Recommend me a light for children

mbp · 2019-04-16T20:15:08.000Z

Hello! I just put up a WTB ad for a couple Sofirn C01, but I thought I’d post asking for recommendations too. I want to give my kids their first REAL flashlights. I’m looking for a light with the following qualities:

- AAA battery (easily replaceable, we already have plenty of Eneloops)

- Only ONE mode, preferably 1-10 lumens for utility and safety

- Potted electronics, or otherwise very sturdy

- Small size

Decent tint/CRI preferable, but not essential

I lost a Fenix E01 off my keychain many years ago, I know those would also have been perfect, but they and the C01 are out of stock. Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Spartan · 2019-04-16T20:56:17.000Z

I don’t think that there is a “safe” recommendation other then the simplest “light source” with a fixed, glued on diffuser.

The problem will be that they will “play” by pointing at each other…or stare at the beam. Or bring it to their eye so they can see inside that magic beam.

You are the only one that can determine their maturity…and then devide it by ten because…they are children.

wle · 2019-04-16T21:02:37.000Z

blf 348 though it is above 10 lumens- also singfire 348

oweban · 2019-04-16T21:22:04.000Z

I gave my daughter my BLF348, albeit swapped back to AAA from 10440…

iamlucky13 · 2019-04-17T00:59:47.000Z

I let mine play with my E01 or C01’s from time to time, but the younger child still needs supervision, because if he got the head off, both the head and the battery could be swallowing hazards.

I’m more comfortable letting them handle my Armytek Tiara Pro, because if I put it in the moonlight mode bank, the button is too stiff for them to double click to get into the high modes.

I’ve thought a bit in the past about what the ideal children’s light would be:

1 x AA size for easy gripping by small hands
Output of roughly 20 lumens.
Warm, relatively floody beam for eye comfort when they’re careless about aim.
Have a momentary only switch, or an electronic button paired with a timeout so they don’t drain the battery if they forget to turn it off.
Have a rubberized coating on bezel and tail to avoid damaging objects it will get dropped on
Potting for durability
Bonus - have colored auxiliary LED’s for fun, each with its own button for ease of use
Bonus - Lego well with…wait for it…Lego blocks, because why not? It could be a versatile, age appropriate mounting system.

Naturally, this light does not exist.

brad · 2019-04-17T03:11:44.000Z

You could look for Disney flashlights, they are dim and presumably child safe, evidently these solitaires are still sold also.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Maglite-AAA-Solitaire-Flashlight/19349743

If you get tired of the search just use some of the freebie/cheapo AAA lights from Harbor Freight.

shreya · 2019-04-17T03:32:20.000Z

You need some kind of light that is safe, and you need eye protection. Children are sensitive to strong light

brad · 2019-04-18T03:01:57.000Z

If you can find one of these. Dollar Tree flashlight (short review)

toddcshoe · 2019-04-18T07:24:10.000Z

Mine are older now, 11, 13, and 23. So I can hand them just about anything and they know what to do with it. When they were little I had a bunch of those little flat plastic flashlights. Had one bare led bulb in it and had a press and hold switch buried under the plastic. Sorta like these.

https://www.amazon.com/Flashlight-Blackouts-hurricanes-emergencies-everywhere/dp/B07FW4Y2GK/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=flat+plastic+flashlight&qid=1555571810&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I’m sure you can grab them cheaper somewhere else. They also had a bunch of these as well.

https://www.amazon.com/WdtPro-Flashlights-Flashlight-Lanyard-Assorted/dp/B0776RW8DM/ref=sr_1_27?keywords=kids+flashlight&qid=1555571864&s=gateway&sr=8-27

Very floody, no concentrated beam of light to blind them or anything.

Thorfire makes these little lantern things. I have a couple. The kids love to use them now when they are camping out back in the woods.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Flashlight-Mini-Key-Chain-Pack-of-10-ThorFire-Keychains-LED-Flashlight-Mini/253142579241

This guy has a bunch of them. Well worth the money. Not sure if Thorfire still makes them or not.

Just a few ideas.

Cosmodragoon · 2019-05-23T04:22:23.000Z

This really depends on age and maturity. I understand the lament over that C01 in 3200K. I’m using one right now to illuminate my keys and while gentle, it still hurts the eyes a little when directly pointed. For smaller children, an older incandescent Maglite Solitaire can work well. The only thing I worry about with really small children is if they can unscrew the light and lose (or eat) parts.

teacher · 2019-05-23T04:31:42.000Z

@ mbp … How old are the kids??

nkresho · 2019-05-23T12:09:26.000Z

Vtech spin and learn, here. Mine’s 2 and a half. Sturdy, relatively fun (keeps her attention for a few mins at a time).

It talks though, so be ready for that. Not ultra annoying, but when it’s on it talks.

Mark_Anthony · 2019-05-23T20:43:26.000Z

I went with a Foxelli USB headlamp for my kids (9 and 11).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GD463NE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

USB rechargeable and waterproof, but my favorite feature is the red light - my kids like to read at night and this lets them read without disturbing us or anyone else.

Mark

pennzy · 2019-05-23T23:17:22.000Z

Harbor Freight freebie.