The Best Toddler Cameras and Kids’ Cameras, Tested by a Mom of Four

It's a rare product that appeals to toddlers and big kids alike. I have four children, and my 2-year-old, 5-year-old and 8-year-old were all very into the VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix Plus. It allows kids and toddlers alike to get creative with their pictures beyond the conventional point-and-shoot, which is one of the reasons it stood out during testing. The camera lets little ones record voices and play with over 40 camera effects, including picture frames, stamps, collages and more. Kids can even stitch together up to five photos to make a panoramic shot and create dynamic animations with up to 100 pictures. All of those features make this a seriously cool camera, according to my four children. The device also has built-in games, which my kiddos love and I was less excited about—but even without these, the camera itself is highly entertaining. My kids especially liked that they could create "talking photos" with their voices, and my daughter and younger son had a blast taking pictures of all of us with wonky angles and filters.

The KidiZoom was simple to get up and running—you just need to add four AA batteries and thread through the wrist strap. The camera is also incredibly easy to hold, with thick grips on both sides that make it a breeze for big and small hands to grasp. While the screen isn't massive, it's substantial enough for little ones to check out their handiwork. My kids are not the best photographers, so a lot of the pictures came out blurry. That being said, the ones where they stood still came out just fine. I also loved the durability of this camera. My kids are tough on toys, and this held up to everything they dished it. I even accidentally knocked it off my desk at one point, and it handled the fall like a pro. The camera is protected by a thick plastic exterior and protruding parts are still buffered by the large handles.

When your child is finished taking photos, simply transfer them to your computer. (Keep in mind that the USB cord isn’t included, so you’ll have to use one you have around the house or purchase a cord separately.) The camera's memory goes up to 32 GB, although you’ll need to buy a MicroSD card separately. Despite having to purchase those accessories separately, this camera is still a great deal; I was shocked when I saw how low the price was. It’s not the cheapest on our list, but the price is extremely reasonable. My 5-year-old daughter has been using this on and off for weeks, and each time is excited to pick it up again to see what new features she can explore. She's even worn it around the playground as an accessory (and loved the attention she got from having it). It's definitely a crowd-pleaser and is sure to check all of the boxes on your list if you’re looking for a well-rounded digital camera for preschoolers.

Screen size: 1.8" | Storage: 32 GB | Resolution: 2 MP | Age rating: 3 to 8 years

Instant print cameras are fun at any age, and the VTech KidiZoom Print Cam is an especially great choice for preschoolers. This device allows kids to create their own stickers by taking photos and then printing their images out instantly onto black-and-white sticker paper. Out of all of the options I tested, this toddler camera was loaded with the most features. Kids can scroll through more than 110 photo templates—including comic strips, greeting cards and play money—giving little creators a wide range of design options as they snap and print their pictures. There are also filters and borders that can be easily added for more visual fun.

Despite all of these standout features, this toddler camera could not be easier to set up. You simply charge it, pop the printer paper in and it’s ready to go. Both my 5-year-old and 8-year-old used it, though my 8-year-old had to teach his younger sibling how to use all of the extra elements. The image quality is good enough for kids in this age group, especially the little ones. Some pictures were faint in certain areas where there was light, and others were slightly pixelated, but it didn’t cause any disappointment. My kids loved printing out photos and passing them on to friends; they even attracted a huge crowd on the playground one day by showing off the camera. And while the KidiZoom Print Cam has built-in games that kids can play, the instant-print aspect really holds their attention the longest. In fact, the whole family had fun printing out pictures and coloring them together.

However, if your little one is playing games more than they’re snapping photos, the parental controls allow you to turn them off. You can also set daily time and printing limits. You’ll get up to 80 pictures with the included paper, giving you plenty of mileage out of the film that comes with the device. Just keep in mind when purchasing film refills that the sticker paper is different from the standard film roll, and you’ll likely want to have extra paper handy for when kids run out.

The KidiZoom PrintCam is sturdy, with a solid plastic casing all around, and the wrist strap is also helpful for added drop protection. (Although, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t feel as immune to drops as the VTech KidiZoom Camera Pix Plus.) It’s only recommended for ages 4 to 11, so it doesn't quite work for younger guys—but my 2-year-old was able to point and click it. All in all, this camera definitely has a “wow” factor that’s undeniable. While it admittedly isn’t cheap, kids can get a lot out of it. Mine have been playing with it consistently for weeks and don’t seem bored of it yet. I love that it offers a unique way for them to entertain themselves and their buddies.

Screen size: 2.4" | Storage: 32 GB | Resolution: 5 MP | Age rating: 4 to 11 years

One of my sticking points with digital cameras for preschoolers is that many contain built-in games. It can be tricky to limit screen time if your child has access to gaming on their camera. And while some devices have special controls so parents can limit these features, not all offer this. Enter: The Kidamento: Zippy the Sloth (Model K). This toddler camera simply avoids games altogether, which I really appreciate.

