Best Metal Detectors for Kids (2026): Real Machines vs Toys, by Age

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The best metal detector for kids is the Nokta Midi Hoard: a genuine 15 kHz detector built around a 32.5-inch minimum shaft, light enough at 1.9 lb for an eight-year-old to swing all afternoon, and fully waterproof to 1 m so a dropped machine survives a puddle. Families who want to spend less on a first real detector should start with the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D., and anyone shopping for a four- to six-year-old should buy a supervised toy instead of a hobby machine.

Age is the weakest guide to a first detector. What actually decides whether a child keeps using it is arm reach and weight distribution. A machine with a 42-inch minimum shaft puts the coil far enough out that a seven-year-old ends up holding the grip like a lever, and a 2.6 lb detector with an 11-inch coil at the end of the stem will wear out a small arm inside twenty minutes. The second deciding factor is ground: wet salt sand behaves nothing like a back garden, and a detector that is stable in one is not automatically stable in the other.

Two different products share the label "metal detector for kids". Toys do respond to metal, and they are fine for planted-coin games in a yard. Real detectors add discrimination, target identification and enough adjustment range for a child to keep using the same machine for years. The picks below are labelled by class, minimum shaft length and terrain so the fit is visible before anything is ordered.

Quick Picks

What Makes a Great Kids' Metal Detector?

Fit before features

Three measurements decide whether a child can actually use a detector, and all three are published by the manufacturer.

Minimum shaft length is the first. The Midi Hoard starts at 32.5 in, the FINDX Pro and the Score at 25 in, the Junior T.I.D. at a short but unpublished figure, and the Garrett ACE 200 at 42 in. A 42-inch minimum rules out most eight-year-olds regardless of how capable the electronics are.

Assembled weight is the second, and it matters more than the number suggests because the coil sits at the far end of a lever. A 1.5 lb machine with a 6 in coil and a 2.6 lb machine with an 11 in coil are not close to each other in effort, even though the difference is about 1 lb on paper.

Coil diameter is the third. A larger coil sweeps more ground per swing and goes deeper on big targets, but it also adds swing resistance and makes the detector harder to keep level. For a small child, a 6 to 8 in coil is easier to manage than a 10 to 12 in one.

Toys and real detectors are not the same product

A toy detector beeps near metal. That is genuinely fun when an adult has planted shallow coins in a lawn, and it is genuinely frustrating in a park full of aluminium foil, bottle caps and rusty nails, because everything sounds the same.

A real detector adds three things that a toy does not have. Discrimination lets the machine reject some unwanted targets. Target identification gives the child a category or a number to judge before digging. Adjustable sensitivity lets the machine be calmed down in difficult ground. None of those features requires a big budget: the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. offers three visual target categories, three tones and a DISC button for basic iron rejection.

Two detectors in this roundup are toys: the GoGonova PD16 and the National Geographic Junior. Both are useful for what they are. Neither should be presented as equivalent to the Midi Hoard, the Junior T.I.D. or the GO-FIND series.

Waterproofing has four different meanings

Retail listings blur these together, and the difference decides whether a machine can go in the water or only near it.

Coil-only waterproofing is the most common arrangement. The searchcoil can be submerged, the control housing cannot. The National Geographic Junior, the GoGonova PD16, the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D., the Garrett ACE 200, both GO-FIND models and the VANQUISH 340 all sit here. Minelab's technical sheet lists the GO-FIND coil at 1 m while its product marketing says 0.6 m, so the lower figure is the honest one to work from.

Whole-detector waterproofing to 1 m applies to the Nokta Midi Hoard. The entire machine, control box included, is rated IP68 at that depth.

Whole-detector waterproofing to 5 m applies to the Nokta FINDX Pro and the Nokta Score. That covers wading and accidental full immersion with margin.

Salt and mineralised ground capability is a separate question from any IP rating. A machine can be completely waterproof and still struggle on conductive wet salt sand, because that is a detection-performance problem, not a sealing problem.

Where the child will hunt decides more than the price

Dry back garden and dry park turf are the easiest conditions and almost anything works. Freshwater creeks, rivers and lake edges reward a waterproof body. Wet ocean sand is the hardest common environment, because salt conducts and single-frequency machines have to fight it. That is why simultaneous multi-frequency detectors like the VANQUISH 340 and the Nokta Score appear near the end of this list: they are not more expensive because they have more buttons, but because their transmit architecture handles conductive ground differently.

