Best Kids Flashlight and Headlamp for Hiking and Camping

Our grand kids love flashlights. Leave one laying around and it’s sure to show up in a child’s hands. They love using flashlights or headlamps to go on great adventures, both real and imagined. So with 6 young boys on our hands we go through a lot of kids flashlights and kids headlamps, and pretty much a lot of other stuff. We are always on the search for the best kids flashlights.

As you know, kids have an amazing knack for losing and breaking stuff. So when it comes to hiking and camping, we are looking for the trifecta! That means we want cheaper children’s headlamps and flashlights that are also durable and of good quality. You also want a lot of color choices – right? Then everyone can have their own flashlight with no fighting. (Yes, you just heard a big sigh!)

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Here’s some things we’ve learned in the process and several amazing choices for children’s flashlights.

✔️ Our Favorite Camping Flashlight for Kids…

We found over a dozen amazing headlamps and flashlights that we share below, but our overall favorite and best kids flashlight is the Dorcy 55 lumen Floating Waterproof LED Flashlight because it will withstand just about any beating your kids give it! (I even keep one of these tucked in my car door pocket because I love it so much.)

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Choosing your Kids Flashlight and Headlamp

Choosing the best headlamp for kids is not an easy process. If you’re looking for cool flashlights for kids, there are a number of features to consider; weight, durability, waterproof, power sources, burn time, cost price, lumens, beam distance, red lights and more. Take a look at the list of features in our overview of how to choose the Best Ultralight Headlamps for Hiking and Trekking.

Best Kids Headlamp Descriptions

Foxelli USB Rechargeable Headlamp Flashlight – Economical Rechargeable Battery

Weighing just 2.4 oz, the lightweight Flashlight is perfect for adults and kids alike. It has both white and red lights with 5 spotlight modes and a 60 degree tiltable body. The IPX5 rating for the Foxelli USB Rechargeable Headlamp protects it from water sprays and splashes. The headlamp is also dustproof, sandproof, snowproof, shockproof. The USB rechargeable 1200Mah Lithium battery can be fully charged in 4 hours and last for up to 30 hours. The headlamp is ergonomically designed and durable.

Energizer LED Headlamp for Kids – Durable and Bright

Bright, but not too bright, this great headlamp is designed with kids in mind. First the super comfy headband of the LED headlamp from Energizer is detachable so you can throw it in the washer after an adventurous day. The ring around the light has 3 interchangeable color bands so everyday can be a new color. The on/off button on this kids headlamp is easy to use for little fingers.

PETZL TIKKID – Best Quality For Busy Kids

This headlamp for kids has been designed with an amazing battery life and lower lumens to protect the sensitive eyes of our children. The single button is easy to use and the battery pack is protected by a flat screw-head, so that kids don’t open it by mistake.

The PETZL TIKKID has a great hybrid design that works with AAA batteries but can be replaced by the CORE rechargeable battery. It’s the best headlight for kids as the phosphorescent reflector helps you keep an eye on them when they’re looking for critters at the edges of the campsite or out in the back garden in the dark.

COB LED Headlamp Flashlight – Ultra LightWeight and a Super Deal

This can be used as a kids headlight or by adults for outdoor work, camping, running and cycling. The new COB or “Chip on Board” technology increases heat efficiency and provides greater lumen-per-watt ratios. The COB LED headlamp can also be taken off the band and used as a pocket lamp. The manufacturers haven’t mentioned the lumens, but the lamp can definitely light up a room.

At just 1.35 oz, your kids won’t even feel it on their heads. Plus at under $20 for a set of 4, you won’t mind too much if your kid uses this headlamp for target practice or as a weapon (not that it ever happens that way lol!).

Dinobryte LED T-Rex Dinosaur Headlamp – For the Truly Adventurous Child

This is made for the youngsters who love dinosaurs, and roars thrice every time it’s turned on. At around 5.6 oz, you’re kids won’t be bothered by the weight but will spend a lot of time opening and closing the dino’s mouth to turn the light on and off.

The kids dinosaur headlamp is IPX4 waterproof and there’s a protective lens over the headlamp that prevents breaking. Kids just love them; be it for camping, playing fort, hiking, reading, exploring or as a night light. Better make sure you’re okay with the noise before buying it, because it really has a mighty roar!

