A remote control helicopter for kids is a gift that will make children ecstatic at the prospect of being able to navigate the skies. It is a present unlike any other not only for the joy it can offer, but also for the motor skills it can help build. Children may also develop an affinity to all things science, thanks to this flying toy.
Children who operate remote control toys gain a greater sense of cause and effect that transfers into other areas of their lives. Unlike crashing a remote control car into the living room furniture, flying a remote control helicopter shows that proper handling leads to graceful flight, while haphazard frolicking leads to the vehicle falling from the air.
By manipulating the dials on their controller, a child can change the direction and flight of the flying helicopter. This is a great way to build responsibility and accountability in children by teaching the lesson that sustained focus on a task is what leads to mastery.
For older kids, a remote control helicopter is a good way for them to bond with their parents and their siblings as flying the small chopper is a great inclusive activity for the entire family. It can be a great way for an introverted child to feel more at the center of attention and create social bonds with other kids.
When deciding on an appropriate model for your child, there are many options to choose from as finding the best remote control helicopter for kids entails considering several factors.
What to Consider
You want your child to have that surprised and excited expression upon receiving your gift. However, there are a few things you need to think about before purchasing a remote control helicopter for your kid.
Is Your Child Ready?
Your child may be too young or not have any prior experience with operating a remote control toy. In the first case, it may be just a matter of waiting a year or two before presenting your child with such a task. Lack of experience with remote control toys isn’t prohibitive for kids; it just might be that starting them off with a remote control car may be a better way to smooth out the learning curve.
Ease of Use
Children these days become experts at playing computer games that adults would find akin to flying a space shuttle. Therefore, you may not be surprised to find out that a child can swiftly adapt to the controls of a remote control helicopter. There are models with varying difficulty in their controls, so factor in your kid’s previous experience and abilities and look for a helicopter that is at their level.
Features
Remote control helicopters can range from very basic to toys with more advanced specifications and features that are more geared toward adults. When doing your research, take a look at all the features and arrive at the best choice for your kid.
What Are the Criteria for Selecting the Best Remote Control Helicopter for Kids?
Price Tag
Finding an option that is in-tune with your budget is a primary concern. You want to buy something impressive for your child without breaking the bank. Of course, price isn’t a criterion that exists on its own; the money you spend on a remote control helicopter should be in accordance with the other considerations. Do your due diligence and arrive at an option that offers the greatest value for the money.
The best way to go about determining how much you are willing to spend on your purchase is to begin by making a list of features you would like the remote control helicopter to have. Take these features and prioritize them from most to least important. Compare this list against your available options and make your final choice by picking the helicopter that best matches your available budget.
Maximum Range
The helicopter’s maximum range refers to the greatest distance from the handler that the controller can function effectively. This varies from model to model and will be one of the deciding factors when arriving at your choice of a helicopter to purchase.
You may think that the greater the maximum range, the better. However, looking at the usage you plan for the helicopter is the best way to determine what will be ideal for your kid. For instance, some remote control helicopters are great for indoor use. If your child plans on using the helicopter indoors most of the time, having a large maximum range is not necessary. A larger maximum range is better suited for outdoor use.
Flight Time
Flight time is another important consideration when selecting a remote control helicopter. This depends on the battery’s capacity and the size of the helicopter. Smaller models are lighter but also have smaller batteries and so ultimately, although differences in flight time exist, your choice will hinge on the quality of the specific product and how efficient it is in providing the necessary energy for retaining flight time.
Durability
There’s a learning curve associated with reaching a point where piloting the helicopter will be elegant and skillful. Until then, it’s understandable that the chopper will experience a few rough landings, and maybe some obstacles will not be avoided. That’s why it’s important, especially for beginners, to have a remote control helicopter that is durable enough to withstand some beginners’ turbulence.
Additional Features
There are constant innovations when it comes to remote control flying vehicles, and the more involved you are with the hobby, the more you might be interested in some additional features. Check out the product descriptions to see if any additional features apply to your kid’s taste or whether something simpler would be a better starting point.
Top 3 List of the Best Remote Control Helicopters for Kids
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1. Syma S107
This inexpensive remote control helicopter is a great value-for-money purchase. The Syma S107 is ideal for indoor flying, and even the most inexperienced user should only need a few minutes to figure out how to operate it. It’s durable enough to withstand the many crashes it could take in order to master piloting it completely.
