OMMO Metal Detector for Kids Review: The Ultimate Starter Kit for Young Treasure Hunters?

In a world of tablets, video games, and endless streaming, getting children genuinely excited about the outdoors can feel like an uphill battle. I remember watching my own nephew, eyes glued to a screen, completely oblivious to the sunny day just outside the window. We want to give them adventures, to spark their curiosity, and to create memories that aren’t measured in pixels. The challenge is finding an activity that bridges the gap between digital entertainment and real-world exploration. A simple walk in the park often isn’t enough to capture their imagination. That’s where a tool designed specifically for them can transform a mundane afternoon into a thrilling treasure hunt, turning a familiar backyard or beach into a landscape of untold secrets waiting to be unearthed. The OMMO Metal Detector for Kids promises to be that very tool, an accessible gateway to the exciting hobby of metal detecting.

What to Consider Before Buying a Kids’ Metal Detector

A metal detector for a child is more than just a toy; it’s a key solution for encouraging scientific curiosity, patience, and a love for outdoor activity. It’s an investment in a hobby that can teach them about history, geology, and the importance of persistence. The core benefit is providing a structured, goal-oriented reason to get outside and explore. Instead of a simple walk, they are now on a mission, a quest for hidden artifacts that turns any patch of ground into a potential discovery zone. It transforms screen time into “green time” and fosters a sense of accomplishment with every beep and subsequent dig.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a parent, grandparent, or guardian looking to gift a child aged roughly 4 to 12 an engaging outdoor activity. They value simplicity, durability, and features that are fun, not frustrating. It’s perfect for families who enjoy camping, beach trips, or simply want to make their backyard more exciting. On the other hand, this type of detector is not suitable for serious adult hobbyists or teenagers who are looking for deep-earth relics or precious metals with high accuracy. Those users would be better served by professional-grade equipment with advanced discrimination features, greater depth penetration, and more robust construction.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Adjustability & Weight: A detector for a child must be lightweight and adjustable. The OMMO model weighs a mere 1.24 pounds and features a stem that adjusts from 27.5 to 37.8 inches, making it comfortable for a small child to carry and swing without fatigue, while also growing with them for several years of use. This adaptability is paramount for long-term enjoyment.
• Detection Depth & Sensitivity: Kids’ detectors are intentionally designed with shallower detection depths, typically around 4-6 inches for coin-sized objects. This is a feature, not a bug. It ensures that targets are easy for a child to dig up with a small shovel, providing quick gratification and preventing the frustration of digging a deep, empty hole. The 6-inch search coil on the OMMO is a great size for covering ground without being unwieldy.
• Materials & Durability: Most children’s detectors, including this one, are made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic. This material is chosen because it’s lightweight, non-toxic, and resilient enough to handle the bumps and drops that come with enthusiastic use. While not as rugged as the metal components of an adult detector, it’s the right trade-off for a product in this category and price range.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Complicated controls will quickly kill a child’s interest. The best models feature simple on/off switches, intuitive displays, and clear audio cues. The OMMO’s fun, animated LCD screen with a puppy and bones is a brilliant touch that makes the experience feel more like a game. Maintenance is minimal; just wipe it down after use and remove the battery for long-term storage.

Getting a child started in this hobby is a fantastic way to build lasting memories. The OMMO Metal Detector for Kids is an excellent starting point, but it’s part of a much wider world of detecting technology.

While the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids is an excellent choice for a first-time user, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models suitable for various skill levels, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Adventure: First Impressions of the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids

Opening the box for the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids felt like unpacking a complete adventure kit. Right away, we were impressed that everything needed to start hunting was included. Alongside the three main components of the detector—the control box, stem, and search coil—the package contained a 9V battery, a small plastic shovel, and a plastic rake. The inclusion of the battery is a thoughtful touch that parents will appreciate, as it means no last-minute trips to the store; the fun can start immediately.

Assembly was, as advertised, incredibly straightforward. Following the simple three-step instructions, we had it snapped together and ready to go in less than five minutes, a fact confirmed by several user reviews. The azure blue color is bright and appealing, and the entire unit feels remarkably light yet solid in the hand. The star of the show is the LCD display, which features a charming puppy animation that reacts as you get closer to a target. It’s a clever design choice that frames the activity as a game, immediately captivating our younger testers. It feels purpose-built for its audience, prioritizing fun and ease of use over the intimidating complexity of more professional models.

