Is your child a big fan of spy movies? Are you now on the hunt for the best spy gear for kids? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Spy gear such as binoculars, night vision goggles, and walkie-talkies are excellent for encouraging active play, and the options abound for older children. But we’ve also faced the frustration of trying to find spy gear for our younger mystery lovers. It’s not easy!
So we put our own detective skills to the test and hunted down the best spy gear for kids of all ages — and we found something for everybody! The toys on our list will build your child’s reasoning and problem-solving skills while still being entertaining, durable, and age-appropriate.
These kid-friendly toys are sure to excite your detectives-in-training and help them solve their next big mystery.
- High-resolution image with 8x zoom
- Extra accessories included
- Lifetime warranty
- Great spy costume
- Good-quality fabric and construction
- Fun spy tools included
- Lots of codes to uncover
- Helps build academic skills
- Variety of spy gears included
- Includes batteries
- Long-lasting pens
- Great value for money
- Educational crime-solving kit
- Based on real techniques
- Mysteries and activities provided
- Dr Toy's best vacation products winner
- All spy equipment included
- Encourages imagination & learning development
- Cleverly disguised spy gear
- 2-in-1 dust powder & makeup combo
- Good-looking, stylish bag
- Great for navigating in dark rooms
- Magnifying scope
- Strong LED lights
- Trendy-looking glasses
- Rearview mirror effect
- UV protection
- Play with the light on or off
- Plenty of missions
- Interactive play
The Best Kids Spy Gear of 2023
Whether you want a simple, single-function toy or a multi-purpose kit, we’ve got you covered.
Here our top picks for some cool spy gear for kids.
Kidwinz Shock Proof Binoculars
Best Binoculars for Spies
Spy work involves a lot of watching the target from a distance. Binoculars are essential to get the best view. These high-resolution binoculars from Kidwinz are an excellent example.
The binoculars may look rather ordinary. But you’ll appreciate that they’re shockproof and suitable for children aged 3 to 12.
One reason these binoculars are amazing for spying is the high-resolution image they produce. They’re fitted with a high-quality prism that enhances the sharpness and colors.
Another great plus is all the extra padding around the eye area. This makes the binoculars more comfortable for children to use. Your budding detective also receives a carry bag, a strap, a cleaning cloth, and instructions.
Pros
- High-resolution image with 8x magnification.
- Rubber coating to reduce the risk of damage.
- Extra accessories included, like a carry bag.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- It can be a little difficult for children to get the binoculars to focus.
Our Ratings
Melissa & Doug Spy Costume Set
Great Spy Disguise
Every spy needs a disguise, but unfortunately, few are made to fit junior agents — except for this costume set from Melissa & Doug. Your little sleuth will get a black coat, hat, and rearview-mirrored sunglasses. The fabrics are of decent quality, considering it’s a costume.
This set even gives your child a mission to complete. Alongside the costume, a spy guide and tools are also needed to complete the tasks. Your kiddo will have to use a decoder lens to crack the secret coded card — these are all included.
The set is recommended for children aged 5 to 8.
Pros
- Great spy costume with a classic look.
- Good-quality fabric and construction.
- Fun spy tools included.
Cons
- Only one size — it won’t fit taller children.
Our Ratings
Alex Toys Super Sleuth Kit
Mystery Solver Kit for Kiddie Spies
Spies must solve the mysteries of their respective targets. Perhaps it’s about who stole the last cookie or who left the toys out. Either way, every spy needs the necessary tools to solve a secret-coded mystery.
This set includes everything your child needs, including a fingerprint ink pad, fingerprint powder, brush, magnifying glass, lifting tape, rearview mirror spy glasses, and a secret marker.
Also included are a codebook, two code wheels, tubes, and two decoder packets, plus instructions. Your child will have to use all the tools to crack the mystery.
This kit is suitable for spies between the ages of 8 and 12.
Pros
- Lots of codes to uncover.
- Fantastic for educational purposes.
- A variety of spy gear is included.
Cons
- Instructions are a little complicated for some children.
Our Ratings
Invisible Pen Secret Message
Spy Gear Party Favors
Any message for a secret mission has to be 100% hush-hush, so your super spy will need a pen with invisible ink. This set is perfect for a spy-themed birthday party as it includes 24 pens, each with invisible ink and a UV light (battery included).
This example is one of the best spy gadgets for kids. Your child can write the next secret mission on a plain piece of paper. Then, when it’s time to take action, their sibling or friend can shine the UV light on the pen’s mid-portion to reveal it. This is perfect for imaginative play or for sending secret notes to mom.
Pros
- Invisible ink appears when UV light is shone on the message.
- Long-lasting pens.
- Great value for money.
- With 24 in a pack, these are ideal for party favors.
