The best cameras for kids have simple, child-friendly controls, are easy to use, and come in a sturdy, durable casing, capable of withstanding a few tumbles. Many come in bright colors too, often with games or fun filters as an added bonus. If you’re shopping for a new camera for your child, here are some of the best on the market from brands including Instax and VTech. We’ve researched and reviewed the top cameras for kids, based on their features, price point, and ease of use. Here are the best (and most fun) cameras for both kids and teens—these fantastic cameras are sure to inspire their imagination and artistry. It’s a brightly colored, durable camera that can withstand drops or slips, with an included wrist strap and has a rear 2.4-inch color LCD screen that makes it easy for kids to see what they’re looking at. There are front and rear lenses, making it fun for selfies too, with a 1200-pixel front camera and 640 x 840 rear lens. Of course, taking the photos is only part of the fun, so the DUO also contains built-in filters and effects, giving children free rein to personalize their shot. While there’s 256MB of built-in memory, you can also add in a microSD card. It’s a real digital camera, just like mom and dad have—only this one is specifically designed for curious kids. While most cameras for kids aren’t going to impress with large resolutions or zooms, your young ones are sure to be proud of the bright, fun photos they can take with the VTech DUO. Resolution: 2MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: Unknown | Optical Zoom: 0x | Connectivity: USB Once your child is done shooting, you can quickly use Wi-Fi or NFC to send photos straight to a smartphone or tablet. Since this camera isn’t specifically designed for kids, it’s a bit more expensive than some of the other models reviewed here. You’ll also want to purchase a carrying case for it, protecting against scratches and drops. Luckily it’s small and compact, just slightly larger in dimensions than a credit card—it’ll fit easily in backpacks or coat pockets. Because the ELPH 190 offers tripod support, can film 2720p HD videos, and has plenty of included shooting modes, it provides lots of creative freedom for kids who’ve expressed interest in videography or taking photos. Canon makes the controls easy to use, so your child should be able to master them in no time. Resolution: 20MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: 1600 | Optical Zoom: 10x | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC It’s a small, brightly-colored camera that comes with a mount, letting you attach it to a helmet or bike to capture all the action on the go. With included frames and filters, kids can then edit and customize each shot after shooting. Despite Ourlife’s low price, it’s still built to last, with a dust and shockproof body and a 1.7-inch LCD screen that lets the user display previews and select their settings. The look and style of the camera are clearly meant to evoke similarities to the popular GoPro, and while the specs aren’t the same, this camera is sure to thrill young kids who want to be able to take their own vacation photos and film videos as they swim or play outdoors. Resolution: 5MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: N/A | Optical Zoom: 0x | Connectivity: USB The Mini 9 is similar to the previous Mini 8, but it’s been updated with a wider range of color choices, a small selfie mirror, and Instax has added a brand-new close-up lens for macro shots. The camera can also recommend the best exposure settings based on your lighting, but keep in mind it’s not always completely accurate. There’s also a special high-key mode too, designed to take softer photos ideal for portraits. Due to the cost of print film, the Mini 9 might not be the best camera for daily use, but it’s sure to be a winner at birthday parties and special occasions. Resolution: 16MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: 800 | Optical Zoom: 0x | Connectivity: Capable of only printing, not transferring digital photos The large screen on the back lets kids see what they’re looking at, but it can also be used to add colorful filters and frames to photos or to play games, designed to develop imagination and creativity. One particularly useful addition is the inclusion of an anti-shake feature—even if your child never sits still, they can still use the Victure to take clear shots and video, with reduced blur. While it’s not waterproof, it’s otherwise designed for kids to use indoors or outdoors, giving them a simple but fun tool for enjoying the pleasures of photography. As a bonus for parents, the Victure is priced extremely well. And unlike most cameras for kids, this one operates via rechargeable batteries, giving users about 4 to 5 hours of use per charge. Resolution: 12MP | Sensor Type: CMOS | Max ISO: Unknown | Optical Zoom: 0x | Connectivity: USB Jonno Hill is a writer who covers tech such as computers, gaming equipment, and cameras for Lifewire and publications including AskMen.com and PCMag.com.
What to Look For in a Kid-Friendly Camera
Child’s Age
How old is the child who’ll be using this camera? That’s important when figuring out what type of camera to buy. Do you want to teach a young child the basics of taking a photo, or is this camera a gift for a teenager? You don’t want to buy a young child a camera that’s too delicate or complicated, and you don’t want a teenager to be stuck with a device that’s more toy than camera. Depending on the camera, a microSD card can also be helpful for photo storage, allowing your children to take plenty of photos and video without filling up the internal memory on the camera.
Photo or Video
Do you want your tot learning to snap photographs or are they more interested in video? If your kid wants to capture action with their new device, then you should look at video options. While many adult-oriented cameras can do both photo and video, child-focused cameras often have fewer features. As a result, it’s important to choose between the two before you pick a device.
Digital or Instant
Most cameras these days are, of course, digital cameras. However, instant cameras, which print a photo as soon as you snap one (think Polaroid-style), are making a comeback. Do you want all the images to be stored for later, or will your child enjoy having the tangible printouts on the spot? It’s important to choose which one works better for you before you decide on a camera model.
