Telescope for a 3 Year Old?

Updated on November 03, 2010
S.C. asks from Patchogue, NY
5 answers

Hi Moms,

I have a 3 and a half year old who has always been obsessed with the moon. He has to look for it every night and is excited when he sees it in the sky during the day. In September I showed him where Jupiter is in the sky. Now he asks about it everyday. I was thinking about getting him a telescope for Christmas but a coworker said that his 7 year old had a hard time understanding how to use a telescope, and that 3 & 1/2 is just too young.
I have looked a bit online and it seems that telescopes fall into 2 categories: cheap, junky ones that are age appropriate for 3 - 4 year olds, or expensive ones that are really for older kids.
Anyone out there have a decent telescope that a toddler can use? Obviously, he wouldn't be playing with it by himself - someone would help him with it. Any recommendations, or should I just ditch the whole idea until he's older? Thanks!

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Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son is 4 and is like your son. In fact I asked a question seeking advice on how I can answers his questions about our solar system.

We bought a telescope for my daughter when she was 5 at Toys R Us. My son has been using it for a couple of years (with my assistance of course).

He LOVES it! I can't remember what brand or anything but I definitely bought it at Toys R Us. We've had it now for 10 years and still works great.

It was a kid's telescope so didn't cost a great deal.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Ooh, Ooh, if your son loves the moon, here is a GREAT Christmas gift idea...

http://mooninmyroom.net/

Lots of places sell this, if you google it, you'll see lots of retailers where you can get it...

I'm getting this for my son for Christmas!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

My son is now 4 years old, we have always had a telescope.
He has used it and knows how... even from a younger age.

If you go to the Discovery Channel store, they have telescopes...
here is the link for the one we have:
http://store.discovery.com/detail.php?p=86134&v=disco...

Or, on their website, just put in the search word, 'telescopes.'

My daughter is 8... and she can use the telescope.

all the best,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My 3 year old is obsessed with the moon and stars too. But, I'm with your friends. They sell some awesome preschool books about the universe though. I saw some neat ones at Barnes and Noble. My daughter also likes to be a pirate, so we got her a cheap "spotting scope" at Party Warehouse and she loves to look at far away things with it. Maybe some binoculars would be best until he's older.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

My husband has been an astrophotographer for years. He always recommends a good pair of binoculars over a telescope unless you are wanting to spend in the thousands of dollars. The ones that are less are all junk. A good pair of binoculars will be easier for a young child to use because he can use both eyes, you can use it for other purposes, and it is just more enjoyable all around. If you do want to spend a lot of money, feel free to send me a message and I can get more specific info for you.

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