be challenging, but there’s a trick to it. All you have to do is ensure that the item you and your child are viewing is right at the center of the aperture(that is where the light comes through.) Also, make sure you start on the lowest magnification.
It comes with a 52-piece kit, including two prepared slides to get your kid’s adventures started and different tools to make other slides. And has an easy-to-carry case. Overall, this microscope is one of the best microscopes for beginners.
Pros
- A 52-piece accessory kit
- Built-in reflecting mirror for natural illumination
- Adjustable magnification
- Rotating color filter wheel
Cons
- The LED light can be blinding
- Focusing can be quite difficult because it doesn’t have a fine adjustment.
Specs List
- Age: 7 years+
- Magnification: 120X-1200X
- Batteries: 2 AA batteries (included)
- Size: 15.8 x 14.6 x 5.1 inches
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
2. Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Talking Kids Microscope
This is more of a pretend microscope than a real one, making it perfect for kids of ages 4-5 years. Its overall construction is impressive, so it is safe for your little one.
One of the highlights of this microscope is that it features 20 prepared slides with about 60 images (3 images per slide.) And that’s not all; it also has an audio fact mode and quiz mode, featuring the voice of the amazing Bindi Irwin.
The fact mode explains fascinating details about all the 60 images, and the quiz mode provides simple questions, allowing your child to sharpen their scientific skills. These audios are in English, French, German, and Spanish, making the microscope more accommodating.
It also features two eyepieces, although they may split the view into two different aspects, making viewing difficult. While its 5X magnification is low, it is just perfect for little kids.
Pros
- Two eyepieces
- 20 prepared slides with 60 images of fascinating objects
- It features a fact mode and quiz mode
- The audio is in English, Spanish, French, and German
Cons
- The slides can be challenging to insert as they “signal” the microscope on what facts to play.
- The slide drawer doesn’t stay in
Specs List
- Age: 4-5 years
- Magnification: 5X
- Size: 10.1×8.1×5.5 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Batteries: 3AA batteries (not included)
3. The Magic School Bus Microscope Lab Kit
This is another impressive microscope that will take your child’s scientific adventures to another level. For starters, it comes in a cute magic bus box that will definitely excite your little one.
The package includes 20 colorful experiment cards that will guide your kid on fascinating science experiments to do, like assembling a “human” skeleton. It has most of the supplies they need for the experiments, making the microscope convenient. What’s more, the package also has a data book, where your child can record the observations, they made from the experiments.
Its 100X, 300X, and 600X magnification provide clear and precise views of the slides on the stage. However, your kid may experience some trouble viewing objects on the 600X magnification, so you may want to increase it gradually.
Your child can also join in the fun with the “Ms. Frizzle from the Magic Bus” Netflix series and observe the objects Ms. Frizzle, and her class is observing on the show.
Pros
- 20 experiment guide cards
- Adjustable magnification
- A data book included allowing the user to record their observations from the experiment.
- Cute packaging box
Cons
- The accessory kit doesn’t come with all the supplies needed for the experiments.
- The human skeleton can be quite challenging to put together.
Specs List
- Age: 5-7years
- Magnification: 100X, 300X, and 600X
- Batteries: 2 AA batteries(not included)
- Size: 9×6×15 inches
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
4. SKYBASIC Wireless Digital Microscope
This microscope offers different features compared to others, making it one of the most unique microscopes for kids.
Take your child’s object viewings to another level with this microscope’s compatibility with Android and iOS phones and computers. This simply means that your kid can view magnified objects on a computer or smartphone.
All you have to do is turn the switch on the eyepiece to “Wi-Fi position” to observe the item on a smartphone or switch it to “PC position” to view it on your computer. But you have to download an app on your phone to connect it to the microscope.
Its 50X-1000X magnification and 2.0MP 1080p HD camera provide crisp, clear images of your objects. There is a zoom knob, although it focuses on the item rather than letting you zoom in on the image.
It also features a 360° rotating mount, allowing you to adjust the camera/eyepiece to your preferred position. The microscope also comes with eight adjustable LED lights for maximum clarity of the objects.
However, even with this high magnification range, the microscope isn’t suitable for complex projects like observing a cell or bacterial. It’s great for skin, plant, insect, jewelry detection among other similar tasks.
Pros
- Attractive design
- It has a smartphones and laptop app
- 50X-1000X magnification
- 360° rotating mount
- 2.0MP 1080p HD camera
Cons
- The Instructions to set up the app on a smartphone are not that detailed.
Specs List
- Age: 6 years+
- Magnification: 50X-1000X
- Batteries: 1 lithium polymer battery (included)
- Size: 7.28×4.69×1.93 inches
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
5. BEBANG 100X-2000X Microscope For Students
This is another quite sophisticated microscope that is ideal for older kids. One of the features that make it stand out is its coarse and fine adjustment features that provide more clarity on the object being viewed.
Its 2X and WF25X eyepieces coupled with the 100X-2000X adjustable magnification enables students to have clear and precise views of their item, regardless of what level of magnification they set on the microscope.
It comes with a top and bottom LED light source for maximum illumination and a brightness knob, allowing you to adjust it to your child’s preferred brightness level.
What’s more, there’s also a five-color disc diaphragm that makes the viewing process more interesting. There’s also a smartphone attachment that enables you to view objects on your phone, although it doesn’t hold it perfectly.
The microscope’s 360° adjustable head and the 45° vertically inclined eyepiece allow your child to view objects in a more comfortable position.