Cons
- Although it comes with free batteries, replacement button batteries are expensive and a risk to young children.
Our Ratings
Scientific Explorer Crime Catchers
Great Science-Based Spy Kit
If your kiddo loves to experiment during a secret investigation, then read on. This scientific spy kit is everything they’ll need. It’s suitable for children 8 years and up.
Your child will love the two mysteries they can solve by completing eight fun activities.
Scientific Explorer based the kit on real crime-solving techniques. So, while playing, your junior spy will get an insight into the world of “CSI.” You’ll get a few different essentials in the set, such as baking soda, citric acid, pH strips, shoe prints, and more.
One great plus is that the kit provides your child with some basic discovery knowledge and tools. Later they can expand on that by themselves.
Pros
- Educational crime-solving kit.
- Based on real techniques.
- Mysteries and activities provided.
Cons
- Some of the items needed are not included in the set.
Our Ratings
Alex Toys Undercover Spy
Travel Set for Jet-Setting Spies
A spy needs all the tracking and identification tools possible when on a case. This set has it all. It’s recommended for spies aged 8 to 12 years.
The undercover spy case comes in a black nylon case to store all the tools they need. This includes binoculars, a fingerprint powder and brush, a magnifying glass, a flashlight, and a secret marker pen.
The case is sleek, and any junior spy can easily carry it using either the handle or by fastening it through a belt. Then, when headquarters call for a mission, they’ll be ready to go. Kids love this case because it encourages imaginative play while mimicking real-life scenarios.
Pros
- Includes everything you need for serious spy work.
- Develops critical thinking skills.
- Durable materials.
Cons
- The velcro closure on the case doesn’t keep contents in very well.
Our Ratings
Project Mc2 Super Spy Gear
Spy Set for the Modern Girl
Although anyone can use all the spy gear on this list, this was the favorite of our girls. This ultimate spy bag is perfect for the aspiring female spy. The set is suitable for any child between 6 and 10 years old.
To track down the target, it’s essential to know everything about them. And what better way to do that than by analyzing their fingerprints?
In this set, there’s a blacklight pen, a magnifying glass, and a fingerprint kit consisting of dusting powder (cornstarch), a brush, and an ink pad. It also includes a super spy notebook for storing fingerprint records, notes, and clues and some fun crime-scene tape for keeping unwanted visitors (i.e., younger siblings) from interfering with the investigation.
Pros
- Learn to dust for real fingerprints using easy-to-replace materials.
- Blacklight pen writes and reveals secret messages.
- Includes crime-scene tape for a more authentic experience.
- Designed in the U.S.A.
Cons
- The magnifying glass isn’t very powerful.
Our Ratings
Spyx Gear Night Goggles
Great Night Vision Goggles
Cool spy gear for kids has to involve night vision goggles. These night goggles are an excellent navigation tool for your child.
The goggles are suitable for children 6 years and above. When darkness falls, the blue-tinted glass in the goggles will enhance your child’s surroundings. There are also two LED lights fitted just above the glass for extra visibility.
As your junior agent navigates the night, they can engage the fold-out magnifying scope. This will give them a clearer view of the target from afar.
To work the night goggles, you’ll need three AAA batteries which are not included.
Pros
- Great for navigating in dark rooms.
- Magnifying scope.
- Strong LED lights.
Cons
- Not high-definition night vision.
Our Ratings
BWacky Rearview Spy Glasses with Mirror Vision
Best Spy Glasses for Teamwork
As a spy, you’ll need to be able to watch what’s going on all around you. These spy glasses are just what you need. They’re recommended for any aspiring spy aged 5 and over.
They look pretty normal but are very smart. When your child wears them, they’ll quickly discover the rearview mirror effect. This allows them to see everything that’s going on behind them while they appear to be looking ahead.
They’re fantastic for creative play and might even fit some adults but — take it easy — don’t go breaking your kid’s super-important spy glasses.
Pros
- Trendy-looking glasses.
- Rearview mirror effect.
- UV protection.
Cons
- Made from plastic, so they may not last long.
Our Ratings
Secret Agent Maze Game
Fun Game for Spy Enthusiasts
This product is excellent if your child needs a little help getting ideas for a spy game. It’s recommended for spies aged 7 to 14.
Your child gets to create a “laser” maze. Clamp the lasers (thick cords that stretch between clamps) onto furniture, shelves, doorframes, etc., to create a laser field your child will have to navigate. In the dark, your child can wear the UV goggles to duck, jump, and twist their way through the strings, which light up like lasers.
There’s a timer on the “bomb,” and each time a spy touches a “laser,” it counts down faster. You need to defuse the bomb before the time runs out. Along the way, there are cards with different missions to accomplish. We found this game to be extra fun if you combine it with a second set to create a giant maze.
Pros
- UV goggles light up the lasers in the dark.
