I am looking at getting my 5 year old a telescope as she wants one "like Daddy's", I do not know much about them, but have this one. Has anyone had experience with these. I have found good reviews about it. Just want something easy and inexpensive for her to look at the sky.
To be honest, I think it would get your five year old more excited if you bought a quality large scope and tell her that she owns it, but she has to "shared it with daddy" and "daddy has to maintain it" as well...
Alternatively, if you have a large scope, invest in a good refractor with tripod that can also double as your guidescope (you can "borrow" her scope). In this way, if she doesn't take to the science, you at least get something you can use or can sell without much trouble.
Safety Moment: Last point... make sure she witnesses the damage done by the sun. Take a magnifying glass and burn a hole in cardboard. A dramatic point to make sure she doesn't try to look at the sun. Telling children is not the same as having them see it first hand.
