Kids need headlamps to explore their surroundings, whether that means the backyard or the forest at night while family camping. We suggest 7 very good headlamps for children that won’t disappoint you. Oh, and the Dinosaur headlamp? Uh, you’re on your own there. Your child will love you for it, but we’re not telling you it’s going to last for a couple of years! All the others are PETZL brand, one of the best headlamp companies worldwide.
Criteria for Evaluation
We look at build quality (they’re all Petzl, so we know they’re strong), weight (lighter is better), battery life and options (longer/more the better), emergency options, and design and appeal to kids.
BINDI – 200 lumens
Let’s start with the BINDI, it’s one of our favorites for children. Petzl created it for runners, but I think serious runners are using one of the more advanced headlamps. The BINDI is perfect for kids, and one we highly recommend here for you. We just finished a full review on this light, you can see it here – BINDI.
The BINDI is super lightweight at just 35 grams. Even your three year old wouldn’t notice it’s up there. It comes in some cool colors. It’s tough and easy to operate.
Weight: 35 grams including battery.
Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable. Non-removable. Charges in 4 hours with micro USB.
Age Range: 5 to 12
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 200 lumens for 2 hours. 100 lumens for 3 hours. 6 lumens for 50 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 4 rating which means light rain and occasional splashes of water.
Emergency Use: Red steady light at 1 lumen for 33 hours. Flashing red strobe light visible for 400 meters (1,312 feet) for 200 hours (about 16 nights).
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e+ Lite – 30 Lumens
This was meant to be a specialty headlamp for emergencies, but it does very well for a kid’s headlamp. It’s feather-light at just 26 grams and has a really cool look to it. It only comes in one color, black, but it may appeal to some kids with its futuristic design.
Weight: 26 grams including battery.
Battery: Store-bought CR2032 batteries (2). This makes carrying extras (even 10) very convenient. No lithium-ion rechargeable.
Age Range: 3 to 12
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 30 lumens for 3.5 hours. 20 lumens for 9.5 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 7 rating which is good for heavy rain and submersion at 1 meter depth for up to 30 minutes.
Emergency Use: The 15 lumens white strobe light lasts for 95 hours (about 8 nights). The 2 lumens steady red light lasts for 15 hours. The 2 lumens red strobe lasts for 70 hours. Has a whistle built into the head strap. Comes with own rubber pouch to store it.
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TIKKID – 20 Lumens
The TIKKID, as you might guess, was made specifically for kids. Young kids 3 years old and older. The battery compartment is locked and the light isn’t strong enough to hurt young eyes. COOLEST FEATURE? The light automatically powers off after one hour, so it can act as a nightlight! Glows green too when powered off!
Weight: 80 grams including CORE battery.
Battery: CORE lithium-ion rechargeable battery (buy separately) or 3 AAA store batteries (included) or 3 AAA nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries.
Age Range: 3 to 6
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 20 lumens for 61 hours. 4 lumens for 110 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 4 rating, good for light rain and some splashing.
Emergency Use: The white strobe light is visible for 1,000 meters for 100 hours (about 8 nights). There is no red light.
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TIKKINA – 250 Lumens
The TIKKINA is an older kids headlamp that is fairly powerful at 250 lumens brightness. It’s lightweight and has good battery options. It can be mounted on a bicycle with Petzl’s BIKE ADAPT or helmet with KIT ADAPT.
Weight: 81 grams with the CORE battery.
Battery: CORE lithium-ion rechargeable battery (buy separately) or 3 AAA store batteries (included) or 3 AAA nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries.
Age Range: 5 to 12
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 250 lumens for 2 hours. 100 lumens for 9 hours. 6 lumens for 120 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 4 rating, good for light rain and some splashing.
Emergency Use: None specified. No red light. The low setting on 6 lm just last for 120 hours (about 10 nights).
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TIKKA – 300 Lumens
With 300 lumens brightness, the TIKKA headlamp from Petzl is getting into older child territory. Three hundred lumens is quite bright and would be good for riding a bike at night in a safe place (slowly) and the battery is easily replaceable by a child or adult. If you want an even brighter headlamp for your child, look at the ACTIK CORE next.
Weight: 82 grams including CORE battery.
Battery: CORE lithium-ion rechargeable battery (buy separately) or 3 AAA store batteries (included) or 3 AAA nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries.
Age Range: 6 to 12
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 300 lumens for 2 hours. 100 lumens for 9 hours. 6 lumens for 120 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 4 rating, good for light rain and some splashing.
Emergency Use: There is a steady red beam of 2 lumens that runs for 60 hours. The red strobe is visible for 700 meters (almost 1/2 mile) for 400 hours (about 33 nights). The white light can shine for 120 hours (about 10 nights) at 6 lumens.
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ZIPKA – 300 Lumens
A very unique headlamp with retractable straps to help simplify packing and attaching to things. The ZIPKA headlamp puts out 300 lumens and has a red emergency light as well. Petzl has been selling this headlamp for about a decade, so it is obviously selling well! You can attach it to your wrist, a bike, or a tree or tent pole. Another cool feature besides the design is that there is a glowing portion of the light to help find it at night.
Weight: 66 grams including CORE battery.
Battery: CORE lithium-ion rechargeable battery (buy separately) or 3 AAA store batteries (included) or 3 AAA nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries.
Age Range: 6 to 12
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 300 lumens for 2 hours. 100 lumens for 9 hours. 6 lumens for 120 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 4 rating, good for light rain and some splashing.
Emergency Use: There is a steady red beam of 2 lumens that runs for 60 hours. The red strobe is visible for 700 meters (almost 1/2 mile) for 400 hours (about 33 nights). The white light can shine for 120 hours (about 10 nights) at 6 lumens.
Price: Check now
ACTIK CORE – 450 Lumens
The ACTIK CORE is a kids or adult headlamp that can be used for many activities that involve faster movement (running, cycling) because the 450 lumens brightness is more useful. The headlamp is still very light and has a red light with emergency capabilities.
Weight: 75 grams including CORE battery.
Battery: CORE lithium-ion rechargeable battery (included) or 3 AAA store batteries (buy separately) or 3 AAA nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable batteries.
Age Range: 6 to 12
White Beam: Flood beam (wide). 450 lumens for 2 hours. 100 lumens for 8 hours. 6 lumens for 130 hours.
Water Resistance: IPX 4 rating, good for light rain and some splashing.
Emergency Use: There is a steady red beam of 2 lumens that runs for 60 hours. The red strobe is visible for 700 meters (almost 1/2 mile) for 400 hours (about 33 nights). The white light beam can shine for 130 hours (about 10 nights) at 6 lumens.
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BONUS TYRANNOSAURUS REX DINOSAUR HEADLAMP!
This is only for kids, so don’t let us see you trying to get this for yourself. They went the extra mile with this crazy headlamp. Let me explain. You turn it on by squeezing the dinosaur’s jaw. When you do, the headlamp turns on. Not only that, but the dinosaur ROARS! How cool is that? They don’t give many specifics on this beast, but I’ll leave a link below so you can go have a look. Is it worth the smile on your kids’s face? We’re getting one for our daughter!
Price: Check now