These Cameras for Kids Make Great Holiday Gifts—and Some Are Already on Sale
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Your kid may not be ready for a pricey DSLR camera, but you can get them started in photography young. Inexpensive, easy to use, and most importantly, fun to operate, these cameras allow them to capture images and get creative. Choose between digital cameras, which don't require any ongoing expense, or instant-print options for immediate results. Just don't expect professional quality, as these are truly designed for kids (trust us, they won't mind!).
Our top picks:
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Best Overall: Fujifilm Instax Mini 13
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Best Value: VTech KidiZoom
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Best Digital: Kiimento Mikayo the Bear
The tech and parenting experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of gifts for kids, from our award-winning toys for all ages to the best gifts for tween girls . To find the best "first" camera for kids ages 3 to 12, we relied on feedback from our continuous toy testing . We considered everything, from how easy the camera was to use to its price point and durability. And yes, we tested with kids!
Fujifilm Instax Mini 13
Best for:Instant gratification for tweens and teens
What to know:The Instax Mini works similarly to a Polaroid camera. It's not digital—kids need to look through the viewfinder with one eye. Pictures print out within five seconds of snapping a photo and take about 90 seconds to develop.
New to this year's Mini 13: a built-in self-timer. It also has the selfie mirror that was added when the Mini 12 came out.
This also has automatic flash control, which prevents images from becoming too washed out. But what really makes this a fun gift for kidsare the pastel colors, including blue, green, pink, and lilac.
Lab notes:You must buy film separately if you want your kid to be able to take photos right away. The film ends up costing a little more than a dollar per photo. We suggest this for kids ages 8 and up, who tend to snap more intentionally and less randomly than preschoolers.
The Instax Mini is super easy to both charge and to turn on and off by just twisting the lens.
Tester notes:My eldest has an earlier version of this camera that survived from middle school to college. At this point, it's got dirt and nail polish all over it, but it's still taking pictures.
"The pictures are really cute. I made a whole photo board out of pictures that I took with this," another tester told us, but added that "buying film can get expensive."
RELATED: Why the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Is Our Favorite Wedding Season Must-Have
- Decent quality instant photos
- Prints straight from the camera for sharing
- Built-in flash
- Timer plus a selfie mirror, for easy selfies
- Twist the lens to power on and off
- Durable, can last for years
- Film costs add up
VTech KidiZoom
Best for:A first camera for kids ages 3 to 8
What to know:This is the most affordable camerawe've found, and it's got the lowest recommended age—VTech says a 3-year-old can operate it. We tried it with slightly older kids, who had a blast.
Your child can scroll through photos they've taken on the screen, and this camera can capture both still images and video. Kids can add silly photo effects to their work, and if they've made a masterpiece, you can download the images or video to your computer at home. (You will need to buy or use an existing USB cord, not included.)
Lab notes:The images are of low quality and grainy, so don't expect too much, but preschoolers find them fun.
If your child tends to take a lot of pictures, you can add a micro SD card , sold separately, to increase storage. Also be sure to buy four AA batteries, required to run this camera but not included.
Tester notes:The KidiZoom is robust and durable—we had testers play with these outside and no harm was done. It includes four built-in games that kids can play on the camera screen.
"It's more of a toy for younger kids," said a Lab pro who is also a parent of a 6-year-old. "It's a good first camera for a preschooler who was interested in the novelty of it."
New to 2026 for kids ages 5+ who are also very interested in creating video content: VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam Ultra . "My son wants to be a content creator one day, so this was the perfect introduction to making his own videos and capturing his own content," a parent told us.
- Made for kids as young as 3
- Captures still images and video
- Kids can add silly effects
- Four games included
- Super durable
- More of a toy than a "real" camera, but that makes it fun
Kiimento Mikayo the Bear
Best for:Kids ages 4 to 6 who want to keep snapping
What to know:With its 32 GB memory card, included, your kid can store approximately 20,000 photos. While snapping they can choose from over 20 filters, frames, and stickers to add a fun touch to each photo.