Batteries and running costs

AA power keeps things simple. The Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. and the Midi Hoard both run on 2 x AA, and a spare pair in a pocket covers a full session. The GO-FIND 22 and 44 and the Garrett ACE 200 use 4 x AA. The ACE 200 ships with batteries included; the GO-FIND models do not.

Rechargeable systems remove the disposable-battery habit but introduce charging discipline. The Nokta FINDX Pro carries a built-in 2,300 mAh lithium battery charged over USB, and the Nokta Score carries a 3,250 mAh pack rated for up to 12 hours. A detector that is flat when the child wants to use it is worse than one that takes two AA cells from a kitchen drawer.

Supervision and the first session

An adult is needed for far more than operating the controls. Permission for the site, checking local rules on detecting and digging, refilling holes, identifying sharp finds, and watching for roads and water all sit with the parent. For children under seven, assume an adult handles most of the digging.

For a first outing, a controlled treasure hunt works better than real ground. Bury identifiable coins or harmless metal tokens very shallowly, show the child how to sweep without lifting the coil at the end of each pass, and make the first several recoveries successful. Short sessions of 15 to 30 minutes suit most young children at the start. It is also worth checking whether a licence or permit applies where you plan to detect before the first trip.

#1 Nokta Midi Hoard: Best Overall Kids' Metal Detector

Nokta built the Midi Hoard as a junior machine rather than an adult detector with a shortened stem, and it shows in the proportions. It runs a single 15 kHz VLF frequency, carries a 7 in coil, and adjusts from 32.5 to 43 in, which is short enough for most eight-year-olds to sweep without craning. Nokta rates it for ages 8 to 12 and up.

• Frequency: 15 kHz single-frequency VLF
• Weight: 880 g / 1.9 lb
• Shaft: 32.5-43 in / 83-109 cm
• Coil: 7 in / 18 cm
• Waterproofing: entire detector IP68, submersible to 1 m / 3 ft
• Discrimination: 2 levels
• Target ID: symbols and categories on a custom LCD, not a numeric scale
• Audio: 3 tones
• Pinpoint: yes
• Sensitivity: 3 levels
• Volume: 2 levels
• Depth indicator: 3 levels
• Extras: LED target and pinpoint indicator, battery indicator, automatic power-off and alarm
• Battery: 2 x AA, not included
• Warranty: 2 years
• Part number: 11000805

Check the Nokta Midi Hoard on Amazon

Pros

• Whole-detector IP68 waterproofing, so the machine can go into shallow water rather than just beside it
• Short shaft and 1.9 lb weight match a child's reach and arm strength
• Real discrimination and target categories teach signal reading instead of guessing

Cons

• Single-frequency 15 kHz operation is less stable than simultaneous multi-frequency on wet salt sand
• Stock at US retailers is thin, and Nokta's own dealer channel has shown gaps
• AA batteries are not included

Verdict: the Nokta Midi Hoard is the pick when the child is eight or older and the interest looks durable. It is the only machine here that combines a child-length shaft, a genuinely light body and full waterproofing in one package. Owners report seven- and nine-year-olds handling it comfortably.

Perfect for: an eight- to twelve-year-old hunting parks, fields, creeks and shallow water.

#2 Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D.: Best Cheap Real Detector

First Texas builds the Junior T.I.D. as a scaled-down VLF detector with deliberately simple controls. At 1.5 lb with a 6 in coil it is the lightest real detector in this roundup, and a single DISC button handles basic iron rejection without a menu.

• Frequency: 6.6 kHz
• Weight: 1.5 lb / 0.68 kg
• Shaft: adjustable; the manufacturer does not publish the range
• Coil: 6 in waterproof searchcoil
• Waterproofing: coil only; First Texas does not rate the body weatherproof
• Discrimination: two-step, via the DISC button
• Ground balance: preset
• Notch: no fine-grained notch editor
• Target ID: three visual categories, not a numeric scale
• Audio: three tones with proportional signal feedback, no volume adjustment
• Depth indicator: three segments
• Sensitivity: fixed
• Pinpoint: no
• Battery: 2 x AA, roughly 20-25 hours
• Headphones: no jack
• Warranty: 1 year

Check the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. on Amazon

Pros

• The lowest-cost genuine detector here, with real VLF detection and target categories
• Lightest machine in the roundup at 1.5 lb
• Two AA cells and simple controls make it easy for a child to run alone

Cons

• No headphone jack, which matters in a park or near other people
• Fixed sensitivity and no pinpoint mean the child cannot tune it as conditions change
• Control housing is not weatherproof, so it stays out of the rain
• No headroom to grow into

Verdict: the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. is the entry point when the budget is tight and the child is six to nine. It teaches categories and iron rejection without asking for a long commitment. For more on how the brand's lineup fits together, see the Bounty Hunter brand guide.

