Best kids cameras for budding photographers – Tried and tested by kids and parents

With a 4.7-star rating from more than 6,000 Amazon reviews, the VTech KidiZoom Duo Camera is an excellent choice for a child’s first camera. It’s well-regarded for its high-quality 8MP photos and videos, which can be edited with 80+ fun filters and effects, making it a highly engaging option for young photographers. The camera’s versatility allows children to take selfies, panoramic shots, and fun videos with special effects, giving them the freedom to explore their creativity. It's also equipped with a music player and 15+ games and activities.

With a built-in flash, 4x digital zoom, and expandable storage, it offers great functionality for young users. Additionally, the camera includes parental controls for added peace of mind.

Many parents appreciate how easy it is for kids to use, even with the added fun features.
Laura Healy, Commercial Content Writer at Mother & Baby said, “It is very simple to use and kids can take photos or make videos, plus add special effects and frames for photos or silly animations, which they love.” 

Customers also rave about how easy the camera is for young ones to navigate, with many noting that their children quickly figured out how to use the camera and its features. The build quality is sturdy and well-made, providing excellent value for money.

One Amazon reviewer shared, "I bought this for my granddaughter’s birthday. She loved it and took 90 pictures within the first hour. All the kids around her loved it as well." Another parent commented, "This camera is brilliant. My 3-year-old found it really easy to use, and it has lots of cool filters."

However, Laura noted that “it is quite chunky to carry on a day out but it doesn’t bother my girls and it’s not heavy.” And she added, “the chunky design has probably saved it from damage after being dropped and occasionally thrown in a temper. It really is extremely robust and still looks like new."

The only drawback from Laura and other parent reviewers would be that it cannot be charged and requires batteries. Laura said, "you do get through them quite quickly if the camera is used a lot. However, it is a fun camera on family days out, or even a trip to the park, it’s ideal and we love it.”

The Hoppstar Artist Digital Camera - Denim is an excellent choice for kids who love creativity, offering instant black-and-white printing alongside digital photography features. Designed for children aged 5+, this lightweight and durable camera includes large, easy-to-use buttons and a shockproof, interchangeable silicone case, making it a great companion for little hands.

This camera isn’t just about snapping photos; it helps kids develop fine motor skills and express their creativity with built-in photo filters, frames, face detection, and video functions. One of its standout features is the instant print function, allowing children to print black-and-white images within three seconds and even colour them.

The camera also comes with a selfie lens, a rechargeable battery, and a 16GB SD card, offering storage for up to 8,000 photos. The 2.4-inch screen provides a clear preview of shots, while features like brightness correction, colour correction, and auto-focus help ensure better image quality​. 

Hoppstar Artist Digital Camera is currently in testing.

The myFirst Camera 50 is a tech-savvy, AI-powered camera designed to introduce kids to photography, videography, and even a safe, child-friendly social media experience. With a 20MP sensor, it captures high-resolution photos and 1080p videos, though video quality is slightly compromised due to lack of stabilisation. One of its standout features is its AI-enhanced editing tools, allowing children to add stickers, voiceovers, and music to their photos and videos, making storytelling fun and engaging. 

The Selfie Light Bar offers three warm lighting modes for perfectly lit selfies. Parents will appreciate its secure sharing platform (myFirst Circle), where kids can safely share their creations with trusted family and friends under parental supervision. While its startup speed is slow, and video quality is average, the AI-powered enhancements, journaling features, and child-safe social aspects make it a great option for budding young photographers and vloggers aged 4 to 10 years​.

This camera is perfect for kids who love vlogging, storytelling, or creating digital content, offering a safe and fun introduction to photography​

myFirst Camera 50 is currently in testing.

The myFirst Camera 2 is a fantastic choice for young adventurers who love the water. With a shockproof and waterproof case, it can withstand splashes and submersion up to 3 meters for 3 hours, making it perfect for beach trips, pool fun, and even light snorkeling.

This lightweight camera is easy for little hands to grip, and its LEGO-inspired design adds a playful touch. The 8MP sensor delivers decent image quality, capturing Full HD videos and high-resolution photos, ensuring kids can relive their favourite moments in great detail. It also comes with preloaded photo templates, fun stickers, a lanyard for easy carrying, and a 16GB microSD card, offering plenty of storage for their creations. Ideal for kids who love outdoor and underwater activities, the myFirst Camera 2 encourages creativity while being durable enough to handle rough play.

