Cameras for Kids: How to Choose and Use Them
Whether you're struggling to find something to keep a child busy, wish to spark a life long love of an exciting hobby, or hope to stimulate learning through a less traditional approach; photography, especially with a digital camera may be at least a partial answer.Learn more about the opportunities and the advantages of putting cameras in the hands of kids. Find out how to choose the best cameras for kids and discover some great activities to keep them learning and having fun.
Use the expandable Table of Contents below to find things quickly.
Cameras for Kids: To Promote Learning
There are a number of reasons why cameras for kids are a good idea. Involving children in learning basic photography and giving them the opportunity to experiment with it can stimulate learning in a variety of ways.1. Observation and concentration skills can be enhanced
2. Creativity and imagination stimulated
3. Specific academic skills can be targeted as children mature via the activities chosen such as:
The possibilities are endless, and the lessons more engaging, when kids use a camera.
Cameras for Kids: See These Accomplishments
National Geographic Photo Camp at Shake-A-leg Miami
Boyscout Photos Training
Kid Photos
Through My Eyes, Photography & kids at Hutch Cancer Center
Ron Winn Photography Project
Finding the Best Cameras for Kids and Other Tools
Obviously, getting the tools is the first step in the process of introducing kids to photography. How much equipment is involved depends in part upon the age of the child. For children as young as 3, a basic kids camera will be about it; along with some batteries.Aside from an appropriate camera, tweens and teens may need an appropriate camera bag, a tripod, lens attachments, photo editing tools, and a computer and printer depending upon interest and skill.
What's the best kids camera? Generally a digital camera is preferred over a film camera, especially as children mature, because:
Some other factors to consider when choosing cameras for kids include:
Once you know what you're looking for, shopping should be much easier. Shopping online often offers better deals on cameras for kids, especially when free shipping is offered. Customer satisfaction rates tend to be high with online retailers. A visit to ABTelectronics at Home Media Store can provide more information and great shopping.
The Best Cameras for Kids Under 6
Vtech - Kidizoom Digital Camera - Blue
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $63.95 (as of 07/05/2009) 
Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera - Blue
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $57.58 (as of 07/05/2009)
Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera - Pink
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $84.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Polaroid Pixie 3.0MP Kids Digital Camera with Games - CKA-00301S (Blue)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $64.98 (as of 07/05/2009)
Polaroid Pixie 3.0MP Kids Digital Camera with Games - CKA-00302S (Pink)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1.3MP Pix Junior - Red/ Yellow ( DS14002)
Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
Uncle Milton Digital World Cam
Amazon Price: $126.92 (as of 07/05/2009)
Sesame Street Real Digital Camera
Amazon Price: $45.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
My Real Digital Camera- Boy
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
A KIds Camera that Goes Underwater
The Best Cameras for Kids Who Are a Bit Older
Tips on Choosing Cameras for Kids and How to Teach Them to Use It
Find out more through these sites:
- Youth Learning.Org
- Although designed for the classroom, the tips presented here can help in teaching one-on-one. Find out what to teach and get ideas on activities.
- National Geographic
- Some brief but useful tips for choosing a kids camera and getting them engaged on vacations.
- Edutaining Kids
- Activity ideas and tips for choosing cameras for kids.
- HP
- Tips and activity ideas from camera maker HP.
- BetterPhoto.com
- A page of resources for kids to read about how to take better photos.
- HP Vacation Photos
- More tips to help kids get great shots of vacation sights.
- TechLearning.com
- For kids K-12 who are interested in competing in an annual digital photography contest.
- Photo Critic
- A few tips for teaching a 5 year old the basics of photography.
Books for Kids Who Want to Learn More About Using Their Camera
Cameras for Kids: Donating
Taking an old digital camera and providing it to a child is a great way of making use of your camera and an inexpensive way of promoting their interest in a hobby or learning activity. See this page about recycling your digital camera for a child on this page.If you don't have a child to pass your camera down to, there are other options. One example is Global Classroom Connections which accepts donated equipment and uses it in a school based program which pairs up classrooms across the globe. Learn more about donating or how to sign up your classroom to receive cameras for kids if you're a teacher by visiting the site.
Great Activities for Kids with a Camera
The activities a parent can engage kids in with a camera to develop and expand interests, foster learning, and provide a sense of achievement for their youngsters is limitless. With a little imagination, the camera can open up a whole world to the curious mind and eye of a child, but for those who need a jump start here are some suggestions... Creating Something for a Younger Brother or Sister
Kids can be motivated when creating things for a younger brother or sister. One possible project is to make a list of items that begin with each of the letters in the alphabet, seek out and photograph those items, and fabricate an alphabet book.A somewhat more advanced project would be the development of a story book. For instance, a child could follow a sibling or even a pet for a day, taking pictures and then using those images to create a short story for a younger child to enjoy. Story telling and imagination are just two of the skills that can be enhanced by such activities.
A Journal of Adventures
Of course kids can also use a camera to keep their own photo journal of vacations and trips, large or small. A record of such events may well become a keepsake which would be further enhanced when accompanied by written entries.A more advanced journal activity can help to broaden a child's interest in travel and geography. For example, a cardboard character could be made to go far beyond where the child may go. The character can be supplied to friends and relatives who may be traveling. The character can then be captured in pictures at the various destinations. The character's human travel companion can then provide a picture, with a brief written description of the location to the child to place in the character's travel book.
