When shopping for cameras for kids, consider ease of use, durability, features, accessories, and, of course, your budget. To select our top picks, we interviewed photography experts around the country and researched the best options for a variety of picture-taking needs. From exploring traditional film to taking underwater snaps, here are the best cameras for kids. Price at time of publication: $80 Price at time of publication: $36 Price at time of publication: $38 Price at time of publication: $500 Price at time of publication: $450 Price at time of publication: $45 Price at time of publication: $77 Price at time of publication: $70 Price at time of publication: $44 Price at time of publication: $60 Price at time of publication: $480 Price at time of publication: $120

What to Look for in a Camera for Kids

Ease of Use

A camera will only be a good match for a kid if it’s comfortable, simple, and fun to use. “The best camera is the one in your hand or in your pocket,” says Phlipot, a parent herself. “It’s important to consider size, so it’s convenient for your child to carry and have available. If they don’t want to carry it or don’t have it with them, they will not be able to take pictures.” Ease of use will depend on the child, but “it is important for the camera to be an appropriate size for your kid’s age,” Tseng tells Verywell Family. Consider the weight, too, she says: “Lightweight is a good consideration for little kids, though if your kids are a little older, having some weight on the camera actually helps the kids to have better control.”

Type of Camera

Consider what specific features you want in a camera. That includes whether you want to capture digital or film content and whatever additional specialty features are useful for your purposes. Picks on our list include underwater cameras, selfie cameras, video cameras, and more.

Durability

Take into account the rough-and-tumble play of kids (especially younger ones) when selecting a camera. It should be durable enough to go the distance. To that end, Tseng advises looking at “prominent brands, such as Nikon, Canon, and Sony, for durability reasons.”

Accessories

Consider what accessories might be most useful for your kid, from carrying bags to chargers to lenses. Most important, according to Tseng, is that a kids’ camera should have a strap. “A professional photographer always carries their camera with a strap, over the neck or the wrist, to protect their gear from falling and breaking as well as preventing any injuries,” she notes.

Budget

Some cameras can be expensive, but it’s not necessary to break the bank when selecting one for your kid. “A compact camera will work great for a starter to learn about photography,” Tseng says. “Once they consistently take great pictures and would like to start learning more about different lenses, you may consider a beginner’s DSLR. But before then, a compact camera is a budget-friendly option for your kids to learn about how to use a camera as well as the relationship between shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.”

Why Trust Verywell Family

Alesandra Dubin is a professional product reviewer and content creator in the parenting and lifestyle space. She’s also a mom to 8-year-old twins, with whom she shares her love of photography. Tseng adds, “Creativity does not have to wait.”