The best microscopes for kids allow children to discover the world in miniature. As these naturally curious little scientists journey around the big wide world we see them inevitably become interested in the very largest and very smallest creatures in the natural world, namely: dinosaurs and bugs.
Small bugs and other creatures are hard to see without the right equipment though, but that's there a microscope for children comes in. Simpler, less expensive and easier to use than the best microscopes for students, microscopes for kids make the world of the tiny more accessible for small hands and eyes.
But get the right microscope and even bacteria are visible under the magnifying instrument. While there's a range of price points in this guide, the slightly more expensive compound microscopes are the best due to their superior quality optics and the ability to interchange magnifying objectives. Simple microscopes like the brightly colored versions you also see in this guide have fewer features but that means less to go wrong or break, so are better suited to the youngest of observers.
Want more home science equipment for your young learners? Our guide to the best science kits for kids has all kinds of fun experiments for them to experience. And if your kids are a little older, you can also check out our guide to the best microscopes for students too.
Quick list
Best overall
This powerful compound microscope is a complete kit with impressive magnification and everything kids need to get started, all for under $50.
Best cheap microscope
This small and portable digital microscope offers up to 1000x magnification. It's fully digital and designed to work with your Android or iOS device. It's super affordable and great for all ages.
Best for biology students
It's the most powerful microscope in this guide but also the most expensive. A fantastic option for older kids with a serious interest in studying biology.
Best for budding scientists
With 400x magnification, durable construction and high-quality optics, this microscope is pricier than other models, but it's a great step up from your kid's first microscope.
Best for under 12s
A powerful microscope kit great for kids under 12, it comes with all the bits you need to get started for under $30 — and the 400x magnification is great for a scope this affordable.
Best for pre-schoolers
Built with the younger crowd in mind (ages 3+) this science toy is a great way to spark your child's interest in science.
The best microscopes for kids we recommend in 2024
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Best microscope for kids overall
At the top of our list you’ll find the AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope STEM Kit (M30-ABS-KT2-W). This powerful compound microscope for kids is more than just a tool, it’s a complete kit. The 52-piece set comes with a neat brine shrimp experiment and all the accessories your child will need to get started.
It's well-built with an all-metal frame and offers easy magnification adjustments and a color filter wheel. There is also an LED light to help you illuminate your subject and a selection of materials and insects to view under the scope.
If you're looking for a microscope to keep your kids entertained and help them learn that won't break the bank, then the AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope is a fantastic choice.
Best cheap microscope
Ditching the manual microscope controls that you’d normally expect from this technology (for example, bulky adjustment knobs and dials), the Skybasic Digital Microscope is as portable as it is versatile. This 50X to 1000X microscope is wireless and designed to work in conjunction with your Android or iOs device. This clever little tool streams pictures and videos of magnified images right to your phone from up to 33 feet away — no wires required.
The 2-megapixel camera catches beautiful 1080p images, and the built-in LED lights can be adjusted for proper brightness levels. The controls for this microscope are super simple, too, which means your kid will probably figure out how to use it quicker than you will. This one is perfect for viewing plants, insects, rocks and minerals.
Best pocket microscope for kids
This one is great for viewing coins, plants, seashells, rocks and minerals, and proves that backyard exploration doesn’t have to break the bank. The Carson MicroBrite Plus LED Lighted Pocket Microscope is an excellent case in point; this handheld stereo microscope is small enough to slip into any pocket, and the battery-powered LED light illuminates objects (up to 120X) in the palm of your hand. The aspherical lens system is surprisingly robust, resulting in bright, clear imagery all around.
For casual summertime beach excursions to winter woodland walks, this is a great complement to your next nature hike. Curious minds of all ages will enjoy the Carson MicroBrite Plus LED Lighted Pocket Microscope.
Best microscope for biology students
Is your kid a scientific prodigy? Then maybe you should give their lab an upgrade. For high-school students who are ready to take their experiments to the next (micro) level, the OMAX MD82ES10 40X-2000X Digital LED Compound Microscope looks as professional as its name sounds out loud. The swiveling binocular head has a built-in 1.3-megapixel USB camera that’s compatible with both Mac and Windows, allowing the microscope to take pictures and video clips of various projects.