More Animals in the Zoo! Here’s a couple more fun headlamps that kids will love:

Best Kids Flashlight

Dorcy 55 lumen Floating Waterproof LED – Floating Flashlight

If you’re looking for the most durable kids flashlight, then the Dorcy 55 lumen Floating Waterproof LED is a great choice. It has a capacity of 55 lumens, beam distance of 31 meters, and a really long run time of 8 hrs 45 mins. The rugged design is impact resistant while the shock absorbent rubber allows for a good slip-free grip. There’s a built in tail-cap carabiner in this kids camping flashlight so you can attach this kids flashlight to their belt or backpack. And if dropped into water, it floats! What else do you need?

EverBrite 9-LED Flashlight – Lightest Torch

This the lightest adults flashlight and best children’s flashlight available. It weighs just 1.34 oz and is available at an incredibly low price for a 6 pack. The colorful EverBrite has a lanyard to prevent drops and a durable body that is impact resistant up to a meter.

Your children can use them to tell ghost stories around the campfire, for reading in bed, evening walks on the beach, or for scavenger hunts in the dark. At just 12 cm in length, this children’s flashlight is pocket friendly too! I personally carry one of these in my purse because of it’s super small size. I’ve been known to find a little boy hiding in the closet hugging this perfectly sized flashlight that he quietly borrowed for exploring. You can also get the EverBrite in an 18 pack that would be perfect for a camp out party!

LUX PRO LP395 Gels Glow-in-the-Dark LED Flashlight – No more lost kids flashlights

If you’ve ever found yourself frantically searching for your child’s flashlight in the dark while they are crying, you’ll understand how perfect the Lux Pro Glow in the Dark kids flashlights will be for your next adventure. Kids are known to randomly lay down their stuff and then panic when they can’t find it, right? Here’s the solution. Their favorite flashlight will glow in the dark making it easy to find. These are available in a set or individually to make it easy to find your child’s favorite color!

EverBrite Kids Flashlight, Mini LED Torch – Easy to Grip

You’ll love the square shape of this simple 5 inch long EverBrite kids camping torch for it’s easy grip. Some kids find it so much easier to grasp the square shape than a round shape. This flashlight utilizes a soft yellow light to make it easy on children’s eyes and a single smooth moving on and off switch designed for little hands. At only 3.5 ounces this is a great kids flashlight for hiking since the lanyard will easily wrap around their wrist.

Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Giddy Buggy Flashlight – No battery drain

How cute is this little bug! It is perfect for your kids in the 3-7 range with an easy grip handle and simple to use on and off switch.

The Sunny Patch Giddy Buggy Flashlight is Designed by Melissa & Doug, known for their high quality children’s toys so you are certain have a flashlight that will survive your next trip! The only thing you won’t like is the weight on this little joy coming in at 3/4 of a pound it will be great for camping, but not so much fun to carry home on a long hike.

VTech Spin & Learn Color Flashlight – The perfect toddler flashlight

Doubling as an interactive toy for 1-3 year olds, you will be thrilled to have this distraction along when your toddler is tired of digging in the dirt at your campsite. The VTech Spin and Learn Flashlight starts as a real child’s flashlight so your child can search and discover just like a grown up. The other buttons let him see animals and hear sounds as he adventures forth.

Best Kids Camping Lanterns

Vont 4 Pack Camping Lantern Flashlights – Nearly Indestructible

No matter what children’s flashlight you give your kids, potty runs might prove to be a problem. That’s when a headlamp or a lantern comes in more handy. Cue the Vont Camping Lanterns! Having your hands free to reach for that tissue roll does make a difference!

These collapsible flashlights are made from a waterproof metal alloy and are water and weather resistant. The 146 lumen flashlight can be opened more or less depending on the amount of light you need. They weigh 5.3 oz, and are sturdy and durable. At $14.99 for a set of 2 they are perfect for adults too!

Wakeman 3 in 1 Lamp – The perfect toddler flashlight

This is a great lamp for camping since it works as traditional flashlight, as a lantern or a side panel light. You can set up the Wakeman 3 in 1 Camping Lamp on a table or in your tent to provide light for reading and changing clothes or even as a small night light. We love that it is perfect for bathroom runs where it can serve as a flashlight on the walk there and as a lantern while doing your business.

While you are out, don’t forget to take carry of your furry children too! Check out this list of the Best Lighted Collars for your Dog.

And check out our reviews of the Best Hiking Headlamps for adults too!

So that’s our list of the best headlamps and kids flashlight that your kids and grand kids might love. We know ours do!

This article was originally published September 19, 2019. We updated it on June 22, 2021 to provide the most current information.