Perfect for: a first real detector for a young child in a back garden or a local park.

#3 GoGonova PD16: Best First Toy for Ages 4-6

The GoGonova PD16 is a toy, and it should be bought as one. It responds to metal, it has a short 27.5-37.8 in shaft that suits a small child, and it answers with an LED display rather than a target number that a four-year-old cannot interpret.

• Class: toy / novelty detector, not a hobby machine
• Recommended age: about 4 to 6 with close adult supervision
• Weight: roughly 14.88 oz / 0.93 lb; other listings state 2.2 lb
• Shaft: 27.5-37.8 in
• Coil: 6.8 in, marketed as waterproof
• Waterproofing: control unit not rated, so it stays dry
• Frequency: not listed
• Discrimination and notch: none adjustable
• Target ID: child-oriented LED indicator, no numeric identification
• Audio: basic detection alert
• Battery: 1 x 9V
• Extras: toy-scale digging tools; bundle contents vary
• Part number: GO-PD16-OG

Check the GoGonova PD16 on Amazon

Pros

• Short 27.5 in minimum shaft, which matters more than any specification at this age
• Light enough for a four-year-old to carry without help
• Visual feedback instead of numbers keeps the game understandable

Cons

• No discrimination, so nails and foil get the same response as a coin
• No depth or target information beyond the LED
• Working life is measured in months, not seasons

Verdict: the GoGonova PD16 is a way to find out whether the interest is real, not a machine to build on. Plant shallow coins in a lawn, keep sessions short and expect an adult to do the digging.

Perfect for: a four- to six-year-old with supervision, in dry sand or loose soil.

#4 National Geographic Junior: Best Recognisable Gift

National Geographic's junior detector is an educational toy with a familiar badge on it. It uses a 7.5 in dual coil, weighs about 1.4 lb, and carries manufacturer age guidance of 8 and up. The model has been listed since 2018.

• Class: toy / educational beginner detector
• Manufacturer age guidance: 8 and up
• Model: NGJRDETECTOR
• Weight: about 1.4 lb
• Shaft: adjustable; exact range not published
• Coil: 7.5 in dual coil, marketed as waterproof
• Waterproofing: no published full-unit rating
• Frequency: not listed
• Discrimination and notch: none adjustable
• Target ID: basic indication, no numeric scale
• Battery: 3 x AA
• Construction: lightweight plastic

Check the National Geographic Junior on Amazon

Pros

• Recognisable brand, which makes it an easy present for a grandparent to buy
• Light body at around 1.4 lb
• Age guidance from the manufacturer rather than a seller

Cons

• Weak discrimination in littered or mineralised ground
• No numeric target ID, no published frequency, no published shaft range
• A different machine from the Midi Hoard or the Junior T.I.D.

Verdict: the National Geographic Junior works as a gift where interest is unproven, and as a poor substitute where it is proven. Note also that Explore Scientific sells other National Geographic junior detectors under different model codes with different controls, so specifications do not transfer between them.

Perfect for: a first present, or a family testing whether the hobby will stick.

#5 Minelab GO-FIND 22: Best Foldable for Travel

The GO-FIND 22 folds to 21.9 in and extends to 51.4 in. That folded figure is a storage dimension and says nothing about whether a small child can swing it, so read it as a packing measurement rather than a fit measurement. Minelab's VFLEX platform runs at 8 kHz, and the machine weighs 1.0 kg / 2.2 lb.

