Best Walkie Talkies for Kids: Midland Product review
by
Eric Sharp
Modified last on
Aug 1, 2025
Even in today's techy world, kids STILL love walkie talkies. They foster fun and creativity for hours. These Midland Walkie-Talkies are kid-friendly, easy-to-use, offer good range, charge fast, & won't blow your budget. "Over and Out!"
Topic
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There’s just something about walkie talkies.
I remember getting my hands on them as a kid and thinking, “Whoa, these are SO cool!”
Now, that was before iPhones, FaceTime, and Apple Watches — so maybe it hit differently? Nevertheless, I wanted my kids to experience the fun of walkie talkies and see how they’d respond.
As I expected, they LOVED them. These kid-friendly walkie talkies from Midland are lightweight, easy to use, and the rechargeable batteries make it a snap to charge. They also won’t blow out your kid entertainment budget.
My Quick Video Review
Here’s a quick video review of the Midland Walkie-Talkie Two-Way Radio for kids (model: T51VP3 X-TALKER).
Other fun electronics your kids may like
- Mini Safe Box. A completely unorthodox gift idea! This is the best mini safe box for kids.
- Bluetooth Headphones. I bought these iClever headphones for my kids a few years ago; the volume-limiting tech and battery life are top-notch.
- Smart TV for the Kids’ room. I’m a big fan of the TCL brand, see my review of the TCL 32″ Smart TV with Roku!
Walkie Talkie Education (etiquette, call signs)
One of my favorite Dad hacks is incorporating learning into fun — without the kids recognizing it. Evidence shows learning through play is best.
Learning walkie-talkie call signs can be a fun and educational activity for kids, sparking their imagination while teaching communication and teamwork skills. It allows them to role-play as explorers, detectives, or adventurers, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Introduce your kids to two-way radio etiquette, including the walkie-talkie 10 codes (e.g., 10-4) and below common call signs:
- Roger: Message received and understood
- Over: Your turn to respond
- Out: Conversation complete
- Copy That: Acknowledging the message
- Go Ahead: Ready for the message
- Stand By: Wait for a moment
- Affirmative: Yes
- Negative: No
Fun Ways Kids Can Use Walkie Talkies
These walkie talkies aren’t just for beach trips — they’re great for sparking your kids’ imagination and giving them a safe, fun way to stay connected. Here are a few creative ways your kids can use them:
- Around the neighborhood (hide-and-seek, scavenger hunts)
- Camping or hiking
- Family bike rides
- Hotel stays
- Backyard (spy games, forts, or treasure hunts)
- At the park, when siblings split off to different play areas
Pros and Cons
These walkie-talkies were a hit with my family, but here are the highlights and a couple of areas for improvement.
What I Liked
- Lightweight & Portable – These things are small and easy to carry. The belt clip is a nice bonus.
- Kid-Friendly Controls – My kids figured them out in minutes. Push-to-talk on the side makes it intuitive.
- Multiple Charging Options – Recharge with the dock or via micro USB; also compatible with AAA batteries.
- Decent Range – Easily worked across two hotels (about half a mile) with buildings in between.
- NOAA Weather Scan – Adds a layer of safety if you’re hiking, camping, or weather-watching with your kids.
What Can Be Improved
- Belt clip: To remove the battery for recharging (or adding in regular Alkaline/Lithium batteries), the belt clip needs to be removed first. Somewhat annoying, but not a deal breaker.
- Volume control: I wish there were a little marking on a button showing how to turn the audio up/down.
- Not 28-Mile Range in Reality – That number is the best-case scenario in the open country. Works great under a mile in real-world situations.
Quick Verdict
These Midland Walkie Talkies are fun, functional, and kid-proof. Whether you’re at the beach, campground, or even in your own neighborhood, they make communication easier (and way more fun). I’ll definitely be packing them for our next trip.
Top Amazon Reviews
Don’t just take my word for it, here’s what others are saying about the Midland Walkie Talkies:
- “Great for camping trips” – One dad shared that his kids stayed in contact from across the campground with no issues.
- “Battery life is solid” – Multiple reviewers said they used these all day on a single charge.
- “Easy for kids to use” – A common theme: parents love how intuitive the buttons are for younger children.
YOU MAY LOVE THIS
Unboxing – What’s Inside?
Specifications
- Brand: Midland
- Model: T51VP3
- Color: Black/Orange
- Number of Channels: 22
- Privacy Codes: 38 (836 channel combinations)
- Range: Up to 28 miles (unobstructed)
- Water Resistance: Yes
- Battery: Rechargeable pack or 3 AAA (included)
- Dimensions: 1.3″D x 2.2″W x 6.1″H
- Included: 2 radios, rechargeable battery packs, desk charger, USB cable, 2 belt clips
Manual
For anyone interested, you can find the user guide here. I took a few minutes to review it before using and that was helpful.
Features I Found
These walkie-talkies came with more than I expected. Here are the features that stood out.
Push-to-Talk Simplicity
Right on the side is a clearly marked button—just press and talk. No menu surfing or settings required. My kids figured it out in 30 seconds. The button is responsive and doesn’t require much pressure, making it accessible even for younger kids. It’s also large enough to find without looking, which is helpful when the kids are distracted or in the middle of play.
Lightweight and Easy to Hold
One of the first things you notice with these radios is how feather-light they feel in your hand. Even younger kids can hold and use them for long periods without their arms getting tired. The slim profile fits comfortably in smaller hands, and the rubberized texture provides a secure grip, even when their hands are sandy, wet, or sticky (which is, always).
Two Charging Methods
You can drop them into the charging dock or use the micro USB cable to charge them individually. If you’re on the road and forget the dock, the micro USB option is a lifesaver.
38 Privacy Codes
With the Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System (CTCSS), you can keep your conversations private and avoid interference. Ideal for crowded areas like campgrounds. If you’re in a place where other families are using radios—like a national park or resort—this feature helps filter out all that extra noise. It also gives your kids a sense of control and security, knowing they’re only talking to family.
Hands-Free VOX Mode
These radios feature eVOX voice activation, which means you can talk without pressing a button.
Pro Tip: Perfect for little ones who forget to push the button—or for Dads grilling with both hands full.
NOAA Weather Scan & Alert
This is a legit feature if you’re heading into the woods or on a road trip. It scans 10 channels and automatically alerts you of severe weather or AMBER alerts. Even if you’re not in the path of a storm, you’ll appreciate having that extra peace of mind.
Best Complementary Products
Here are a few complementary products you may be interested in pairing with the Midland Walkie Talkies:
Dad’s Final Thoughts
Fun fact: The first handheld walkie-talkie was developed during World War II by Canadian inventor Donald Hings, and it was called a “packset.” Fast forward to today, and now my kids are using them to talk to their cousins across the beach. We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?
The Midland X-TALKER Walkie Talkies won’t make your kid a Navy SEAL, but they will keep them off your cell phone and give them a sense of independence. For me, they made our beach vacation safer, smoother, and way more fun.
That’s a Dad win in my book.
You got this, Dad!
Can you win at Dadhood AND everywhere else in life? I'm just crazy enough to believe we can. With the right knowledge, hacks, habits, and motivation — we can crush it ALL!
About Eric
Eric Sharp is the founder of Healthy Dad Hacks. He married the love of his life (Sarah) and proud Dad of a blended family (Hazel, Roman, & Dean). When not thinking about being a better Dad, he enjoys; CrossFit, entrepreneurship, eating carnivore, collecting Michael Jordan sports cards, music, and fancy sneakers.
[Picture: Turkey Trot 2021]
