10 Best Kids Metal Detectors Reviewed in 2024
Stacey Joseph
Did you know that metal detectors for kids are just as functional, successful, and fun as the ones available for adults? Well, we have compiled a list of the best ones currently being offered by manufacturers online for children. everyone loves to hunt for things, especially items that can be valuable and worth a lot of money. You just never know what you will find along the beach, in the backyard, in a grassy pasture, in the woods, along a stream or pond, or on a farm. People drop things and cannot find them, then they are buried under the soil or sand over time. Your kids can have loads of fun searching and uncovering such objects. We have analyzed each product according to their accessories, design, ease of use, and accuracy at discovering items. Some are for little kids and others are for the older crowd. Let’s start digging!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 42 hrs of research
Recognizes objects of coin size to six inches
Detects bigger things to two feet down
Use privately with the headphones
Adjustable handle and weighs only 2.2 pounds
7-inch coil that is weather-resistant
10 Best Children's Metal Detectors Reviewed
1. Bounty Hunter Gold Digger
Recognizes objects of coin size to six inches
Detects bigger things to two feet down
Use privately with the headphones
Adjustable handle and weighs only 2.2 pounds
7-inch coil that is weather-resistant
Some people did not like the headphone quality
Overall functioning was disappointing to a few
The Bounty Hunter Gold Digger Metal Detector for kids can be used to hunt for any kind of metal that is valuable from iron relics to gold coins at the park, beach, or in the backyard.
Read moreWith over 1,700 online reviews, this product is the most popular metal detector for kids online that buyers love. It lets you find only valuable things using the control of trash elimination and the all-metal mode. It can be used in crowded places privately with the included headphones and needs two alkaline batteries of 9-volt wattage that are not included. An adjustable handle comes with the detector, plus it weighs only 2.2 pounds.
Design
This incredible device features ground control that is automatically tuned and sensitivity and power control and has a 7-inch coil that is weather-resistant. It is usable anywhere with or without the headphones.
Accessories
The 7-inch coil and the adjustable handle are two aspects of this detector that make it easier to use. it comes with a set of headphones to make searching in public places private.
Accuracy
This wonderful kids metal detector can recognize objects of coin size as far as six inches in the ground and detects bigger things to the depth of two feet down. You set the device to eliminate what you do not want to find.
Ease of use
It can be utilized anywhere for searching and is educational and fun for the whole family. With the featured control aspects, users only find items that are metal and not considered trash.
2. Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior
Voids unwanted things and iron
Coil is weather-resistant, rustproof, and 6.5 inches
Comfortable, lightweight and ergonomic
Includes an indicator for low battery
Sensitivity and power are adjustable
Did not work great when tested by a few buyers
Could miss some items in the ground
Including a meter with target indicator for signal strength and proportional volume to match the signal strength, the Bounty Hunter BHJS Junior Metal Detector for kids is best for ages six to twelve.
Read moreIt can detect objects three feet in the ground and items of coin size as far down as five inches. There is a coil that is weather-resistant, rustproof, and 6.5 inches in length and an indicator for low battery. The design is comfortable to handle, lightweight, and ergonomic for kids. It will find all metals including steel, iron, aluminum, brass, silver, and gold, plus uses two batteries that are 9V alkaline. The sensitivity and power are adjustable.
Design
The signal volume of this terrific detector enhances as the device closes in on the target and features discrimination control that avoids unwanted things and iron that is not the target.
Accessories
No accessories come with this kids metal detector, but it has several modes and adjustable settings. These can make the difference between finding something valuable and detecting just some old piece of iron.
Accuracy
Larger items in the ground up to three feet and small things as far as five inches can be discovered with this fabulous device. Coins are usually the most found item just below the surface of the ground.
Ease of use
Being just the right size for kids to use, this superb mechanism makes finding the treasure so easy and smooth. It is lightweight and simple to learn plus has several adjustable controls for accuracy.
