Being naturally curious and filled with an adventurous spirit, children often have a million questions about the universe and how things work. A microscope for kids is an excellent way for kids to learn and discover the world as they’ve never seen it before. From observing the tiny hairs on a spider’s legs or the cells in a leaf, introducing kids to microscopy and STEM learning from an early age is highly beneficial to developing their young minds.
Emarth Microscope
Emarth has designed this kid’s microscope to include a built-in WF10x and WF25x eyepiece, three high-magnification objective and optical lenses, and a 360-degree rotatable monocular head with five magnification levels.
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The Best Microscopes for Kids
Deciding on our microscope selection was tricky because we, as parents, don’t always see this instrument as something our children can use or see as entertaining as other toys. The most important thing we considered when we chose our product selection was you, our readers. We looked at the magnification, the microscope type, and the recommended age of each product.
1. Emarth Microscope for Kids
1000X
Age:
7+ years
Microscope Type:
Compound
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
3x AA (Excluded)
Warranty:
Not specified
Emarth has designed this kid’s microscope to include a built-in WF10x and WF25x eyepiece, three high-magnification objective and optical lenses, and a 360-degree rotatable monocular head with five magnification levels. The five magnification levels – 40x, 100x, 250x, 400x, and 1000x – provide high-quality optics that improve your children’s image quality and sharpness. Your child can look at plants, jewelry, coins, dirt, hair, etc.
The Emarth is a double wireless light compound microscope with transmitted light sources. This means you can view both opaque specimens illuminated from above and translucent specimens brightened from below. The bottom light is easily adjustable. You rotate the wheel until you find a suitable brightness.
Like all microscopes, it has a focus knob that you rotate to produce clear images. This microscope is unique because it has six built-in color filters that help you highlight certain features, proteins, or organisms you are viewing.
The model is made entirely from plastic, except for the objective lens housing, metal. It might not be the sturdiest to withstand scrapes and bumps, but it is a wonderful model to introduce your child to the world of science.
Pros
Cons
2. Carson MicroBrite Plus Microscope
120X
Age:
7 + years
Microscope Type:
Pocket
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
1x AA (Excluded)
Warranty:
Limited lifetime
Something very different from all the other microscopes we’ve featured. The Carson MicroBrite Plus is a lightweight and compact pocket microscope. Simple and easy to use, children of all ages can use the MicroBrite Plus. They designed it for outdoor use, with the user pointing it directly at a living plant or critter to examine.
Certainly not the most robust microscope on our list, the Carson MicroBrite Plus offers 60x–120x magnification. However, you’ll still be able to examine even a thin strand of hair. The precision-molded aspheric lenses mean less distortion and better overall image quality. You can adjust magnification on a sliding dial, while a wide, easy-to-access focus adjustment wheel adjusts the focus.
The Carson MicroBrite Plus features a single LED Illuminator, which requires one AA battery and is not included with the microscope. Designed to be lightweight and compact, the MicroBrite Plus is an excellent alternative for kids to learn about nature without disturbing or damaging the environment by taking a sample to examine.
The LED illuminator’s position allows you to view flat surfaces, like banknotes or fabric, and 3D objects, like plants and insects. The MicroBrite Plus Pocket Microscope doesn’t come with any accessories or slides but does come with a limited lifetime warranty included.
Pros
Cons
3. AmScope M30 Kids Beginner Microscope
1200X
Age:
8 – 12 years
Microscope Type:
Compound
Illumination:
LED & Mirror
Batteries:
2x AA (Excluded)
Warranty:
5 years
The AmScope M30 is an excellent beginner microscope for kids aged 8 to 12. This compound microscope has 49 accessories and a hard plastic case for easy storage. It’s an excellent STEM learning tool; this kids’ microscope is ideal for kids graduating from the basic “kiddie” microscope but not quite ready for a more premium/advanced level microscope.
Along with the basics like blank plastic slides and covers, tweezers, eye droppers, petri dish, and scalpel–the AmScope M30 also comes with a complete shrimp experiment kit for kids to observe or learn from. The AmScope M30 has a metal body and rotating turret for easy viewing, featuring a battery-operated LED light illuminator and a mirror. Kids can choose between a battery-operated LED illuminator and a mirror when the batteries run flat. The AmScope M30 only uses a single LED bulb but includes a spare bulb and 2 x AA batteries.
The AmScope M30 microscope for kids provides six different magnification options, including 120x, 240x, 300x, 480x, 600x, and 1200x. There is a built-in color filter wheel to increase contrast and make it easier to view specimen samples. The microscope weighs 2.9 pounds and comes with a 5-year warranty. Colors available include either white with black trim or a full black option.
We recommend adding the AmScope PS25 Prepared Microscope Slide Set to your cart. The slides feature a variety of samples, including plants and insects. They made the glass slides, so supervise your younger children.
