7 Best VR Headsets for Kids

If you’re a parent looking to give your child an exciting, early experience with VR, or if you’re just a fun-loving person looking to try something new, here are the best kids’ virtual reality headsets and programs.

VR is the technology that has captured the hearts and imaginations of many, young and old alike. Unlike other gadgets and computer programs that have been made for children, VR is more than just an app. It seeks to provide a new kind of entertainment altogether.

As more children get access to Virtual Reality headsets, technology will quickly become an essential part of a child’s education. Here are seven kids’ virtual reality headsets and programs worth checking out.

What is Kids VR?

The best Kids VR headset is the one that fits your needs and budget. If you’re looking for something to play with your kids, we recommend looking at our top picks in this guide.

If you want something that multiple people can use, then look for a product with adjustable straps and lenses and a wide field of view (FOV).

How does Kids VR work?

Kids VR headsets use lenses to display images on screens inside the headset. The lenses warp the image to appear 3D when viewed through them.

The viewer’s eyes then converge on these points to create depth perception and simulate the distance between objects. This allows us to see three dimensions (3D) instead of just two sizes (2D).

7 Awesome Kids VR Headsets and Programs

Virtual Reality is an excellent tool for getting kids outside and away from screens. It’s also a great way to encourage their imagination and creativity.

Here are 7 excellent kid-friendly VR headsets and programs that will keep your kids entertained for hours!

1.      Oculus Go

The Oculus Go is a standalone VR headset that doesn’t need to be connected to a computer or smartphone. It’s easy to use and has a great selection of games, apps, and videos.

This is an excellent headset for kids because it’s easy to set up and use. There are no wires or cables to worry about, so they can play games and watch videos. The Go also has a library of over 1,000 apps and games available in the Oculus Store, making it easy for kids to find something they like.

The headset is lightweight and comfortable, but it’s not as powerful as other headsets on this list. It also has one camera for tracking motion, which means your kid might not be able to move around as much in their virtual world (the same goes for latency).

Pros:

• Super simple to use.
• Great for kids who are not yet mobile.
• Great for travel.

Cons:

• A limited selection of content.

2.      Merge VR

Merge VR is a new brand making waves in the Virtual Reality (VR) market. The Merge VR headset is designed with various smartphones, including the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and Samsung Galaxy S8+.

It also works with the Merge Cube, a 3D puzzle that can be manipulated by hand or used in conjunction with the headset to create unique experiences.

The Merge is a kids-only virtual reality headset designed for ages 6 and up, and it’s one of the most kid-friendly VR headsets on this list. It comes with two controllers that look like oversized, squishy balls. The Merge also has an easy setup process —snap your phone into the headset, and you are ready to go!

You can download games and apps directly from the Merge app store, with more than 50 titles available. You can also use your own Google Cardboard apps through the Merge app store.

Pros:

• Comfortable and easy to wear.
• Parental controls.
• Great content selection.

Cons:

• ·       Not compatible with all devices.

3.      Google Cardboard

Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google for use with a head mount for a mobile phone. Named for its fold-out cardboard viewer, the platform uses your existing smartphone to power VR experiences. You can find it pretty much anywhere online or in stores.

You can make your own VR headset using cardboard, lenses, and magnets that connect to your phone or buy one from Google’s store. The company has partnered with several manufacturers to build headsets compatible with its platform, including Mattel’s View-Master and Zeiss’ VR One Plus.

The free official app for Google Cardboard is called Google VR, and it offers a variety of fun activities for kids. This includes games like Animals in My Town, which lets you explore various habitats worldwide like the jungle or the deep sea, and Scavenger Hunt.

Pros:

• Works with most smartphones.
• Easy to set up and use.
• Affordable price point.

Cons:

• ·       Limited field of view compared to other headsets.

4.      Oculus Rift

The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset developed and manufactured by Oculus VR. The product consists of a head-mounted unit (HMD) that features two small high-resolution OLED displays, 360° vision, and rotational and positional tracking, which allows the user to move within 5 meters of their physical environment without leaving their chair.

The Rift’s development kit was called the “Development Kit 2” (DK2). It featured an improved display resolution over the DK1 and allowed for better motion tracking than its predecessor by adding an external infrared sensor.

Pros:

• Compatible with most PC games
• Seamless 360-degree motion tracking
• Wide field of view (100 degrees)

Cons

• The headset doesn’t come with controllers.

5.      Samsung Gear VR for Kids

Samsung Gear VR is one of the most popular VR headsets out there, and it’s also one of the safest options for kids. It’s a virtual reality headset that works with your smartphone to immerse you in an entirely new world.

The headset is lightweight, so it won’t strain your child’s head or neck while they’re wearing it. Plus, it has adjustable straps that allow you to adjust its size to fit snugly without being too tight.

This headset is designed for children 8 years old and up, and it’s easy to use —snap your phone into place, and you’re ready to go! If your child is younger than 8, consider the Fisher-Price MyVR Baby Monitor, which lets parents control what their little one sees through an app on their smartphone or tablet.

Pros:

• Easy to use.
• Lightweight.
• Low cost, under $100.

Cons:

• No volume control.

6.      Viveport VR

Viveport is a subscription service that gives you access to hundreds of VR apps and games. It offers a wide variety of experiences, from virtual tours of museums to first-person shooters.

The app has plenty of kid-friendly content, from the 360-degree video game “Sky Town” to “Lunar Stone: Origin,” which puts players in the shoes of an astronaut exploring the moon’s surface.

It has various VR content, including games and apps that you can download for free or purchase for a fee. Viveport VR also features Vive Video, which lets you watch 2D and 3D videos from your favorite streaming services.

The app has a fairly basic interface, but it’s easy to use and has plenty of features that make it worth using instead of SteamVR itself.

You can access all your existing Vive titles from inside the Viveport app, and you can also browse the store and create wishlists without leaving it. Some games are available on both platforms, but if you want to try something new in VR, then Viveport is worth checking out.

Pros:

• Viveport has a great selection of VR apps and games.
• It’s compatible with both the Vive and Rift.
• The app store is easy to navigate and use.

     Cons:

• It doesn’t support other headsets, like the Pimax 5K Plus or Oculus Quest.

7.      Meta Quest 2

Meta Quest 2 is an exciting, immersive, and educational virtual reality game for kids. It is a live-action adventure game designed to teach your child about the world around them while also providing hours of entertainment. Your child will get to explore new worlds, fight monsters, and save the day in this game!

The game takes place in a magical library where your child will use their imagination to solve problems and complete quests. The game features various environments, including outer space and tropical islands. You can interact with over 50 different characters, including dragons, pirates, and even dinosaurs!

It’s an immersive experience that lets you play as a character called META, who uses telekinesis and other powers to complete quests. The game features 12 levels with increasing difficulty, perfect for children of all ages.

Pros

• The game is free to download.
• It’s easy to control, with only one button.
• The graphics are colorful and engaging.

Cons

• The dialogue in the game can be wordy at times, which may bore younger children who aren’t ready for longer stories yet.

Summing Up!

VR provides a hands-on approach to learning and gaming that traditional screens can’t match. So if you’re searching for some fantastic new VR products to give your kids this holiday season, look no further than these seven kids’ VR headsets and programs.

You’re sure to find something that sparks their interest in an immersive way. The best headset for your kids will depend on your specific needs and budget.

There are many other things to consider as well, including design quality and comfort, image resolution and quality, mobile device compatibility, and more. The last thing you want is for your child to be uncomfortable or have an adverse reaction to their new gadget.