As both a pro photographer and mother of three, I've bought my fair share of kids' cameras – and I've also watched them get dropped, pounded on by a toy hammer, and doused in water. Some of them have annoying games inside, others break easily, but among the dizzying number of options, there are a few gems. The best cameras for kids have durable designs and simple controls, while still sparking a love for photography.
The best camera for the child in your life will depend on a few different factors – and the biggest one is age. The simple cameras made for three-year-olds will cue an inevitable eye roll from tweens. (If you have an older child, or teenager who is studying photography, take a look at our separate guide to the best cameras for students or the best cameras for beginners.)
The other key factor is price – and how long you expect your child to keep using that camera. Basic kid cameras are fun and affordable, but probably won't keep their interest for several years. That's why we've also included a few simple-to-use adult cameras on this list – waterproof compact cameras, hybrid cameras, and instant film cameras may be a bit pricier, but you'll get more years out of them (or even borrow them yourself).
From toddlers to tweens and every age in between, these are the best cameras for kids, chosen by actual parents (who also happen to be photographers).
Hillary K Grigonis has been interested in photography since she was a kid herself. Now, she's a professional photographer and tech journalist. As a mom of a teenager, a pre-teen, and an elementary schooler, she's also spent more than a decade in the parenting trenches (and has bought more than a few cameras for her own kids).
The best camera for kids
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Best camera for kids overall
The trouble with picking out a camera for kids is that most cameras are geared more towards a certain age – give a tween a camera built for a two-year-old, and you're going to get an epic eye roll. But if I had to pick one kid camera that I would reccomend for nearly every age range, it's the Camp Snap 2.
The Camp Snap 2 is a screen-free camera, born out of the rising trend for using disposable film cameras at schools and camps where screens aren't allowed. This camera feels like a disposable film camera, but it's actually an 8MP digital camera, so there's no film to purchase and develop.
Instead of a screen, the Camp Snap 2 has a small viewfinder to compose the shots. The camera works much like a basic disposable camera because you can't see your images right after you have shot them. But, that also means there are no distracting games. Instead of my child being distracted by the images as we're out taking photos, we can sit down and look at the photos together.
The original Camp Snap only had two controls – the shutter button and the flash. The second-generation camera adds a button to swap between retro filters. But, in order to keep the camera aimed at all ages, those filters can be locked so that the youngest users don't end up accidentally shooting everything in black-and-white.
The only display is a simple LED on the back that tells you how many photos you have taken. The simplicity means a child of any age could use it. However, with no screen, you need to think more carefully about framing your subject - the optical viewfinder is not 100 percent accurate, and there is a small delay when pressing the shutter release.
The design is so simple that I think even a three-year-old could use it – my kids have used Camp Snap cameras as young as five. The Camp Snap 2 doesn't have a shock-absorbing bumper like cameras designed specifically for toddlers; however, Camp Snap does sell an optional waterproofing case for beach days.
While suitable for young kids, the retro design also makes this a hit among teens and adults.
The biggest downside to the Camp Snap 2 compared to other kid cameras is that this camera only takes still photos. There's no video.
It's a great option for parents looking for a camera that doesn't have games on it for younger kids, as well as older kids looking for a disposable camera alternative to take to school or camp.
For teens and more serious photographers, it's worth noting that the Camp Snap CS-Pro offers a higher 16MP resolution, a more powerful flash, and a similar screen-free design.
See our full Camp Snap 2 review
Best kids camera for ages 3-6
The Kiimento mixes simple controls with adorable animal designs that just makes kids want to pick them up. Like most cameras geared for the youngest users, the image quality is a fairly basic 5MP, with 1080p videos.
Previously sold as Kidimento, but now rebranded as Kiimento, what we love is the kid-focused design that's both simple to use and fun. The Kiimento uses a touchscreen, which kids growing up in the era of smartphones and iPads are more likely to find intuitive to use.
The reason I bought a Kiimento for my own kid a few years back, however, is because of what it doesn't have: games. I don't count cameras as screen time for my kids, but if there are games on the camera, my child will inevitably find them. The Kidamento is just a camera, so I could head outside with my kid without having to remind him to get off the games.
The other reason that I love the Kiimento Model K is the durable but simple design. The camera has a silicone wrap that helps protect it from bumps. The controls also couldn't be any simpler, with just an oversized screen at the back and the shutter button. There are no buttons for little fingers to accidentally press.