• Technology: VFLEX, 8 kHz
• Weight: 1.0 kg / 2.2 lb
• Length: 21.9 in folded / 51.4 in extended
• Coil: 8 in rectangular monoloop
• Waterproofing: coil only, listed at 1 m on the technical sheet and 0.6 m in product marketing
• Search modes: All Metal, Non-Ferrous
• Discrimination: 4 visual segments
• Target ID: 4 segments and icons, not numeric
• Audio: 2 tones, 5 volume levels
• Sensitivity: 3 levels
• Depth indication: 3 levels
• Pinpoint: no
• Noise cancellation: no
• Battery: 4 x AA, not included
• Headphones: 3.5 mm wired jack
• Warranty: 2 years

Check the Minelab GO-FIND 22 on Amazon

Pros

• Packs down small enough for a car boot or a suitcase
• Wired headphone jack, which the Junior T.I.D. lacks
• Two-mode operation is simple enough for a child to learn unaided

Cons

• Single frequency, so wet salt sand is a limitation
• Pictorial target ID only, with no numbers to compare
• No pinpoint and no noise cancellation
• Minimum operating length is long for a small child, whatever the folded figure suggests

Verdict: the GO-FIND 22 suits a family that travels and wants one machine a child and an older sibling can share. More Minelab background sits in the Minelab brand guide.

Perfect for: an eight- to twelve-year-old on dry parks, pasture and the dry band of a beach.

#6 Minelab GO-FIND 44: Best Portable Step Up

The GO-FIND 44 runs the same 8 kHz VFLEX platform as the 22 but steps up the coil, the modes and the feedback. It carries a 10 in rectangular monoloop, adds a dedicated pinpoint mode, and brings a backlit LCD and keypad for evening sessions.

• Technology: VFLEX, 8 kHz
• Weight: 1.1 kg / 2.3 lb
• Length: 21.9 in folded / 51.4 in extended
• Coil: 10 in rectangular monoloop
• Waterproofing: coil only, same 0.6 m to 1 m discrepancy as the 22
• Search modes: Non-Ferrous, Jewelry and Coins, All Metal
• Discrimination: 4 segments with selectable patterns
• Target ID: 4 pictorial segments
• Audio: 3 tones, 5 volume levels
• Sensitivity: 4 levels
• Depth indication: 3 levels
• Pinpoint: yes
• Extras: Treasure View with five red and green LEDs, backlit LCD and keypad, Bluetooth 4.0
• Battery: 4 x AA, not included
• Warranty: 2 years
• US SKU: 3231-0014

Check the Minelab GO-FIND 44 on Amazon

Pros

• Pinpoint and a third tone over the GO-FIND 22
• Treasure View LEDs give instant visual feedback for younger users
• Backlit display extends usable hours into dusk
• Same compact folding package for transport

Cons

• The 10 in coil adds swing resistance for smaller children
• Still single frequency on saltwater
• Control housing is not submersible, despite the coil rating
• Bluetooth audio routes through Minelab's app rather than pairing directly with every headset

Verdict: the GO-FIND 44 is the better of the two GO-FINDs if a slightly older child will use it seriously.

Perfect for: a nine- to twelve-year-old who wants more feedback than the 22 provides.

#7 Garrett ACE 200: Best Hand-Me-Down

The Garrett ACE 200 is an adult detector, and it earns a place here for one practical reason: it is one of the most common machines already sitting in a family garage. Garrett builds it with a 42-51 in shaft, a 6.5 x 9 in concentric PROformance coil and a 2.75 lb assembled weight.

• Frequency: 6.5 kHz
• Weight: 2.75 lb / 1.25 kg
• Shaft: 42-51 in / 1.06-1.29 m
• Coil: 6.5 x 9 in concentric PROformance
• Waterproofing: searchcoil submersible only; control box is not
• Search modes: 3 preset modes
• Discrimination: one iron-discrimination segment
• Notch: none adjustable
• Target ID: numeric 0-99 plus a target category cursor
• Audio: 3 target ID tones
• Sensitivity: 4 adjustments
• Pinpoint: no dedicated pinpoint button per the owner's manual
• Depth indication: coin-depth scale
• Battery: 4 x AA, batteries included
• Warranty: 3-year limited
• Note: the US ACE 200 model, not the region-specific ACE 200i

Check the Garrett ACE 200 on Amazon

Pros

• Numeric 0-99 target ID, which the toy-class machines cannot offer
• Three-year limited warranty and a long production history
• Widely available second-hand, and an adult can keep using it after the child moves on
• Batteries included

Cons

• 42 in minimum shaft is too long for a small child
• 2.75 lb is a real load for a young arm
• No dedicated pinpoint button per the owner's manual, so recovery is slower without a separate pinpointer
• Control box stays out of the water

Verdict: the Garrett ACE 200 is worth buying only if it already fits the child or will be shared with an adult. Buying one specifically for a seven-year-old is hard to justify against a junior-sized machine. More on the range is in the Garrett brand guide.

