7 Best Cameras for Kids, Tried and Tested

My eldest has an earlier version of this camera that survived from middle school to college. At this point it’s got dirt and nail polish all over it, but it’s still taking pictures. It’s a workhorse!

The Instax Mini works similarly to a Polaroid camera. It’s not digital at all — kids need to look through the viewfinder with one eye in order to see what they are taking a picture of. Pictures print out within five seconds of snapping a photo and take about 90 seconds to develop.

“The pictures are really cute. I made a whole photo board out of pictures that I took with this,” a tester told us. “But buying film can get expensive.”

The most annoying aspect is that it comes with no film whatsoever — you must buy it separately if you want your kid to be able to take photos right away. The film ends up costing about .75 cents per photo. We suggest this for kids ages 8 and up, who tend to snap more intentionally and less randomly than preschoolers.

“The pictures come out nice, and it’s super easy to both charge and to turn on and off by just twisting the lens,” a Lab pro noted. “I like how you can take selfies with the 12, as there’s a mirror on the front.” It also has a close-up mode and built-in automatic flash control that prevents images from getting too washed out. Lastly, the camera comes in fun pastel colors including light blue, mint green, pink and lilac.

The VTech KidiZoom is the most affordable camera gift we’ve found, and it’s got the lowest recommended age — VTech says a 3-year-old can operate it. We tried it with slightly older kids, who had a blast.

Your child can scroll through the photos they’ve taken on the screen, as this camera can capture both still images and video. They can add dozens of silly photo effects to their work and if they’ve made a masterpiece, you can download the images or video to your computer at home. The images are low-quality and grainy, so don’t expect too much, but preschoolers think they’re fun.

If your kid tends to take a ton of pictures you could add a micro SD card, sold separately, to increase storage. The camera is robust and durable — we had testers play with these outside and no harm was done.

The KidiZoom also has four built-in games that kids can play on the camera screen. “It’s more of a toy for younger kids,” said a Lab pro who is also a parent of a 6-year-old. “It could be a good first camera for a preschooler who was interested in the novelty of it, but if I was shopping for my kids first ‘real’ camera, this isn’t the one I would get.”

This camera does not arrive with the four batteries needed to run it, so be sure buy those if this will be a gift.

This winner from our Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards can instantly print and store digital photos. Black and white images print on paper scrolls that can each fit about 70 photos, great for young kids who can't stop snapping. It comes with four scrolls, so your kid can print 280 pictures right out of the box.

Note that because the paper scrolls are tight, the images come out bent. You can buy more photo paper but as of this reporting the extra pack is not Paw Patrol themed (it matches back to the brand’s camera for older kids, also on this list).

It's also a digital camera that can record video, and you can connect it to a laptop to download the content. Add a micro SD card if you want to use those digital features.

Kids can decorate pictures with the included Paw Patrol stickers and markers. “My 4-year-old loved the Paw Patrol theme,” a mom told us. There are also of dozens of Paw Patrol frames and filters their shots. “My 6-year-old loved that he could add Paw Patrol characters to his photos,” another parent said. “He also liked how easy it was to use. We gave him a different digital camera for his last birthday, but I think that was a bit too much for him. This really hit the sweet spot.”

Images: Instant-print about 2" x 4" photos and digital, 12 MP | Age recommendation: ages 4+ Batteries: Charges via USB cord, included

This camera is essentially the same model as the aforementioned Paw Patrol option — same manufacturer, same technology — but minus the preschool-friendly extras and more tween-appropriate filters and frames, like palm trees and hearts, plus stickers and markers for silly decoration. “I love that they give you a bunch of stickers!" said a tester. “And they give you a ton of paper.”

Your tween should be able to print about 280 images on the four included paper scrolls. When you buy more photo paper you get more stickers, too. “Pictures do come out bendy but they are pretty clear, and this is a cheaper alternative to a Polaroid,” another tester said.

The camera charges with a USB cord. This can be a digital camera and a video camera too, though we just tried the instant feature. Install a micro SD card, sold separately, for those features.

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I had a Polaroid as a kid, and I’ve been thrilled to let my kids use a Polaroid now. It makes that signature snap-and-print sound, and watching each print develop is as thrilling as ever.

This is another instant-print camera that doesn’t come with any film. Be sure to buy color Polaroid film but note that it’s expensive, more than $1 per print. I’d give a Polaroid to an artsy kid who is looking for that specific look and not a child who wants to take a ton of pictures all the time.

Holding the one-pound camera, peering through the lens and clicking the button all at the same time is also easier for tweens and teens versus little kids. This model is made with 40 percent recycled materials.

Two parents founded Camp Snap because they wanted their sons to be able to go to summer camp with a camera and return with some fun images for memories. But camps don’t allow screens, so they set out to invent a screen-free digital choice.

“This is a very simple camera. It’s a point and click," said a Lab pro. There’s no screen on the back so, just like with a disposable camera, your kid will have to wait to see what they got. Plug it in to a computer at home to see the pictures.

It has a flash and it counts pictures as your kid takes them, up to 2000 images. But despite being digital, it has a super vintage feel.

“I like how it makes a sound when you take a picture, and the battery seems to last a while,” a tester told us. “I’ve used this going out with friends and going on trips because it’s extremely portable and lightweight, and you really only need to bring a tiny charger. Any skill level could use this camera.”

For older kids starting to get interested in photography, the quality of the PIXPRO is more real and less kiddie. A 9-year-old told us, “It’s easy to see your photos after you take them. I can get a clear shot even when I’m walking. Some cameras you have to push a lot of buttons to get to something on the screen but with this one I just have to push one button.”

This camera can take still shots and videos and has a zoom lens. The screen on the back is big at 2.7 inches wide, making it easy for kids to see each image they capture and decide if it’s a keeper.

It's also slim, lightweight and portable. The small size is easiest for kids with some dexterity who can hold it, which is why we recommend it for ages 8+. Younger kids might like something with more grip and this camera fits the bill nicely.