Best Metal Detectors for Kids Guide
Considering Metal Detecting with Your Kids?
From scavenger hunts to geocaching, there is an innate excitement in the hunt for treasure. Metal detecting is a hobby that provides many benefits, the least of which is that it's fun for practically any age. This guide will highlight some of our favorite choices for metal detectors which are easy enough for kids and beginners, with the functionality and price that adults will enjoy.
Benefits For Kids & Adults:
- Bonding Experiences – A chance to spend time together, and to make lasting memories.
- Getting Into the Great Outdoors – With the advent of Nature Deficit Disorder, fun reasons to get outside and into nature are a benefit for all ages.
- Fresh Air and Exercise - You've probably heard how good walking and moving is for our bodies, and metal detecting lends itself perfectly to that.
- Patience and Resilience - The search for treasure involves walking the land, listening to the different tones, and digging many a hole. When a treasure is found, that patience and work are rewarded.
- Educational – But your kids won’t know it! They will just see it as fun – Diving into your local history, learning the differences between metals, and even learning to operate a metal detector, appeal to our natural curiosity, a prime component in learning.
Choosing a Metal Detector for Kids
When choosing a metal detector for kids, the goal is to find a one that appeals to kids, while still having the functionality to find treasure. For this reason, we avoided the "toy" type metal detectors. Other factors we considered:- Weight: A lightweight, ergonomic metal detector will allow for longer treasure hunting.
- Size: An adjustable and/or removable shaft will ensure a metal detector length that works for both children and adults.
- Functionality: Turn-on-and-go functionality so you can get started right out of the box.
- Warranty: For that extra peace of mind.
- Quality and Reliability: We chose companies that are known for making durable, well-made metal detectors.
- Price: When first starting, it makes sense to find a well-priced detector that does not compromise on performance.
Nokta Mini & Midi Hoard
New in 2020, the Nokta Mini and Midi Hoard are the first Waterproof Kids Metal Detectors.
These detectors are light-weight at 1.7 & 1.9 lbs and brightly colored to appeal to kids. Both of these detectors find, discriminate, and pinpoint as an adult detector does, with a a kid friendly LCD display.
Mini Hoard
Technical Specifications
- Ideal Age: 4-8 years
- Operating Frequency: 15 kHz
- Search Coil: 6"
- Discrimination: Iron
- Audio Tones: 2
- Depth Indicator: 3 Levels
- Display Type: Custom LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Auto Shut-off & Alarm: Yes
- Length: 25" - 35"
Midi Hoard
Technical Specifications
- Ideal Age: 8 - 12 years
- Operating Frequency: 15 kHz
- Search Coil: 7"
- Discrimination: 2 Levels
- Audio Tones: 3
- Depth Indicator: 3 Levels
- Display Type: Custom LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Auto Shut-off & Alarm: Yes
- Length: 32.5" - 43"
PROS
- Easy to use: Turn-on-and-go
- Large easy to understand display
- Standard elements of a good metal detector without getting complicated
CONS
- Not Waterproof or Weatherproof
- No Visual Target ID
Minelab GO-FIND 22
The GO-FIND 22 is designed to make treasure hunting simple and efficient with its preset find modes that light up when treasure is detected. It features two search modes, allowing you to target specific groups of metal objects by accepting or rejecting them. The innovative Treasure View feature provides instant feedback, with red LEDs indicating likely trash items like nails or keys, and green LEDs signaling valuable finds such as coins or jewelry. With its user-friendly design, the GO-FIND 22 helps you dig smarter and uncover more treasures with ease.
Technical Specifications
- Frequencies: VLF Single (7.7 kHz) Adjustable
- Search Coil: 8" Waterproof
- Search Modes: 2
- Display Type: Basic
- Pinpoint Mode: No
- Digital Target ID: No
- Depth Indication: Yes
- Ground Balance: Automatic Ground Tracking
- Audio Tones: 2
- Battery: 4 AA
- Weight: 2.3 lbs.
- Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
- One-touch operation: Turn-on-and-go
- Easy Portability: Just unfold to use and fold back up to transport.
