Top 10 Best Children's Binoculars 2023

The Hawke Nature-Trek are an excellent pair of compact binoculars that compared well in our tests for their build quality and optical performance. A fully-sealed body and nitrogen-filled optics is not always a given in this class and the fact that the optics on the Hawke Nature-Trek Compact binoculars are fully multi-coated is, at this price level, excellent. They offer a brilliantly wide field of view for a compact pair of binoculars with 10x magnification, and the close focus distance is also as good. As a general use pair of compacts these are fantastic. They are comfortable in the hand and the focus wheel is easy to reach and turn accurately, even whilst wearing gloves. At under £100 you won’t get a better pair of compact binoculars than these!

Our top pick for children are the Viking Otter Binoculars. A perfect entry-level Binocular combining quality BAK-4 prisms and rubber armouring. The fully coated optics provide a bright crisp image and a wide field of view make it easy to find birds. And the lightweight construction makes them more comfortable for children that need an easy to carry binocular. A neck strap, rainguard, lens caps and carry case are all included.

This compact pair of binoculars from Viking really impressed us with their excellent optical clarity and value for money. The Viking Badger 8x25 weighs only 298g, which makes them light enough for children to hold for an extended period of time, but they still feel sturdy and well-built enough to endure any bumps and scratches. Overall, these compact Badgers are a lovely pair of binoculars (available in 8x25 and 10x25 options), which would be perfect for anyone who likes to enjoy bird watching without having to lug a full-size pair around.

The Celestron LandScout 7x35mm Porro Binoculars are great for children and beginners because they are compact, lightweight, and easy to use. They offer a wide field of view with good magnification and let in a good amount of light to ensure images are still clear. They are durable which comes in handy if they are bumped or dropped, and the price is certainly good for the quality you receive.

These compacts truly are a must-have for those have little room to spare when packing! Thanks to their dual hinge, these fold down to pocketsize without issue, and remain sturdy enough to be reliable in all conditions. The Hawke Endurance ED 10x25 Compacts have the same ED glass as the full size endurance binoculars, providing crisp optics despite their petite design. As with all Hawke binoculars, these are also fog proof and waterproof. They are a little pricier than some of our other compacts, however, for fantastic image clarity and ideal travel size, they are a great price.

The Viking Badger Cub 8x21 are perfect entry-level binoculars for little hands to take on nature walks or get into bird watching. Extremely lightweight but with fully coated lenses and a close focus of 4m, these are an ideal companion for budding young naturalists! The 8x magnification will provide a nice and wide field of view to make it easier for youngsters to track moving wildlife. Supplied with carry case and wrist strap.

It's important to note that these are the biggest pair of compact binoculars in our round-up, especially when looking at them for children. The Avalon Mini HD boast 8x magnification and 32mm objective lens so are a solid choice if you're looking for something with a little more oomph. Avalon have done well to keep the size and weight of the Mini HD down - at well under 500g they are far lighter than a pair of full-size binoculars and comparable with some of the other compacts in our Top 10. They are nitrogen-filled so 100% waterproof and fog proof and equipped with high-quality BAK-4 prisms. The optical quality seriously impressed us and handled lower light conditions exceptionally well. All in all a really excellent pair of compact binoculars, which would be suitable for older children too.

Building on the success of their larger Kestrel series, with ED glass for superior colour and clarity, lightweight yet durable build, and waterproof design to help them cope with all weather conditions. What’s more, their dual-hinge design helps them fold down smaller, so you can always keep them with you in your coat pocket for when you need them most. These have a suitably compact size for children, however, these are a more pricey option on our list.