Walkie talkies are the kind of toy that appeals to little kids and young teenagers alike (even if they are too cool to admit it!). A game of secret agents, hide and seek or even a sleepover with school friends becomes a whole lot more fun when you add a set of kid-friendly walkie talkies into the mix. As well as providing lots of fun around the house, walkie talkies are a perfect addition to a family walk, bike ride or even a camping trip. It’s a great way to give your older children a little sense of freedom as they explore the great outdoors at a safe distance from you, while still in contact. Today, these handheld devices offer a lot more than a simple push-and-talk function. Many of the models we tested included built-in lights, alarms, voice changers and even games, to up the enjoyment and usability.
Why Choose Walkie Talkies for Kids?
Few toys encourage social skills and exploration of the natural environment quite like walkie-talkies. The options for games and imaginative play are endless, whether your kid is off on an adventure with friends through their neighborhood jungle, on a family camping trip or hike, or exploring their independence on a cruise. They’re also great if you’re looking for a way to stay in touch with your kids without giving them a cell phone. Walkie-talkies are particularly useful in remote areas where cell phone coverage is limited or non-existent, like national parks, forests, and cruise ships. The transportation industry still uses radios because they’re reliable. For kids, they’re a lot of fun, and more durable and affordable than a phone. “It’s harder to break a [walkie-talkie]. There’s no glass screen; no folding hinge. A cheap walkie can handle more drops and bumps than a cheap cell phone,” says Roepke.
Safety Considerations
Children’s walkie talkies are generally safe for kiddies to use, however, it is important to be aware that walkie talkies work by tuning in to the same frequency as other devices. With this in mind, it could be possible for other people within the range to be able to communicate on the same channel. We’re sure you have taught your little one all about stranger awareness, but it is always good to remind your child not to talk to people they don’t know before they play with their walkie talkie. It’s well worth teaching your youngster how to turn the walkie talkie off and how to switch channels just in case this ever happens.
Top 7 Walkie Talkies for Kids
Below is a detailed look at the top seven walkie talkies for kids, highlighting their features, pros, cons, and real-world testing scenarios.
1. Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies
Teaching your children to use adult walkie-talkies is difficult, so why not use an ‘adult’ radio made specifically for kids? Retevis RT628’s small and lightweight design is the perfect size for kids. It only has six buttons, making it extremely easy for kids to learn and operate. If you have a child that likes to push buttons, it has a keypad lock that prevents your child from making accidental changes in your settings. It also comes with a belt clip. One of its key strengths is the one-to-one or one-to-many connection. As long as your kids are on the same channel, they can communicate easily with each other. It has a good 2 mile-range – a pretty impressive feat for a ‘toy’ two-way radio. The sound quality is loud and clear, thanks to the automatic squelch. On the downside, this walkie-talkie comes with a poorly written instruction manual that can cause more confusion than it solves.
- Pros: Lightweight, durable, easy-to-use buttons, keypad lock, clear sound with auto-squelch.
- Cons: Poorly written manual, requires 3 AA batteries (not included).
2. Selieve Toys Walkie Talkies
Selieve Toys Walkie Talkies, designed for kids aged 3-10, are lightweight, durable, and feature a fun call alert function. With a range of up to 3 miles, they’re perfect for outdoor adventures. Equipped with VOX, volume control, and button locks, these walkie talkies are an excellent choice for children of all genders, offering both fun and practicality for outdoor play. The ergonomic design makes them easy to use and carry, and the clear, adjustable volume sound ensures children can communicate clearly.
- Pros: 3-mile range, VOX function, lightweight, durable, fun call alert.
- Cons: Requires 4 AAA batteries, may experience interference in urban areas.
Shop Selieve Toys Walkie Talkies on Amazon
3. Wishouse Rechargeable Walkie Talkies
Wishouse Walkie Talkies for Kids provide an immersive experience for parent-child interaction. It comes with 1 USB charger and 9 rechargeable AA batteries. The product has a range of up to 1 mile in neighborhood and up to 20 miles in Mountain to Valley. Their rechargeable batteries, long battery life, and VOX function ensure uninterrupted communication, making them a great gift choice for children’s birthdays or holidays, complete with colorful designs and convenient wearing options.
