The Top 8 VR Headsets for Children for Exciting Gaming Adventures

Virtual reality (VR) headsets offer an innovative and convenient way to elevate the experience of gaming or watching content to a whole new level of immersion. These cutting-edge devices utilize advanced technology, featuring specialized LED screens that manipulate images to create a realistic, multi-dimensional effect. Housed within a headset that effectively blocks out external light, sound, and distractions, users can completely immerse themselves in a thrilling 3D virtual world.

To help parents choose the most appropriate VR headsets for their children, we conducted thorough research on numerous models and sought advice from technology and medical experts. Our selection process for the best products took into consideration factors such as features, parental controls, age appropriateness, user-friendliness, and compatibility with different devices. The curated list of top brands includes Meta Quest, Sony, Nintendo, and others, providing options that cater to a variety of budgets within any family.

Top choices 

• Top pick :Meta Quest 2
• Ideal for Beginners: Abacus Brands Bill Nye VR Science Kit
• Cutting-Edge Option: Meta Quest 3
• Great for Families: HTC Vive Pro Virtual Reality System
• Luxury Choice: Meta Quest Pro
• Perfect for Mobile Devices: Bnext VR Headset
• Suitable for Preteens: Nintendo Nintendo Labo VR Kit
• Excellent Controller Integration: Sony PlayStation VR2

Top pick :Meta Quest 2

The Meta Quest 2 is a wireless VR headset created by the Facebook team. This device features 3D positional audio, provides access to over 350 titles and exclusive VR experiences (such as live events), and operates independently without the need for a PC or console. It includes a guardian boundary system to promote safe usage, notifying users if they stray from their designated play area. Additionally, the headset comes with 128GB of storage, with the option to upgrade to 256GB for additional storage capacity.

Please Note

Since the Meta Quest 2 is a product of Meta (formerly known as Facebook), users are required to have a Facebook account for logging in. Additionally, the battery life typically ranges from two to three hours, which may be considered either brief or sufficient depending on the user. However, the device offers a truly immersive virtual experience with user-friendly controllers that enhance the sense of reality.

The Details:

• Weight: 1.83 pounds
• Platforms: Oculus Quest 2
• What’s included: Two touch controllers, VR headset, Beat Saber game, charging cable, power adapter, and glasses spacer
• Age recommendation: 13 and up

“[The Meta] Quest 2 is definitely a ‘best overall’ as it offers the most bang for your buck in terms of specs and features. It's one of the most durable headsets with one of the lowest weights. Also, it gets the most updates out of any headset and is constantly improving.” - Winston Nguyen, VR developer and founder of VR Heaven."

Ideal for Beginners: Abacus Brands Bill Nye VR Science Kit

The Abacus Brands Bill Nye’s VR Science Kit offers a enjoyable and enlightening method to introduce children to the world of virtual reality. This comprehensive kit includes all the necessary components to carry out 30 unique projects and experiments exploring various scientific concepts such as chemical reactions, density, and electricity. What sets this 50-piece set apart is its custom adjustable VR goggles, allowing your child to experience flying over live volcanoes and immersing themselves in Bill Nye’s cutting-edge laboratory.

Please Note

In order to use the virtual reality feature, parents will be required to place their smartphone into the specified slot on the goggles, which may feel bulky for young children. The company also offers dinosaur and magic-themed kits that offer the same capabilities.

The details 

• Weight: 9 oz (plus the weight of a smartphone)
• Platform: FLY, iOS
• What’s included: 50-piece science set, 80-page book, VR goggles
• Age recommendation: 8–12

Cutting-Edge Option: Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 represents a significant improvement over the earlier model, the Meta Quest 2. Along with enhancements in display quality, resolution, and audio, this new version features advanced passthrough cameras that enable users to seamlessly transition between virtual reality and real-life surroundings, displayed in vivid color. Additionally, the Meta Quest 3 boasts a sleeker and more comfortable headset design than its predecessor, with customizable "pancake lenses" that cater to users who wear glasses.

Please Note

Despite a slightly reduced battery life due to its mixed reality interface, this device offers access to a vast library of over 500 apps and games. Additionally, it provides the option to create parent-managed accounts, ensuring safer access for younger users.

The details:

• Weight: 18.2 oz
• Platform: Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
• What’s included: Headset, standard facial interface, 2 touch controllers, 2 wrist straps, Asgard’s Wrath 2 game, power adaptor, charging cable, 2 AA batteries
• Age recommendation: 10 and up (with parent-managed Meta account)

Great for Families: HTC Vive Pro Virtual Reality System

We admire how the HTV VIVE Pro Headset caters to multiple family members by offering various adjustments for head size, interpupillary distance, and glasses. However, the headset does come with a higher price point. Apart from its ergonomic design, the headset boasts a generous 120-degree field of view and impressive 5K clarity. The audio quality further enhances the immersive experience with its 3D spatial sound integration. For those fully committed to the VR experience, we highly recommend trying out the complete system, which includes not only the headset but also controllers, base stations, power adapters, a mounting kit, and more.

Please Note

The price of this VR headset may be towards the higher end compared to other options on our list, but its advanced capabilities, such as the ability to incorporate real-world objects into the virtual environment, justify the initial expense.