Pros
Cons
4. Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
5X
Age:
4 – 7 years
Microscope Type:
Talking
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
3x AAA (Excluded)
Warranty:
1 year
If you’re looking for an introductory microscope for kids between 4 and 7 years old, the GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope is ideal. The only talking microscope for kindergarteners, the GeoSafari Jr. will excite your kids about STEM learning and the world of microbiology.
The talking microscope features either fact mode or quiz mode, with the voice of Bindi Irwin providing over 100 audio facts and questions. Quiz mode allows kids to engage with the GeoSafari Jr. by answering various nature-related questions. GeoSafari Jr. also has multilingual support, choosing between English, Spanish, French, or German audio.
The Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope comes with 20 plastic slides. With 60 images, each slide features three color images that clip securely into place, allowing kids to view the image easily. Audio facts have been linked to each slide, with kids able to learn about each image while viewing them. There is also a handy storage drawer for kids to store their slides away safely.
Featuring comfortable focus-free dual eyepieces, the GeoSafari Jr. allows for up to 5x magnification of each slide. Three AAA batteries are required and are omitted when purchasing the microscope. Compared to the other microscopes on our list, the Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope is far more basic in its features. However, it’s a perfect entry to learning about microscopes. It’s age-appropriate and ideal for keeping kids entertained at home without screen time!
Pros
Cons
5. My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope – MFL-06
400X
Age:
9 – 18 years
Microscope Type:
Comp. & Stereo
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
3x AA (Excluded)
Warranty:
1 year
The Duo-Scope Microscope–MFL-06 is an excellent microscope for kids aged nine years and up. Packed with high-quality features, it’s suitable for middle-schoolers and even high-school students. The prominent feature is the dual illumination feature, making it more versatile than most microscopes for kids currently on the market.
With one LED light source below, suitable for viewing prepared slides, the Duo-Scope MFL-06 also features a second LED light source for viewing solid 3D objects like leaves or insects. The LED lights require three AA batteries, which are not included with the microscope, so be sure to add some to your cart when checking out. The Duo-Scope does not have a mirror illuminator, so batteries are essential.
Unlike many other microscopes for kids with plastic lenses, the My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope–MFL-06 features glass lenses. The eyepiece allows for 10X magnification, with the objective glass lens providing 40X, 100X, or 400X magnification. Other features include a rotatable head, dual focusing knobs, and a six-hole disc diaphragm.
The microscope includes a variety of 50 different accessories, including five plain slides, four prepared slides, a plastic dropper, lens paper, forceps, a plastic test tube, a petri dish, and an instruction manual, including guided experiments and more.
Weighing just 2.7 pounds, the Duo-Scope Microscope–MFL-06 is lightweight and easy to carry, making it great for indoor and outdoor use.
Pros
Cons
6. National Geographic Ultimate Dual Microscope
50X
Age:
5 – 15 years
Microscope Type:
Comp. & Stereo
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
2x AA (Excluded)
Warranty:
2 years
The National Geographic Ultimate Dual Microscope features a lower LED illuminator to view slides and specimen samples and an upper light to examine 3D objects in high quality and intricate detail. So the Dual Microscope functions as a compound and a stereomicroscope.
Geared towards kids aged between 8 and 15 years, the Ultimate Dual Microscope includes an assortment of over 50 accessories, including ten prepared slides, ten blank slides, ten slide covers, covers, tweezers, an eyedropper, a petri dish, a hatchery, a learning guide booklet, and more. Kids can learn about the life cycle of brine shrimp with the included shrimp eggs and hatchery station. Included is a mini geode crystal for examining under the upper light.
The National Geographic Ultimate Dual Microscope comes with two sets of optical eyepieces (20x and 50x magnification) made of glass. The ten professionally prepared slides included with the microscope feature specimens ranging from earthworms to muscle tissue, fungi, and lichen.
Your purchase includes a padded carry case for safekeeping and a 2-year warranty. For an additional $20, you can add National Geographic’s Mega Biology Set, which includes 25 prepared slides.
Pros
Cons
7. Swift National Optical
1000X
Age:
5 – 12 years
Microscope Type:
Compound
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
3x AA (Excluded)
Warranty:
5 years
The Swift National Optical is another of our favorites. It has a 360-degree rotatable monocular head with five magnification settings – 40X, 100X, 250X, 400X, and 1000X – with WF 10X and WF 25X eyepieces.
The easy-to-use model has a robust solid metal frame, smooth rotating coarse and fine knobs, and adjustable bulb shade. The stacked design of the coaxial focusing knobs provides a sleek, high-quality look. It also stays true to the model’s easy-to-use design. The knobs are stacked to help make the adjustment knobs easy to use and find for your child. The shade allows you to adjust the brightness of the light illuminating the specimen, letting you push light through darker specimens or dim it for clear cells.