Best kids camera for ages 5-8
This kids' camera does a great job of appealing to multiple ages. For the younger user, it comes with a shockproof pouch with an animal design – this both guards it against drops, and gives it more kiddie appeal. But as the child gets older this can be removed, and the user can start experimenting with more features.
I love that this model doesn't skimp on the specs, unlike some of its rivals. Stills resolution is a respectable 16MP, and video records in high-definition. What's more, the camera offers a front and rear lens – so you can use it to shoot selfies, which children will love. There's even a macro setting for close-ups, too. This costs more than some, but we think this model's features and performance mean it offers great value for money.
"The myFirst Camera 3 provides a fun and exciting introduction to photography," said my colleague Kalum in his review. "The FullHD camera for photos and video enables kids to capture the world through their own eyes. I tested this camera with the help of my 18-month-old daughter, a tad younger than the target market, but she had a blast all the same, and it sparked a real interest in taking photos. The video quality was a bit of a letdown, however, the photos were great and she loved seeing what she had taken when we got home."
Read Kalum's full myFirst Camera 3 review
Best camera for tweens ages 8-12
When my daughter was about 8-years-old, I gifted her one of my favorite affordable cameras: The Instax Mini Evo. She's now eleven, and she still uses this camera, which speaks to both its durability and longevity.
The Instax Mini Evo isn't a camera designed specifically for kids – adults can use it too, which means tweens are still likely to continue using it for several years. There are a few different reasons I love the Evo for tweens. First, the Instax Mini Evo is a hybrid camera; it saves digital images, but there's a built-in printer that uses real instant film. This is perfect for giving young users the experience of film, while still allowing them to keep taking photos once they run out of film.
The other reason I love this for youth who aren't quite kids but aren't quite teenagers is that the prints are perfect for giving to friends and decorating bedrooms. (My daughter has a string light with clips on it for hanging her Instax photos.)
Because the Instax Mini Evo isn't made specifically for kids, there are a few more controls on the camera, which can be used to add a number of different special effects, like double exposures and black and white. The controls don't seem too daunting for my daughter, even when she was eight, but if you want the simplest possible camera, the Instax Mini LiPlay+ has a similar hybrid design, but fewer controls. I think the added special effects and retro look make the Evo the better option, but the LiPlay isn't a bad buy either.
Read the full Instax Mini Evo review
Best budget kids camera
VTech Kidizoom is a longstanding line of durable cameras designed for young kids. The newest in the series is the VTech Kidizoom Duo FX – and it brings a number of updates, including an 8MP main camera, in-camera effects, and even the ability to double as an MP3 player by adding a microSD card and a pair of headphones. Older similar editions of the Kidizoom are still on sale, but often have a significantly lower resolution, so are best avoided, as this version is already great value.
The provision of a range of onboard games - and a range of other 'fun' features - may be an attraction to many children. But it does mean that the camera may well end up being a secondary function for many users. Fortunately, this addition does have parental controls – so that you can turn off the games that come with it or set a time limit.
One of the reasons we loved the previous models is for durability, and that's still very much the case place the newest model. Parents may also be frustrated the Kidizoom doesn't use a rechargeable battery, and instead makes do with AA cells.
See our full VTech KidiZoom Duo FX review
Best rugged camera for kids
Most basic point-and-shoot cameras are simple enough that young kids could use them – the problem is they tend to break easily. That's not the case with waterproof compacts like the OM System TG-7. This is a camera that I've used myself for beach vacations, and I bought the previous version for my own child when he was a tween.
How rugged is it? As well as being waterproof to 50ft / 15m, the camera can survive being dropped from 7ft / 2.1m as well as being crushed by anything up to 220lbs / 100kg (and it's also freeze-proof to -10°C / 14°F, should it somehow get left in the fridge or freezer!). In short, no matter what your kids do to it or how hard they play with it, they won't be able to break it!
It's quite an advanced camera, with lots of features and functions (such as excellent macro and microscope modes) should you want them, as well as crisp 4K video for filming adventures, and it has a great zoom range of 25-100mm. It's a very capable imaging device if your youngsters want to learn about proper photography.
The biggest downside is the price. This is a proper camera, not a toy camera, and the price reflects that. But, this is an all-ages camera that's durable for kids with image quality good enough for adults to want to steal this one.
