Headlamps are a super helpful tool, and there are some excellent kids’ headlamps with kid-friendly features. Unlike a flashlight, headlamps offer a hands-free light source that is perfect for winter night walks, camping, having a backyard sleepover, or even reading a book in bed. Kids love to have their own light for nighttime adventures.
We’re here to share all of our favorite headlamps for kids and what you should consider when buying a headlamp.
In this post:
- Top Battery Powered Kids Headlamps
- Top Hybrid Powered Kids Headlamp
- Most Comfortable Kids Headlamp
- Top Headlamps for Older Kids
- Buying Considerations
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Top Battery-Powered Kids Headlamps
1. Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp
This Black Diamond Wiz headlamp comes packed with kid-friendly features. It has a 2-hour shut-off to prevent battery drainage, can tilt in two directions for use even when upside down, and features a breakaway head strap.
The Bottom Line
It’s best for young kids and those who would benefit from limited lumens. The low lumens protect kids’ eyes and keep them from blinding others.
Specifications
- Battery Type: two AAA batteries
- Battery life: 120 hours
- Lumens: 30
- Weight: 43 grams
- Color options: 3
2. EverBrite Rechargeable Headlamp for Kids
The EverBrite kids’ headlamp is just 50 lumens, making it perfect for small kids. Both the angle and the strap can be adjusted, and it has a white light and a color-changing mode.
The Bottom Line
This headlight is inexpensive and a great budget option. It is a good headlamp for children with small heads and as one of their first camping headlamps.
Specifications
- Battery Type: rechargeable (USB-C)
- Battery Life: 4
- Lumens: 50
- Weight: 1.48 oz
- Color Options: 4
Top Hybrid Powered Kids Headlamp
3. Petzl TIKKID Kids’ Headlamp
This headlamp has many kid-friendly features and can be used with a usb rechargeable battery. It has a breakaway band, a one-hour battery shut off, and needs a screwdriver to access the batteries. It also has 3 lighting modes: High, Low, and Strobe.
The Bottom Line
This is a fantastic choice for young kids, though there are a few things to consider. Changing the batteries can be a bit of a chore due to the long screw that keeps them securely out of the reach of kids. Plan to do this ahead of any camping or backpacking trips to avoid having to do it in the dark in the middle of the night.
Specifications
- Battery Type: 3 AAA batteries or CORE rechargeable battery (sold separately)
- Battery Life: 61 hours on high, 110 hours on low, 100 hours on strobe
- Lumens: 20
- Weight: 2.8 oz
- Color Options: 2
Most Comfortable Kids Headlamp
4. WildLight Headband Headlamp
The Wildlight Headband Headlamp is a headlamp with a fun animal-themed headband. You can choose between a bear, fox, wolf, or deer headband. The headband is also removable for easy cleaning and is machine washable. The headlight has 3 light modes: high, low, and flashing – with a 30-lumen max.
The Bottom Line
This is an excellent choice for winter use; the fun headbands will get your young kids excited to wear their headlamps.
Specifications
- Battery Type: 2 3V Coin Batteries
- Battery Life: 6 hours on high, 18 hours on low
- Lumens: 30
- Weight: 4 oz
- Color Options: 2
Top Headlamps for Older Kids
These headlamps are great for kids who can handle higher lumens and need fewer safety features.
5. Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp
A fully-featured headlamp offering six light modes, including red light, for minimal nighttime disturbance. The headlamp also includes a “PowerTap” button on the side, switching instantly from full brightness to dimmed or vice-versa. It also offers a brightness memory feature, returning to the last used setting when you turn it on.
The Bottom Line
This is another robust headlamp, great for both older kids and younger kids, too. It’s multiple light modes may add a little complication, so consider your user.
Specifications
- Battery Type: 3 AAA batteries
- Battery Length: 200 hours
- Lumens: 350
- Weight: 2.4 oz
- Color Options: 8
6. Petzl TIKKINA Headlamp
The Petzl TIKKINA is a lightweight headlamp with the option for USB rechargeable batteries. You’ll never find yourself without light using the Petzl CORE rechargeable battery or 3 AAA batteries. The TIKKINA is operated using a single button to ease operation and reduce complexity.
It also has a 50:50 brightness-to-burn-time ratio, functioning at 50% brightness at 50% battery capacity.
The Bottom Line
This is one of the best headlamps for adults and works well for kids, too. Its versatility and compatibility with other Petzl headlamps simplifies integration with headlamps you already own.
Specifications
- Battery Type: hybrid (3 AAA batteries or Petzel CORE rechargeable battery)
- Battery Life: 120 hours on low
- Lumens: 300 on bright
- Weight: 3 oz
- Color Options: 4
7. BioLite HeadLamp
Ok, the Biolite headlamp is a bit spendy for kids, but totally worth it if you have a responsible kid looking for lots of features!
Biolite offers a super lightweight product at only 50 grams while maintaining dimmable white and red lights. It has an in-case, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charged via a micro USB cable. Its fully waterproof and has a runtime of up to 200 hours!
The Bottom Line
It’s a bit on the spendier side, but it is a high-quality option for little kids who love to adventure.
Specifications
- Battery Type: rechargeable lithium-ion
- Battery Life: 200 hours on low, 3 hours on high
- Lumens: 400
- Weight: 50 grams
- Color Options: 2
Buying Considerations
Take a moment to think about your kids’ ages and what they’ll be using the headlamp for when purchasing one. This will help you decide on the battery type, brightness, and kid-specific features you need.
Battery Type
Kids tend to leave headlamps running for long periods, so the type and efficiency of batteries is essential.
There are 3 main types of batteries:
- disposable batteries: these are your AA, AAA, and button batteries. These batteries are recycled and replaced with new batteries when they run out. Over time, the cost of buying new batteries can add up, and you have to have new batteries on hand when a change is needed.
- hybrid: the companies Petzl and Black Diamond make headlamps that use AAA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack that can be purchased separately and used in the headlamp. This creates a higher initial cost but can cut down on costs and waste down the road. We’ve been using a Petzl headlamp with a CORE rechargeable battery for the past several years and have loved it.
- Rechargeable: rechargeable headlamps usually have an enclosed battery that charges when the headlamp is plugged in. This can be another excellent option for kids, as it eliminates the need for new batteries. It can be tricky to find rechargeable kids’ headlamps. Many rechargeable headlamps have very high lumens and are too bright for kids.
In addition to battery type, it is essential to consider battery length. This is when knowing how to use the headlamp will be necessary. Are your kids using the headlamp to read in bed for 20 minutes a night at home or during a week-long backpacking trip? We always recommend finding headlamps with long battery life.
Brightness
When picking out a headlamp for kids, it’s crucial to pick one that’s not too bright. Thirty lumens is more than enough for kids to see, yet still dim enough to prevent eye damage. Kids also tend to shine their headlamps into other people’s faces, and a faint light can keep them from blinding others.
Kid Features
Many kid headlamps have features that make them kid-friendly:
- low lumens
- automatic shut-off
- breakaway head strap
- long battery life
As kids get older, these features become less essential. Older kids might do just fine with an adult headlamp. Adult headlamps generally offer additional features, such as more light modes and longer battery life. Consider the age of your kids when deciding on the best headlamp.
What’s your favorite kids’ headlamp?
Let us know what headlamps your kids love and which ones stand up to the wear and tear of kid use!
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