This digital microscope for kids offers eight LED-illuminated levels of magnification, from 40X to 2000X; there are two coaxial knobs for coarse and fine focusing, and the mechanical stage is easy to adjust. There’s also a sliding interpapillary distance adjustment, which means the microscope is customizable to virtually any face size.
For the price, it would have been nice for OMAX to throw in a carrying case (though one is sold separately), but if you’re raising the next Doogie Howser, your child’s eyes will light up like an LED bulb when they see this microscope. This one is perfect for dissection experiments, internal cell structures, hair and skin tissue.
Best for budding scientists
Best for viewing dissection experiments, internal cell structures, plants, rock and minerals. The My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope (MFL-06) has a lot to offer in the hands-on learning department. This 50-piece kit, like most other kits, comes with all sorts of scientific accessories (blank slides, a plastic test tube, tweezers), in addition to an experiment guide and operating manual.
The lightweight design is durable enough for outdoor use, and the monocular eyepiece allows up to 400X magnification for whatever the next experiment entails; it functions as a compound and stereo microscope in one. It's more expensive than other microscopes on this list, but it’s also a higher-quality tool; the optics are made from glass (as opposed to plastic, like some models), and the durable metal-and-plastic body is built to last. For preteens with a serious interest in science, this could be their first mini-lab.
Best microscopes for pre-teens
These days, National Geographic is more than just a bright yellow magazine. Much more, in fact. The iconic wildlife brand offers a variety of science-centric toys (err, tools) for kids, and their Dual LED Student Microscope is one of our top picks.
In order for a tech toy to be considered STEM-friendly, it needs to encourage a higher level of education in four disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), and this microscope fills the bill. It comes bundled with over 50 accessories for learning, including 10 prepared nature slides, a petri dish, a mini geode, two sets of optical lenses (20X and 50X), and a comprehensive learning guide. Thanks to a pair of complementary LED lights, you can use this microscope to view slides or 3D objects with the flip of a switch. It's best for viewing internal cell structures, skin and tissue, rocks and minerals.
Like the AmScope microscope, this one comes with its own brine shrimp experiment, complete with shrimp eggs and a hatchery station. Your kid will be so engaged, they won’t realize they’re absorbing so much knowledge.
Best for kids under 12
The best microscopes for kids aren’t just standalone devices; they come bundled with all sorts of useful extras. Such is the case with the Educational Insights Nancy B's Science Club Microscope, another colorful option that gets consistently high user reviews. Genuine scientific research is all about data collection, and this microscope gets that ball rolling with a 22-page activity journal.
Powered by two LED lights (and 3 AAA batteries), the microscope itself can achieve an impressive range of 30X to 400X magnification, which is perfect for getting up close and personal with all the rocks, plants and bugs your backyard has to offer. Let the specimen collection begin!
Best interactive microscope for young kids
The Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope is a casual classroom in a box. That’s because this novel microscope features the narration of young Australian conservationist Bindi Irwin, who teaches your child more than 100 interesting factoids about plants and animals through an integrated microphone.
The built-in storage compartment houses 20 slides (featuring three images per slide), which can be used for two different modes of play: Fact or Quiz. In the former mode, the microscope identifies these images out loud, reciting fun facts for your child to learn; in the latter mode, Bindi quizzes your child on their general knowledge of each slide.
The standard model comes with English, Spanish, French and German audio options, while a second model includes Mandarin, Japanese and Korean.
These interactive, STEM-friendly features make the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope one of the best microscopes for kids (particularly those in preschool). It’ll keep them busy for hours on end.
Best microscope for pre-schoolers
As its colorful branding implies, the Kidzlane Microscope Science Toy for Kids was built with the younger crowd in mind. This beginner microscope, meant for ages 3 and up, is bound to spark their curiosity as they examine everyday objects in finer detail. Designed specifically for younger children with small hands (ages 3 and up), you needn’t worry about sharp edges here.
