This screenless, kid-friendly drone is available on Amazon

Do you have children? Grandson? Maybe you feel like a child at heart? Anyway, I think almost everyone would have fun with a drone – a remote-controlled flying machine that’s not only really cool, but also a great alternative to phones, tablets, TVs, and other brain-wracking screens. What’s more, this is a hobby you can get into cheaply right now: for a limited time and while supplies last, the Tomzon A23 Mini Drone for Kids drops to just $25 when you use the $8 discount – Cut out the coupon on the side.

True to its name, this little aviator is small enough to lift off the palm of your hand – which it can do with a push of a button or a simple toss in the air. The downside is that it’s extremely light, so not suitable for outdoor flying (unless there’s zero Wind).

Obviously anything with four spinning propellers poses some safety risk for children, but the manufacturer helps minimize these risks by surrounding the propellers with plastic. These guards also help the drone bounce off walls without damaging it or them. The box also includes a spare set of propellers, just in case.

Tomzon says the battery lasts up to 9 minutes of flight time, which is pretty good – many mini drones run out after just 5-6 minutes. And thankfully, a spare battery is included so you can quickly get back in the air.

Speaking of which, I like that the USB charging cable has two plugs on the other end, meaning you can charge both batteries at the same time instead of individually.

I also like that the A23 has a couple of automated flight modes, including rotation (it just spins in place) and circle (it flies in a small orbit). The drone can also perform flips in the air by simply pressing a button and then moving one of the joysticks in the desired direction. The LEDs that change between different colors and flashing patterns are a great touch, especially if you’re flying this in a dark room.

I have flown the Tomzon A23 myself and it is exactly as advertised: easy, fun and reasonably safe. The remote works well for smaller hands and includes clearly labeled buttons, although they’re a bit hard to read in dim lighting as the icons (the front-facing ones, anyway) are black on black.

Regardless of the lighting conditions, an adult should initially supervise, much less teach the children the basics of flying. Tomzon’s user guide is in fairly small print, but comprehensive and easy to follow.

I’m honestly amazed that a toy like this sells for only $33, let alone $25 with the discount. It’s great for beginners, kids, or anyone who wants to see what all the drone excitement is about. And it has no screen in sight.

Tomzon

Tomzon A23 Mini Drone for Kids

The A23 is easy to learn and fun to fly. It features three speeds, colorful LEDs, blade guards and a spare battery so you can stay in the air a little longer. Just note: this tiny drone is definitely designed for indoor use.

$25 at Amazon

Of course, if you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping. Not a member yet? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders $25 or more.)

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Originally published Mar 13, 2023 at 7:41 p.m