From Backyard Coins to Beach Treasures: A Deep Dive into Performance

A kid’s metal detector has a very specific job: it needs to be effective enough to find things, simple enough to operate without frustration, and fun enough to keep a child engaged. After putting the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids through its paces in various environments, we can confidently say it hits these crucial marks. It masterfully balances being a functional electronic tool with being an exciting and accessible toy, which is the secret to its success.

Assembly and Ergonomics: Built for Little Hands

The first test of any kids’ product is setup, and the OMMO passes with flying colors. The “three-step installation” isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s a reality. The search coil screws onto the lower stem, which then slides into the upper stem and connects to the control box. The single locking buckle is easy for an adult to secure, and the whole process takes just a few minutes with no tools required. One user noted their child had it “unboxed and running in under 5 minutes,” which perfectly matched our experience.

Once assembled, the ergonomics are fantastic for a young user. At just 1.24 pounds, it’s lighter than a carton of milk. We had an 8-year-old test it for an extended period at a local park, and he showed no signs of arm fatigue. The ability to adjust the stem length is its most practical feature. We could quickly shorten it for a 5-year-old and then extend it for a 10-year-old, ensuring a comfortable, effective swing for each. This wide adjustment range, from 27.5 to 37.8 inches, means this isn’t a one-season toy; it’s a piece of gear that can genuinely grow with a child for years, making the initial investment much more valuable.

The Detection Experience: Fun, Intuitive, and Engaging

This is where the OMMO truly shines. Turning it on, we were greeted with a beep and the friendly puppy on the LCD screen. As we swept the 6-inch search coil over a test patch where we’d buried a few coins, the magic happened. As the coil neared a target, the on-screen “bones” began to light up, and the puppy’s expression changed, accompanied by an escalating series of beeps. This multi-sensory feedback is perfect for kids. They don’t need to understand target IDs or discriminate between ferrous and non-ferrous metals; they just need to know that “more bones and faster beeps mean dig here!”

The performance is surprisingly capable for a device in this class. The specs state it can detect a coin up to 4 inches deep, and our testing found this to be accurate in soft soil. We easily found modern pennies, quarters, and a stray bottle cap just under the surface. This aligns with feedback from many users, one of whom mentioned finding “old pennies and shotgun shells” in their yard, while another found rings and coins at the beach. It’s sensitive enough to find common metallic objects but, as one user rightly pointed out, not so sensitive that it’s constantly beeping at minuscule bits of foil, which helps reduce frustration. A great feature for parents is the ability to turn the sound off, allowing for a quieter treasure hunt if desired.

Real-World Testing: Performance at the Park, Yard, and Beach

To truly understand its capabilities, we took the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids to three distinct locations. In our own backyard, it proved to be a fantastic tool for finding lost items. Echoing the user who triumphantly “Found a $21 arrow in the first 5 minutes,” we used it to locate a dropped sprinkler head and several old nails from a forgotten construction project. The immediate success is a huge confidence booster for a child.

At a local park playground, it was an absolute hit. The woodchip and sand surfaces are ideal for this detector, as targets are almost always near the surface. We unearthed a handful of coins and a small toy car within thirty minutes, much to the delight of our young tester. The included plastic shovel and rake were adequate for the soft ground here, though we can see how they might struggle in compacted soil, as one user noted their shovel broke after one use.

Finally, we tested it at a sandy beach. This is arguably the perfect environment for the OMMO. The sand is easy to dig, and beaches are notorious for collecting lost metal objects. We found a trove of bottle caps (a good lesson in cleaning up the environment), a few more coins, and what appeared to be a cheap costume jewelry ring. While the control box is not waterproof (it has an IP54 rating, meaning it’s resistant to dust and splashes), the search coil can be swept through damp sand without issue. The experience confirmed what another user shared: “This has been a lot of fun to use at the beach… He has found a couple of (cheap) rings and a couple of coins.” It’s important to set expectations: you’re hunting for fun finds, not pirate gold. The OMMO Metal Detector for Kids delivers perfectly on this promise.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids is overwhelmingly positive, with users frequently praising its value and effectiveness as a tool to get children outdoors. Many stories echo our own findings. One ecstatic buyer reported their grandson found “a very old horseshoe” on his first outing, a genuinely exciting discovery for any age. Another highlighted its versatility, using it to find spent bullet casings after target practice, stating “the kids love using it to look for ‘buried treasure’ so it keeps them busy for a while.” This dual-purpose functionality adds significant value.