3. Ground EFX MC1 Youth
Can detect coins five inches down
Handle is adjustable for the height of the child
Will void detection of unwanted items
Contains a Visual Target Indicator
Weighs just two pounds
Could have troubles extending the handle length
A couple of kids lost interest quickly
The Ground Youth Metal Detector is an analog detector for youths that will find large pieces of metal that are as much as two feet in the ground.
Read moreWeighing just two pounds, this metal detector for kids can detect coins in the ground five inches down and is tough and long-lasting for kids to use. The construction is plastic in the pleasing color of black and bright green with an adjustable handle for the height of the child. The circular coil is submersible to two feet and 6.5 inches in diameter, which will avoid detection of unwanted items encountered. It contains a Visual Target Indicator with an OK test of the battery. Batteries are required but not included.
Design
This plastic two-pound detector is perfect for children to use since it is lightweight, has a large circular coil, and fun to look at. They can physically carry it for the long periods of hunting without any problems.
Accessories
Sometimes kids metal detectors come with some extras to help you with your discoveries but this one only has the terrific modes and features on the detector itself. Kids will have to bring along their own shovel and collection bags.
Accuracy
Buried items can be found as far down as two feet and smaller things to five inches with this wonderful product. this would detect any type of coin or metal piece easily if it is near the surface.
Ease of use
The problems of finding metal junk and trash in the ground are avoided with the settings of this metal detector. This lightweight metal detector for kids is simple for children to understand and use on their own.
4. National Geographic Pro Series
Large coil will scan more ground quickly
Fits easily into a kid’s backpack
Comes with a learning guide in full color
Fully adjustable, professional, and lightweight
The LCD display is easy to interpret
Did not work correctly for a few buyers
The overall quality was disappointing for some
Fun for the whole family whether they include beginners or intermediates in treasure hunting, the Pro Series Metal Detector from National Geographic is collapsible and lightweight for great portability and travel.
Read moreFeaturing a pinpoint locator, four levels of sensitivity, and three modes of detection, this fantastic professional metal detector for kids fits easily into a kid’s backpack and is fully adjustable. The pinpointer aids with determining treasure from trash to the depth of twelve inches. The large coil will scan more ground quickly to locate such valuables as aluminum, rings, iron, and coins. The LCD display is easy to interpret and read, allowing kids to discover the treasures right under their feet.
Design
It has a waterproof large coil of ten inches, and the entire mechanism weighs just two pounds and folds to only 22 inches. This professional detector is great for adults and kids for great fun.
Accessories
This kids metal detector comes with a warranty of two years from the manufacturer and a learning guide in full color all about the device. A matching sand scoop and shovel are sold separately.
Accuracy
It works well at the park, the beach, or on a hike in the woods and is best for those fourteen-years-old and older. Items buried as much as twelve inches in the ground can be discovered with this device.
Ease of use
This is certainly one metal detector for kids that can go anywhere you do because it folds up into a compact form. The LCD display is easy for kids to understand along with the provided guide.
5. Bounty Hunter Junior TID
Ergonomic, adjustable, and lightweight
Includes a six-inch coil that is water-resistant
Screen is simple for children to understand
Indicates the type of metal found and the depth
Coin-sized items are located to five inches
Too toy-like for a few buyers
Did not work well said some people
The Bounty Hunter Junior TID Children's Metal Detector includes three categories of ID for items and choice controls for unwanted item elimination. Coin-sized items are located to five inches and larger ones for deeper depths.
Read moreThere is an indicator of target depth that is graphic and a separate one for the battery life. The wonderful device indicates the type of metal found and the depth and includes a six-inch coil that is water-resistant. It works with two batteries that are AA alkaline and has a frequency of operation of 6.6 kHz. Ergonomic and lightweight, this terrific product has a length that is adjustable and a weight of just 1.5 pounds. The screen is simple for children to understand and read.
Design
This is one of the most child-friendly detectors we found online with such great reviews and ratings. It can tell kids how far down the found item is and what kind it is too.
Accessories
All that is needed to go along with this metal detector for kids for locating is a bag for collections and a small shovel. The three ID categories will tell you what you have come across before you dig it up.
