Choosing the Right Flying Toy for Your Child
Flying toys like drones, helicopters, and airplanes can provide endless entertainment for kids. However, with so many options on the market, it can be tricky to find the right one for your child's age and skill level. Here are some tips for choosing a great flying toy that will lead to hours of safe, engaging playtime.
Consider Your Child's Age
Pay attention to age recommendations on flying toy packaging, as these help indicate what ages a toy is safe and appropriate for. Here are some general guidelines:
- Ages 3-5: Look for basic, lightweight toys made of soft materials like foam or plastic that are easy to operate and unlikely to cause injury if crashed.
- Ages 6-8: Kid-friendly drones and helicopters with beginner settings are ideal for introducing more advanced flying. Look for protected blades/rotors.
- Ages 9+: Older kids can handle more sophisticated quadcopters and RC airplanes made for experienced fliers.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Toys
Consider when and where your child will want to play with their flying toy:
- Indoor flying toys tend to be smaller and lighter. Some have sensor barriers or propeller guards to avoid hitting walls and breakables.
- Outdoor flying toys are made of durable materials to withstand wind and crashes. Look for waterproofing if kids will fly near pools or sprinklers.
Skill Level
If your child has never flown an RC toy before, look for ones marketed for beginners. Features like the following help first-time fliers:
- Altitude hold - Maintains set height without needing to control the throttle
- Headless mode - Controls don't depend on which direction the toy is facing
- One-touch takeoff/landing - Gets the toy airborne and grounded with the push of a button
- Auto-hover - Allows the toy to hover steadily in place
As kids gain experience, you can move onto more advanced flying toys with features like multiple speed settings and stunt capabilities.
Controllability
Consider your child's coordination and how easy the controls are to operate when looking at flying toys:
- Younger kids often do better with 2-3 channel toys controlled by an easy-to-use remote or mobile device.
- Older kids can handle 4+ channel models with dual joysticks that allow more nuanced maneuvering.
No matter the age, make sure to inspect the controls and ensure your child understands how to operate them safely before use.
Safety First
While flying toys are designed for fun, there are some key safety considerations:
- Supervise playtime and teach kids how to fly and land gently.
- Check that rotors are protected and not capable of causing cuts and lacerations.
- Do not fly near eyes or faces or directly above people.
- Remove batteries after use so the toy cannot start accidentally.
Taking the time to find the right fit means you can feel confident in providing your child with a flying toy that will get their imagination soaring for many playtimes to come.
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Factors to Consider When Buying a Flying Toy
Purchasing a flying toy like a drone or RC plane can be an exciting prospect for kids and kids-at-heart. However, with so many models on the market ranging from cheap to high-end, it's important to keep a few key factors in mind to ensure you make the right choice.
Price
Flying toys span a wide range of prices from under $50 to over $500. Consider how much you're willing to spend, as more expensive models generally have better controls, durability and features. Here are typical price ranges for beginner flying toys:
- Drones - $50-$100 for mini models, $100-$200 for drones with HD cameras
- RC Helicopters - $20-$60 for one- or two-channel models, $60-$100 for mid-range ones
- RC Airplanes - $30-$100 for foam planes, $100-$300 for advanced RC planes
Skill Level
Make sure to match the toy to your or your child's flying and tech abilities:
- Beginners - Look for drones and helicopters marketed to newbies, with one-touch takeoff/landing and other aids.
- Intermediate - Opt for models with more controls and adjustable settings to hone skills.
- Advanced - Experienced RC pilots can fly toys with responsive controls and FPV capabilities.
Range
Consider the range, or farthest distance the toy can travel while staying connected to the controls:
- Indoor flying toys - Up to 100 feet range for zipping around inside.
- Outdoor flying toys - 300 to over 1000 feet for open-air fun in parks and fields.
Features
Key features to look for include:
- Propeller guards - Protect users from exposed blades.
- Altitude hold - Maintain a set height for stable hovering.
- Headless mode - Controls stay oriented even if craft flips.
- FPV camera - First-person-view live video streaming.
- Auto-land - Returns and lands craft automatically with loss of signal.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Factor in where the toy will be flown:
- Outdoor models resist wind and have strong motors. Look for waterproofing.
- Indoor models are smaller and lighter. Some have obstacle avoidance sensors.
Age Recommendations
Pay attention to age guidelines which indicate safety and appropriateness:
- Ages 6+ - Many entry-level drones and helicopters.
- Ages 8+ - Intermediate models for honing skills.
- Ages 14+ - Sophisticated drones and RC planes.
Choosing the right flying toy takes some consideration - follow these tips and you can find an RC flier perfect for your needs!
Safety Tips for Using Flying Toys
Flying toys like drones and RC helicopters promise fun outdoor play and excitement. However, they also come with inherent risks if not flown properly. Follow these tips to keep your flying fun safe for everyone.
