Best Camera for Kids | 2025

The best cameras for kids are the perfect way to encourage a child’s interest in photography and videography— or just keep them away from your smartphone! A dedicated camera can help a kid understand the process behind photography in a much more hands-on way than a smartphone, and many cameras are designed specifically to appeal to younger users. 

We’ve included a mix of digital and film cameras in this guide, with the models that have most impressed our testing team. Each has advantages and disadvantages — film cameras are cheaper to buy initially, and the physicality of film gives image-making a tactile quality that’s great for learning. However, film also comes with ongoing costs, so you may prefer to go digital for that reason.

So, here are the best cameras for kids of all ages, from tiny tots to precocious teens…

Film and instant cameras

While film comes with ongoing costs, it’s simply unmatched in terms of the kinds of tactile fun kids can have with it. Whether you choose instant film or more traditional negative film, you can use these cameras to teach kids the basics of the relationship between the camera and the image. And in terms of making memories to keep for life, nothing beats a gorgeous physical print of a film image.

The Instax Mini is an obvious choice for kids. It is small, cute, and doesn’t require that much supervision. It is straightforward to use, although the adult should probably load the film before handing it over. The results are immediate — the shutter button is pressed, and moments later, a tactile print comes out that can be pinned to boards or stuck to scrapbooks. The exposures are completely automated, so there’s no danger of wasting film through using the wrong settings, and the camera even has a selfie mirror.

Film for Fujifilm Instax Mini cameras can be bought in colour or monochrome flavours — kids will likely prefer colour but you can always mix and match.

Polaroid has been steadily refining its instant film camera offering since the brand’s reinvention at the hands of the Impossible Project. The Polaroid Now Gen II Instant Camera is the best yet, and while its various shooting modes and settings controls mean it might be a little complex for very small teens, it’s an ideal choice for tweens and teens who want to get to grips with a camera and still have fun. 

It’s compatible with the latest I-type film — available in colour or black and white — and these make classically sized Polaroid prints with all the lo-fi charm you remember them having. They do cost more per shot than Instax, which again makes the Polaroid a better choice for older kids who might be a bit more judicious with the shutter button. Also, if you have any old Polaroid 600 film kicking around in the loft or the basement, it’ll take that too!

Remember when a holiday wasn’t complete until your disposable camera pictures had come back from the developers? Why not recreate that magic for your kids with the Kodak Fun Flash Single Use Camera 27+12 Exp — a pre-loaded single-use film camera that’s ready to go with 39 colour shots. The film that’s loaded in has a speed rating of 800 — this means it does a solid job when the light gets low, though you’ll also be helped out there by the built-in flash.

As this is a single-use camera, it’s worth making sure that whoever you send it to for development will dispose of it properly — a good film lab should have a policy in place whereby the parts are either recycled or sent back to the manufacturer for reuse, but it’s always worth checking. 

Also available in: red, yellow, turquoise, lavender, and grey.

A point-and-shoot film camera that comes in plenty of different colourways, the Yashica MF-1 Snapshot Art Camera Y Edition is a stylish option for kids who are getting interested in photography. While loading and unloading the 35mm film is probably something that would benefit from adult assistance, once it’s up and running, the camera is incredibly simple to operate — you point, you shoot. There’s a built-in flash to aid with low-light photography, and the 31mm lens provides a broad focal length in the classic disposable-camera perspective.

In a nice touch, the camera also comes packaged with an AA battery and a roll of Yashica 400 colour negative film, meaning it’s ready to be set up and used straight out of the box. The Yashica film is a nice emulsion – with fairly natural colours, it’s a good option for portraits. This camera might eventually feel a little limiting to a kid who starts to get serious about photography, but it’s a brilliant take-everywhere starting point for the photo-curious. 

Digital Cameras

In this section, we’ve picked out our favourite digital cameras that are suitable for kids. These aren’t “kids’ cameras” per se — they’re designed for adults. But their ease of use and brilliant image quality makes them ideal choices for kids who are just starting to get curious about the process of making pictures and videos.

Adorned with designs of classic Peanuts characters, the Yashica X Peanuts Mini Digital Camera is going to be an easy sell to any Snoopy-obsessed kid (full confession: I used to be one, and this would have worked on me). While it’s not going to scoop any awards for image quality, it’s got a decent 4x zoom lens that gives some scope for experimenting with composition. Most kids will find it easy to use, and the rechargeable battery that can be topped up via USB-C means you don’t have to worry about remembering to buy AAs or anything like that.

For kids who are a little older and looking for something more advanced, there’s also the Yashica X Peanuts Digital Camera, a similarly Snoopy-adorned camera that offers an 8x digital zoom and support for 64GB microSD cards, as opposed to just 32GB on the Mini version. 

If you have a kid who can’t get enough of animals and birds, then the Canon PowerShot Zoom could become their new constant companion. It’s a tiny, almost palm-sized digital camera that’s built with a powerful zoom lens inside, allowing for even the most distant subjects to be brought close and captured in photos and videos. While the zoom can be tricky to operate handheld at first, a built-in 4-axis optical stabilisation system makes it a bit easier and more practical to use.

Favoured by wildlife expert Chris Packham, the Canon PowerShot Zoom is ideal for birdwatching. For rambles in the woods, nature hikes and holidays, it’s an excellent camera for your kid to get to grips with.

FAQs

What is the best age to introduce a camera to a child?

Kids can start using a camera around 3 to 5 years old. At this age, they will be more likely to understand basic photography concepts and handle simple point-and-shoot cameras. Look for ones with big buttons and durable designs perfect for their smaller hands.

What features should I look for in a camera for kids?

When picking a camera for kids, durability and ease of use are key. Choose one that's tough, with shockproof and waterproof features to handle drops and spills. Simple controls with large buttons make it easy for kids to use. Fun extras like games, photo effects or video recording can keep them interested and entertained.

Are digital cameras or instant cameras better for kids?

Both have their perks. Digital cameras let kids take lots of photos without worrying about film and often have video and editing features. Instant cameras give the fun of immediate prints, which can be really exciting for kids. It really depends on whether you prefer the versatility of digital or the instant fun of print photos. Either option will help get your kids excited about photography.

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