Metal detectors are one of our favorite hobbies because they offer an opportunity to get outdoors, explore nature and find hidden treasures.
We’ve reviewed many types of metal detectors over the years, from entry-level units perfect for beginners to more advanced devices that will make you feel like Indiana Jones as you hunt for treasure.
If your child wants to start hunting for coins or other metal objects with their own metal detector, we have eight recommendations below. These detectors range from entry-level metal detectors suitable for children under 14 to professional-grade metal detectors used by archaeologists to discover ancient artifacts and lost civilizations.
When introducing children to the hobby of metal detecting, it’s crucial to choose a metal detector that is easy for them to use and handle. The best metal detector for kids will depend on their age, size, and skill level.
An excellent option for young children is the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. This detector is designed for children and is easy to use and handle. It has a simple push-button design and lightweight construction, making it perfect for kids just starting to explore the hobby. It also has a target identification feature that helps them identify what they have found.
Another good option for kids is the National Geographic PRO Series. This detector is designed to be easy to use and has a lightweight construction, making it easy for kids to handle. It also has a discrimination feature that allows them to eliminate unwanted targets and focus on valuable items.
The Garrett ACE 300 is also an excellent option for kids. This detector is known for its ease of use. It is lightweight and has a user-friendly interface. It also has a digital target ID feature that helps kids easily identify the targets they have found.
Ultimately, the best metal detector for kids will depend on their age, size, and skill level. Choosing an easy detector for them to use and handle is essential, with features that will help them identify and learn about the items they find. It’s also a good idea to start with a beginner-friendly metal detector to help them understand the hobby’s basics before upgrading to a more advanced one.
Striker Detectors Z60 Metal Detector
The Striker Detectors Z60 has been around since 2013 and is considered the best budget metal detector available on the market right now. The Z60 features a 6-inch loop antenna which makes it ideal for finding smaller items such as rings, jewelry, and pocket change while also finding more oversized items such as coins, knives, and guns.
It weighs just 1.5 pounds and comes with a lightweight carrying case, so parents don’t need to take out a second mortgage to buy this fantastic hobby!
This affordable metal detector retails for about $149, making it one of the most affordable metal detectors for kids today.
Nokta Makro Mini Hoard Metal Detector
The Nokta Makro Mini Hoard Metal Detector is another incredible choice for younger people who want to try metal detecting without spending too much money. This metal detector boasts a 16-inch loop antenna which helps ensure that even small metal objects can be found easily.
In addition to its size, this metal detector also has several settings, including sensitivity levels, allowing users to adjust how sensitive the detector is when searching for metals at various depths.
This metal detector only costs about $80 and is easy to carry, thanks to the included backpack strap.
Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. Metal Detector
The Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. Metal Detector is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a metal detector that can help teach your child important life lessons about safety and responsibility.
The Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. Metal Detector is a very accurate metal detector that allows you to locate small metal objects buried between two and eight inches underneath the ground surface.
You can set the sensitivity depending on your digging site’s terrain. For example, setting the sensitivity to ‘low’ would be a good idea if your backyard is primarily flat. However, if your yard has many hills and valleys, you may want to set the sensitivity higher than low.
This metal detector sells for about $130 and includes a rechargeable battery, USB charging cable, user manual, and warranty information.
National Geographic Pro Series Metal Detector
The National Geographic Pro Series Metal Detector is one of the best metal detectors for kids because it is exceptionally durable and ruggedly built. With waterproof housing and a rubberized handle, this metal detector is made to withstand extreme weather conditions and keep going strong year after year.
This metal detector is capable of locating both metallic and non-metallic targets. The National Geographic Pro Series Metal Detector can even identify plastic bottles underground based on their shape.
This metal detector is rated as having a detection depth of 40 centimeters (16 inches), meaning that it can accurately detect deeper targets compared to other entry-level metal detectors.
This metal detector is sold for about $230 and comes with a free case and cleaning kit.
Teknetics Digitek Youth Metal Detector
The Teknetics Digitek Youth Metal Detector is a fantastic option if you want to purchase a metal detector but don’t necessarily want to spend much money. This metal detector is ideal for children ages 11 to 13 and is equipped with a 6-inch loop antenna to detect small metal objects.
The Teknetics Digitek Youth Metal Detector does not have accessories, but you can always pick up some extra ones online.
This metal detector sells for about $100 and is worth the investment.
Garrett Ace 150 Metal Detector
The Garrett Ace 150 Metal Detector is among today’s highest-quality metal detectors. Although it is slightly more expensive than the other metal detectors listed here, you won’t regret purchasing it because it offers superior performance and durability.
The Garrett Ace 150 Metal Detector is known for detecting metal objects down to 0.25 millimeters thick. This means that no matter where you dig, whether in the dirt or sand, you’ll be sure to find whatever you’re looking for.
This metal detector is also great for finding small metal objects that might otherwise go unnoticed using traditional metal detectors.
This metal detector sells for about $280 and comes with a free case and cleaning kit.
PalliPartners Metal Detector
Pallipartners metal detector is an excellent tool for outdoor activities such as camping and hiking, but it’s also helpful in scientific experiments in schools. As long as students follow the instructions provided by their teachers, they should be able to conduct successful experiments using this metal detector.
Students can learn about electric currents, electromagnetic waves, and the properties of metals using this metal detector. They could even create a circuit board using copper tape and aluminum foil and run an experiment to test electrical current flow through the circuit.
Although this metal detector works well for educational purposes, it isn’t recommended for personal use due to the risk of injury caused by electricity.
This metal detector sells for about $50 and doesn’t require batteries.
Little Experimenter Metal Detector
Little Experimenter metal detector is a kid-friendly metal detector designed to teach young children about science and technology. Unlike conventional metal detectors, this metal detector requires no batteries and plugs into a power outlet.
Instead of using a metal detector to find buried objects, students can use this metal detector to measure electric fields generated by magnets and simple circuits. Students can determine distance, volume, area, and direction by measuring these magnetic fields.
This metal detector is especially helpful for teaching elementary school students about electronics and magnetism. It also teaches children about the dangers of electricity and how to avoid getting shocked during experimentation.
This metal detector sells for about $30 and comes with a free carrying bag.