The controller is comprised of three main parts. It has a central knob and two control sticks. The control stick on the left is used to accelerate the propeller, meaning it allows you to dictate up and down movement. The right control stick gives you the ability to lean forward and back or to turn left and right. The knob at the center can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise in order to offset turning tendencies in case the helicopter tends to slightly lean to one side or the other.
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Syma S107 Specifications
| Product: |   |
|---|---|
| Specifications: | • Size: 220 millimeters by 38 millimeters by 98 millimeters • Dimensions: Main rotor diameter is 190 millimeters • Battery: 3.7-volt rechargeable lithium-polymer battery • Charging time: 35-40 minutes • Flight duration: Five to seven minutes |
Syma S107 Pros List
• Very easy to fly, so even novices can pilot the copter
• High-quality build for durability while flying
• Comes with USB charger for ease of charging
• Replacement parts are cheap
Syma S107 Cons List
• Too light for most outdoor flying
• Wall charger is not included
What do other reviews say?
Check out this review of the Syma S107, which includes an unboxing and a look at the chopper while airborne. The review showcases the surprisingly good quality when compared to other, flimsier helicopters that are on the market at the same price range.
2. Blade Scout CX
The Blade Scout CX is perfect for indoor flight since its lightweight frame makes it ideal for kids who might pilot it into various objects. Its durability doesn’t come at the cost of precise flying. On the contrary, the Blade Scout CX is very responsive and makes for exact maneuvering. No assembly is required with this helicopter. Check out this remote control copter on Amazon.
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Blade Scout CX Specifications
| Product: |   |
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| Specifications: | • Flight time: Approximately four minutes • Flying weight: 17 grams • Gross weight: 17 grams • Main gear ratio: 7.86:1 • Main rotor blade length: 76 millimeters • Prop diameter: 165 millimeters • Rotor type: Coaxial |
Blade Scout CX Pros List
• Very light for ease of carrying
• Very stable and has precise control to make handling simple
• Easy to fly, so no experience necessary
• Detachable battery for ease of charging
• Radio control to make operating the copter easy
Blade Scout CX Cons List
• Removal of the battery can be tricky
What do other reviews say?
Here’s a review of the Blade Scout CX, which perfectly shows the advantages of choosing this compact and capable chopper. The review shows how easy it is to pilot the Blade Scout CX in all directions with little effort.
3. GPTOYS G610
What you get with the GPTOYS G610 is a remote control helicopter that is bigger than other choppers within the same price range. The G610’s materials are not cheap and flimsy as you might get with other similar remote control helicopters.
With a single charge taking anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes, the flight time is around eight minutes. This number is on the higher end of the spectrum when compared to its peers in the remote control helicopter category. Most of the G610’s competitors have flying times in the range of four to five minutes.
A nice touch is that this helicopter is equipped with multicolored LED lights that add to its quality appearance. Flying the G610 in a dimly lit room or outside after sunset gives the appearance and feel of an actual helicopter on a night flight. Its stable flying and durable build make the G610 a great choice for any ambitious young copter handler. Find the GPTOYS G610 on Amazon.
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GPTOYS G610 Specifications
| Product: |   |
|---|---|
| Specifications: | • Three selectable frequencies that let you fly up to three helicopters at once • Dimensions: 25.5 centimeters by 5 centimeters by 12.5 centimeters • Weight: 47 grams • LED lighting |
GPTOYS G610 Pros List
• Lightweight design makes for ease of handling
• Gyro stabilizer technology for smooth flying
• Quality LED lights allow for flying in the dark
GPTOYS G610 Cons List
• Controller needs more batteries than that of other helicopters
• Screwdriver not included for adjusting controls
What do other reviews say?
Here’s a review of the GPTOYS G610 where you get a detailed unboxing as well as an on-camera flight. You can clearly see the sleek maneuvering abilities of the G610 that culminate in a smooth landing on the reviewer’s coffee table.
Conclusion
We have just presented the three best options for buying a remote control helicopter for kids that the market has to offer. The price range is very reasonable, and the fun any of the three helicopters can provide your kid is unparalleled since these models are agile and durable. Being able to exercise precise control and perform impressive maneuvers makes these choices more than just pieces of plastic hovering in the air. These remote control helicopters are precision instruments that will allow your kid’s imagination to run free and their piloting skills to develop.
With that said, our choice for the best remote control helicopter for kids is the Syma S107; find it on Amazon. This copter is durable and simple to fly, so your child should get the hang of it rather quickly and easily when flying this copter.
If you are interested in some other flying gadgets for your kids, be sure to check out our article on the 3 best drones for kids.
Come back sometime and check out some more of our product reviews and best-in-class lists.