Lab notes:Like with other kid cameras, don't expect the best photo quality. But it would be difficult to find a camera cuter than Mikayo the Bear. Not only does it come in the most adorable case to help protect it from drops (we dropped it in the Lab and didn't notice any damage), its small, compact size makes it easy for little fingers and hands to grasp.
This is also small enough to easily take on vacation, in your kid's backpack. Just note that the lens doesn't fold up.
"Video recordings, time delay pics, filter options, and more are just a couple of button clicks away," said GH test engineer Alec Scherma . He liked that the case is removable, should you want to use the camera without it.
Tester notes:Testers found the camera extremely intuitive and easy to use, and loved being able to review photos taken on the 2-inch screen. Kids don't have to wait until images are uploaded on a computer to see what they've snapped.
This is the bear version, but there's also a red fox.
- Includes 32 GB memory card to store 20,000 images
- Durable against drops
- Small enough to easily take on vacation
- Can also take videos
- Available with adorable fox or bear case
- Cannot close lens
Canal Toys Paw Patrol My First Instant Camera
Best for:Kids ages 4+ who want instant photos they can draw all over
What to know:This past winner from the Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards can instantly print and store digital photos. Black and white images print on paper scrolls that can each fit approximately 70 photos. Then, kids can decorate the images.
Lab notes:It comes with four scrolls, so your kid can print 280 pictures right out of the box. The images are low quality and because the paper scrolls are tight, the images come out bent. Kids don't seem to care.
You can buy more photo paper , but as of this reporting, the extra pack is not Paw Patrol themed (it matches the brand's camera for older kids, also on this list).
It's also a digital camera that can record video, and you can connect it to a laptop to download the content. Add a micro SD card if you want to use those digital features.
Tester notes:Kids can decorate pictures with the included Paw Patrol stickers and markers. "My 4-year-old loved the Paw Patrol theme," a mom told us.
There are also dozens of Paw Patrol frames and filters for their shots. "My 6-year-old loved that he could add Paw Patrol characters to his photos," another parent said. "He also liked how easy it was to use. We gave him a different digital camera for his last birthday, but I think that was a bit too much for him. This really hit the sweet spot."
- Instant images that can be decorated
- Each photo paper scrolls is good for 70 photos
- Markers and stickers included
- Store digital images and video if you add a micro SD card
- A hit with Paw Patrol fans
- Images are black and white and paper comes out bent
Kodak Pixpro
Best for:Teens and tweens ready for a first "real" digital camera
What to know:The quality of the Pixpro is more real and less kiddie. This camera can capture still images and videos, and features a zoom lens.
The screen on the back is big at 2.7 inches wide, making it easy for kids to see each image they capture and decide if it's a keeper. Plus, the photo quality at 16 MP is best among all the cameras featured on this list.
Lab notes:Kodak's camera is slim, lightweight, and portable. The small size is ideal for kids with some dexterity who can hold it, which is why we recommend it for children aged 8 and above. Younger kids might like something with more grip.
Tester notes:A 9-year-old told us, "It's easy to see your photos after you take them. I can get a clear shot even when I'm walking. Some cameras you have to push a lot of buttons to get to something on the screen, but with this one, I just have to push one button."
- Captures photos and videos
- Large screen makes it easy for kids to see what they got
- Highest quality on our list at 16 MP
- Slim and portable
- Simple to use
- No built-in grips, so good for kids with some dexterity
Canal Toys Photo Creator Instant Print Camera
Best for:Tweens and teens looking to be silly and creative with instant photos
What to know:This camera is essentially the same model as the Paw Patrol option on this list—same manufacturer, same technology—but minus the preschool-friendly extras and more tween-appropriate filters and frames, like palm trees and hearts, plus stickers and markersfor silly decoration.
Your tween should be able to print about 280 black and white images on the four included paper scrolls. When you buy more photo paper , you also get more stickers.
Lab notes:The camera charges with a USB cord. This can be a digital camera and a video camera too, though we just tried the instant feature. Install a micro SD card , sold separately, to use digital and video features.
Tester notes:"I love that they give you a bunch of stickers [and a ton of paper]!" said a tester. "Pictures do come out bendy, but they are pretty clear, and this is a cheaper alternative to a Polaroid," another said.