- Plenty of missions for sleepover fun.
Cons
- “Motion” sensors are sometimes too sensitive; other times, they don’t detect movement.
- Needs 6 x AAA batteries, which aren’t included.
Our Ratings
SpyX Micro Gear Set
Great Gadget Collection
When becoming a junior secret agent, you’ll need all your tools to be within reach. One way to do this is by wearing a tool belt fitted with all the gadgets a little spy needs.
This set has all the cool spy gear for kids in one belt. The belt is adjustable, so your child can wear it around the waist or across the shoulder “Rambo” style.
Alongside the belt, your child gets a cool micro listener, invisible ink pen, and micro-motion alarm. There are no night vision goggles, but a micro ear light is included.
Your child can wear this on their ear, and it will shine a red light over the area for up-close detection. The set requires two AAA batteries and is recommended for children aged 6 to 15.
Pros
- Adjustable belt for various sizes.
- Four working spy tools included.
Cons
- The materials could be more durable.
Our Ratings
VTech Kidizoom Action Camera
Best Camera for Young Spies
Spies can benefit from a gadget to record any evidence to hold against their respective targets. The Kidizoom action camera can do just that. It’s suitable for children from 4 to 9 years of age.
This action camera is both durable and versatile. Your junior spy can attach it to a bike, a helmet, or even a skateboard. If the spy adventure involves a trip to a secret submarine, it can also go underwater.
The camera features a 1.4-inch color LCD. It can capture photos and has options for timelapse, video recording, and stop-motion videos. The battery is rechargeable and works continuously for up to 2.5 hours on a full charge.
Pros
- Versatile and durable.
- Waterproof case for underwater photography.
- Attaches to different objects such as bikes and helmets.
- Includes games, fun filters, frames, and photo effects.
Cons
- Average picture quality.
Our Ratings
Aikmi Walkie Talkies
Best Walkie-Talkies
Communication is vital for any spy. They need to keep in touch with HQ, receive valuable information about the target, and call for backup when needed. Needless to say, a walkie-talkie is a must-have. But this waterproof camouflage walkie-talkie is better than the rest.
Naturally, it comes in a twin pack, so a friend or sibling can join in on the fun. You don’t need Wi-Fi or data to communicate. The walkie-talkies simply connect using a wireless connection that reaches up to 15,840 feet. Yes! I kid you not. Its radio transmission can reach up to 3 miles in an open area.
Your young spy can send audio messages between the two walkie-talkies with an automatic squelch function that removes background noise for clear and crisp communication. It’s suitable for children 4 years and older. Six AAA batteries are required (not included).
Pros
- Audio connectivity of up to 3 miles in an open area.
- Waterproof item.
- No Wi-Fi or data required for communication.
- Camouflage color for realistic spy gameplay.
Cons
- Batteries are not included.
Our Ratings
Why Choose Spy Gear?
Children are thirsty for all the knowledge and skills they can learn, and there are plenty of ways for your child to practice these skills.
Spy gear toys are just one way of introducing some new challenges. They spark curiosity, which in turn, leads to creative play. As your child figures out how to use and play with them, they’re developing their exploratory skills (1).
Experts stress the importance for parents and caregivers to provide children with the tools they need to nurture this creativity. It’s been proven that children who have room to practice these skills do better in school and later in life (2).
How to Choose the Best Spy Gear for Kids
When it comes to spy gear for kids, there are plenty of options. Here are two things we always keep in mind while hunting for spy gear toys:
Age Appropriate
It’s usually best to avoid buying something meant for children of a different age than your child. These will likely be too complicated or too easy and won’t benefit in the right ways, leading to frustration for little ones or boredom for older kids. For this reason, every product on our list includes the age range for which the toy is suitable.
Sparks Interest
Spy toys need to be fun and should provide a challenge. Smaller children usually prefer something that’s easy to use and ignites their imagination, such as invisible ink pens. Older children may enjoy more realistic spy toys like walkie-talkies or binoculars.
Examples of Spy Gear
Many things fit this category. Here are some examples:
Night Vision Goggles
These are great for the child who loves exploring a dark room. We recommend night vision goggles for kids between 4 and 6 years old.
Video Walkie-Talkies
These have come a long way from the regular walkie-talkies we had back in the day. Because they’re usually more high-tech, manufacturers recommend them for children 6 years or older.
Invisible Ink Pens
This type of spy gear usually comes with a UV light. They’re great for all ages, but younger children should always use them under adult supervision.
Binoculars
These are a classic pick. Binoculars are easy to use and excellent for any age, though the younger ones will probably need some help initially.
Action Camera
Capture all the action, even when going on vacation. We recommend action cameras for children as young as 4 years old.
You can also get creative with your child and try one of these spy hacks.
