People have always been interested in looking at the sky from a very young age and knowing what’s out there waiting for us to explore outer space.  Buying a pair of binoculars for your child can be a struggle.  Children’s telescopes have many advantages over regular telescopes.  But buying the best telescope for children isn’t always easy, so read on to learn how.  

Things to consider before buying the best telescope for children  

1. Reasons for purchase  

Before you buy a telescope, you need to know what you are buying for.  The quality and service provided by the telescope will depend directly on your needs and requirements.  Since you are buying binoculars for your children, you do not need a professional telescope.  All you need is a product that meets your child’s needs.  

2. The map  

A star map is a way of knowing which star is which.  Once children are used to using a telescope, providing them with a star map can help them use the telescope better and learn more about the night sky.  

3. Easy to use  

Telescopes can be complex, which sometimes causes novices to give up altogether.  When buying binoculars for your children, you need to consider how easy it is to use relative to their age.  Teenagers will certainly find it much easier to master the more complex aspects of higher-spec telescopes, while younger kids will just want to see something cool.  

4. The focal length  

In short, the focal length of a telescope (usually measured in millimeters) is the distance between the lens or mirror and the point at which an image of the sky is created.  The longer the focal length, the higher the magnification, the lower the field of view.  In general, a longer focal length results in a longer telescope.  However, more modern telescopes are built in a way that allows for larger focal lengths in shorter, fatter telescopes.  

5. Accessories  

Since you are buying binoculars for your children, you will not need many accessories.  So don’t waste your money on a telescope with lots of extras.  Simply choose a simple, basic yet powerful telescope to give your child the start they need.  

Two or three eyepieces are enough for your child.  Low-power eyepieces are large enough to view nebulae and other celestial bodies.  Medium to high magnification is required to see the planets and moon in detail.  

6. The aperture  

Aperture is widely regarded as the most important telescope specification.  It refers to the diameter of the telescope’s lens or the mirror that collects the light.  In short, the higher the aperture, the more light it can collect and produce a better, brighter image.  According to experts, the good aperture of an amateur telescope is between 80 and 300 mm.  

7. Price range  

Whenever you buy a product, you should look for the product that will give you the best performance at the best price for your money.  Look at the price of the telescope before buying.  A higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean great functionality.  Try to strike a balance between your budget and the features you offer.  Even if you spend a little more on the product, making sure it lasts is worth it in the long run.  

8. Telescope type  

There are three types of telescopes: refraction, Newtonian, and compound.  For this age, without going into too much detail, we recommend using the refractor telescope because it has one characteristic.  Refractor telescopes have eyepieces at the end of the body, which makes them more accessible to children because they can stand on something and use it more comfortably.  Taller children can even reach it without help.  Newtonian telescopes are not recommended because the eyepiece is higher in position and therefore harder to reach.  

Buying a telescope can be a daunting task when you don’t know which of the thousands of products on the market is the best.  Our in-depth reviews will help you choose the best telescope for your child.