- Tween-appropriate filter and frames
- Comes with stickers and markers
- Includes enough paper for 280 photos
- Can also take video and digital images with a micro SD card
- Less expensive alternative to a Polaroid
- Paper makes the images come out curved
Camp Snap 2
Best for:Teaching kids to snap now, see what they got later
What to know:Two parents founded Camp Snap because they wanted their sons to be able to go to summer camp with a camera and return with some fun images for memories. But camps don't allow screens, so they set out to invent a screen-free digital choice.
It has a flash and it counts pictures as your kid takes them, up to 2,000 images. Your child will see what pictures they got later, when they hook the camera up to a laptop or computer and download. But despite being digital, the Camp Snap 2 has a super vintage feel.
Lab notes:"This is a very simple camera. It's a point and click," Scherma said. New to the version 2 model: a physical button on the back that lets kids cycle through six color filters to try.
Tester notes:"I like how it makes a sound when you take a picture, and the battery seems to last a while," a tester told us. "I've used this going out with friends and going on trips because it's extremely portable and lightweight, and you really only need to bring a tiny charger. Any skill level could use this camera."
- Screen-free camera invented for kids
- Holds up to 2,000 images
- Vintage feel, makes a sound when snapped
- New version includes six color filters
- Lightweight and portable
- Kids wait to see images on a computer. But patience is part of the appeal, too!
Polaroid Now Third Generation
Best for:Teens who can be gentle, and creative, with this original instant camera
What to know:Be sure to buy Polaroid film , but note that it's expensive, more than $2 per print.
Lab notes:I had a Polaroid as a kid, and I've been thrilled to let my kids use a Polaroid now. It makes that signature snap-and-print sound, and watching each print develop is as thrilling as ever.There's also a robust Polaroid community your kids can leverage for advice as they learn the ropes of photography.
Holding the one-pound camera, peering through the lens, and clicking the button all at the same time is also easier for tweens and teens versus little kids. I'd give a Polaroid to an artsy teen who is looking for that specific look, rather than a child who wants to take a ton of pictures all the time.
Tester notes:I handed this to my young adult, who had a blast taking photos and watching them develop. And Poloroids make great room decorations, or gifts for friends!
- Kids can watch each large print develop
- There's a robust Polaroid community for advice
- Artsy prints make great decorations and gits
- Film is expensive and sold separately
How we choose the best cameras for kids
We regularly evaluate cameras for kids in the Tech & Engineering Lab and send them to families for home testing with children ages 3 and up. In the Lab, experts review each camera's picture quality, ease of use, and available functions. In terms of their kid-friendly qualities, we also check that each model is simple to operate and built to withstand everyday use.
For our home testers, we ask kids (or parents) to share their favorite and least favorite things about each camera and whether they would recommend it to others. Finally, we analyze online reviews to spot common themes in user feedback.
Courtesty of tester
What to consider when buying a camera for a kid
When it comes to cameras for kids:
✔️ Don't expect high-end results.We've read reviews complaining that cameras for kids don't deliver crisp images, but that's a lot to expect. Polaroid delivers photos with a cool vibe, and the digital-only cameras produce decent pictures. Still, none of these are for capturing fast action or tricky exposures in low-light situations. Your smartphone will take better pictures. These are for fun!
✔️ If your kid wants instant gratification, choose one of the cameras that prints images instantly.Buying the film or paper adds to the expense. A plus is that your kid will operate the camera more or less independently. You don't have to download images to a laptop or tablet.
✔️ If your kid wants to share images virtually, choose one of the digital cameras.Yeah, you will need to connect it to a computer and download the images, but if they want to store them on their own kid's tablet or send them to friends, this will make it easier.
✔️ Don't spend a lot of money.If a camera costs more than $150, it's probably not meant for kids.
Courtesy of Tester
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn personally tested most of the cameras for kids on this list and collaborated with Test Engineer Alec Scherma for the others. Hartshorn, a mom of two, grew up loving her Pentax SLR. Using point-and-shoot cameras for kids inspired her to track down a $40 used version of her old, original film camera—results TBD.
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