Pros
- Coarse and fine adjustment
- 2000X maximum magnification
- 360° rotating head
- 45° vertically inclined eyepiece
Cons
- The smartphone attachment doesn’t fit properly
- The stage Is not high enough to allow the user to have a good viewing angle.
Specs List
- Age: 7 years+
- Eyepieces: WF25X and 2X
- Magnification: 100X-2000X
- Size: 5.51×3.94×11.42 inches
- Weight: 2.43 pounds
- Batteries: 3 AA batteries (not included)
6. Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope
Judging by its vibrant colored outer case, this is an exciting microscope for your little one. It’s one of the best educative toys for kids.
No more worrying about what activities your child will be doing with this microscope, thanks to its 22-page journal packed with activities for kids, like observing bugs, viewing critters in the water, to name a few. The journal also contains spaces where your child can draw their observations, making these experiences more educational.
It also comes with a 26-piece accessory kit, turning your kid’s play area into a mini-lab. The microscope features two eyepieces for more comfortable viewings and 2 LEDs for better illumination. It has a magnification range of between 30X-400X, which is impressive for a microscope of this caliber.
However, Images may be blurry at 400X magnification because the LEDs aren’t bright enough to support higher magnification levels. So, you may want to set it at a lower level and gradually increase it to have more precise images.
Pros
- 22-page journal
- 2 LED light sources
- Colorful outer case
- 26-piece accessory kit
Cons
- The stage Is slightly angled, so adjusting it to focus may cause vibrations, making the items shift. This makes it challenging to keep the viewed objects in viewing range.
Specs List
- Age: 8-11 years
- Magnification: 30X-400X
- Batteries: 3 AA batteries (not included)
- Size: 9.2×8.7×4.3 inches
- Weight: 1.19 pounds
7. National Geographic Dual LED Student Microscope
With National Geographic being a high-status brand, anyone would expect it to produce top-notch quality products. Well, they really rose to the challenge of making a great microscope for kids.
You’ll like the bottom and top LED light sources that allows your child to view up to 3D images of their objects. Impressive, right? However, the bottom light is a bit too bright, and there’s no brightness adjustment knob, which is quite a disadvantage.
It comes with a 50-piece science kit with everything your child needs to conduct experiments, such as 20X and 50X optical glass lenses for enhanced viewing. There are also ten prepared slides with specimens like earthworms and fungi to get things started.
The microscope also comes with two adjustable eyepieces for enhanced comfort.
Pros
- Bottom and top LED light sources
- A 50-piece science kit
- Two adjustable eyepieces
- Ten prepared slides
Cons
- The focus adjustment Is quite fragile
- The bottom LED light Is too bright and not adjustable.
Specs List
- Age: 10 years
- Magnification: 20X-50X
- Size: 7.25×5.7×12.5 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Batteries: 2 AA batteries(not included)
8. Carson MicroBrite Plus 60X-120X Pocket Microscope
Wrapping up our list is this one-of-a-kind microscope that brings something more different to the table.
One thing that makes it stand out is its compact size and lightweight. It measures about 3.9 by 2.6 by 1.5 inches and weighs approximately 0.07 kilograms. Its small size and weight allow your child to bring the fascinating and fun adventures of science everywhere they go.
Another one of its unique features is its aspherical lens system. Unlike the regular one, this system enables the light rays to converge at a single focal point, leading to clearer and more precise images.
However, its focal distance is a bit short, and the depth of field is narrow, so you have to place the microscope directly over the object for a better view. You may also want to put the specimen on a flat surface to prevent the image from being out of focus.
Its strong LED illumination system, together with the 60X-120X magnification range, enables you to get sharper and distortion-free images.
Pros
- Aspherical lens system
- Compact and lightweight design
- Strong LED illumination system
- Impressive magnification range
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a tool kit
- Its depth of field is narrow, forcing the user to place the viewed object only on a flat surface.
Specs List
- Age: 15 years
- Magnification: 60X-120X
- Size: 3.9×2.6×1.5 inches
- Weight: 0.07kgs
- Batteries: 1 AA battery (not included)
What To Look For When Choosing The Best Microscopes For Kids
There are several factors to consider when selecting a microscope for your little one. Let’s take a look at a couple of them.
1/ Ease Of Use
This is hands-down the most important thing to consider when choosing a microscope for your child. Most of the time, your kid is looking forward to having fun with the device, so buying a complicated microscope may cause them to lose interest in it quickly.
So, it is best to go for a microscope that is easy to use but not too simple that it doesn’t enable your child to explore things better.
2/ Go For One That Promotes Learning
You don’t want to buy a microscope that is just a toy. It is recommendable to go for one that promotes learning in an exciting way. This may include experiment guides, books for recording observations, audios, or books with facts about different specimens, among others.
3/ Magnification Range
When it comes to microscopes for children, the younger the child, the lower the magnification. In most cases, microscopes with higher magnification levels cost more. So, why buy an expensive one when all your child will be observing are bugs and other simple objects.
If your little one is under the age of 9-10 years, you could get them a microscope with a 400X maximum magnification. This should be enough to provide clear images of the items they observe.
On the other hand, if you have an older child, it is best to choose one that has a higher magnification range since they will be viewing more complex objects.
4/ Extra Tools
When shopping for a microscope for your child, go for one that comes with extra accessories, such as prepared slides, activity books, mini-lab tools, to mention a few. This will not only save you money, but it will also bring out the excitement in your little one that a basic microscope would not.
Conclusion
Microscopes are a great way to make playtime more educational. Hopefully, this detailed buying guide will help you to make a more informed decision on which microscope is the best one for your child.