Accuracy
Depending on the size of the item, coin-sized things can be unearthed at five inches in the ground, while other larger pieces can be buried deeper. All sorts of treasures under the surface are just waiting to be found.
Ease of use
Kids do not have to worry about digging up junk all day since this detector has a control that tells you what is being stumbled upon. The easy read-out screen in this children's metal detector is perfect for little kids to read and learn.
6. Pudibe Pinpointer
Comes with a holster, hanging wire, manual, and a battery
Provides precise small-scale positioning
Operation is just one touch
Multifunctional, lightweight, and portable
Works on sand or soil
Some said it is more like a toy
Did not work outdoors for a couple of people
Including a belt holster, the hanging wire that is retractable, a user’s manual, and a 9V battery for functioning, this metal detector for kids weigh just 5.6 ounces.
Read moreThe hanging wire is used to carry the device easily to locate jewelry, silver, coins, and gold fast and accurately. It has pinpoint detecting and side scan of 360-degrees with the operation that is just one touch. This amazing mechanism provides precise small-scale positioning not capable of larger detection models. It is multifunctional, lightweight, and portable plus works on sand or soil.
Design
Unlike any of the other kids metal detectors listed on this page, this pinpoint mechanism is unique it is appearance and its functioning. Without the use of a coil-like the others, it uses pinpoint detecting instead.
Accessories
The accessories included with this product are the battery for operation, the manual, a holster to put it in, and a hanging wire that aids with carrying it from place to place.
Accuracy
Although the description does not say how far down in the ground the detection goes for this item, it does have 360-degree pinpointing and side-scanning when in use.
Ease of use
Children can hold this lightweight metal detector with just one hand. It is a pinpointer that claims to be more precise and accurate than larger regular devices of the same sort.
7. Viewee Classic Style
Has an LED alert light and buzzers
Finds coin-sized metal to as much as eight inches
Coil for searching is waterproof
The handle is adjustable
Works in shallow pools of water or stream beds
Not the most durable detector
Did not perform to a few buyers’ expectations
The Viewee Metal Detector for kids has an LED alert light and buzzers and discovers coin-sized metal to as much as eight inches deep in the ground.
Read moreThe coil for searching is waterproof, and the handle is adjustable. Use it in the park, on the beach, or in the backyard to get kids interested in the environment and history. Even shallow pools of water or stream beds make great places to hunt for treasures. This fantastic product includes a user guide, carry bag, backpack chain, and a plastic shovel designed for the beach.
Design
This mechanism for finding buried items is childlike in that it is not complicated or heavy. It does find hidden objects in the ground and has several great accessories to make the experience more enjoyable.
Accessories
Along with this kids metal detector, you get a backpack to put everything in, a chain for the pack, a guide on how to use the device, and a small shovel that is appropriate for the beach.
Accuracy
Items buried eight inches or less will be located with this superb device. Anything that is small like a coin, such as jewelry or coins, will make this detector light up and make noise.
Ease of use
Made with little children in mind, this marvelous detector has lights and buzzers to alert kids when they have found something in the ground. Being that it is waterproof, the places to search are endless.
8. Marnur Kit LCD Display
Includes seven levels of sensitivity
Has a 9.84-inch coil for wider detection range
LCD display is large with advanced technology
Locates six kinds of metals
Has a compass on the end of the shovel
Would not find metals for a couple of buyers
The LCD screen malfunctioned said a few
Finds objects as deep as eight inches and locate six kinds of metals with the Marnur Metal Detector Kit. The LCD display is large with advanced technology and a 9.84-inch coil for wider detection range and accuracy making it one of the best metal detectors for kids
Read moreIt even works indoors too to find unseen keys, coins, and more and has seven levels of sensitivity. The deep detection is accurate and can discriminate for all metals. It comes with a multifunctional shovel that can be a hoe, pick, saw, or hook. Other accessories are a large and a small bag for tools and treasures and the batteries for operation. This waterproof kids metal detector has sensitivity and volume adjustment.
Design
Use this wonderful device indoors or outdoors to find the items you are looking for. With seven levels of sensitivity and the accessories, kids will be busy for hours trying to find treasure.