- Treasure View: Green LEDs for Treasure, Red for Trash
CONS
- Not Waterproof
- No Visual Target ID
Shop the Minelab Go-Find
Minelab GO-FIND 44
The Go-Find 44 has automatic ground tracking, and an easy to read LED screen which shows if you have foud trash or treasure. Red LEDs light for trash, while green indicates coins or jewelry.
3 search (find) modes allow you to search for specific groups of metal objects by accepting or rejecting detection. Similarly to the ACEs, the Go-Finds produce audible tones to alert you to the type of metal you are targeting. A low tone for iron (ferrous), a mid-tone for less valuable metals, and a high tone for silver and copper targets. Battery life provides 15 - 20 hours of treasure-seeking time, and the adjustable shaft extends from 21.9" - 51.4". The Go-Find 44 connects with the Go-Find Standard app, with which you can identify coins, customize your detector and App tones, record finds to Google Maps, and listen to music while you detect. You can upgrade to the Go-Find Pro app as an in-app purchase, which adds the ability to remotely control the metal detector volume and an advanced settings menu.
Technical Specifications
- Frequencies: VLF Single (8 kHz) Adjustable
- Search Coil: 10" Mono Waterproof
- Search Modes: 3 (All Metal / Coin / Jewelry)
- Display Type: LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Digital Target ID: No VDI
- Depth Indication: Yes
- Ground Balance: Automatic Ground Tracking
- Audio Tones: 4
- Battery: 4 AA
- Weight: 2.3 lbs.
- Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
- One-touch operation: Turn-on-and-go
- Easy Portability: Just unfold to use and fold back up to transport.
- Treasure View: Green LEDs for Treasure, Red for Trash
- Go-Find Standard App
CONS
- Not Waterproof
- No Visual Target ID
Shop the Minelab Go-Find
Minelab GO-FIND 66
The Go-Find 66 has automatic ground tracking, and an easy to read LED screen which shows if you have found trash or treasure. Red LEDs light for trash, while green indicates coins or jewelry.
Battery life provides 15 - 20 hours of treasure-seeking time, and the adjustable shaft extends from 21.9" - 51.4". The Go-Find 66 adds two search modes over the Go-Find 44's 3 - Relics and Custom. It adds an additional mid-tone for higher value metals and lower than the high tone's silver and copper. The Go-Find 66 connects with the Go-Find Pro app, with which you can identify coins, view detector information and control volume, customize your detector and App tones, record finds to Google Maps, and listen to music while you detect. Earbuds are included with this detector.
Technical Specifications
- Frequencies: VLF Single (8 kHz) Adjustable
- Search Coil: 10" Mono Waterproof
- Search Modes: 5 (All Metal / Coin / Jewelry / Relics/ Custom)
- Display Type: LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Digital Target ID: No VDI
- Depth Indication: Yes
- Ground Balance: Automatic Ground Tracking
- Audio Tones: 4
- Battery: 4 AA
- Weight: 2.3 lbs.
PROS
- One-touch operation: Turn-on-and-go
- Easy Portability: Just unfold to use and fold back up to transport.
- Treasure View: Green LEDs for Treasure, Red for Trash
- Go-Find Pro App
CONS
- Not Waterproof
- No Visual Target ID
Shop the Minelab Go-Find
Nokta Score
The Nokta Score is a user-friendly, fully waterproof metal detector ideal for beginners and older kids.
Operating at 15 kHz, it offers great sensitivity for coins, relics, and jewelry. It features 3 search modes (Field, Park, Beach), an 11” DD coil, and a bright backlit LCD screen with target ID and depth indicators. Lightweight and ergonomic, it includes a built-in rechargeable battery and is submersible up to 5 meters (16 ft), making it perfect for all-terrain adventures.
