HelloBaby Instant Print Camera review: our verdict on cute kids camera

Price on writing: £40 | Buy now from Amazon

Our verdict

When it comes to choosing the best kids camera for a junior photographer, there are plenty of options out there, which means it can feel like a rather daunting task.

HelloBaby - probably best known for making baby monitors - has created a marvellous first camera that ticks all the boxes - it can capture 12MP colorful images, print your kids’ precious snaps, record hi-def video, plus there are some classic games the kids and nostalgic parents can enjoy. The decorative cat ears look pretty cute too.

My kids really enjoyed experimenting with the different frames and effects, including a trippy kaleidoscope, fisheye lens and a frame that allowed them to create their own Christmas gift tags. It’s just a shame that because the camera only prints in black and white it doesn’t show their creations in all their technicolour glory. However the printer paper is glossy and of good quality and once we had adjusted the settings, the photos came out crystal clear.

The camera is chunky enough for little hands to hold and has a simple user interface which means it is easy for little ones to navigate without too much adult help required. I would wholeheartedly recommend this camera to anyone looking for a Christmas gift for preschoolers and beyond.

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How we tested

My two kids, aged five and seven, tested the camera out over several weeks. We rated the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera on how easy it was to set up and use, the picture and video quality, and the variety and quality of features available. 

What’s in the box?

The HelloBaby Instant Print Camera box contains:

• Print camera

• 16G memory card

• Decorative cat ears

• Strap

• Type-C cable

• Two rolls of printer paper

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What’s the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera like to set up?

The HelloBaby Instant Print Camera was easy to set up. The camera came with a roll of paper already installed. The 16GB memory card slots in the side and the decorative cat ears slip on over the top of the camera. A carry strap can be attached to either side of the camera, and although this was very fiddly to do, I would say this is a pretty essential feature to prevent avoidable drops and potential breakages.

Although the camera does come partially charged, it is advisable to plug it into the mains before using it for the first time.

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What’s the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera like in day-to-day use?

The chunky camera is perfect for little hands, with big, clearly labeled buttons, and a large high-quality 3.2-inch IPS screen. It didn’t take long for my five-year-old to find her way around the camera and she was very quickly using it independently, without any help required from me.

While my youngest was busy taking photos of her toys and printing off Christmas labels created using the variety of available frames, my seven-year-old was more interested in using the rear camera to record a vlog about her weekend. Both girls enjoyed playing the selection of classic games, including Tetris, Snake and Push Box.

The camera came with two rolls of paper which is a better quality than the paper that came with the Photo Creator Instant Camera that we tried out earlier in the year. However the latter came with four rolls of paper included, and once the kids got snapping, they managed to burn through this supply pretty quickly, so I suspect our two rolls will not last long. The thermal printing technology uses safe, environmentally friendly paper. It doesn’t smell and it doesn’t make any mess, plus it’s perfectly safe for kids’ hands.

Unlike the Photo Creator, the HelloBaby didn’t come with pens and stickers for customisation, but of course you can always use supplies you may already have at home to jazz up the kids’ pictures. The good news is that even if you run out of paper, the camera will continue to capture colour images and store them on the memory card.

The print quality on the first few photos was not great, but I managed to change the print mode and print density in the settings and this improved the images considerably.

When taking pictures indoors, or somewhere with gloomy lighting, a push of a button causes the cat’s ‘nose’ to light up.  This can be used for photos and video recording.

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Are there any special features on the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera?

As well as a 16x digital zoom front and rear camera, print function and video recording, the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera also has a music playback function, but your DC will need to put all their favourite tracks onto the memory card to use this feature.

Continuous shooting allows the user to capture a series of photos in succession, plus there is a time-lapse function to experiment with too.

I personally really liked the selection of retro games that came with this camera - who can resist a cheeky game of Snake just like we played on our phones back in the day?!

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What age group is the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera best suited for?

The HelloBaby Instant Print Camera is suitable for kids aged from three. With its removable cat ears and light-up nose, the camera is definitely marketed at a younger audience, but older children may find the design quite childish. The camera is only available in two colours - pink and blue - and at the time of writing (October 2024) no other animal styles are available, which perhaps limits the camera’s appeal. That said, it is a very good camera, with a large screen and buttons and a simple user interface that makes it the perfect first camera for little ones.

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How long does the battery last, and how is it charged?

There’s no frantic scrabbling around for some AAs as the HelloBaby’s built-in 1200mAh rechargeable battery provides up to 18 hours of continuous use. It can be charged using the type-C cable included with the camera.

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Is there internal storage or does it require a memory card?

The HelloBaby Instant Print Camera comes with a 16GB memory card. Without the card, the camera will not take any photos or video, although the games can still be played.

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Does the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera have any parental controls? 

No. Unlike the VTECH KidiZoom Duo FX there is no way of setting a time limit on the games, so this is something to bear in mind before buying.

The settings allow the user to set the camera to automatically shut down if it hasn’t been used for one, three or five minutes. Alternatively, you can select a screen saver. These are handy if your kids are anything like mine and have a habit of walking off and leaving the battery to go flat.

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Is the Hello Baby Instant Print Camera good value for money?

Priced at £40 at the time of writing (October 17th, 2024), I feel that the HelloBaby Instant Print Camera is great value for money and the kids were impressed by its performance. Just don’t forget to factor in the cost of replacement paper rolls when buying.

Want more kids’ tech inspiration? Take a look at our guides to the best smartphone for kids, best games consoles and best laptops for kids.

About the author

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on child’s play, outdoor play and toddler play content.

Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021, writing buyers guides and product reviews to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.

Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, The Big Issue, Stylist and Happiful magazine.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.