RC helicopters · Choose
Best RC helicopters for kids
By Paul Walsh Last reviewed
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A good helicopter for a child is light, tough, easy to fly and cheap to fix. Most children lose interest in a helicopter that keeps crashing, and nobody wants a heavy model whizzing round the kitchen.
How these picks were chosen. Based on specification, manufacturer age ratings, UK parts availability and owner reports, not hands-on testing of every model. Prices from UK retailers, October 2026.
Our picks
Pick 1
RC ERA C138 Jet Ranger
RC ERA
About £80 at Model Helicopters UK, checked Oct 2026
Bell 206 scale helicopter (306mm rotor) with 6-axis gyro, altitude hold and one-key take-off and landing. Easy, realistic and inexpensive.
Pick 2
RC ERA C186 BO105
RC ERA
About £80 at Model Helicopters UK, checked Oct 2026
Small BO105 scale helicopter (256mm rotor, 2S) with gyro stabilisation and altitude hold. About 15 minutes per battery.
Pick 3
Blade Nano S3 BNF
Blade
About £135 BNF at Model Helicopters UK, checked Oct 2026
BNF: no transmitter in the box. You need a Spektrum DSMX transmitter, or buy the RTF version (about £171), which includes one. Tiny collective pitch helicopter (196mm rotor, 1S) with stability, altitude-hold and agility modes plus Panic Recovery. Cheap to crash while you learn.
Picks by age
| Age | Helicopter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| About 8 to 10 | Syma S107H (toy coaxial) | Very stable, light, altitude hold; fine for living rooms |
| About 10 to 14 | RC ERA C138 Jet Ranger or C186 BO105 | Real single-rotor flying with self-levelling and altitude hold |
| Keen teenagers | Blade Nano S3 | Small collective pitch model with Panic Recovery |
Syma S107H. The radio-controlled version of the classic S107, with altitude hold so it doesn't climb into the ceiling. Coaxial helicopters hover almost by themselves. The age rating on the box is 8+. See Syma.
RC ERA C138 Jet Ranger and C186 BO105. Small scale helicopters that look like the real thing and do much of the work for you, while still teaching proper control. They need a large room or a calm day outside. See RC ERA.
Blade Nano S3. For a teenager who has outgrown the easier models and wants to learn aerobatics. Practising on a simulator first saves a lot of broken parts; see RC flight simulators. It comes as BNF (no transmitter): you need a Spektrum DSMX transmitter to fly it, or the RTF version, which includes one.
What makes a helicopter safe for children
- Low weight. Under 50g is ideal indoors.
- Altitude hold so it can't shoot up suddenly.
- Slow, flexible blades on toys.
- A throttle cut or simple "land" button.
- Supervision. Even small rotors catch hair and fingers.
Battery safety for kids
Almost every toy helicopter uses a small LiPo battery. An adult should handle charging: on a hard surface, never overnight, and never with a swollen battery. Our guide to LiPo battery safety covers the basics in a few minutes.
Rules for flying outside
Indoors, there are no rules beyond common sense. Outdoors, the CAA's rules apply to anything of 100g or more, including the need for a Flyer ID, and children under 13 need an adult to help them register. See the UK rules for RC models.
When to step up
If your child is hovering the toy easily and wants more, a stabilised scale or fixed pitch helicopter is the next step. Our best RC helicopters for beginners explains the options, and best indoor RC helicopters helps if you're mostly flying inside. A local club is a great place for children to learn safely, with instructors who've seen it all.
Frequently asked questions
What age can a child fly an RC helicopter?
Toy coaxials are typically marked 8+ and suit children from about 8 with supervision. Hobby-grade helicopters suit keen children from about 12 to 14 with an adult helping.
Does my child need a Flyer ID?
If the helicopter weighs 100g or more and is flown outdoors, the person flying needs a Flyer ID from the CAA. Children under 13 need a parent or guardian to help them get one. Most toy helicopters are under 100g.
Are the batteries in toy helicopters safe?
They're small LiPo batteries, which are safe when charged properly. An adult should supervise charging, on a hard surface, and any swollen battery should be replaced.
Related guides
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How to charge, store, transport and dispose of LiPo batteries safely in the UK, how to spot a puffed pack and what to do if one catches fire.