This is an ideal first camera for kids ages 3+, perfect for vacations, pool days, and beach trips​.

myFirst Camera 2 Kids Underwater Camera is currently in testing.

The Hangrui Kids Camera has received a 4.6-star rating from over 2,649 Amazon reviews, with many parents appreciating its toddler-friendly fuss-free features and robust construction.

The shockproof silicone case, available in Dinosaur and Unicorn styles, is frequently mentioned as a standout feature, helping the camera withstand drops and rough handling. Parents also note that its compact size makes it easy for little hands to hold and operate.

In terms of features, many reviews highlight that children enjoy the 28 fun photo frames, 6 color filters, 5 mirror effects, 8x digital zoom, self-timer, and time-lapse shooting. Some parents mention that while the photo quality isn’t comparable to a real camera or smartphone, it is more than adequate for young kids who are just starting to explore photography.

The ability to record videos is another feature that many children seem to enjoy. The camera also comes with a memory card, which allows kids to store plenty of photos and videos.

Beyond taking photos, parents find the built-in puzzle games, including Snake, Tetris, and Sokoban, useful for keeping toddlers entertained, especially on long car rides.  
Many reviews praise the camera’s ease of use, noting that the controls are simple enough for young children to navigate independently. One parent shared, "So far, so good, she loves it! It’s actually smaller than I expected, but that’s perfect for her little hands. She’s already dropped it, but the silicone case is really sturdy."

Opinions on battery life and picture quality are mixed. Some parents find the battery lasts through extended play sessions, while others feel it could be better. Similarly, some find the photo quality acceptable for a kid’s camera, while others wish it was sharper. One reviewer appreciated the dual-lens feature, saying, "The dual-lens feature is a game-changer. Watching my three-year-old nephew giggle as he switched between front and rear cameras was priceless. The battery lasts a long time too!"

Overall, most parents find the Hangrui Kids Camera to be a fun, durable, and engaging option for toddlers who want to take their own photos. While it may not match the quality of a smartphone camera, it seems to be a popular choice for young children, offering a balance of simplicity, durability, and creative features.

The Digital Camera for Beginners is rated 4.1 stars from over 2,100 Amazon reviews, and many parents appreciate its sleek design and user-friendliness. It's considered the Best Children's Digital Camera by parents looking for something that can grow with their child. Its lightweight, compact build makes it easy for little hands to hold, while its good picture quality adds value for money.

Parents often mention that the camera's face detection feature and high-quality images make it a great first camera for children aged four and up. While some reviews point out that the camera doesn’t match the photo quality of more expensive options, it’s still a great option for beginners. It also includes 20 unique filter effects, perfect for capturing creative vintage photos or black-and-white images.

One parent who bought this for their nephew shared, "I was pleasantly surprised that it’s simple to use as well and lightweight. It would be definitely recommended as a first camera or if you are traveling and don’t want to lug around an expensive heavy camera." Another noted that the anti-shake function was ideal for video recording, keeping the footage smooth and easy to watch.

However, some customers feel that you could get better quality if you spent a little more, but acknowledge that this camera offers great value for money as a kid's first camera. Overall, the Digital Camera for Beginners is an affordable, fun, and easy-to-use option for introducing your child to photography.

The YunLone Kids Camera has earned a 4-star rating from over 8,500 reviews, with parents praising its playful design and ease of use. This camera is particularly noted for its colourful, shockproof silicone case that protects it from accidental drops, making it a great option for younger kids. Parents appreciate the simple controls and lightweight design, which are perfect for small hands.

Many parents mention the 30 frame styles and seven photo filters that help spark creativity. The camera also records clear videos, which keeps kids entertained and engaged. The 32GB microSD card and cartoon stickers included with the camera are seen as great bonuses for budding photographers.

One reviewer said, “This children’s camera has been a hit with my young one. The clarity of both photos and videos is remarkable, igniting a newfound interest in capturing moments. The camera's user-friendly design is perfect for small hands, and the durability is reassuring.” 

