8 Best Microscope For Kids

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Whether you’re a teacher looking for microscopes for your classroom, or you have a child who really loves science, there are plenty of microscope options for children out there. But what makes a microscope the best microscope for kids? Are there certain things that make one kid-friendly?

I’ve done the research for you and compiled everything you need to know about the eight best microscopes for kids. Before you spend any of your hard-earned money, check out the in-depth reviews, along with the buyer’s guide, to get the best product on the market for your needs!

At a Glance: The Best Microscope For Kids to Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product.

Eight Best Microscopes For Kids – Reviews 

Below are the in-depth reviews of all eight of the best microscopes for kids! I’ve included key features of each product along with a pros and cons list. Let’s get into the first microscope.

1. Elecfly Microscope

If your child is over the age of five, this is a great beginners’ microscope. The eyepiece allows you to magnify from 40x all the way up to 640x. This microscope comes with 50 accessories including a 25-piece specimen slide kit, a petri dish, test tubes, forceps, a dropper, a microscope cover, and much more!

There is an LED light to make seeing whatever plant, animal, or material you have on the slide much easier. This product comes with a 180-day warranty, so if your little one doesn’t like it or if something breaks, you’ll be covered!

There are three different colored filters you can use which saves you time and effort since you won’t need to dye or color slides. The wheel rotates, and you’ll be able to easily move from one color to another if needed.

Available in a light blue color, kids will love this easy-to-use microscope. They’ll be able to inspect plants, flowers, insects, and more! You can use this to broaden their love for science or teach them about how something is designed.

Pros:

• Comes with 25 slides
• Has an LED light
• No need to dye slides
• Magnifies up to 640x
• Plenty of accessories

Cons:

• None, it’s a great purchase!

Kids generally won’t need any help using this microscope after they’re initially taught how it works. If you have a little one that loves to learn, this is a great gift! It comes with all the accessories they’ll need. Plus, you’ll be able to get this microscope without breaking the bank!

2. Dicfeos Microscope For Kids And Student

Another one of the best microscopes for kids is the Dicfeos microscope! This product comes with not just one, but two, lenses. One magnifies up to 10x, the other magnifying 25x. It comes with plenty of accessories, including five blank slides, petri dishes, five prepared slides, two bottles of stain, and even a replacement light bulb.

Your kids will be able to view things on this microscope with a magnification range from 40x all the way up to 1000x! This is great to use on insects, water, plants, and more! Another great thing about this microscope is that it comes with two light sources, so you’ll be able to view 3D objects without any issues!

This microscope can run on the charger that is provided, or you can use AAA batteries if you’re not near a power source. Your child will be able to learn all about their surroundings and will love this microscope. One of the best things about it is that it’s made out of metal, making it durable and long-lasting.

Pros:

• Comes with a lot of accessories
• Has two LED lights
• Can be powered using batteries or a charger
• Easy to use
• Durable quality

Cons:

• May be expensive for some

Whether you’re a teacher looking for a microscope for the classroom or you have a child that really loves nature, this microscope will be a hit! With all the accessories that you need, built to last, and an easy instruction manual to follow, they’ll be discovering new things in no time!

3. AmScope M150C-I 40X-1000X

AmScope is a well-known name when it comes to microscopes. They make amazing products for kids too, including their M150C microscope. It has a monocular head that is inclined 45 degrees and has the ability to swivel 360 degrees.

The eyepiece locks in and your little one will be able to adjust to any one of the five different levels of magnification. There is a convenient LED light built in to illuminate what your child is inspecting.

This microscope also has a single-lens condenser and disc diaphragm. There are two different lenses that come with this kit, including 10x and 25x magnification.

This microscope will work well no matter if the user is right- or left-handed since there are focusing control knobs on both sides. The optical system is fully coated, and the stage has a stain-resistant finish. Adjustments are easy to make whether they’re large or fine, thanks to the blue adjusting knob you’ll find on each side as well.

Pros:

• High-quality parts
• 45-degree angle monocular
• LED light illuminates the stage
• Ambidextrous knobs for fine-tuning

Cons:

• No slides or accessories included
• Dust can collect easily on the aperture

This is a great product whether it’s purchased for a student or for a younger child interested in the world around them. It’s fairly easy to use, and the stain-resistant, metal framework will last a long time. The 45-degree angle of the monocular will free the user of neck strain, so they’ll be able to easily see whatever they’re viewing comfortably!

