Walkie talkies are a great communication tool for younger children. Also known as two-way radios, walkie talkies are devices that can connect to each other using a specific radio frequency. They can give your children a sense of independence and security, allowing them to easily contact you from another part of your home or from their friend’s house down the street. They offer kids hours of entertainment while pretending to be spies, or while embarking on a treasure hunt or a camping trip in the backyard.
Children’s walkie talkies vary in size, range, and design. Some have simple, easy-to-use interfaces, and others offer more advanced features. There are also models with add-ons like character designs and voice effects.
It’s important to note that walkie talkies operate on public radio channels. However, many models come with safety features and additional privacy codes that reduce the odds of interference by strangers.
Our Top Picks
The following recommendations take into account important features to look for in walkie talkies, including range, size, and safety features. Check out these top-notch picks for some of the best walkie talkies for kids.
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One of the features that sets these FAYOGOO walkie talkies apart is that they run on AAA batteries but can also be recharged, meaning you don’t have to continuously change their batteries. To recharge them, use a USB cable connected to a wall outlet or if you’re on the go, a car charger or battery pack. Other features we like about this set are its backlit LCD display, built-in flashlight, earpiece connection, power-saving function, and 10 unique ringtones. They also have a VOX function, allowing you to use the units hands-free.
These walkie talkies have a maximum range of 4 miles in an open field setting, but in a residential area, the range is closer to .5 mile to 1 mile. They can operate on 22 channels and have 38 subchannels as an added security feature to prevent others from interfering with your communication. An auto-squelch feature cuts off weak transmissions and unwanted noise.
Each FAYOGOO walkie talkie measures 1.81 inches by 1.41 inches by 4.96 inches and weighs 2.27 ounces. Durability is key when it comes to kids’ electronics, and we like that this set has a drop resistance of 1.2 meters. They’re intended for children ages 3 to 12 and come in a variety of fun colors.
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These inexpensive walkie talkies from Retevis are equipped with voice-activation capabilities, allowing children to use them hands-free. They also have a large “talk” button that activates the microphone and, for those who want more private conversations, an earpiece jack that can accommodate headphones. We like the handy keypad lock feature, which ensures younger children can’t inadvertently change the settings, and the backlit LCD display that shows remaining battery life and signal strength. Because of their simple black and red design, these walkie talkies look more like serious electronic equipment than toys.
These walkie talkies each weigh 3.5 ounces and measure 6.24 inches by 2.15 inches by 1.1 inches. They’re powered with three AA batteries and are recommended for children ages 3 and up. While this set comes with two walkie talkies, you can purchase additional sets and program them to communicate with each other.
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It can be expensive to maintain walkie talkies that are used frequently and run on standard AA or AAA batteries. We like that you can use a USB cable to power up these radios’ rechargeable batteries. This set from Topsung comes with all you need to keep your walkie talkies going, including rechargeable AA batteries and a USB cable. Use the USB cord to charge your walkie talkies through a wall outlet, car charger, or power bank.
These walkie talkies operate on 22 channels, each of which has 121 privacy codes for added security. They have a range of 1 mile in a residential neighborhood, 4 miles on an open plain, and up to 16 miles from the mountain to the valley. They’re equipped for hands-free talking and have auto-squelch and auto-scan functions.
These walkie talkies from Qniglo come with both a watchband and a lanyard so active kids who are biking or hiking can use them hands-free. They’re also rechargeable and can operate for 24 hours of talking time and 5 days of stand-by on a full charge. Each device is shaped like a cute animal; when you press the “talk” button, its eyes light up to indicate it’s working.
Apart from being wearable, what sets the Qniglo walkie talkies apart is that they’re also equipped with FM radio so your kids can listen to music when they’re not chatting with you. With a maximum range of 2 miles, these walkie talkies are available in pink, green, or a combination of both colors to suit your children’s preferences.
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Many walkie talkie sets come with two devices, but larger families require more. This set from Obuby comes with three handheld radios, each with a maximum talking range of 3 miles in an open field. They operate on 22 channels, which are reinforced by 99 subcodes that reduce the odds of outside interference. The radios’ VOX functionality means that kids don’t have to press the “talk” button to communicate. They’re equipped with an earpiece connector so they can be used with headphones and have a built-in flashlight and LCD display.
Each device measures 5.5 inches by 2.5 inches by 2 inches and runs on four AAA batteries.
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These walkie talkies are great for hiking or camping trips. They operate on 22 channels and in an open field, they can communicate at distances of 4 miles or more. We also like the myriad additional features that are included, such as a built-in LED flashlight, a call alert function, and a belt clip so each radio can be easily attached to your kids’ clothing.