Another parent shared, “This camera was for a 3-year-old's birthday. They love taking photos on people's phones, so having a camera they're in command of is great.”
Overall, the YunLone Kids Camera is a fun, easy-to-use option that encourages children to explore photography with a high level of creativity and independence.

The HiMont Kids Camera Instant Print has received a 4.4-star rating from almost 1,000 reviews. Parents appreciate the instant printing feature, which allows kids to print their photos instantly, creating physical memories that they can hold onto. The camera’s user-friendly design and good photo and video quality are frequently mentioned as positive features.

However, some customers have concerns about print quality and functionality.
The camera comes with several accessories, including string, pegs, and colourful markers to decorate prints. Kids can also play games and record videos, making it a multi-functional camera. The ability to print photos instantly on skin-friendly paper (with up to 150 photos possible with the included rolls) is a hit among parents.

One reviewer said, "This is a great camera for kids! It's easy to use and takes great photos and videos. The instant print feature is a lot of fun, and the kids love being able to see their photos right away. The camera also comes with a lot of accessories, which are perfect for decorating their photos."

Another customer shared, "This instant print camera works really fast, you only wait about 3 to 5 seconds to shoot and the print is instant. It is black and white, just like advertised, with front and back cameras that have good image quality, better than expected at this price."

With a 4.5-star rating from over 1,500 reviews, the VTech KidiZoom Studio is a favorite among parents looking for a fun and interactive camera for their children. Designed for ages 5 and up, this camera offers exciting features like video recording, a green screen effect, and 20 imaginative backgrounds, ranging from a beach scene to outer space. It’s a great tool for fostering creativity, allowing kids to pretend to host their own shows and bring their ideas to life.

The camera comes equipped with a mini tripod/handle and a wrist strap, making it easy for little hands to capture action-packed moments. Plus, parents love the three built-in games, which help enhance hand-eye coordination and creative play.

Durability is a major highlight, with many reviewers praising its ability to withstand rough handling. One satisfied customer shared, "I bought this for my grandson’s 5th birthday. He’s delighted with it! It’s easy to use and keeps him entertained for hours." Another parent noted, "It’s really sturdy and easy to navigate. My toddler throws it around the house, and it still works perfectly."

However, some parents mention that the memory card could be larger, as they frequently need to delete pictures, and battery life could be improved. Despite these minor drawbacks, most agree that the VTech KidiZoom Studio is an excellent choice for creative kids, offering hours of fun, learning, and entertainment.

The Polaroid Now Instant Camera i-Type has earned a 4.1-star rating from 2,200 reviews. Customers love that this easy-to-use point-and-shoot camera gives instant results. It comes with built-in autofocus to capture moments as kids see them. The camera’s flash and color options are frequently praised, making it a fun choice for kids.

However, some parents warn that the photos take a couple of minutes to develop and fully mature over a longer period, which might require a bit more patience from younger children. Some mention that the photo quality isn’t as high as what you would get from a smartphone, but they still love the physical photo prints that kids can hold and share.

A reviewer said, "This camera is fun and easy to use. Photos develop after a couple of minutes, and they improve over time. The camera fits nicely in your hand and takes great photos for the price."

One thing to note is that the Polaroid Now Instant Camera i-Type is bulkier compared to other options, so it may be difficult for younger children to handle for long periods. But it’s still a favourite for kids who love capturing physical memories.

The Studio Creator Kids Digital Camera with Built-In Printer is a fun and interactive camera that allows children to instantly print their photos without the need for drying time. It comes with a 4GB microSD card, offering plenty of storage for both photos and videos. The camera includes fun customisation options, such as adding filters to photos or decorating them with included colored markers and stickers, sparking creativity and fun for kids.

Customers appreciate the camera for its ease of use and print functionality, making it a great first camera for young users. Many find it to be good value for money, particularly as a gift.

One reviewer, Jane, said, "Totally brilliant. Rolls of paper last ages, easy to use, forward and selfie camera lens, loads of frames, can take short videos (although we can't figure out how to play them back). Prints instantly, can reprint the same photos again, plus saves the memory card. Image quality is nothing like you would get on your phone, but is okay for what I was expecting. Has been lovely to take pictures with family members over Christmas and they have all got their own little shots to keep and pop on the fridge. Loved that the memory card was included and camera was charged and ready to go from unboxing."