- Pros: Rechargeable batteries, long battery life, VOX function, vibrant colors.
- Cons: Shorter range in urban settings, not waterproof.
Shop Wishouse Walkie Talkies on Amazon
4. Obuby Toys Walkie Talkies
Obuby Toys Walkie Talkies are the perfect gift for children aged 3 to 12 years old. They are great for both indoor and outdoor use, such as outdoor play, walking and hiking. The ergonomic design makes them easy to use and carry, and the clear, adjustable volume sound ensures children can communicate clearly. The Obuby Walkie Talkies were a big draw to our younger testers as the bright colors are hard to miss, and the lights make the dark so much more fun. Our testers liked the call button, and parents appreciated the lower price for a pack of three. This set comes with flashlights and jacks for headsets (not included). It has a backlit display and voice activation.
- Pros: Bright colors, flashlights, affordable 3-pack, voice activation.
- Cons: Challenging channel-changing design, not waterproof.
Shop Obuby Walkie Talkies on Amazon
5. Baofeng GT-18 Walkie Talkies
For families on the go, the Baofeng GT-18 Walkie Talkies are a fantastic option for their user-friendly design, long battery life, and clear communication. The buttons are easy to locate and use, which is great for kids. A display on the front shows how much battery is left and, during our tests, we were impressed by the volume and clarity even when using all three walkie talkies. They are splash-proof, but not waterproof.
- Pros: User-friendly, long battery life, clear communication, splash-proof.
- Cons: Not fully waterproof, shorter range than claimed (2 miles).
6. Topsung M880 Walkie Talkies
These have just enough range and durability for an outdoor family adventure. These Topsung M880 walkie-talkies are a good basic option for camping trips because they’re easy to use and have a range of up to 4 miles in open spaces. About the size of a cell phone, the walkies feature a combination of rubber and plastic that makes them easy to hold, even for little hands. They also feature 22 channels and 121 privacy codes for secure communication, VOX functionality, and a belt clip. They also have an “auto squelch” function, which means background noise is muted, for clearer conversations.
- Pros: 4-mile range, durable, VOX functionality, auto-squelch.
- Cons: Not waterproof, battery life could be better.
7. Funkprofi Walkie Talkies
The Funkprofi walkie talkie is a perfect adventure toy for kids. It offers an impressive 3km range in the open field. The ergonomically designed body firmly fits into a child’s hand and is suitable for three to 12-year-old kids. “The walkie-talkie fit perfectly into my son’s hands, and the cool flashlight and echo correction have been a huge hit. Its loud beeping sound can be disturbing at times, but the other fun features make up for it. I would recommend it as a fun birthday gift.”
- Pros: 3km range, ergonomic design, flashlight, echo correction.
- Cons: Loud beeping sound, requires 6 AA batteries.
Shop Funkprofi Walkie Talkies on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Walkie Talkies
| Model | Range | Battery Type | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retevis RT628 | 2 miles | 3 AA | Keypad lock, auto-squelch, belt clip | $20-$30 |
| Selieve Toys | 3 miles | 4 AAA | VOX, call alert, volume control | $25-$35 |
| Wishouse | 1-20 miles | Rechargeable AA | VOX, rechargeable, colorful design | $30-$40 |
| Obuby Toys | 3 miles | 4 AAA | Flashlight, voice activation, 3-pack | $25-$35 |
| Baofeng GT-18 | 2 miles | Rechargeable | Splash-proof, clear audio, user-friendly | $35-$45 |
| Topsung M880 | 4 miles | 3 AAA | VOX, auto-squelch, 22 channels | $30-$40 |
| Funkprofi | 3 km | 6 AA | Flashlight, echo correction, ergonomic | $20-$30 |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
Our three-year-old, five-year-old and eight-year-old have been testing these walkie talkies around the house, in the garden and on country walks, to really see which ones perform the best. During testing, the Retevis RT628 was able to function within a range of 250′ with obstacles while lesser models either failed to connect or operated with significant static. The Selieve Toys model performed well in open fields, achieving clear communication up to 2.5 miles, though urban environments reduced this to about 1 mile due to interference. The Wishouse walkie talkies excelled in mountainous areas, reaching up to 15 miles in optimal conditions, but dropped to 1 mile in neighborhoods. Obuby’s flashlights were a hit during nighttime hide-and-seek, though the channel-changing mechanism frustrated younger testers. Baofeng GT-18 maintained clarity across all three units in a park setting, even with trees and small hills. Topsung M880 handled moderate rain without issues, but battery life dwindled after 8 hours of continuous use. Funkprofi’s echo correction was a fun feature during indoor play, though the beeping alert annoyed parents after prolonged use.
