The 5 Best Microscopes for Kids (2023 Teacher Picks)
Looking for the best microscope for kids? When choosing a microscope for children there are a few things you should consider. This guide will help you make the right choice for your little scientist.
The Best Microscopes for Kids (For at Home or School)
Microscopes are near and dear to my heart…
You see, I have a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology (which is the study of bacteria, viruses, and other microscopic things).
I have spent years of my life looking through microscopes at all the amazing things you cannot see with the naked eye.
When kids (or adults) use microscopes, an entire world opens up for exploration.
Things that seem boring or plain suddenly look amazing and detailed. From feathers to fingernails, everything becomes so much more interesting!
Using a microscope helps to create and inspire a natural sense of curiosity in children and develops the skill of observation – both of which will serve them well throughout life.
Top 5 Microscopes for Kids
When choosing a microscope for children, there are a few things to consider:
- Ease of use
- Magnification power
- Stage area (can it only be used for slides or other objects)
Utilizing these criteria, along with hands-on experience using microscopes with hundreds of children in my classroom and my own children at home, these are my top recommendations.
Best Microscopes for Preschoolers
Even the tiniest hands and eyes can have fun using a microscope.
Our top picks in this category are specifically designed to make the process easy and exciting for little learners.
Educational Insights Jr. My First Microscope
Perfect for the littlest eyes and hands.
This beginner microscope allows tiny kiddos to use both eyes to look through the oculars... this is important because a lot of microscopes for older kids require them to keep one eye closed (which is super tricky).
The large focusing knob and stage area are perfect for preschoolers to learn the ins and outs of using a microscope.
With up to 8x magnification this is perfect for viewing tiny details of objects that kids can find around the house or outdoors.
*Not for use with slides, just objects
Educational Insights Talking Microscope
This amazing microscope is a great way to get kids excited about the microscopic world.
It comes with over 60 images and features Bindi Irwin sharing recorded facts for children to learn while they look and listen.
An excellent way to spark interest and curiosity.
Best Kids Microscopes for Beginners
If you have a school-aged child, then they are ready for a microscope that is a little less of a toy and a little more of a scientific tool.
Our picks in this category are great for ages 5 and up, and for any kids who want to feel like real scientists.
Whether you are looking for a microscope to use in your classroom or homeschool, these kids microscopes are some of your best affordable options.
Educational Insights Nancy B's Science Club Microscope
This is the microscope that we have at home for our kids.
It comes with a 22-Page Activity Journal, and includes up to 400x magnification power.
The activity journal give your children ideas of objects to look at and guides them through recording their observations (perfect for homeschool science).
We love the 26 piece specimen tool kit that allows kids to scrape, cut and suction objects to be viewed.
Elecfly Kids Microscope Science Kit
Another great starter microscope for kids who are ready to examine object s in greater details and collect their own specimens.
This microscope gets great reviews for ease of use and visual clarity at an amazing price point.
Best Junior/Intermediate Microscopes for Kids
Your Mini Marie Curie or Louis Pasteur is going to go bananas over these real scientific microscopes made for kids.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Dual Student Microscope
This 50+ pc Science Kit Includes Set of 10 Prepared Biological & 10 Blank Slides, Lab Shrimp Experiment, 10x-25x Optical Glass Lenses and more!
Can be used to view slides or objects on the stage.
Powerful enough to be fun while still being easy to use.
AmScope Beginners Microscope Kit for Kids
If I were a kid, this is the microscope that I would want.
It has so many features and accessories to make learning fun for days and years to come.
40-1000X magnification, perfect for viewing anything from the details on leaves to single celled organisms. Complete with 50 blank slides and stains.
Absolutely amazing quality and clarity for this price.
There you have it mama! My top picks for the best kids microscopes.
