Drones make the perfect holiday gift for children of all ages – from tots to teens.  Gift-givers have a multitude of models to choose from, with a wide variety of prices and capabilities.  For some smaller children, an inexpensive toy drone may be a fun novelty item; they already play with remotely controlled cars; now they can direct a toy aircraft in flight, learning to maneuver around furniture in the family or living room, or perhaps the backyard.

These lightweight toy drones may be as cheap as $20-$30, and are best flown indoors, protected from the wind and rain.  If they do crash, and are damaged, they are easily replaced.

The Hoylton HS330 may be the simplest toy drone you can give a child.  It can only fly for about 8 minutes per battery and it doesn’t include a camera. This drone is simply for the joy of flying and serves as a useful introduction to the basic mechanics of a drone.  The manufacturer bills the minimum user age at 8.  But don’t underestimate the HS330.  It can fly at 3 speeds and its robust structure, including propeller guards not found on comparable models, makes it unusually durable,  And while it comes with a remote pilot controller, its movements can also be directed with the wave of hand, a feature that many kids will find “cool.”

A slightly more sophisticated drone aimed at older teens and above is the popular Tello.  It comes equipped with a 5-megapixel camera that shoots 720p video.  In flight, it lasts about 13 minutes. Ryze, the company that built the Tello, has equipped it with the ability to code, which means users can pre-program their flights. It can also be maneuvered with hand gestures. For more sophisticated remote piloting, a separate RCP device is needed. The Tello retails for about $99.

A more versatile indoor drone might be the DJI-Mini 2. It also has a 5-megapixel camera that shoots 720p video. But it can stay airborne for 33 minutes, which gives you a lot more flight imagery. With its 12-inch wingspan, it’s steadier in outdoor conditions but still narrow enough to be flown through most doorways and windows Most models come with attachable propeller guards to minimize damage to interior walls and furniture. But this UAVs isn’t cheap: it retails, on average, for about $450. Outdoor drones – some with much greater functionality – are not necessarily more expensive. It depends on the manufacturer. One possible

choice is the Holy Stone GPSDrone equipped with a 1080P HD Camera. It typically retails for less than $200.  It’s considered a beginner’s model for adults and kids alike. It shoots FPV live video that can be easily downloaded and shared on social media. You can pre-program custom flight paths but the drone also has a “home return” feature that allows it to come back to the user if remote contact is lost.

As this array of options suggests, purchasing a drone as a holiday gift requires some discernment as to the recipient’s depth of interest in drone flying.  Parents these days are especially keen to use drones as a fun way of introducing children to the possibility of pursuing STEM topics in high school and beyond.  Many secondary schools are beginning to introduce drones into their own STEM-oriented curricula.  Because women and minority groups often lack the same encouragement to pursue STEM topics toward eventual careers, drones can be one way to compensate for this shortfall.

However, don’t overdo it.  Once the sheer novelty of a drone wears off, not every child may take to drone flying with relish.  Some will need more active and ongoing encouragement to avoid possible frustration with early malfunctions and mishaps.  Like kite-flying and other outdoor leisure pursuits, drones can be enjoyed by the family as part of regular outings. Make sure you’re prepared to assist your child, especially younger ones who may be avid gamers, to learn why drones are worth investing in, and to patiently show them the ropes. Once the holiday gift-giving is done, schedule an outing and their first family drone adventure.  Your child may be well on their way to a successful and fulfilling career in the burgeoning drone industry.