Kids & Baby

Drones

6 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.

Representative photo-style image of drones — generated, not a specific product
Representative image, generated

Drones land well with people who like gadgets, the outdoors or a new hobby to tinker with, and plenty of partners and grown kids fall into that group. The ones that keep getting flown are easy to launch, quick to charge and suited to the space the person really has. Think first about what they want out of it. A camera drone suits someone who likes travel shots and scenery. An FPV drone suits someone who wants the rush of flying through goggles. A small, forgiving model is a better first drone than a feature-packed one that sits in the box after one crash.

Kind 1 of 6

Fly it from the pilot's seat

FPV stands for first-person view. The drone streams live video to goggles or a screen, so the pilot sees what the drone sees and steers from that view. It's thrilling, and it takes real practice. It suits someone who already enjoys video games, RC cars or earlier drones and wants a skill to work at. Before buying, check whether goggles and a controller come in the box or have to be bought separately. See if a simulator mode or a slower setting is offered for learning, and check how long one battery lasts in the air.

Kind 2 of 6

Drones that capture the view

A camera drone is the all-rounder: it records video and stills from above and usually holds its position steadily, so even casual flyers get usable footage. It suits hikers, cottage-goers, anglers and anyone who likes documenting trips. Before buying, check the video resolution and whether the camera sits on a stabilizing gimbal, since that matters more than megapixels. See whether GPS return-to-home is included, and look at the drone's weight, because heavier drones in Canada and the US come with registration rules.

  • Representative photo-style image of aerial photography camera drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually over $100

    Aerial photography camera drone

    Capture stunning bird's-eye views and memorable moments with a drone equipped for high-quality photo and video.

  • Representative photo-style image of gps enabled smart flight drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually over $100

    GPS enabled smart flight drone

    Enjoy stable outdoor flights and advanced features like automatic return-to-home and waypoint navigation with GPS assistance.

Kind 3 of 6

Small drones for the living room

Mini drones fit in a palm and are made for flying indoors or in a calm backyard. They bounce off walls and furniture without much drama, which makes them a fun stocking-sized surprise for kids or a desk toy for an adult who likes gadgets. Before buying, check flight time per battery, since small drones often fly only a few minutes. A pack of spare batteries or a model that charges quickly helps a lot. Propeller guards and an altitude-hold mode make them much easier to handle.

  • Representative photo-style image of compact indoor mini drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

    Compact indoor mini drone

    This small drone is perfect for new pilots or indoor fun, offering easy control in confined spaces.

Kind 4 of 6

Good first drones for new pilots

A beginner drone should forgive mistakes. Look for altitude hold, one-button takeoff and landing, headless mode and a sturdy frame that shrugs off rough landings. These suit kids, teens and adults trying the hobby for the first time. STEM kits add building and simple coding, which works well for curious kids. Before buying, check that spare propellers are included and replacement parts are easy to find. Also check whether the drone can be flown with an included controller rather than only a phone.

  • Representative photo-style image of easy-to-fly beginner training drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $50–$100

    Easy-to-fly beginner training drone

    Ideal for first-time pilots, this drone features intuitive controls and enhanced stability for a smooth learning experience.

  • Representative photo-style image of educational stem drone kit — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $50–$100

    Educational stem drone kit

    Engage aspiring engineers and tech enthusiasts with a kit that allows them to assemble and understand the mechanics of a drone.

  • Representative photo-style image of durable toy stunt drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $25–$50

    Durable toy stunt drone

    Perfect for playful pilots, this robust drone is designed for performing flips and tricks, offering endless entertainment.

Kind 5 of 6

For the photographer who travels

Drone photography is about the images, not the flying. These drones often fold down to fit in a backpack and offer automated shots like orbits, follow modes and panoramas that do the hard work. They suit someone who already enjoys a camera or posts travel photos. Before buying, check whether it shoots in a RAW format for editing and how well it handles wind. See how compact it gets when folded, and whether a case and extra batteries come with it.

  • Representative photo-style image of compact foldable travel drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually $50–$100

    Compact foldable travel drone

    This drone's collapsible design makes it highly portable, perfect for adventurers who want to capture aerial shots on the go.

Kind 6 of 6

Built for speed and tight turns

Racing drones are light, fast and agile, and they're usually flown in FPV mode through gates or open fields. Crashes are part of it, so repairability matters as much as speed. They suit someone competitive who doesn't mind fixing things between flights. Before buying, check whether it's ready to fly or needs assembly and setup. Confirm that goggles, a radio and batteries are included, and that frames, motors and propellers can be swapped out easily.

  • Representative photo-style image of high-speed fpv racing drone — generated, not a specific product

    Gift ideaUsually over $100

    High-speed fpv racing drone

    Designed for speed and agility, this drone provides an exhilarating first-person view experience for competitive pilots.

How to choose drones as a gift

  • Match the drone to where it will be flown: indoor spaces call for mini drones, open fields and trips for camera or racing models.
  • Check what comes in the box, since goggles, controllers, chargers and spare batteries are sometimes sold separately.
  • For a first drone, choose stability features like altitude hold over top speed or advanced camera specs.
  • Look at weight before buying, as heavier drones need registration and the pilot may need to pass a basic test.
  • Extra batteries and spare propellers make a thoughtful add-on, because short flight times are the most common frustration.

Usually safe to skip

  • Feature-packed pro camera drones for someone who has never flown, since the learning curve and worry about crashing often keep them grounded.
  • Racing kits that need soldering and setup for someone who just wants to fly on Christmas morning.
  • Tiny toy drones with no spare parts for an adult hobbyist, as they usually feel like a novelty and get set aside quickly.

Questions people ask about drones

What is the easiest drone for a beginner to fly?
Look for a small or mid-sized drone with altitude hold, one-button takeoff and landing, and headless mode. Propeller guards and a sturdy frame help it survive early bumps, and an included controller is usually easier to learn on than phone-only controls.
Do you need to register a drone in Canada?
In Canada, drones weighing 250 grams or more must be registered with Transport Canada, and the pilot needs a drone pilot certificate. Lighter drones don't need registration, which is one reason small models are popular gifts. The US has similar rules through the FAA.
What's the difference between an FPV drone and a camera drone?
A camera drone is built to capture steady photos and video, often with GPS and automated shots. An FPV drone sends live video to goggles so the pilot flies from the drone's point of view, and it's built more for speed, agility and the thrill of flying.

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Everything else

All drones picks

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