The monocular head is inclined at a 45-degree angle to help prevent your child from hurting their neck. It lets your child sit or stand upright when using the microscope, making sharing the model easy because nobody has to readjust the angle or height of the head.
Included are three quantum achromatic objectives at 4X, 10X, and 40X, providing a magnification of up to 1000X that you can use immediately on the prepared slides with the microscope.
Pros
Cons
8. Moysuwe LCD Digital Microscope
1200X
Age:
7+ years
Microscope Type:
Digital
Illumination:
LED
Batteries:
1 DR2032
Warranty:
Not specified
Unlike the traditional microscopes on our list, this one has a screen that displays the magnified image instead of looking through an eyepiece. This sturdy aluminum alloy microscope lets you rotate your screen 90 degrees to prevent neck strain.
There is the option to connect the microscope to your laptop, allowing you to look at the image on a larger screen. No extra software is needed to view the image on your laptop. If you have Windows, you can use the default app – Windows Camera and Photo Booth for iMac/ Macbook.
With this USB microscope, you can record videos and take pictures with its built-in camera. The microscope has an SD card and a 32GB SD card to save your content. The microscope has a 7-inch rotatable FHD screen that works with its 12 megapixels camera and LED lights to produce an ultra-precise 1080P HD real-time image.
The most important thing to remember about this microscope is that it is not traditional, both in its design and magnification abilities. It is not designed for viewing microorganisms, but you can zoom in on a butterfly wing to see extensive detail like the wing skeleton.
Pros
Cons
Different Types of Microscopes
There are three main types of microscopes:
Optical or light microscopes use light to magnify and view tiny microscopic objects like cells and bacteria, much like a mini flashlight shining on objects so you can see them. They use special lenses that bend light to magnify the objects. These are the microscopes that most people are familiar with.
Light microscopes’ advantages are that they’re affordable and easy to use, making them perfect for kids. They can be used to observe live and preserved specimens, but their limited resolution prevents them from observing very small details. This also has an impact on the image quality of the sample. Light microscopes can also not be used to observe structures smaller than the wavelength of light.
Electron microscopes use a beam of tiny electrons rather than light to magnify tiny objects so that you can view and study them. Since these microscopes use electrons to create images, they have much shorter wavelengths which can create much higher magnified images. Think of it as a superpowered flashlight that can see things even tinnier than those viewed by a regular light microscope, much like viruses and cell structures.
Besides the fact that electron microscopes have an amazing resolution and can observe structures as small as atoms, they are very expensive and require specialized training. They can also not observe live specimens as the sample has to be dehydrated, stained, and placed in a vacuum, altering the specimen’s structure and composition. Unfortunately, the resulting images lack color and are only available in greyscale, making distinguishing between different components difficult.
Stereo or dissecting microscopes help you to view 3D objects in incredible detail. Almost like wearing 3D glasses in the cinema, but instead of looking at a movie, you can study and view real objects from different angles and see all its detail. It is mainly used to look at objects too large or thick to be viewed through a regular microscope. This microscope is often used in laboratories to study and examine insects, flowers, and rocks.
These microscopes are easy to use, and the samples require little preparation. Unfortunately, the magnification range is quite limited. Compared to other microscopes, they have a lower resolution, which is unsuitable for applications requiring higher magnification and detail.
Parts of a Microscope
Microscopes have many different parts that work together to help us observe things that are too small to see with the naked eye. Below are some standard parts that you will find on a microscope:
- You use the eyepiece or the ocular lens to examine the object you want to observe. The eyepiece is located on top of the microscope with a magnification of 10x. The eyepiece helps to enlarge the image of the viewed specimen.
- The objective lens is apart that can be found close to the specimen. Normally the different magnifications are 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x. This lens is used to enlarge the image of the object being viewed and can be changed from one magnification to the next by rotating the nosepiece.
- The flat surface on which the specimen is viewed is called the stage. A hole in the middle of the stage allows light to pass through.
- The coarse and fine focus knobs can adjust the microscope’s focus. The coarse focus knob moves the stage up and down to bring the object being viewed into focus. The fine focus knob is used to make smaller adjustments to the focus.
- The microscope’s arm and base should be used when handling it. The lenses should never be touched with your fingers because oils from your skin may cause damage to them. Lenses should be cleaned with a soft cloth and covered with a dust cover when not being used.
How to Use a Microscope
Using a microscope shouldn’t have to be a daunting experience for kids. Below are some helpful step-by-step instructions to get them going:
- Set up the microscope by placing it on a flat surface. If it is an electrical microscope, plug it in, adjust the light source, and turn it on.
- Prepare the object you want to view by placing it on the stage. Place your specimen on a clean slide and cover it with a cover slip.