Read my full OM System Tough TG-7 review
Best instant camera for kids
As a photographer, I love introducing older kids, tweens, and teenagers to instant film cameras. There's something magical about taking photos on real film and watching the image develop right in front of you. The Instax Mini 13 is a fun but simple and affordable introduction to instant film photography.
One of the easiest Instax cameras to use, this recent version of the trusty Mini series is a great choice for kids. Its autoexposure mode produces great results in a range of lighting conditions, and though it can be a bit temperamental sometimes, kids love the cute, compact images it spits out just as much as I do!
Instax prints look great as ever, small and full of fun, and loading them is as easy as it ever was. Inexpensive, user-friendly, and full of fun, kids big and small will have a great time with this one.
I should point out, of course, that Instax film isn't exactly cheap, so it costs money every time a photo is taken. If you want an instant film camera that can still keep shooting after the film runs out, consider a digital hybrid like the Instax Mini Evo above. That said, kids absolutely love having a physical photo and seeing the results of their pictures as a tangible thing rather than an ephemeral image on a screen.
The biggest change from the Instax Mini 12 to the Instax Mini 13 is the addition of a selfie timer – so if that doesn't sound like a feature the kid in your life needs, you may be able to find an even better price on the older Instax Mini 12.
Read our full Instax Mini 13 review
Best cute instant camera for kids
The Polaroid Go is a palm-sized camera that kids will fall in love with faster than it takes a photo to develop. Bigger instant cameras balance exposures better, and rival Instax Mini cameras deliver slightly better image quality indoors – but neither are as fun to use as the Go, which still produces pleasing pics.
As you can see in the above photo of our reviewer holding it, the Polaroid Go is positively tiny in adult mitts (kind of a dainty hamburger size) but it's the perfect proportions for a child's hands. And while plain white or black aren't the typical colors for kiddy cameras, I've never seen a kid resist the urge to pick this up (after all, plenty of kids play with their parents' white or black smartphones)!
A consideration is that Instax Mini film works out cheaper than Polaroid Go film, but then you'll also need to replace those AA batteries on the Mini whereas the latest Go you just needs USB-C to top up the power. And the Go boasts double exposures, which you won't get unless you opt for pricier options like the Instax Mini 90. A fun and funky little camera, the Polaroid Go is ideal for little hands to get started with.
Read my full Polaroid Go Generation 2 review
Honorable mentions
How we test kids cameras
Traditionally, we run of gamut of tests on camera resolution, dynamic range, and noise under scientifically controlled conditions using two key testing tools: Imatest Master and DxO Analyzer.
However, the best cameras for kids aren't really about these kinds of capabilities. So we do the only testing that really matters when it comes to cameras targeted at kids: we put them in little hands!
A number of us on the DCW team are parents or have young nieces, nephews, and siblings, so it's easy (and enjoyable) for us to get them playing with these cameras and seeing what they think. Do they find them easy and fun to use? Are they durable enough to withstand being bashed around? Are the images of acceptable quality? Are they good enough to tempt them away from mom's camera phone?
Our little helpers make sure that we're recommending the best cameras for kids.
FAQs
How to choose a camera for kids?
It depends on the kids, honestly. Cameras built for kids blend appealing design, robust build, and easy-to-engage usability for very little ones, but anyone older will outgrow its features.
A Tough camera is indestructible enough to survive whatever your children do to it, but its advanced features make it an expensive purchase. And an instant camera enables your kids to produce physical photographs, but there is a cost whenever the shutter is pressed.
Do you want a glorified toy, to distract your kids for a while, or a device that's designed to enthuse and educate them into an interest in photography? Work out what you want – and what is right for your little ones!
Should I buy a kid a camera?
Cameras can be an absolutely wonderful way to cultivate creativity in children – just like a set of crayons or paints. A camera can not only encourage their development of visual language and expression, it can also give them a unique and valuable way to engage with the world around them.
What I love about giving a camera to a kid is that you can see the world the way they do. When I gave a camera to my 6-year-old, I loved how he stopped to take photos of the things that adults would overlook, like dandelions.
What's the best camera for a teenager?
Most of the cameras in this guide are designed for younger children - but several of them are more than suitable for those who are older. Cameras like the Camp Snap 2 and the Instax Mini Evo are great for teens, but this age range definitely needs more than a toy camera.
If you are looking for a camera that allows teens to take photography more seriously, then take a look at our guide to the best cameras for students, which gives a rundown on cameras that can also help with new but serious photographers.
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