With the advancement of technology, even kids are given microscopes to be used as toys. But kid microscopes are not like any other ordinary toys. It can be a very educational device that makes even small kids more aware of the things around them, while having fun.

Kid microscopes are fast becoming the best choice as gifts to young scientists out there. Kid microscopes allow children to magnify and view the microscopic details of coins, stamps, leaves, and even hair strands. Kid microscopes can be considered as learning toys. And if you want to give your child one for the holidays or on his upcoming birthday, here are the features you should consider when buying one.

1. Magnification Power
Some kid microscopes work relatively the same like those simple compound microscopes being used in schools. A regular microscope of good quality is capable of 1000x magnification. But there are kid microscopes today that can magnify a specimen to as much as 900x magnification power. This magnification power should be good enough to satisfy your kid’s curiosity.

2. Glass optics
Because a lot of kid microscopes come in optics made of plastic, it would be good to find optics that are made of durable glass. But it is also important to first consider the child who will actually use the microscope. If he is merely a preschooler who doesn’t know how to take care of his toys just yet, plastic optics should be sufficient. But if the child is already in grade school, glass optics should fit him just fine.

3. Resolution
For kid microscopes, a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels should be enough. That resolution is common to personal computers anyway. Besides, kids are not yet interested on the very intricate details of a specimen as much as a professional researcher is. It is okay to give kids a microscope with a higher resolution, though. But if your budget won’t allow it, just stick to the standard.

4. Camera port
Give your kids a little extra to enjoy. Choose a kid microscopes that have a port where a digital camera can be connected. With the camera attached, it is possible for them to take pictures of their samples for future reference. Again, this feature is good only for kids that are old enough to take care of their things. The camera can be a little expensive. It won’t be pleasant if you 5-year-old broke it unknowingly.

5. USB port
Do you know that some of the available kid microscopes in the market today can be connected to a personal computer? This makes it even more exciting for those budding scientists out there. Armed with a quality microscope and a laptop, it is easy to capture images and videos of the specimens they are viewing. They can even make a report of their observation for their school’s science exhibit. If a microscope can be connected to a computer, there simply are a lot of possibilities. With the use of some functional software, kids can prepare slide shows, videos, or a PowerPoint presentation of their interesting findings. Zooming in and out or adjusting the contrast and brightness of the specimen are all a breeze if the compatible software is installed.

6. Durability
When buying a kid microscope, this feature should be of primary importance. Kids tend to be playful rather than careful. So if the kid microscope you bought is not made of durable plastic or of die cast metal, then it might merely last a couple of days. Always check if the kid microscope is strong enough to withstand the pressure of your child’s use. You know how your child uses and take care of his things. If the microscope is not durable enough for him, don’t buy it.

7. Affordability
Regular tabletop microscopes cost anywhere from a hundred dollars to as much as several thousand. The price of a microscope depends entirely on its complexity. For a kid microscope, the price range is usually from $20 to more than a hundred. The $20 microscope is usually a pocket microscope that primarily works like a telescope. Better buy the microscope that resembles much like the ones used in schools. This way, they would be more eager in using it. Those types are priced $40 up.

These are the features you should check when buying kid microscopes. It really doesn’t matter whether the one you buy is cheap or pricey. What is more important is that you bought the one that matches your kid’s usage and level.