Perfect for: a ten- to thirteen-year-old who is tall for their age, or a family passing down existing equipment.

#8 Nokta FINDX Pro: Best Grow-With-Your-Child Waterproof Detector

The FINDX Pro has the widest shaft range in this roundup at 25-52 in, which means the same detector can be set up for a ten-year-old and then extended for a parent. It is also fully submersible to 5 m, carries a genuine 0-99 numeric target ID, and recharges over USB.

• Frequency: 15 kHz
• Weight: 1.2 kg / 2.6 lb
• Shaft: 25-52 in
• Stock coil: 11 in / 28 cm SX28 DD, waterproof
• Optional coil: 9.5 x 6 in SX24
• Waterproofing: entire detector submersible to 5 m / 16 ft
• Search modes: Field, Park, Beach, Jewelry
• Discrimination: adjustable notch with iron rejection
• Target ID: numeric 0-99
• Sensitivity: 5 levels
• Volume: 5 levels
• Pinpoint: yes
• Display: monochrome LCD with backlight and keypad backlight
• Battery: built-in 2,300 mAh rechargeable lithium, USB charging
• Included: headphones, adapter, digger, carry bag, charging cable (package contents vary by region)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Part number: 11000876

Check the Nokta FINDX Pro on Amazon

Pros

• 25 in minimum shaft fits a small child, and 52 in maximum keeps the machine usable as they grow
• Full submersion rating to 5 m, not just a waterproof coil
• Numeric target ID and selectable modes give a child something to learn
• USB-rechargeable, so no disposable batteries

Cons

• 2.6 lb with the 11 in coil is a lot for a young child; the optional 9.5 x 6 in coil is worth considering
• Charging discipline required
• The Beach mode does not turn its single-frequency architecture into simultaneous multi-frequency, so it is not the equal of a VANQUISH or a Score on every saltwater beach

Verdict: the Nokta FINDX Pro is the pick for a family that wants one machine to last. Note also that the plain Nokta FINDX has a coil-only waterproof rating, so the Pro designation is the one that carries the 5 m submersible specification.

Perfect for: a ten- to thirteen-year-old who will share the detector with a parent.

#9 Minelab VANQUISH 340: Best Multi-Frequency for Older Kids

The VANQUISH 340 brings Minelab's Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency technology down to a junior-capable weight. Simultaneous multi-frequency transmits and processes several frequencies at once, which is the specific reason this class of detector holds up better than a single-frequency machine on wet salt sand.

• Technology: Multi-IQ simultaneous multi-frequency
• Weight: 1.2 kg / 2.6 lb
• Shaft: 30-57 in collapsed to extended
• Coil: V10 10 x 7 in DD searchcoil
• Waterproofing: coil only, specified to 1 m / 3.3 ft; control housing not submersible
• Search modes: Coin, Jewelry, All Metal
• Discrimination: 5 segments using preset patterns
• Target ID: numeric -19 to +40, with negative numbers representing ferrous targets
• Audio: 3 tones
• Sensitivity: 4 levels
• Volume: 3 levels
• Depth indication: 4 levels
• Noise cancellation: automatic
• Iron bias: fixed at a high setting
• Pinpoint: no dedicated electronic pinpoint mode listed for the 340
• Battery: 4 x AA
• Headphones: 3.5 mm wired output, no built-in wireless audio
• Warranty: 3 years
• Note: the manufacturer does not list a dedicated Beach mode on the 340

Check the Minelab VANQUISH 340 on Amazon

Pros

• Simultaneous multi-frequency detection, which is the feature that matters most on conductive salt sand
• 3-year warranty, the longest in this roundup alongside the ACE 200 and the Nokta Score
• Four AA cells and simple mode selection

Cons

• 30 in minimum shaft is longer than the FINDX Pro's
• Coil-only waterproofing, so the control housing stays dry
• No dedicated pinpoint mode on this model
• Wired audio only

Verdict: the VANQUISH 340 is the right first multi-frequency machine for a child who will actually detect on a beach. For more on what changes on saltwater, see the beach detecting guide.

Perfect for: an eleven- to fourteen-year-old who will detect on wet sand as well as dry ground.