Accessories
An incredible shovel is included with this children's metal detector that can function as many different tools. There are also the batteries needed to make the item work and a couple of bags to put everything in.
Accuracy
This incredible device works great among ruins, on farmland, in sands, and on beaches and will discriminate metals or leave out unwanted items. Eight-inch deep items will be located easily with this product.
Ease of use
Soft foam for comfort is on the handle and there is armrest cushion. It has an adjustable stem for various heights and a compass on the end of the shovel for those that get lost easily outdoors.
9. Intey with Pinpoint Function
Can be utilized in shallow water
Length is adjustable for height
Has a support for the arm
Can be used with headphones
Includes a pouch, batteries, and a shovel
Some did not like the overall quality
Malfunctioned for a few buyers
Including a pinpoint function which is not on most other metal detectors, this metal detector from Intey is lightweight and made of ABS material.
Read moreThe pinpointer is a button that strategically and accurately locates the item in question giving a sound and a signal when metal is hit upon. It can be used with headphones to eliminate the beeping sound for others nearby. Included are two modes of Disc and Metal. Metal is used to find various metals, and Disc is used to tell you the type of metal found and can take them out too. This can be utilized in shallow water also.
Design
With headphones and this children's metal detector, you can search for treasures quietly without disturbing anyone nearby. It has several extras to help with the searching and two modes of detection.
Accessories
This fabulous item includes a carrying pouch, batteries, and a folding shovel. The shovel is multifunctional to help with more than just digging in the ground for the items.
Accuracy
With the included pinpointer in this metal detector for kids, the locating is much easier and precise than with other models. Using the different modes also aids with better findings and accuracy.
Ease of use
The length is adjustable for the height of the child, and there is a support for the arm while using the mechanism. With the additional accessories, this is one of the easier children's metal detectors available.
10. RM Ricomax LCD
Resistant to all weather conditions
Starts with just the simple press of a button
Comes with a carrying bag, shovel, and rake
Lightweight and has a foldable coil
Uncovers jewelry, coins, keys, gold, and silver
Not a professional detector
Did not detect anything for a couple of people
This metal detector for kids gives off a buzzer sound of vibration when items are located. Weighing just two pounds, The Ricomax Metal Detector has a coil that is waterproof and 7.4 inches in diameter.
Read moreThe stem is adjustable, and the mechanism is lightweight with the foldable coil. It can be used underwater as the product is resistant to all weather conditions. This children's metal detector starts with just the simple press of a button and comes with a carrying bag, small shovel, and small rake. It uncovers jewelry, coins, keys, gold, and silver and works for both soil and sand surfaces.
Design
Not all metal detectors are waterproof, but this one is. Both the stem and the coil can take the water in small pools, ponds, and streams so users can search in the water too.
Accessories
With the product, children get a carrying bag and two ground tools to dig up what the detector locates. This is really all anyone needs to hunt for buried treasures in the ground.
Accuracy
Success will occur on both sand and soil surfaces with this waterproof detector. The exact depth of items that can be found was not given in the description, but it will find any type of small metal object near the surface.
Ease of use
Kids can fold the coil at the bottom of this device to make it easier to transport and store. This kids metal detector is lightweight considering it comes with a large coil for better ground coverage when searching.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Design
All of these simple devices will detect metal in the soil or sand at a reasonable depth of about eight inches. They have easy controls and aspects that children can understand and manipulate for successful hunts for buried items. These are lightweight with various modes that can detect just the desired metals and not the usual junk and garbage that is found with such mechanisms. The listed products differ in the accessories they come with, the size and weight of the device, the functions, LCD screens, and portability.
Accessories
About half of these products come with accessories such as carrying bags, collection bags, shovels, rakes, and one even has a compass. With or without accessories, children will find plenty of metal items wherever they go to look. These accessories make the experience more fun and enjoyable, but all else that is really needed is a collection bag for the treasures. The detectors can be carried in a child’s backpack if they must travel a distance to get to the digging location.