Another STEM-friendly entry to this list, the Kidzlane Microscope comes with tweezers, a (plastic) scalpel, and pretend spider and lizard specimens to make your kid feel like they have their own lab; they’ll build hand-eye coordination as they position objects beneath the viewfinder, and the included activity book encourages critical thinking skills with a variety of fun experiments.
Best under $20 microscope for pre-schoolers
The Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. provides kids with an easy, hands-on experience with their first microscope. With large knobs and two extra-large eyepieces, they won’t have any trouble looking at objects they find. The large tray also allows for examining larger things like leaves, rocks, or flowers. Starting at 2.5x magnification, kids can gradually adjust the visual field for a chance to learn about their findings without becoming overwhelmed.
Not only does this enhance their learning experience, but it also allows them to go at their own pace! The fun isn’t limited to the microscope, either. A host of free activities are included with this package, along with 12 pre-designed slides. To use this microscope, all you need are three AAA batteries.
How to choose the best microscopes for kids
Before introducing your family to the microscopic world of insects and plants, consider these factors:
Budget - Most kid-friendly microscopes have a price point of $50 or less, but there are plenty of premium picks that cost $75 or more. These days, you can get a cheap microscope for under $30; low-end models usually have weaker magnifications, cheaper build quality and fewer bundled accessories. (For preschool-level microscopes, however, weak magnification is actually preferred.)
Focus and magnification - For small, fidgety humans, overly powerful optics might actually be counterproductive. When it comes to your budding biologists, here's a rule of thumb: The younger the child, the lower the magnification. Magnifications between 5X and 400X are common recommendations for kids under the age of 10. For older investigators, consider microscopes with more powerful optics.
Note: Monocular microscopes work well up to 1000X, but for higher magnification levels, binocular microscopes are a necessary investment.
Size, shape and build quality - Look for sturdy build materials, such as aluminum alloy and heavy-duty plastics. If the microscope is for someone under the age of 10, you’ll probably want one that can take a little abuse. Some microscopes are specifically built for tiny fingers, while others can be used by explorers of all ages. For children under 5, look for extra kid-friendly features, like rounded edges, rubberized (shockproof) construction and padded eyepieces.
High-power vs. low-power - Low-power (ie, “stereo”) microscopes are useful for viewing opaque objects (think rocks and coins); the light source is divided into two separate paths to produce a 3D view. High-power (ie, “compound”) microscopes are meant for viewing translucent materials such as plant cells or viral bacteria; there is only one light source to produce a flat-plane view.
Light sources - All microscopes require a light source; the most common ones are LED, halogen and fluorescent. On account of their brightness and longevity, LED lights are pretty popular when it comes to microscope hardware. If your microscope uses multiple bulbs, check to see if it comes with any replacements; some bulbs are trickier to replace than others.
Extra features and accessories - Some microscopes come with just the basics, but the best microscopes for kids include useful accessories, such as activity books, specimen slides, carrying cases, sample experiments and complementary science tools.
How we test microscopes
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We examine whether products live up to their manufacturer's claims, and in doing so, we regularly seek the opinions of independent experts. Factors like a product's ease of use, ergonomic success, and performance compared to competitors are all examined. Price and value for money are also things we scrutinize, and they affect our review rating and evaluation.
Through this combination of expert opinion, research, and testing, Live Science is confident that it offers readers trustworthy and unbiased advice on all the products it reviews.
FAQs
What is the best beginner microscope for kids?
As curiosities swap and change it might be wise to refrain from dropping big dollar on a microscope for a child, especially if this is their first. For young beginners we'd recommend the Educational Insights Nancy B's Science Club Microscope. It has 400X magnification, includes an activity journal for tracking observations and comes with a plethora of additional accessories to get kids in the science mood.
What type of microscope should I buy for a child?
We recommend you buy the best microscope you can afford whilst balancing this with cost, features, optical performance and durability. Younger observers are more likely to drop, knock or bump a microscope during use so it's important to find one that is resilient.
For pre-schoolers we'd recommend the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope because of its attractive colorway and also because it talks, containing two learning modes.