The details

• Weight: 3.82 pounds
• Platform(s): SteamVR, Windows
• What’s included: Headset, all-in-one cable, link box, mini DP to DP adapter, 18W AC adapter, USB 3.0 cable.
• Age recommendation: 13 and up

Luxury Choice: Meta Quest Pro

The Meta Quest Pro offers users the opportunity to immerse themselves in a virtual world for both entertainment and productivity purposes. Due to its exceptional features, this Meta VR headset comes with a higher price tag. It is equipped with advanced pancake lenses, local dimming technology, high pixel density, and quantum dot technology to provide a more lifelike VR experience. With the controllers, teenagers can seamlessly incorporate their personal lives into the virtual game by writing, drawing, or messaging their friends. Additionally, the full-color sensors integrate the user's real-world surroundings into the virtual environment, while Meta Avatars transform their natural facial expressions into a fun cartoon avatar.

The Details

• Weight: 1.94 pounds
• Platform(s): Oculus Quest
• What’s included: Lithium Ion batteries, headset, two controllers and stylus tips, a charging dock, protective cover, partial light blockers, wrist straps, charging cables, and an adapter
• Age recommendation: 13 and up

Perfect for Mobile Devices: Bnext VR Headset

Transform your smartphone into a virtual reality marvel using the cutting-edge Bnext headset. With its customizable straps and soft foam padding, you can effortlessly adapt the device to comfortably fit various head sizes. The extent of the visual field is determined by the dimensions of your phone, ensuring that every user is captivated by a truly immersive 360-degree adventure.

Please Note

When using your mobile device with this VR headset, you may not experience the same level of high definition as some other models on our list. However, it is worth noting that this children's VR headset is priced at under $30, making it a great deal!

The Details

• Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Platform(s): Android, iOS
• What’s included: Headset
• Age recommendation: 13 and up

Suitable for Preteens: Nintendo Nintendo Labo VR Kit

Nintendo Switch users have the opportunity to transform their current gadgets into virtual reality (VR) headsets with the help of a modification kit provided by Nintendo. This kit contains all the essential components required to construct multiple cardboard structures, which can be experienced in VR while playing entertaining games. The most appealing aspect is that children do not require glue, tape, or scissors to bring their ideas to life.

Please Note 

While this headset may not boast the same level of visual sophistication as other models on the market, it is ideal for a younger demographic looking to dip their toes into the world of virtual reality. Keep in mind that in order to use this VR headset, you will need to have a Nintendo Switch console.

The Details

• Weight: 5.4 pounds
• Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
• What’s included: Full VR kit
• Age recommendation: 10 and up

“If your kids have never tried VR before, it'll be a cool thing to show them, especially since the content is tailored towards kids." - Winston Nguyen, VR developer and founder of VR Heaven."

Excellent Controller Integration: Sony PlayStation VR2

The PlayStation VR 2 seamlessly connects to your PlayStation console, enabling you to dive into immersive gaming experiences within moments of unboxing your headset. This VR kit opens up a whole new world of your beloved PlayStation games, with a vast selection of titles in the PlayStation library optimized for compatibility with this cutting-edge system. Immerse yourself in stunning visuals with a crystal-clear 2000 x 2040 resolution per eye on this advanced model.

Please Note

Please take note that the PS VR 2 is exclusively designed to work with Playstation 5 systems and is not compatible with older models. Additionally, a PlayStation account is required to fully experience the impressive 4K HDR visuals, 110-degree field of view, and cutting-edge graphics offered by the device.

The Details

• Weight: 7.95 pounds
• Platform(s): PlayStation
• What’s included: Headset and camera
• Age recommendation: 12 and up

Our Evaluation Procedure and Specialists

In order to find the most suitable VR headsets for children, we conducted thorough research and evaluations of numerous VR headsets. Our process involved consulting with technology and medical specialists, as well as referring to guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding children's media consumption. We factored in age appropriateness, design, user-friendliness, features, and overall value when assessing the various products. To gain further insights on choosing the right VR headsets for kids and to obtain product recommendations, we sought advice from experts such as Dr. Zishan Khan, a psychiatrist specialized in child, adolescent, and adult mental health at Mindpath Health, and Winston Nguyen, a VR developer and the founder of VR Heaven.

What to Keep in Mind When Purchasing a Virtual Reality Headset for Children?

• Consider the compatibility of the device before investing in a VR headset for your child. It is crucial to understand the specific activities the child plans to engage in with the headset. Nguyen emphasizes the significance of verifying that the device supports the games your child desires to play. According to him, headsets are designed to work with PC games, Oculus exclusive games, Playstation exclusive games, or phone experiences.

• Characteristics to Consider: When considering purchasing a virtual reality headset, it is crucial to pay attention to certain key features. These include comfort, resolution, field of vision, wireless capabilities, and compatibility with VR-enabled devices such as phones, computers, or gaming systems. While tracking features are also important, advancements in technology have made precise tracking commonplace in most modern headsets. The minutiae of tracking differences only become significant for users seeking to excel in competitive gaming scenarios.

• Convenience is key: We understand the hectic schedules of families, which is why we ensure that using a VR headset is a hassle-free experience. All the sets featured on this list come with simple and straightforward directions, making it easy to get started. Moreover, each option includes all the essential accessories for playing, with the exception of a few devices that may need to be connected to a separate phone, computer, or gaming system.

• Parental controls are essential in the era of virtual reality, as it opens up a new world of experiences for users to explore - and for parents to stay vigilant about. Just as with traditional video games, it is crucial to select a system that enables you to keep track of screen time, regulate content, and check the ratings of games being played. Thankfully, all the systems included in this list either come equipped with built-in parental control features or can easily utilize smartphone apps that offer parental control settings.