The Best Cameras For Kids

Buying Guide

These days, taking a photo or a selfie is second nature for many kids. Having used their parents’ smartphones or digital cameras since childhood, kids have experienced how much fun it is to document parts of their lives on camera. Getting a camera for kids is an excellent way to help them hone their artistic skills and give them an outlet for creative expression. Not only that, giving kids their very own camera can launch discussions about science and technology, how cameras work and the history of cameras. Plus, cameras inherently encourage communication, as kids can share their photos with their friends and family and discuss what elements they are trying to capture.

When looking for a camera for kids, it’s important to make sure it is age-appropriate. When is a child ready for their own camera? It largely depends on the child and their interests. Some preschoolers and kindergarten-age children may be ready for their own cameras if they have a budding interest in photography, while others may not want one till they are in their teens.

Ensure that the physical size of the camera matches that of your child. Older kids whose hands are larger may have trouble with small cameras with tiny buttons. Similarly, little kids who are still working on their fine motor skills may have trouble navigating a camera with complex controls.

In terms of technical features, opt for a camera that has several functions. An adequate zoom range lets kids play around with their camera frame and figure out what exactly they want to include in the shot. Video capability is ideal for older kids who want to begin filming short scenes. A simple user interface is ideal for all ages because it makes the camera easy to use without parental instruction.

• When your child first gets the camera, take some time to orient both yourself and them on the basic functionality. Depending on their age, you can go through the instruction manual together, or read it yourself to answer some basic questions.  Show your child how to turn the camera on and off, how to snap a photo, how to zoom in and out and how to delete a photo.
• Depending on the age of the child, you can also show them when to use the flash or when not to, in addition to where to position a source of light when taking a photo. You can also discuss how to upload the camera photos onto a computer, how to charge the camera, as well as where the memory card and batteries go.
• Once you have shown them the basics of how the camera works and how they can use it, let them explore the rest. Kids are naturally curious. Giving them the freedom to figure out how they want to take photos and what they want to document will enable them to grow their creative side and discover their artistic skills. If they have questions about photography technique, you can guide them or point them towards other resources, but it’s best to let them have some fun before getting into the technical aspects of photography.
• If your child is old enough to use social media, have a discussion on what kinds of photos are appropriate to share and what kinds of photos should not be made public on any online platforms. Also discuss getting consent from any people within the photos before sharing publicly.