Although the image quality isn’t comparable to a phone’s, customers find it acceptable for a child’s first camera, especially given the fun print feature. Some have mentioned difficulties with the playback functionality of the videos, but overall, the camera’s ability to print photos instantly and engage children with its creative features makes it an ideal choice for young photographers.

Rated 4.6 out of over 2,600 Amazon reviewers, the VTech KidiZoom PrintCam is an excellent choice for children, offering both fun and functionality. It includes a built-in thermal printer, which allows kids to print their photos instantly in black and white.

Customers find the digital camera to be a fun option for kids, especially with the print feature. They appreciate its sturdy construction, good-quality paper and stickers, and the overall value for money. Many find it easy to use and consider it a great gift idea. However, there are mixed opinions from some customers on picture quality and battery life.

This camera also offers various creative options, such as special photo effects, stamps, and borders, that encourage imaginative play. The camera’s flip-up lens makes it easy for kids to take selfies, while it also provides the ability to turn photos into line drawings for coloring or print custom cards, pretend money, and accessories. It functions like a standard digital camera, allowing children to take photos and videos that can be saved and transferred via USB. The memory is expandable with a microSD card (though not included), which adds flexibility for storing more images and videos.

Laura Healy, Commercial Content Writer for Mother & Baby and mum of two, reviewed the camera and said, "My seven-year-old enjoys using this camera, especially as she can print the pictures. She particularly likes the comic strip maker and the line drawing effect. It took a little while for her to grasp the features and learn how to use them, but with a bit of practice, it was simple and she can use it herself. It is a fun camera for taking digital photos and printing them."

The camera is durable enough to handle some rough play, making it ideal for younger users. It’s a great option for children ready to explore photography and creativity, combining instant printing with photo editing and game features that will keep them entertained and engaged.

The myFirst Camera 3 is a child-friendly camera designed to provide high-quality photos while being incredibly easy for little hands to use. Despite being made for kids, it performs like a standard digital camera, with a macro lens for close-up shots and a selfie lens for fun self-portraits. It is also built for durability, with a shockproof pouch made from high-tensile strength polymers, so it can withstand drops, knocks, and bumps. Additionally, the camera supports a microSD card up to 32GB, allowing your little one to take plenty of photos and videos without running out of space.

Laura Healy, Commercial Content Writer at Mother & Baby, tried and tested the camera and said, "My four-year-old loves this camera! It is the perfect size for her little hands and it is incredibly lightweight. She loves going out to the garden with it to take pictures of bugs and with this camera, because it is so simple to use but has great picture quality, she actually takes some great photos. I think we have all been snapped since she started using it and she loves that she can turn it on herself and surprise us by taking our picture when we are not expecting it. 

To add some of the fun effects or frames, or to swap to Macro mode takes a little bit of support, but she is starting to work it out herself and my seven-year-old worked it out straight away and is able to help her. The battery life is great and although my girls have been very careful with it and not dropped it (yet!) it feels robust and I think it could definitely withstand a few bumps. It is a great camera for little ones, I definitely recommend it."

The myFirst Camera 3 is an excellent choice for younger children, offering high-quality photos and videos while remaining durable and easy to use. With its lightweight design, fun effects, and long-lasting battery, it provides hours of entertainment for kids exploring photography.

The Groov-e Kids Digital HD Camera in pink is a great option for kids who want a simple yet fun camera to explore photography. With 28 different photo frames, 11 special effects, and 6 colour filters, the camera offers a variety of creative options to keep children entertained. It also includes 5 games, providing even more fun when not capturing images. The camera is USB rechargeable, with a large capacity battery that allows for 2-4 hours of continuous image or video capture.

One grandparent reviewer commented, "Grandson loved this kids' digital camera. It's packed full of features (frames and filters) which you wouldn't expect from such a small inexpensive device."

The Groov-e Kids Digital HD Camera is perfect for younger children, offering a user-friendly experience with lots of creative features. Its affordability and ease of use make it a great choice for a first camera, providing a fun way for kids to develop their photography skills while enjoying the added features. This model also comes in colour blue.