Which binoculars are suited for children?

Many children love binoculars, perhaps you even had one growing up! Binoculars help children become interested in nature and the world around them. You could purchase cheap toy binoculars, but they often don't work properly and break relatively quickly. As such your child will quickly lose his/her interest in the pair. So why not try a real pair? For children a pair of binoculars is a great gift, especially if it is one for adults.

What do you need to pay attention to when purchasing binoculars for children?

If you want to get your child something great that won't break in a day or two, there are some things you need to take into account. It is important that the pair you purchase isn't too heavy and will fit inside a child's hand. You also want to make sure your child can see through the pair and knows how to use them. Also pay attention to the following:

• Choose a pair with a magnification factor of up to 8 to make sure the image doesn't start shaking when you look through them.
• It is also great if the pair comes with a storage bag to make sure you can easily store the binoculars.
• Does your child wear glasses? Go with a pair with dioptric correction.
• Also look for a pair that contains a cord or strap to make sure your child can carry it around his or her neck.
• Roof prism binoculars are often more compact and can handle dust better than the porro version. That is why it is a better choice for children.

At Knivesandtools you will find compact, light-weight binoculars that can handle their own. As such your child will receive a pair they can also use when they are older. A great example is, for instance, the Eden HD 8x32. Great for children and favourably priced.

Teaching your child how to use binoculars

Binoculars are great for bird watching. A great activity in your backyard, but also in the woods. The advantage of such a light-weight pair is that you can easily take it with you and that your child can carry it themselves without it becoming too heavy. Do keep in mind that it takes some getting used to looking through binoculars. Fortunately children are curious and will quickly learn new things, but it is always a good idea to not make it too difficult for them.

Start by looking through the pair together to look for large birds such as swans or geese. Later on you can switch to smaller or faster moving animals. Also don't forget to bring a bird guide to make sure you can start recognizing birds together. Of course, looking at birds requires a bit of concentration, and being still for longer periods of time could be tricky for children. By choosing an area that also contains a natural playground, the children can get rid of some of that excess energy after their binocular adventure.