If your kids are young, I'd strongly reccommend an ~10x or so binocular microscope. Its a lot easier for younger kids to recognize what they are looking at. I t

If your kids are young, I'd strongly reccommend an ~10x or so binocular microscope. Its a lot easier for younger kids to recognize what they are looking at. I tried higher magnification microscopes with my kids, but they were young enough that it mostly just confused them. Its also nice to be able to put the microscope in a case and take it with you while exploring. I used a little flashlight for the stage light, and it worked well. It's sort of like exploring the night sky with a pair of binoculars before getting a big telescope. Its helps to get oriented first. Then, if your kids are into it, you can upgrade your equipment.