Accuracy
Most of these products have a success rate for small coin-like items to a depth of about eight inches. Any deeper than that requires the object to be much larger. Any type of metal can be located with these mechanisms, such as gold, aluminum, silver, iron, rings, zinc, copper, and jewelry. A few have a pinpointer feature that aids with the exact location for a better outcome in the digging process.
Ease of Use
Just load in the batteries and read the directions for operating any of these devices to be ready for searching in the outdoors. We did pick a good selection for different ages of kids, so the older ones would not feel as if all detectors are for little kids. Some seem quite simple, but the main focus is getting the child interested in a fun and educational hobby. These are all lightweight and quite easy to read the screens and controls.
Design Accessories Accuracy Ease of Use 
The first metal detector that parents get for their children does not have to cost a lot to be fun and effective. There are some economical choices on the market that get results and will not break the bank, such as any of the ones on this list.
Get children to practice their skills of detecting metal in the backyard first before you go to a public place. They will already have some skills from these trial periods and be more prepared for finding items in public.
Other Factors to Consider
Educational Value
Children will learn a lot about science, history, and the environment when they take up the hobby of metal detecting. They must know where there is soft ground or sand that can take the digging needed to reach the findings. They will be discovering hidden objects hands-on and away from computer and phone screens. If they do find some historical items, then they get to learn about them and keep them.
Connectivity
All of these metal detectors work with the use of alkaline batteries. Some of them are supplied and others are not. We make note in the different sections about the batteries and whether or not they must be purchased separately. these devices must use batteries because they are outdoor items that must be free to roam wherever you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: What types of things can kids find with a metal detector?
Anything metal will be detected within the given range of operation of the detector. This can be gold, silver, steel, iron, aluminum, zinc, copper, and brass that is in the ground. Once the mechanism senses the metal under the surface, it lets the user know. Kids will not know what the item is until they dig it up. Using one of the pinpointer devices will locate the object exactly. A few of these devices will even let you know how far down the item is in the ground.
q: Do these need a power source, and if so, what kind?
Yes, most of them run on batteries since they must be wireless. We do list the battery types and if the device comes with the batteries or not with the purchase of the product in each section for you. the batteries are all easily found in any kind of convenience or grocery store. It does not take much wattage to operate these mechanisms. About half of the products featured come with the batteries needed.
q: What makes these products the best for kids and not an adult detector?
Adult metal detectors are more complicated than the ones sold for kids since they have more features and intricate controls. Adult devices are also much heavier to hold for long periods of searching. The child metal detectors are lightweight and simple with just a few modes and functions. These mechanisms are wonderful to spark a lifelong interest in the child for looking for buried treasures. About half of them come with accessories to make the job of hunting much more fun and exciting for everyone. Having a bag or backpack to carry the product is great if you must walk a long stretch to get to the search location.
q: Do any of these metal detectors for kids come with accessories for finding items?
Yes, some of these detectors come with carrying bags, shovels, and collection bags for treasure. One of them has a compass in the handle of the shovel. Some of the shovels are multifunctional too to double as picks and sticks to help with the digging and recovery process.
q: Where can children look for buried items?
Anywhere that they are allowed to dig in the ground surface without any problems is a good spot. The best spot is your own backyard, to begin with, but kids can go to the beach, park, or wooded areas to search for buried items. Any grassland, farm, or pasture would also be great places to look for things that might have been lost and buried by soil, sand, and time.
q: Is there a special way to dress for hunting for buried things?
Yes, depending on where the child uses the detector, it is best to dress appropriately. They will be walking and standing for quite a while, so make sure they are wearing comfortable shoes and clothing for the outdoor weather and area. In a wooded area, ensure that kids are wearing rugged shoes with traction to protect their feet and keep them from slipping and falling. If the weather is cool, get them to wear layers of clothing that they can remove if the weather turns warmer in the day. Snacks, hats, water, and sunscreen are helpful too.
Sources
- , Metal detecting with kids, Online Article
- , Metal Detecting Tips for Beginners, Online Article
- , The Ultimate Guide to Metal Detecting, Online Article