- To adjust the focus, start with the lowest magnification objective lens and use the coarse focus knob to adjust the microscope’s focus. Once the image is focused, the fine focus knob can make smaller adjustments for extra viewing clarity.
- The nosepiece can be rotated to change the objective lens to increase the magnification. The fine focus knobs can again be used to adjust the focus.
- Use the mechanical stage knob when moving a specimen around on the stage. This will move the stage up, down, left, or right.
Some Helpful Additional Accessories
Many of the microscopes for kids will have a bundle deal option where you can get all the necessary accessories. However, the essential accessories required are plastic or glass slides. Without these, your child will have difficulty viewing anything in their compound microscope. Even microscopes without full accessory kits often include at least 1 or 2 slides with the microscope.
However, buying extra slides is always a good idea, even if they are included, as glass slides are prone to accidental breaks. An extensive collection of prepared slides provides endless hours of fun for children, particularly on rainy days!
Blank Slides (for Compound & Stereo Microscopes)
We recommend getting the AmScope BS-50P-100S-22 Pre-Cleaned Blank Slides and 100pc Cover Slips for plain glass slides.
Prepared Slides (for Compound Microscopes)
We recommend the AmScope PS25 Prepared Microscope Slide Set for prepared slides for compound microscopes.
Prepared Slides (for Stereo Microscopes)
We recommend the AMSCOPE-Kids 48pcs Kids Plastic Prepared Microscope Slides for prepared slides for stereo microscopes.
Rechargeable batteries
Most of the microscopes will require batteries to power the LED illuminator. Some include batteries with the microscope, and others don’t. We recommend getting a set of rechargeable batteries; this way, the fun never stops!
A Useful Handbook
We also highly recommend this handbook, geared towards kids between 9 and 13 years old: AmScope The World of the Microscope – A Practical Introduction with Projects and Activities.
Buyer’s Guide
Consider Your Child’s Age
Before going out and purchasing the most advanced/expensive microscope available, consider the age of the child you’re buying it for first. A stereo microscope will be better suited for kindergartners and preschoolers, who are more interested in viewing larger objects. They won’t have the complex understanding required to independently view cells and fibers or the dexterity and motor control to operate a compound microscope.
For kids under 10, a dual-feature microscope may be ideal, allowing them to operate the stereo function independently while using the compound function with parental guidance and supervision. Kids around this age will need help handling the glass slides, but they’ll better understand what they view when examining cells and fibers. A microscope that offers stereo and compound helps bridge the gap for kids in this age group.
Of course, a compound microscope will be the best option for older kids. They’ll have a firm foundation on how a microscope works and how to handle the glass slides carefully.
Resolution
A higher magnification ability doesn’t mean that the microscope will provide a high-quality image. You’ll want to ensure that the resolution will also increase as magnification increases; this will provide detail and quality to your image.
Focus Tuning
A microscope with both coarse and fine focus allows you to achieve the most precise image. The coarse focus lets you get nice and close to the specimen, while the fine focus enables you to adjust the focus slightly to get a crisp, clear image. A fine focus is useful when viewing specimen samples at a magnification of 400x or higher.
Illumination Type
Most compound microscopes feature a built-in LED light source, a reflective mirror, or both. You’ll want to ensure you have batteries to power the LED light, but they can use the reflective mirror when the batteries run flat. A stereo microscope will have only an LED illuminator, which means batteries are essential.
Adjustability
Most compound microscopes feature a built-in LED light source, a reflective mirror, or both. You’ll want to ensure you have batteries to power the LED light, but they can use the reflective mirror when the batteries run flat. A stereo microscope will have only an LED illuminator, which means batteries are essential.
Build Quality
Your options are plastic or metal. Opt for a metal frame if you’re looking for a high-quality compound microscope. Microscopes geared towards younger kids and handheld microscopes are designed to be lightweight and portable, so a plastic frame is perfectly acceptable in these cases.
Budget
Consider your budget when looking at microscopes for your kids. Prices can differ based on overall quality and the type of microscope. Basic models with a lower magnification usually have a price tag of around $50. More advanced models with better features may reach prices of several hundred dollars. High-quality microscope prices range between $50 and $200. Keep this, as well as what your kids’ needs are, in mind when considering different microscope options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Different Types of Microscopes?
Compound, stereo, and electron microscopes are the most commonly known. Each has unique features and uses different technology to magnify objects.
What Can I See With a Microscope?
Microscopes will help you see a wide range of microscopic things, such as cells, bacteria, tiny insects, and dust and dirt particles.
Are There Any Safety Precautions I Should Take When Using a Microscope?
Yes. It is important to always wash your hands before using a microscope. It would be best if you also voided touching the lenses.
Update History
26/04/2023 – Updated listed products, supplementary content, and FAQ.
