Teaching Kids to Fly Drones: Fun First, Safety Always (A West Coast Dad’s Guide)

There’s no shortage of drone tutorials on the internet.
There are flight tests, advanced courses, long gear reviews, and more acronyms than any four-year-old should ever have to hear.

But teaching a kid to fly is… different.

When I take Blake out with a drone — whether it’s the Air 3S tucked away for a sunrise run or the new DJI Neo 2 in my pocket — the goal isn’t to turn him into a pilot. Not yet. The goal is simple:

Have fun. Be safe. Learn the basics without losing the joy.

That balance is the whole game.

And as much as drones can be incredible tools for creativity and adventure, they also demand a certain level of respect. Even a little 249g micro has rules, risks, and responsibilities tied to it.

So here’s how I approach teaching my four-year-old — in a way that keeps it fun, keeps it safe, and hopefully builds the foundation for good habits down the road.

1. Make it exciting, not intimidating

Kids learn best when they’re curious, not when they’re lectured.

That’s why the Neo 2 is perfect for Blake right now.
He doesn’t need to memorize menus or learn stick inputs. He can wave at it. He can talk to it. He can make a tiny machine lift off just by holding out his hand.

The joy shows up instantly.

And once he’s hooked, I can start layering in the important stuff — gently.

2. “Fun” is the door. “Responsibility” is what’s behind it.

Every time we fly, we talk about two things:

1. Drones are fun.
2. Drones can hurt people if you aren’t careful.

That’s the honest truth.

I don’t scare him with it, but I don’t hide it either.
He’s four — he understands more than most adults give kids credit for.

So I frame it like this:

• We keep space around people because we don’t want to bonk anyone.

• We don’t fly toward strangers.

• We keep the drone in front of us so we always know where it is.

• We don’t chase dogs, birds, or people (even if it would make a hilarious video).

These aren’t aviation rules to him — they’re just “being a good person rules.”

3. The first lessons are simple

When we practice, everything happens in small steps:

Lesson 1: Takeoff and landing on a palm.
It builds trust and shows him he’s the one in control.

Lesson 2: Hovering.
Just hold a position. No chaos yet.

Lesson 3: Move it toward you, then away.
It teaches spatial awareness.

Lesson 4: Stop when Dad says stop.
The most important rule for a kid, honestly.

None of this is about perfection.
It’s about building confidence and understanding without overwhelm.

4. Micro drone doesn’t mean micro responsibility

This is the part many adults get wrong.

A lighter drone is safer, yes — but it’s not a toy.
Blake sees me filing flight plans, checking weather, scoping out space, and making sure our flights follow the rules.

He doesn’t know the details, but he absorbs the behaviour.

Kids mirror what they see.
If they watch you take drones seriously, they take drones seriously — while still having fun.

5. Sunrise flights are the best learning environment

I fly at sunrise because it’s quiet, respectful, and safer in Victoria’s busy airspace. And it turns out… it’s also the best time for a kid to learn.

No crowds.
No distractions.
No dogs running under the drone.
No worrying about people thinking we’re filming them.

Just a calm space to practice.

When he’s with me on a morning flight, that’s when the “little lessons” stick the most.

6. Let them enjoy it — but teach them the why behind every rule

Kids don’t need the Canadian Aviation Regulations in their back pocket.

They just need to understand the spirit of the rules:

• We keep drones away from people to keep them safe.

• We fly where we have room.

• We stop if something doesn’t feel right.

• We respect the space around us.

• We don’t fly when the wind is too strong (even if it looks calm on the ground).

• We don’t push our luck.

Teaching why builds habits that last longer than teaching “because Dad said so.”

7. This is how I hope the hobby survives

Drones are getting smarter, safer, and easier every year.

But the people flying them still matter.

If a new generation learns early that drones are fun and require responsibility…
that’s how you keep the hobby alive, respected, and safe for everyone.

For us, it’s not about making Blake a drone pilot today.
It’s about showing him something cool and teaching him to treat it — and other people — with care.

And honestly?

These little moments together will matter way more than whatever footage we bring home.

If this kind of father–son flying, safe teaching, and West Coast drone storytelling is your thing, there’s plenty more coming — especially once the Neo 2 arrives and Blake decides he can fly better than I can.

Related Flights & Articles

Chasing Down a DJI Neo 2 for Christmas — Why This Drone Matters More Than I Expected
A father–son story about finding the right beginner drone and why the Neo 2 was the perfect fit.

DJI Neo 2: Why This Little Drone Is About to Become My Four-Year-Old’s First Co-Pilot
A closer look at how this tiny drone became the cornerstone of our safe flying lessons.

Why I Fly at Sunrise — A West Coast Morning Ritual
The calm, patient flying philosophy that shapes how I teach my son to fly.