4. AmScope M150C-PS25 Compound Monocular Microscope

AmScope takes another spot on this list with this compound monocular microscope. This product has a plain stage and comes with two lenses that can magnify 10x or 25x. The monocular has a 45-degree angle to reduce any neck or eye strain the user may experience.

It can be powered by AA batteries or the charging cord that it comes with. There is a set of 25 prepared slides that come with it that can easily be placed on the stain-proof stage. The LED light shines through the single lens condenser to illuminate the slides.

You’ll see high-resolution imaging through the lenses thanks to 4x, 10x, and 40x achromatic full-glass objectives. There are two knobs, one that can be used to easily zoom in when necessary while the other is used to make fine-tuned adjustments. Lastly, the scope can swivel around 360 degrees, making it easy to share the view with others.

Pros:

• LED light
• Swiveling monocular
• Two adjusting knobs
• High-quality imaging
• Easy to use
• Durable

Cons:

• Expensive

If you’re looking for a high-quality microscope for students or children, this is an amazing product. Some customers even claim they’re impressed by the quality and wouldn’t consider it a toy. It may be on the spendy side, but it’s because you’re getting incredible quality and a microscope that will last for years!

5. OMAX 40X-2000X Lab LED Binocular Microscope

This solid metal frame microscope is a great pick for kids and students alike! It can be magnified from 40x to 2000x, as you could guess by its name. The stage is mechanical and comes with an easy-to-use handle that can raise or lower the stage.

There is a bright LED light to illuminate the slide that’s placed on the stage, along with a 100x oil immersion objective. Depending on the user’s preference, there are two different focuses available including coarse or fine. This product comes with 100 glass slides, cover slips, and 100 sheets of lens cleaning paper.

You’ll be safe purchasing this microscope since it comes with a five-year warranty. This can come in handy if anything happens to the microscope or if your child doesn’t like it. That shouldn’t be the case, since it’s easy to use and is made out of high-quality metal, making it durable.

Pros:

• USB connection
• Five-year warranty
• Easy to use
• Oil immersion
• Comfortable on the nose and eye
• Adjustable focus
• Stage is easily controlled via a knob

Cons:

• Knobs can catch/don’t move smoothly
• X-axis range could be longer
• Very expensive

Awarded as the best compound microscope in years past, I had to include it! It’s high quality and comes with a handful of convenient accessories. The features on this microscope are easily adjusted, and it can even be connected to a computer via a USB cord!

6. JuniorScope Microscope For Kids

If you have younger kids, this JuniorScope microscope is a solid choice! It travels easily from home to school and anywhere in between. The magnification of 40x, 100x, and 400x provides a clear picture throughout.

Whether they’re looking at germs, bugs, or DNA, kids will be able to easily switch from low to high power and back. This kit comes with a fun book with plenty of kid-friendly experiments, along with a petri dish, slide stains, test tubes, slides, and more!

With just about everything your little one will need to conduct their research, you’ll be happy to hear that just because this is made for young kids, it doesn’t lack quality. It’s easy to use and powered using three AAA batteries. The scope is at a convenient angle and reduces eye and neck strain for the user.

Pros:

• Made for younger children
• Battery-powered and portable
• Colored, rotating lenses
• Angled scope
• Bright LED lighting
• Adjustable stage

Cons:

• Stage can rise too high
• Not as durable as competitor products

This is an awesome choice for kids that are younger than 10 years old. Even though it’s made for kids, it’s high quality and should last for years of use! With all the features of the higher end microscopes, your kid will be able to easily discover new things using this microscope!

7. Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope

Possibly the most unique microscope on this list due to the talking feature, your child will be able to use this microscope with the help of Bindi Irwin’s voice in up to four languages! She is the daughter of the late Steve Irwin and considered a wildlife warrior throughout Australia.

This microscope has a double eyepiece with padding for easy and comfortable viewing. It comes with 20 slides and can teach your child 100 fun facts about the outdoors. Once they learn all the facts, there is a quiz mode they can optimize to test their skills.

This microscope can teach your kid using English, Spanish, German, or French! The slides are easily stored in the base of the microscope, making for easy clean up. They’ll be able to easily learn about animals, plants, weather, and more when they use this microscope.

Pros:

• Speaks in four languages
• Slides store easily
• Great for preschool-aged children
• Uses AAA batteries (not included)
• No sharp or dangerous parts

Cons:

• Not durable, made of plastic
• More of a toy than a functioning microscope

If you have a preschool-aged child, this toy is a great buy if they love science or nature! With the help of Bindi Irwin and the quiz feature, they’ll be telling you all they’ve learned about their environment in no time!

8. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Dual LED Student Microscope

Last but not least on the list is the National Geographic Dual LED Student Microscope. This microscope comes with over 50 accessories to keep kids busy! It’s available in three different colors including dark green, brown, and silver. There are two sets of LED lights so that whatever you’re viewing is brightly lit.

It has a dual eyepiece that is capable of magnifications of 20x and 50x. There is a shrimp experiment that is included for an extra bit of fun for your child while they track the life cycle of a brine shrimp

This kit comes with a slide storage box for easy clean up. There are also plenty of prepared and non-prepared slides. There are also petri dishes, tweezers, eye droppers, and more included in this set. The instructions are easy to read and follow for kids of all ages.

Pros:

• Brine shrimp experiment included
• Easy to use
• Backed by National Geographic
• Dual eyepiece
• Two-year warranty

Cons:

• Stage doesn’t raise

A product backed by National Geographic is bound to be a hit for kids that love nature and science. With a few color options and plenty of accessories, children will be able to easily use this microscope and even perform an experiment on shrimp!

Buying Guide - What To Know Before You Buy

I wanted to include a handful of things to keep in mind when shopping for a microscope for kids. Similar to telescopes for kids, there are a lot of factors you should consider. Use this section when you’re comparing products to find the best one for your money!

Magnification

Magnification is how far your lens can zoom in. Microscopes come in quite a range when it comes to the magnification settings. Some go all the way up to 5,000x, while others have a maximum of 500. It depends on what you’ll be looking at and how far you need to zoom in, but a safe maximum for most things is 1000x magnification.

Adjustability

Being able to adjust things like focus can make a big difference in how well the microscope performs. Some of the options listed above have knobs on both sides, making it easy for kids to use either hand to adjust the focus. Knobs are also used to raise and lower the stage and sometimes to adjust the magnification.

Accessories

A handful of the best microscopes for kids come with plenty of accessories. Things like slides, petri dishes, and test tubes are a few of the fun things that can come in a kit. This is purely a preference, but it does save you money in the long run from having to buy the necessary accessories to use the microscope properly.

Eyepieces

Microscopes come with either a mono eyepiece or dual eyepiece. If you’re buying for kids that are quite young, consider a product with a dual eyepiece so that they don’t have trouble squinting to see the slide.

Some eyepieces are at an angle to reduce strain on your neck and eyes. There are also eyepieces that can swivel around which come in handy if multiple people are using the microscope at once.

Lighting

Having high-quality lighting is crucial when purchasing a microscope. It’s best to buy a product that uses a bright, LED light to illuminate the slides. Some of the products on this list had two LED lights, making it easy to see all types of material.

Staging

Chances are, you’ll probably want a microscope that has a stage that can be raised and lowered. Not all of the products listed above or on the market can do so. This is something to look out for when you’re choosing which product you’ll buy.

A stage that moves makes it easier to see what’s on the slide and makes for easy application of the slide. This isn’t a must, but most people prefer to have an adjustable stage.

Lastly - making sure they’re properly timing the experiments they are conducting with the microscope. There are plenty of great watches available for children that can keep track of time, along with plenty of other features!

How much does a good microscope for kids cost?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Microscopes come in a variety of prices, and a lower price doesn’t always mean a lower quality product. Take a look at the buyer’s guide above to help you distinguish which features you’re looking for in a microscope, and compare prices from there.

Does a microscope need to be portable?

A microscope doesn’t need to be portable but most are. Whether it uses a charger or batteries, it can still be used in multiple locations. If your child is bringing it from school to home and back, you may as well get one that is battery-powered to make it easier.

What are the best experiments for kids?

Kids can use a microscope to inspect the cells of onion skin as well as experiments involving plants and help from our friend Grover from Sesame Street. Check out any of these kid-friendly videos on microscope experiments!

What’s a USB microscope?

A USB microscope is a microscope that has a USB port. You can plug in a USB cord from the microscope to a computer to view what’s happening on the stage on a large screen. You could also use this to record your findings!

Conclusion

You’ve read just about everything you need to know about what makes a great microscope for kids, along with details on the eight best options available. You are one step closer to buying an amazing product that children and adults will love!

Just be sure to keep in mind all of the features mentioned in the buyer’s guide such as magnification levels or stage adjustments. Happy shopping!