This list of the best drones for kids takes a range of factors into consideration including exciting designs, durability, flight time, stunt abilities and price. All of these drones are available for around $100 or cheaper, and they all come with features that make them extremely competitive for their low prices.
More technical features are also included in our list, including power and details of features such as cameras, transmitters and functions that will return the drone to the user in one touch.
Sky Viper HD V950 Video Drone
An important factor for a young drone pilot is a simple set-up process, and this one is well regarded for being easy to build and use. The drone has a 12.75 inch wingspan from blade to blade, and it can maintain flight for four to five minutes.
As this is the Video model of the Sky Viper range, the camera and filming capabilities are exciting components. The camera offers 1-Touch Panoramic Video Capture in 720p HD; this means that at the touch of a button the drone can perform a controlled rotation, automatically capturing a 360 degree view of the surroundings.
The V950HD is lightweight, and flexible, and runs on a compact 650-mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, it is reviewed as being difficult to access, but this could also be a bonus with children in mind.
This model also gives you the option to move the camera around within 130 degrees, meaning that you can angle the camera more accurately to capture your target view.
The controls for this drone may also be a draw as a drone for a child to use, as the controller is similar to that of a games console; meaning that more likely than not a child will be familiar with its design and function. The controller is powered remotely with three AAA batteries.
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Another important factor for informing a decision is price, and this one comes in at under $100, which is a competitive price considering the list of solid features and capabilities.
DBPower UDI U845 UFO Drone
The design of the drone is an immediate selling point, as it does not have a typical look – as the name suggests, it looks like a UFO. The disk-like body encases the propellers, adding to the sense that the drone is hovering with alien power.
The DBPower has a WiFi first person view (FPV) video transmission, meaning that with 
a smartphone the pilot is able to see the footage recorded by the drone in real time. In addition to this interesting feature, the UFO style drone has a function for performing 360 degree flips, a stunt capability that is not included in all drones.
Charging time is around 50 minutes, from which the pilot will be ready to use the drone for between six and nine minutes. The drone’s range is between 80 and 100 meters, and video transmission holds up to between 30 and 40 meters.
The controller that comes with this drone is similar to that of the Sky Viper, games console-like, adding comfort and familiarity to young users. The drone is also well priced for the list of interesting aspects, at around $99.
QCopter QC1 with HD Camera, LED Lights
The Qcopter QC1 comes in an eye catching metallic green and white, and is fairly large on the scale of small drones, coming in at a weight of 125 grams. It is powerful enough to lift small objects, and still hold its place in the air.
The drone is 40cm x 40cm, offering a 6 axis gyro stabilisation, one key return to bring it back to you without having to struggle to fly it all the way back from its destination yourself, and also a button to make the drone perform flips. This drone also includes a HD camera.
Qcopter QC1 can be controlled out to a range of 100 meters, and is also designed to match that distance in height. Many small drones including this one work 2.4Ghz spread spectrum technology, that means if you go out of range the drone will simply become unresponsive and stop functioning.
Despite the larger than average size, the drone will fly inside and out, while the pilot has the option to engage one of three speed levels. This controllable element may be useful for a child, as the drone will be easier to control in the lower speed setting.
Also available for under $100, a big selling point of this drone is the powerful battery that will allow up to 15 minutes of flight time, considerably longer than the average option on the market of this size bracket.
Syma X9 Fly Car
The stand out characteristic of this drone is that not only does it fly; it also has wheels and works as a remote controlled car. For kids this would be a great feature, as the fun does not end once in a space unfit for flying the drone, as it can still be used in one capacity.
Like with the Qcopter, the Syma X9 also comes with two batteries, an excellent bonus with drones of this size as a single battery offers only a few minutes use on average, so doubling the use time is huge, especially if this drone is bought for a child. The flight time from a single battery is around five minutes.
Assembly is nothing to worry about with this drone, and that is because it comes fully assembled already with a battery inside. One drawback of the dual capabilities of this drone of flight and driving is that when flying the drone, the wheels weight it down somewhat. Although not an immense impact, it does make it less agile in the air.
The interesting design and ease of use hold this option up very well against the competition, but this drone does not include a camera, which is standard in many drones, and does provide a whole different element of fun to using one. These missing features are not a surprise though, as the price for this drone is between $40 and $50 – almost half the price of most similar models.
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Heli-Max 1SQ RTF Quadcopter with 2.4Ghz Radio
This little drone packs a mighty punch, as it is able to perform high speed flight and a well-regarded degree of stability and control. This level control also means that tricky landings are entirely possible, as the drone compliments precision. This model also comes ready to fly, always a benefit when complicated construction is out of question.
The drone has a built-in digital camera that is geared towards filming and recording videos; this can be done without the transmitter even switched on. The small drone is powered with a USB charger that needs to be plugged into a computer or device with USB port.
A fun feature this drone has to offer is night flight due to the LED lights that illuminate each motor. Although precise and nimble, the drone could be beneficial for children simply because it promotes a level of control that does not make it difficult to perform manoeuvres.
Another aspect of this drone that may be a surprise is its durability, which could also be an extremely useful thing to know if the drone is going to be used by a child. The drone is priced at $99 for the basic model.