Decorated with an adorable sloth design, the camera is simple yet effective. It has a selfie timer and digital frame graphics, giving kids plenty of options for use. Kidamento even includes stickers little ones can apply all over the device. Compared to other digital cameras for preschoolers, it also has a basic home screen that younger kids can navigate with no issue. Plus, the screen itself is massive, so it’s easy to see everything clearly. While this is technically rated for kids 3 and up, my 2-year-old was able to use some features. My 8-year-old thought it was fun at first and eventually got bored with it. It was perfect for my 5-year-old, though. She learned to quickly scroll through the different features and add fun visual elements to her photos and videos.

Zippy the Sloth is petite and easy for little hands to hold, and it also comes with a strap for carrying security. It’s covered in silicone and even has a silicone base layer, providing extra durability in case of drops. The overall feel is sturdy yet lightweight, so it won’t weigh kids down on outings or when traveling. The photos are a little grainy, but my kids didn't mind. Likewise, the videos are also a little pixelated, but you can still clearly see and hear what is happening in them. The listed resolution is high, but I found that if you're looking for a camera to capture family memories in crystal-clear definition, this isn't it. That said, if you’re looking for a device that will keep your kiddo engaged in photo-taking without capturing their attention with games, this is a great option.

Screen size: 3" | Storage:* 32 GB | Resolution: 20 MP | Age rating: 3 to 9 years

Most young kids naturally gravitate toward anything Bluey-themed, and this sweet camera from ekids is no exception. My 2-year-old—who is a massive fan of the show—shrieked, in a good way, when she saw this camera. My 5-year-old was also really excited to get her hands on it. The entire front of the device features the beloved character’s face, making it feel more like a toy than a camera. (My 2-year-old had fun playing with the camera itself; she talked to it like she was talking to Bluey.) Better yet, it rings in at under $30, making it the least expensive option in our list, and a solid budget-friendly choice if you have a Bluey fan in your life.

While it seems more toy-like than other digital cameras for preschoolers, kids can still do a lot with it. The device allows little ones to take photos, film video in regular and slow motion and apply Bluey-themed digital stickers and frames. My older children also got a kick out of it and enjoyed creating videos together and playing the built-in games. The only downside was that these games weren’t Bluey-themed like the rest of the device. My 5-year-old called this a “bummer,” although she still had fun using the camera.

This camera took some work to get up and running, though. After unscrewing a portion of the cover, you have to insert three AA batteries, which are not included. The screen is smaller than expected, but you can still clearly see what you're shooting and any graphics you may want to add. My kids learned to scroll through different features of the camera, but there was a bit of a learning curve. All ages love Bluey, but younger kids may need help navigating the different features. (To access some, you have to press the camera’s buttons in several ways, which can be tricky for small hands.) The bottom line: This toddler camera is sure to impress Bluey fans, and it’s a total bargain if you’re looking for a starter device for your blossoming photographer.

Screen size: 2" | Storage: 512 MB | Resolution: 4 MP | Age rating: 3+ years

Parents hoping to limit screen time will appreciate that the Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera offers a simple point-and-shoot design that’s similar to a disposable camera. The throwback style is complete with modern digital technology, so it’s straightforward to use from the get-go. All you have to do is turn it on, choose the flash setting and start shooting. There’s also a digital photo counter on the back that clearly displays how many pictures are left before you’ll need to upload them to your computer.

Initially, kids are likely to be confused about this screen-free camera, given that they’ve grown up in a world where they can see their photo results right away. In fact, after my 2-year-old used the camera at first, she handed it back to me and said, “it's broken." Once my kids learned about how cameras “used” to be and understood that they wouldn't be able to see their results right away, though, they got into the swing of it. My 5-, 8- and 11-year-olds probably enjoyed this the most, and they all had fun crowding around my computer to see how their photos turned out.

The photo quality is on par with what you'll see with most digital cameras for kids. However, the photos shoot on a delay, so it’s tough to capture moving objects without blurriness. When my kids stood still—which is close to never—this was no big deal, but when they were trying to snap a sibling running around, it was challenging. Kiddos who have experience with other digital cameras may not be wowed by this option. That being said, it’s excellent for events or camps, as the name implies, when you don't want to run the risk that your kid will get sucked into what's happening on a screen. Ultimately, the Camp Snap is a durable alternative to a disposable camera and offers a much longer lifespan, so you can count on it to be a family favorite for many outings to come.

Screen size: N/A | Storage: 2,000 photos | Resolution: 8 MP | Age rating: N/A