#10 Nokta Score: Best Premium Junior-Capable Machine

The base Nokta Score is an adult-class detector with a shaft short enough to fit a motivated teenager and a body rated for full submersion. It runs simultaneous multi-frequency plus a selectable 15 kHz single-frequency mode, and it is the only machine here with a 12 x 9 in stock coil.

• Technology: simultaneous multi-frequency, plus selectable 15 kHz single-frequency
• Weight: 1.2 kg / 2.6 lb including the standard searchcoil
• Shaft: 25-52 in / 63-132 cm
• Coil: 12 x 9 in SC30 DD; optional smaller 9.5 x 6 in SC24
• Waterproofing: entire detector IP68, fully submersible to 5 m / 16 ft
• Search modes: Park, Field, Beach
• Target ID: numeric 1-60
• Discrimination: preset patterns
• Notch: no user-adjustable notch filter on the base Score; the Double Score and Triple Score add discrimination options
• Audio: harmonic target audio with an adjustable frequency range of 100-1,200 Hz
• Sensitivity: 5 levels
• Volume: 0-6
• Pinpoint: yes
• Extras: backlit display, flashlight, vibration, automatic noise cancellation, Bluetooth, firmware updates
• Battery: built-in 3,250 mAh lithium-polymer, USB rechargeable, up to 12 hours
• Warranty: 3 years
• Part number: 11000866

Check the Nokta Score on Amazon

Pros

• Simultaneous multi-frequency and full 5 m waterproofing in one machine
• 25 in minimum shaft fits a smaller user
• Up to 12 hours per charge and firmware updates keep it current
• An adult can use it seriously once the teenager moves on

Cons

• 12 x 9 in stock coil is a lot of swing weight for a child; the optional 9.5 x 6 in coil is a better physical fit
• The base Score lacks the user-adjustable notch on the Double Score and Triple Score
• Not worth buying for a child who may use it twice

Verdict: the Nokta Score is justified when the parent also wants a capable detector, or when a teenager is genuinely committed and detecting in water. Model naming is easy to confuse here: the base Score, Double Score and Triple Score differ in notch filtering, recovery-speed adjustment and tone programming, so confirm which version is in the listing.

Perfect for: a twelve- to sixteen-year-old detecting beaches and shallow water.

Discontinued and Misleading Picks to Skip

Some models still circulate in buying advice after they have left production. Two are worth flagging.

The Nokta Mini Hoard is discontinued. Its specifications remain sensible for a small child: ages around 4 to 8, 1.7 lb, a 25-35 in shaft, a 6 in coil, full IP68 waterproofing to 1 m, 15 kHz, 2 tones and 2 x AA. Because it is out of production, only used units or remaining stock are available, and there is no current manufacturing support. The Midi Hoard is the current model in that slot.

The Nokta 1st Swing is also discontinued and appears in Nokta's discontinued product material.

There is no official current XP product called the DEUS Jr. XP's real lineup includes the DEUS II and the ORX, and listings using a "Jr" label should be checked carefully against the manufacturer's own product list.

Two older models are also worth treating with caution rather than enthusiasm. The Minelab GO-FIND 40 is an older generation, and its specifications should not be substituted for the current GO-FIND 44. The Garrett ACE 150 is legacy and offers less useful feedback than the ACE 200 for a child learning the hobby.

Comparison Table

If the coil size looks like the weak point on any of the larger machines, the coil guide explains what a smaller coil changes in practice.

Conclusion

The Nokta Midi Hoard takes the top spot because it solves the two problems that end most children's detecting careers: a shaft that is short enough to swing and a body that survives water. Where stock is unavailable, the Bounty Hunter Junior T.I.D. is the cheapest genuine detector worth buying for a six- to nine-year-old, and the Minelab GO-FIND 44 is the better package for a nine- to twelve-year-old who wants a pinpoint mode and a backlit screen.

For families who detect on wet ocean sand, the Minelab VANQUISH 340 and the Nokta Score are the two machines that address salt ground rather than just sealing. Both have adult-length ergonomics, so they suit older children or a shared family detector rather than a small first machine.

If a detector is already in the house, use it. A hand-me-down Garrett ACE 200 with numeric target ID and a three-year warranty teaches a ten-year-old more than a cheap toy, and it costs nothing to start.

Recommended reading before the first outing: how to choose a first detector, the rules and permits guide, battery types and replacements, and lightweight detectors for longer sessions.

→ Check the current price of the Nokta Midi Hoard on Amazon