What are the Best Beginner Microscopes for Kids?

Microscopes for Kids

When it comes to learning, you want the best possible resources and tools you can find for your kids. These are the best beginner microscopes for kids. Hands-on learning is fun and easy, and believe it or not, even adults do their best learning hands-on. You probably have a library of books lined up along the wall filled with numbers, letters, history, and even science.

Your kids read those brightly colored books with corresponding pictures and have fun learning without even knowing it. The same is true of their educational toys and games. They have been playing and learning ever since they could hold their first rattle.

Well, now it’s time to introduce your children to the wonders of science. Creating fun science experiments will make learning fun. It’s a simple and inexpensive way for your children to learn. Using common household items and things they can collect from outside will make it easy to do the experiments. To make it even more exciting, consider using a beginner microscope for kids. They will enjoy looking through the microscope to examine hair frolics, they can count the lines in their fingerprints, get a closer look at the limbs of an insect, or count the ridges on a rock. There is so much they can do with a microscope.

If this sounds like something that would interest the inquisitive mind of your little one, then read on for your guide to the 3 best beginner microscopes for kids.

What to Look for in a Microscope for Kids

When choosing the best beginner microscope for kids you will want to focus on a few key features before making your final decision.

  • Consider the ease of use for the child’s age; how easy are the knobs to use and what is the microscope made of? Is it easy for them to maneuver and use it with little help?
  • A dual-lens is easier for a younger child because their eye coordination isn’t completely developed, so closing one eye might make it harder for them to look through a single lens.
  • A glass lens makes for better optics, but it also might make for a more expensive microscope and it might not be the best choice for a preschooler.
  • The higher the power of the magnification the better it will be for your child to view smaller objects. A professional microscope magnifies to a max of 1000x, but most of the microscopes for kids will offer no more than a max of 400x.
  • A microscope with a monocular option is also a good choice for the youngest scientist to use.
  • You should consider a microscope that features a light through both the top and the bottom, but of course, you will want to consider your child’s age when choosing this microscope, because again, the better the scope, the higher the cost.

#1 Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope

This microscope is simple, lightweight, and easy to use. The hands of a 3-year-old can easily adjust the knob and the extra-large eyepiece is perfect for their little eyes. Unlike the more advanced microscopes, this one doesn’t provide a way to use slides and the lens is plastic, but it’s the perfect starter microscope for your little one. It features a built-in LED light that is easy to turn on and off and they will get a better view of the rock, bug, food, flower, or small toy they choose to look at through the 8x lens. Some might say this is nothing more than an advanced magnifying glass, and while this could be considered true, your little one is learning eye-hand coordination while also practicing for the real thing in the near future. You should highly consider this beginner microscope for your child ages 2 to 5 when introducing them to science.

  • Perfect for a preschooler
  • It provides an extra-large dual eyepiece
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Great tool for learning eye-hand coordination
  • Built-in top LED light
  • Plastic lens
  • Cannot use slides
  • It only provides a top light
  • It only magnifies to 8x

#2 National Geographic Dual LED Student Microscope

If your child has passed the preschool age and is ready to advance to the next level of discovery in science, then this is the best beginner microscope for them. It features a bottom LED light to examine specimens through a slide or the top LED light can be used to examine other things without using a slide. It has objective and ocular lenses and it will magnify up to 50x. It’s designed with a dual eyepiece that can be adjusted to fit children and adults, so even the smaller family members can view what the older siblings are looking at. It’s made of sturdy plastic with a glass lens making it clear to view, yet light and portable enough for the younger ones to maneuver. This one comes with more than 50 accessories from extra slides to a petri dish, it provides everything your child will need to create and discover some great science experiments. This is an excellent starter microscope with great clarity to view everything from backyard finds to hair frolics. Although the manufacturer recommends use from ages 13 and older, kids from 7 and up will have no problem with it under adult supervision.

  • Glass lens
  • Adjustable dual eyepiece for all ages to enjoy
  • Top and bottom LED light
  • It provides an objective and an ocular lens
  • Comes with more than 50 accessories
  • Smaller children will need help using this microscope
  • Will only magnify to 50x

#3 My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope

This microscope is another great choice when your child is ready to advance in the discovery of science. This one also features a bottom LED light for viewing specimens that are on slides and it will easily switch to the top light for a 3D look at rocks, leaves, and other findings. It is made of sturdy plastic with a glass lens, but it is light enough to maneuver, so smaller hands can use it too. This one provides a monocular option, and although it only has a single lens, it does have great optics and it will magnify up to 400x, which is the highest of the three on our list. It comes with a great assortment of accessories including 5 plain slides and 4 prepared slides. You will even find a plastic dropper, forceps, and a test tube in this set. It’s designed for ages 9 and up, but smaller children could use it too with the help of an adult.

 Pros: 
  • Glass lens
  • Provides a monocular option
  • Top and bottom LED light
  • Magnifies up to 400x
  • Comes with 50 additional accessories
  • It has a singular lens
  • Smaller children will need help using this microscope

Additional Tips When Using the Best Beginner Microscope for Kids

By now you’ve probably made your decision and you know which microscope will best fit with your kids, but before you begin the experiments, here are a few more tips for you to consider:

  • The microscopes operate using batteries, so be sure you check to see what you need before beginning your set-up. You will also want to keep extras on hand because your kids will get a lot of use out of their microscope.
  • Science experiments with or without a microscope are fun for kids and they will even enjoy doing them with you, so consider this a great way to spend an afternoon with your kids while they have fun learning without even knowing it!
  • Be sure you provide your kids with a lot of space to do their experiments and make sure you thoroughly cover their workspace with paper, so they don’t damage any surfaces.
  • Provide your kids with aprons and goggles to protect their clothing and eyes and make sure you have a sink with soap nearby.
  • Consider making a case that is specifically for the microscope and other experimental tools. Perhaps you might want to create a special place in your home that your kids can call a science center where they can find all the supplies they will need to do their experiments.

Now that you have chosen the best beginner microscope for your kids, get out there with them and start collecting rocks, plants, and insects to examine closely under the light of their new microscope.

Have fun!

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