R/C Helicopter for Kids

Ferrino · Ferrino's Garage

I'm looking to buy a simply radio-controlled helicopter to play around with, with my (2 year-old) son. Ideally something that would work outdoors in the park too. There's an overwhelming array of options out there - does anyone have any suggestions on something that would be relatively easy to control and hopefully <$150? Thanks.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-24-2014, 10:09 AM

For an indoors chopper, look at the Syma S107. They are $30-ish on Ebay and actually very nice, my oldest son bought a $100 E-Flite heli that I didn't find to be any nicer. Easy and fun to fly, and basically disposable. That will be helpful when the 2-year old destroys it.

june82000 · june82000's Garage

+1 on the Syma, I have a couple. I don't know how well a 2-year old will be with it; not good I'd be willing to bet. Those blades do hurt if they hit you in the face - not to mention they are capable of inflicting damage if you were to catch it in the eyeball just right. It's going to require that you help him out. And no, I don't believe that all kids should be bubble-wrapped; just being honest.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-24-2014, 10:25 AM

We occasionally buy my 3 year old son a cheapie helicopter because he absolutely loves them. He mainly goes just up and down and they typically only last a few days, but it's $20 well spent. They can hurt if they hit bare skin, but I think it would be a freak occurrence for them to do any damage.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Skip the Syma 107's, while great and super durable, it's indoor only.

Quad Copters are much more stable, and have prop guards too.

Amazon.com : Syma X1 4 Channel 2.4G RC Quad Copter - Spacecraft : Hobby Rc Helicopters : Toys & Games

the SYMA X1 quad is $35, quite durable, more of an outdoor machine and parts are available through Banggood.com I've destroyed several after crashes from 150' up. he heh heh.

Syma X3 has prop guards for better indoor safety, but is a bit slower and less responsive than an X1.

FANTASTIC learning machines, the X1 or X3, a H1 has lime green blades which I prefer over the X1

Amazon.com: syma x3

My X1 video (yes they can carry a small 808 style video cam) too fun for CHEAP! buy several, and several more batteries too.

mikester · 02-24-2014, 01:29 PM

S107 is a great place to start. Still, 2 years old is kind of young. I wouldn't expect it to last very long.

The eFlite Blades are typically excellent quality hobby type helos (I have quite a few in my house). Again, real hobby type helicopters with replaceable parts and good support. Still - not for a 2 year old.

I had plenty of the Syma S107s when my youngest was 2 and he enjoyed making them beat themselves to death.

rusnak · 02-24-2014, 03:33 PM

I just bought a quad 'copter. Its the DJI Phantom Vision 2.

IMO, quad copters are a bit more hard to control than the type that two blades stacked one on top of the other. I think the kind that have a separate tail and two main rotors are next easiest, then the quads, then the true miniature helos.