Buying Guide for Kids’ Walkie Talkies
When buying walkie talkies, always consider the range. Most often, children’s walkie-talkies have a range of up to 3 miles (4,8m). And this should be enough for children to enjoy games, and you do not lose sight of them. Choose a model that meets your needs and desired use. For example, Selieve Toys Walkie Talkies with 3 miles (4,8 km) range or Retevis RT628 Walkie Talkies with 0,6 miles (1000 m) range. The majority of the radios I offer use AAA batteries, whose longevity will depend on frequency and duration of use. Other features, such as a flashlight, will drain the battery faster. Make sure to keep extras on hand so that your child can power through and have uninterrupted fun! How many people do you need to communicate with? How many children will be playing with the radios? I have selected radios that come in sets of 2 and 3 so you have different options.
- Look for durable, lightweight designs suitable for small hands.
- Ensure clear audio with auto-squelch to reduce background noise.
- Consider VOX for hands-free operation during active play.
- Check for rechargeable batteries to save on costs.
- Verify safety features like keypad locks and privacy codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are walkie talkies safe for kids to use?
Yes, walkie talkies are generally safe for kids, as they operate at low power levels and are held away from the head, minimizing RF exposure, according to the FCC. However, parents should teach kids not to communicate with strangers and how to switch channels or turn off the device if needed.
What is the typical range for kids’ walkie talkies?
Most kids’ walkie talkies have a range of 1-3 miles in open areas. Urban environments or obstructions like trees and buildings can reduce this to 0.5-1 mile. Models like the Topsung M880 can reach up to 4 miles in optimal conditions.
Do kids’ walkie talkies require a license?
No, most kids’ walkie talkies operate on Family Radio Service (FRS) frequencies, which are license-free in the U.S. However, some advanced models using General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) may require an FCC license, which costs $35 for 10 years.
How long do batteries last in kids’ walkie talkies?
Battery life varies by model and usage. AAA-powered models like the Selieve Toys last about 10-12 hours, while rechargeable models like the Wishouse can last up to 18 hours. Features like flashlights or frequent use can drain batteries faster.
Can walkie talkies be used in water?
Most kids’ walkie talkies are not fully waterproof but may be splash-proof or water-resistant. The Baofeng GT-18 is splash-proof, suitable for light rain, but parents should avoid models without water resistance for water-based activities.
Conclusion
Walkie talkies for kids are more than just toys; they are tools that foster communication, spark adventure, and promote imaginative play. Whether your little ones are embarking on outdoor adventures, organizing secret missions, or simply staying in touch with friends and family, the right walkie talkie can make all the difference. The Retevis RT628 stands out for its simplicity and durability, while the Selieve Toys and Wishouse models offer advanced features like VOX and rechargeable batteries. For a budget-friendly 3-pack, Obuby is a great choice, and the Topsung M880 excels in range. Baofeng GT-18 and Funkprofi add unique features like splash-proofing and echo correction, respectively. By considering range, battery life, and safety features, you can choose the perfect model to keep your kids connected and entertained.
For more information on child safety and communication devices, visit the FCC’s Family Radio Service page.