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Supervise Children
Do not allow young children under age 8 to play with flying toys unsupervised. Always have an adult present to:
- Teach and demonstrate proper flying techniques
- Ensure child maintains a safe distance from others
- Monitor battery levels and potential issues
Avoid Face/Eyes
Never intentionally fly toys directly at or above people's faces and eyes. Rotors can cause eye injuries. Maintain a safe upwards clearance.
Check Conditions
Only use flying toys outdoors in open areas on calm days. Wind can make toys difficult to control.
Mind Bystanders
Keep a radius of at least 30 feet clear when flying. Announce takeoffs/landings and do not fly directly over crowds.
Avoid Obstacles
Scan your surroundings and keep flying toys away from:
- Trees
- Buildings
- Power lines
- Busy roads
- Other flying objects
Respect Privacy
Do not fly over private property without permission or use cameras to peer into private space.
Know Flying Range
Keep your toy within line of sight and its maximum flying range at all times.
Check Battery Level
Fully charge batteries before use and land immediately at any sign of low power.
Avoid Water
Unless specially designed for it, keep flying toys away from pools, sprinklers, and other bodies of water.
Remove Propellers
When storing or transporting toys, detach all propellers to avoid accidental spinning.
Following basic safety rules will allow you to enjoy worry-free flight time and introduce flying toys to others responsibly.
Fun Flying Toy Ideas for Kids of Different Ages
Finding the right flying toy to match your child's age and development level is key for ensuring safe and enjoyable playtime. Here are some age-appropriate ideas:
Ages 3-5
- Bubble copters - Simple flyers that blow bubbles as they move through the air.
- Foam airplanes - Soft, lightweight gliders perfect for indoor flying practice.
- Mini drones - Kid-friendly quadcopters with auto-hover and easy controls.
- Flying saucers - Frisbee-like hand launchers for basic outdoor fun.
Ages 6-8
- Beginner RC helicopters - Models with stabilization features to make flight easier.
- FPV drones - Kid-sized quadcopters with first-person video for an immersive view.
- Stunt kites - Bold, colorful kites capable of mid-air tricks.
- Air swimmers - Inflatable blimps and sharks kids can control for aerial hijinks.
Ages 9-12
- RC stunt planes - Aerobatic models that can loop, roll and flip with precision.
- FPV racing drones - Sophisticated flyers for racing courses and drone competitions.
- VR drones - Drones that work with virtual reality goggles for a fully immersive experience.
- DIY drone kits - Kits with all parts so kids can build their own drone.
Teens
- Professional RC planes - Large gas or electric powered planes capable of advanced maneuvers.
- FPV wings - RC planes designed for smooth and stable first-person flight.
- Long range drones - Models with 1+ mile ranges for aerial exploration and photography.
- Autonomous drones - Programmable drones kids can customize for automated flight.
Always supervise young children and ensure flying toys match age recommendations. With the right toy, kids of any age can experience the thrill of flight!
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What is the Benefit of Amazon Prime When Buying "Flying Toys"?
When shopping for the latest drones, RC helicopters, and other flying toys on Amazon, having a Prime membership can provide some useful advantages and perks.
Free Two-Day Shipping
One of the biggest benefits of Amazon Prime is access to free two-day shipping on over 100 million products. This means if you find a flying toy your kid will love, you can get it delivered quickly without paying extra shipping fees.
Having a Prime account means you don't have to meet any order minimums to qualify for free expedited shipping. Whether you buy one inexpensive foam glider or a professional-grade racing drone, you'll still get speedy delivery.
Release-Date Delivery
For parents looking to surprise their tech-loving kids with the hottest new drone or RC gadget right on release day, an Amazon Prime membership ensures you'll be among the first to get your hands on it.
Amazon Prime members can select release-date delivery at checkout on pre-orders so the toy ships the day it launches. This perk helps you impress your kids with the latest flying toy innovations the moment they hit the market.
Free Returns
Amazon Prime also provides free return shipping, which is especially useful when buying tech-driven flying toys online.
If the RC helicopter you picked doesn't meet expectations out of the box or is too advanced for your beginner hobbyist, you can easily send it back at no extra cost. This takes the risk out of choosing the wrong model.
Access to Deals
As an Amazon Prime member, you can take advantage of special discounts and deals on flying toys year-round. This includes Lightning Deals and Prime Day-exclusive bargains that lower prices on drones, airplanes, and other RC gadgets from top brands.
Saving extra money means you can invest those funds in upgrading to a more advanced flying toy with better features to progress your child's skills.
Overall, the shipping and shopping perks provided by an Amazon Prime subscription can make it easier and more affordable to find and buy amazing flying toys to delight the RC enthusiasts in your household.