The theme of it being a perfect, affordable gift that encourages outdoor fun is consistent. As one person simply put it: “Bored kids? Buy these!” The simplicity and all-inclusive nature of the kit receive frequent commendations.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, and it’s important to acknowledge the criticisms. A recurring issue revolves around quality control and durability. A few unfortunate users received units that were dead on arrival or failed very quickly. One heartbroken parent shared, “all it does is beep a bunch of times when you turn it on and then it shuts off.” Another had a similar experience where the connector broke after a single day of use. While a user who experienced a broken part praised the company’s excellent customer service for sending a quick replacement, these reports suggest that it’s crucial to test the detector as soon as it arrives.

How the OMMO Stacks Up: A Look at the Competition

The OMMO Metal Detector for Kids operates in a competitive space. While it stands strong as a complete, fun-forward package, it’s wise to consider a few alternatives that cater to slightly different needs or budgets.

1. RM RICOMAX Kids Metal Detector Waterproof Adjustable Lightweight

The RM RICOMAX is a direct competitor to the OMMO, targeting the same young audience with a very similar feature set. It boasts a waterproof search coil, an adjustable stem, and a lightweight design. The primary difference often comes down to the display and user interface. While the OMMO uses its unique puppy animation, the RICOMAX features a more traditional LCD screen with smiley faces and icons. For a child who might prefer a slightly more “technical” looking device without sacrificing simplicity, this is a solid alternative. It’s an equally viable choice for introducing a child to the hobby.

2. MINELAB X-Terra Voyager Metal Detector Waterproof

The Minelab X-Terra Voyager represents a significant step up in performance and is not a direct competitor so much as the “next level” of the hobby. This detector is aimed at adults or dedicated teenagers who are ready to move beyond a beginner’s toy. It features multiple detection modes, clearer target identification, a waterproof coil, and significantly greater depth capabilities. If your child has used the OMMO for a year and has shown a deep and sustained passion for detecting, the Minelab Voyager is the logical upgrade path, offering professional features in a user-friendly package.

3. Blue Marble Metal Detector Treasure Hunter Waterproof Coil

This detector from National Geographic occupies a compelling middle ground. It’s more advanced than the OMMO but less complex than the Minelab. Featuring a larger 10-inch waterproof coil for better ground coverage and depth, it’s designed to feel like a serious piece of scientific equipment, which is a major draw for the National Geographic brand. It’s lightweight, collapsible, and bridges the gap between a “toy” and an “adult” detector, making it an excellent choice for an older child (10+) or a family that wants to share a single, more capable detector.

The Final Verdict: Is the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids the Right Choice for Your Family?

After extensive hands-on testing and analysis of real-world user feedback, our verdict is clear: the OMMO Metal Detector for Kids is a fantastic entry point into the world of metal detecting for young children. It masterfully achieves its primary goal of making outdoor exploration fun, accessible, and rewarding. Its strengths lie in its thoughtful, kid-centric design—from the ultra-lightweight frame and widely adjustable stem to the brilliantly engaging puppy-themed LCD display. It successfully removes the intimidation factor and replaces it with a sense of play and adventure.

It’s crucial to approach it with the right expectations; this is not a professional tool for finding deep, valuable relics. It’s a highly effective “treasure toy” designed to find near-surface objects and, more importantly, to spark a child’s imagination. While there are some valid concerns about the durability of the included plastic accessories and isolated reports of unit failures, the overall value proposition is exceptionally strong. For parents seeking an affordable, all-in-one kit to pull their kids away from screens and into the fresh air, this is a home run. If you’re ready to start making memories and unearthing backyard treasures with your little explorer, we wholeheartedly recommend it. You can check the current price and get one for your family right here.