Walkie talkies are an absolute blast for kids. Kids can pretend to be in the jungle while they’re in the backyard with their friends as they command their team through a dangerous mission, or they can stay in contact with their friends even after parents deem “playtime” over. (We’ve all seen Stranger Things when the kids radio their friends at night).
Even though kids’ walkie talkies operate on public channels, most have built-in subcodes to protect kids from interference from strangers. There are also a variety of additional features that you may find on these devices including flashlights and VOX hands-free communication that helps younger kids communicate without having to hold the talk button.
If you’re not ready to give your kid a cellphone or a kids’ tablet, kids’ walkie talkies are an affordable alternative that are loads of fun, and often encourage children to use their imaginations and go outside.
Here are our recommendations for the best walkie talkies for kids.
1. Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies for Kids
BEST OVERALL
Durable and reliable, the Retevis RT628 walkie talkies are a great choice for kids. The LCD display makes it easy for them to recognize what channel they are on, plus you can lock the keypad to ensure your kids stay on the correct channel. The range varies, but some reviews say with line-of-site, these can connect upwards of two to three miles. Without the limitation of one-to-one communication, a group of friends can all communicate with Retevis RT628s, as long as they are on the same channel.
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2. Selieve Toys Walkie Talkies for Kids
AMAZON CHOICE
With over 16,000 ratings and 4.5 stars on Amazon, these walkie talkies are certainly a fan favorite. Operation is made easy thanks to a big “TALK” button in the center and a keypad lock to ensure kids stay on the correct channel. The walkie talkies are small enough and suitable for hands three to 12 years of age. Beyond communication, there’s also a built-in flashlight on the device. You can expect about three miles of range in open areas and a half-mile to a mile in residential areas.
3. Obuby Toys Walkie Talkies
ALSO GREAT
If you have three kids, you’ll understand the value of having the third walkie talkie available in a single package. Kids can select one of the 22 channels with 99 subcodes to enhance the safety of their communications over the air. And for younger children, VOX communication allows them to talk without having to press the button. Like the Selieve walkie talkies, these also haave a flashlight, but these have a headphone jack for more secretive communications.
4. Dmazing Walkie Talkies
BEST BUDGET
The Vox feature helps kids who might be too young to understand holding the talk button to communicate by allowing them to talk without pressing the button. They are lightweight and small enough for little kids’ hands. There’s even a flashlight so kids can have fun at night. They do require four AAA batteries which add up quickly between two walkie talkies. But this set is available in six different colors and at a low cost.
5. FRS Walkie Talkies
WEARABLE
The wrist strap and lanyard are great for active kids. They can strap them to their bike handlebars or simply wear them around their necks while they are playing. These are one of the few rechargeable models too. Expect about a days-worth of talk time, but can last several days on standby. And when kids aren’t chatting away, they can listen to tunes on the FM radio (yes, radio is still a thing).
6. Wishouse Rechargeable Walkie Talkies
LONG RANGE
These walkie talkies for kids come in sets of three, so a parent or third child can join in. The batteries are rechargeable which will save you money down the road, and there is a detachable lanyard to keep these walkie talkies secure as you move about. In open areas, you can expect about six miles of range and up to three miles in a neighborhood. These are a bit expensive, but the rechargeable batteries and extra range make it worth it.
7. Wes Tayin Upgraded Walkie Talkie for Kids
GREAT FOR OUTDOORS
With a four-mile range in open areas, these are ideal for an overnight outing with the family. And when the sun goes down, you can still keep track of the kiddos with the built-in LED flashlight and call alert function. And if kids get tired of holding the walkie, they can easily clip it to their belt thanks to an attached clip.
8. Topsung Two Way Radios
SPLURGE PICK
Although the initial price is a little steep compared to many other walkie talkies for kids, the rechargeable batteries can save money in the long run. And with the USB cable, they can be recharged by a computer, wall outlet or car charger. Along with great charging capabilities comes great range. Outdoors you can get up to four miles of range. There’s also hands-free talking (VOX) for younger kids and auto-scanning functionality to find the best channel quickly.
9. eKids Star Wars Walkie Talkies
BEST FOR STAR WARS FANS
For the little Star Wars fan in your life, The Kylo Ren and First Order Trooper walkie talkies are what the doctor ordered. The large red talk button on the side of the walkies are easy for kids to press and hold down. These are great for indoor use, but the range isn’t nearly as long as others.