Best kids' cameras for young photographers

Integrated cameras on phones and tablets have made photography more accessible to children than ever. But the best kids' camera is a great way to level up their creativity and photography skills. Plus, much like the best travel games, they're a small but crowd-pleasing addition to any family holiday.

Whether you’re looking for a simple first camera for your five-year-old, a camera designed for action, an instant option for a party or even a video camera for a budding YouTuber, our list has got you covered.

We know that choosing tech for your child can be tricky, especially when you need to factor in longevity and the risk of damage little ones might cause. That's why we took to the Mumsnet forums - home to the UK's largest online network of parents - to find the best kids' cameras real parents and their children have tried, tested and loved. We cross-referenced these recommendations with cameras approved by tech experts and analysed consumer reviews across the media to develop our guide to the best kids' cameras for every need, age and budget.

Best kids' cameras, at a glance

1. Best kids' camera overall: VTECH KidiZoom Duo FX Compact Camera | £60 £43

2. Best instant kids' camera: Instax Mini 12 Camera | £80 £70

3. Best Polaroid kids' camera: Polaroid Now Instant i-Type | £119

4. Best camera for 10-year-olds: Canon IXUS 285 HS 20.2MP 12x Zoom Compact Digital Camera | £380 £347

5. Best camera for younger kids: Oaxis MyFirst Camera 2 | £65

6. Best kids' camera with drone: DEERC D20 Mini Drone for Kids | £40 £34

7. Best kids' DSLR camera: Canon EOS 2000D | £700

8. Best kids' camera for shooting video: VTECH KidiZoom Studio | £70 £47

9. Best kids' camera for preschoolers: HelloBaby Instant Print Camera | £40

Each camera in our roundup has been tested by Mumsnet editors and their children

How we tested the best kids' cameras

• We gathered first-hand recommendations from the Mumsnet forums, the UK’s largest online network of parents, to understand which cameras real families rate and why.

• We considered how each camera performs in real-life family settings, taking into account durability, ease of use, and value for money.

• Some of our Mumsnet editors and writers - Becky and Laura, who are also parents, tested a selection of cameras at home with their own children to gain genuine hands-on insight.

• We cross-referenced parent feedback with models approved by tech experts to ensure our shortlist balances fun with functionality.

• We analysed consumer reviews across trusted media outlets to check consistency in quality, performance, and reliability.

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What is a good first camera for a child?

The right first camera for your child will depend on what age they get started with photography. We think the Oaxis myFirst Camera 2 is the best beginner camera for kids aged three to eight years old.

The Canon EOS 2000D is a great option for older children aged 16 and over thanks to its more powerful features that produce professional content.

At what age should a child have a camera?

With technology becoming smarter and more advanced every day, children as young as three years old have the opportunity to start photography using the multitude of toddler-friendly cameras on the market. These will generally be really easy to use, have a sturdy exterior to withstand accidental drops and feature fun effects to spark the imagination.

What is the best camera for a 12-year-old beginner?

If your 12-year-old is after something simple, lightweight with the ability to record high-quality videos, we like the Canon IXUS 285 HS. For more action-orientated kids looking for a GoPro alternative, the AKASO V50 is also a great choice for waterproof durability.

What is the best kids' camera for a three-year-old?

We think the VTech KidiZoom Duo FX Compact Camera is one of the best cameras for a three-year-old. It has plenty of fun games and filters and, best of all, comes with a shockproof case and easy-to-grip handles.

What are the benefits of the best kids' cameras?

• They enrich their understanding of the world around them.

• They allow children to explore their curiosity and ask questions.

• They expand your child's vocabulary through storytelling.

• They create opportunities for a detailed look at nature through the lens.

• They add depth to your child’s STEM learning.

• They will enhance your child’s memory and recall skills as they discuss photos.

• They are an excellent introductory tool to tech and the digital world.

Kids' cameras that didn't make the cut

Toddlers, children, tweens or teens - there's no wrong time to start a new hobby, and photography is a superb one to pursue for creative little ones. Although, finding the best one for your child might prove tricky since there's hundreds, if not thousands, of cameras all claiming to be suitable for kids out there.

So, as always, our team of parent testers at MNHQ have been busy making sure we thoroughly test cameras. Here are the kids' cameras that we've tried, but for one reason or another, haven't made it to our best kids' cameras roundup this time.

What should I look for in the best kids' camera?

The world of cameras comes with a bewildering range of different features. Thankfully, specially designed cameras for kids strip away some of these complications and, if you choose the right one, it will focus on the most important thing – having fun.

Here are some things to consider when making your choice:

• Age: Some models are brighter, more toy-like and harder to break, and these can be suitable for children aged three and above. Preschooler cameras might not have the most powerful definition, so older children who want higher quality photos may need a higher spec.

• Is it a toy?: Cute-looking kids’ cameras and toy-like designs can include built-in games and funny filters, but they might not shoot pictures that are as sharp as you are used to seeing on the average modern smartphone. If you’re looking for something more serious, there are models aimed at beginners that would be more suitable as a kids’ camera for older children.

• Cost: As a general rule, the more sophisticated features on offer, the more you will need to spend. If your child is dabbling in photography and simply wants to have fun, you don’t need to break the bank. If you’re looking for HD video, high resolutions and zoom capabilities, you may need to spend a little more.

• Is it portable?: Some cameras are small and compact, fitting in a pocket like a smartphone, whereas others are more bulky and substantial in size. Smaller cameras are more suitable for travel and outdoor use, whereas dimensions are less important for use in the home.

• Does it need video?: Most (but not all) kids’ cameras can also shoot video, but the quality can vary substantially from one camera to the next. If they’re keen to capture action shots and high-speed videos without blur, you may need to spend more for HD 5k video capabilities.

• Does it need to be waterproof?: A waterproof camera is not only great for peace of mind, but allows your child to capture some really unique images on holiday or at the pool. The depth they are waterproof to also varies from one manufacturer to the next, so make sure you read the specifications to avoid breakages.

• Photo output: What will they want to do with the photos after they’ve taken them? Some digital kids’ cameras have easy-to-use photo editing software, enabling the photos to be transferred to another device. Another option – which can be great fun – is a Polaroid camera that prints physical pictures instantly.

• What extras are required?: Extras can be costly, whether it’s batteries, memory cards, film or special tripods and mountings. Take into consideration not only the cost of the camera, but the ongoing running costs and additional purchases you may need to make.

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What is the best camera for children's photography?

For younger photographers, the Vtech Kidizoom Duo FX is the best camera for kids on the market right now. Parents highlight its fun filters and say that it’s given their children hours of fun, with the included games being an extra bonus.

It has a child-friendly design, a shockproof case, easy-to-hold handles and great usability, as well as front and rear cameras and an impressive three-inch screen. It also takes pictures up to eight megapixels – enough to spark the imagination of a young beginner photographer.

In terms of older kids, the Canon EOS 2000D is a great entry-level DSLR and the VTech KidiZoom Studio is a good option for any budding YouTubers.

How we chose our recommendations

Recommendations from parents

Because we know there’s nothing like a recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which cameras discerning Mumsnet users had bought for their kids. We compiled a list of cameras they recommended, noting how effective they found them and what ages they thought they were suitable for.

Experts' best buys

We then did significant research across the wider web, looking at which kids’ cameras had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across retail sites including Amazon, Jessops and Currys, as well as trusted, independent print media and tech specialist sites.

Honest customer reviews

Lastly, we thoroughly researched authentic consumer reviews. We looked for positive and negative reviews and dug deeper to identify any consistent pros or cons.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of baby and child products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help parents make confident purchases that benefit their families.