Technical Specifications
- Operating Frequency: Multi, 15kHz
- Audio Frequencies: 100Hz - 1200Hz adjustable
- Search Modes: 3 (Park/Field/Beach)
- Display Type: Custom LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Auto Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Battery: 3250 mAh Lithium Polymer
- Weight: 1.2 kg (2.6lbs.) including the search coil
- Warranty: 3 years
PROS
- Beginner-Friendly Interface
- Lightweight and adjustable
- Submersible up to 5 meters (16 feet), ideal for beach, creek, or rainy-day hunting
CONS
- Features like notch discrimination and sensitivity controls might confuse younger users
- While lightweight for its class, younger kids (under 10) may prefer something even more compact
- New users may need help learning ground balancing, adjusting sensitivity, and identifying tones
Garrett ACE 300
The ACE 300 is lightweight and easy to learn. The Digital Target ID scale and depth indicator makes it easy to know what you are digging, and how deep to dig.
Battery life provides 15 - 20 hours of treasure-seeking time, and the adjustable shaft extends from 42" - 51". The ACE 300 includes Notch Discrimination and Pinpointing. Pinpointing can help to zone in on your target and decrease the size of hole you need to dig. The ACE 300 adds 2 additional search modes (Relic and Custom) over the Ace 200, and a pinpoint mode. It also provides frequency adjustments, over the ACE 200's fixed frequency. The Ace 300 includes headphones (which will also prolong battery life), making it a nice package with more features for a great price.
Technical Specifications
- Frequencies: VLF Single (8 kHz) Adjustable
- Search Coil: 7" x 10" concentric PROformance™
- Search Modes: 5 (All Metal / Coin / Jewelry / Relics/ Custom)
- Display Type: LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: No
- Digital Target ID: 0 - 99
- Depth Indication: Yes
- Ground Balance: Preset
- Audio Tones: 3
- Battery: 4 AA
- Weight: 2.8 lbs.
- Warranty: 2 Year, Limited Parts/Labor
PROS
- One-touch operation: Turn-on-and-go
- Easy Portability: Breaks down in 3 pieces for transport
- Comfortable armrest
CONS
- Not Waterproof
- No adjustable ground balance
Fisher F11
The Fisher F11 is a favorite turn-on-and-go metal detector for kids and beginners, with a great price, and quality features. The 9 Segment Visual Target ID: Shows you every metal from iron, gold, nickel, brass, gold, zinc, copper to silver.
The adjustable shaft goes from 41.5" to 51.5". This machine touts simplicity, and an easy to learn set of tones. The volume and sensitivity are also easily adjustable.
Technical Specifications
- Frequencies: VLF Single (7.69 kHz) Adjustable
- Search Coil: 7" Concentric Waterproof
- Search Modes: 3 (Artifacts / Coin / Jewelry)
- Display Type: LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Digital Target ID: No VDI
- Depth Indication: Yes
- Ground Balance: Preset
- Audio Tones: 4
- Battery: 4 AA
- Weight: 2.3 lbs.
Minelab X-TERRA Pro
The Minelab X-TERRA PRO is a great choice for older kids and teens who are ready for real treasure hunting.
It’s fully waterproof up to 16 feet, lightweight, and easy to carry. With multiple search modes like Park, Beach, and Field, it works almost anywhere—backyards, creeks, or the shore. You can switch between different frequencies to find coins, jewelry, or even gold more easily. It has a bright screen, built-in flashlight, and vibration alert, making it fun and simple to use in any light or weather. Plus, the rechargeable battery lasts up to 12 hours, so the adventure can keep going all day!
Technical Specifications
- Ideal Age: 13+
- Operating Frequency: 5 kHz, 8 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz
- Search Coil: V12X 12” x 9” DD
- Discrimination: 3 levels
- Audio Tones: 5
- Ground Balance: Auto, Manual, and Tracking
- Display Type: LCD
- Pinpoint Mode: Yes
- Auto Shut-off & Alarm: Yes
- Length: 24" - 55"
- Battery Indicator: Yes
- Volume Control: Yes
- Waterproof: Fully submersible up to 16 ft (5 meters)
PROS
- Fully Waterproof
- Simple Controls & Bright Screen
- Grows With the User
- Lightweight & Adjustable
CONS
- Not Designed for Small Children
- More Features = Slight Learning Curve
Shop Minelab X-TERRA Pro Metal Detectors