Kids Journals
Photo Albums
Discovering and Appreciating Nature
Raising an awareness of science and nature comes quite naturally with a digital camera in hand. Collecting insects, leaves, rocks, or flowers via photographs is more simple and lasting than capturing live specimens. The camera also allows children to capture what would otherwise be unobtainable: animals, sunsets, waterfalls, footprints, and so forth.With photography, children can also study many of the processes of nature. As an example, a child can follow the development of a new born kitten over time, a flower as it grows, opens and closes in the morning and evening, and so forth. Activities such as this encourage good attention and fosters an interest in sciences.
How to Make Your Own Scrapbook or Photo Album
The Kids' Guide to Making Scrapbooks & Photo Albums: How to Collect Design Assemble Decorate (Williamson Kids Can! Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Biographies, Family Trees, News Stories, and Documentaries
School age kids have even more options. One possibility is to ask them to put together a family history book complete with photos and the inclusion of a short biography of each family member.Some kids, with experience, can even take on the role as the primary recorder of family events.
Publishing a monthly newspaper complete with pictures can be a great summer time project for older kids as well. Cues can be taken from local publications as to what sections and articles should be included but they can be scaled down to a more personal level: from reports on a family trip, new neighbors, the escapades of a family pet, or recent events such as the purchase of a new car are examples of stories that could be enhanced with a picture and included in the publication.
Story Telling
Telling stories with pictures can stimulate learning. A basic digital camera can be used to create a sequence of pictures to tell a story. The fun begins when others try to tell the story without the presence of words.An adaptation of this project can help to develop the critical skill of reading comprehension. In this activity the child is provided a short story and asked to illustrate it with a handful of photographs using family members, pets, props, costumes, drawings, and so forth if needed.
Add a Camera to Any Favorite Activity or Hobby
Cameras for kids can turn a hobby into a study of a favorite topic. For instance, a child who enjoys racing can photograph cars, events, drivers, and so forth developing their interest beyond it's original focus. The camera guides the child to study things in more depth and perhaps discover new, adjacent interests. In this instance, automotive history, engine design, geography, or travel are just a few of the possible areas of new interest related to racing.Another possibility is to encourage a child to develop a how-to or instructional guide to share their love of a hobby with others. How to build a rocket, grow a vegetable garden, or how to raise a ferret are examples that would allow a child to put together an illustrated, step-by-step guide; encouraging good verbal expression and organizational skills.
Camera Lens Filters
HP Tips on Activies for Kids with a Camera
More ideas
Fun Photography Projects You Can Do With Your Kids
Get both educational and fun ideas to do with your kids that involve photography. Learn how to create a coloring book page from a photo! Brought to you by HP and pro photographer and mom Tracey Clark.
Add Your Suggestions For Other Great Acitivities for Kids with a Camera
Daily Self Portrait
This is a great self esteem builder and also helps more...0 points
Kids and Cameras: See the Results on Flickr
Callaway & aggre...
prove yourself
young photographer
The Window
Carissa & our fi...
The Ceiling
Whiskers, her bunny...
Pooh bear bike
The Shoe Rack
Self-Portrait
Cameras for Kids: Was This Page Helpful? Let Us Know!
Didn't find the digital camera you need? Be sure to visit our full service home electronics store.
Czarque wrote...
My 2yr old soon to be 3 yr old loves taking photos - so we are considering buying her a camera for her birthday. Will definitely come back to this lens for further research! Thanks for sharing.
Posted February 09, 2009
dustytoes wrote...
I think that this is a most fantastic lens! Maybe my kid could teach me how to use my camera!!! haha...I never knew that so many cameras geared toward kids existed. 5 stars and a favorite!
Posted January 02, 2009
only1bub wrote...
What a great page - I'm a huge fan of promoting arts in children - especially with children! (My husband does filming & advertising so we have a creative household). I just got the Flip Video HD and it's so easy to use, older kids could totally use it - lensrolling you to my page. Thanks. :)
Posted December 15, 2008
alteredkat wrote...
Great & informative 5* lens...I think this is a great idea...we recently upgraded cameras and gave our lads our old one...they love being creative and taking their own pics!
p.s your avatar always makes me smile...thanks for popping into my Christmas lens and saying "hi"!...I appreciate it!
Posted November 29, 2008
moneyforpictures wrote...
Great info!
With 5 kids you can imagine how many pictures we take.
I hadn't thought about the boys scouts. I have 2 boys in cub scouts and I am going to volunteer to hold a class for them. FUN!!! :-)
5 stars for the idea!!
Posted November 07, 2008
lakeerieartists wrote...
Great ideas here! Our children are much more motivated by video, pictures and sound than print these days.
Posted November 06, 2008
vbright105 wrote...
Fantastic information! I just wrote an article on cameras for kids! What a coincidence. Shining your stars...
Posted October 29, 2008
clouda9 wrote...
This is a great idea to spark something in your child. Loved how you presented this lens.
Posted October 27, 2008
A Few Ways Cameras Can Promote Learning Photo Credit: joelogon.
Getting the Right Tools Photo Credit: kecko.
Cameras for Kids- Donating: Phil Romans. (no derivative work allowed)
Camera Based Activities Photo Credit: woodenmask.
Creating Something For Younger Brother or Sister Photo Credit: plasticrevolver.
Journal of Adventures Photo Credit: irene.
Discovering and Appreciating Nature Photo Credit: McGun.
Biographies Photo Credit: exrorro.
Story Telling Photo Credit: ladnlins.
Add a Camera To Any Favorite Activity or Hobby: Southern Foodways Alliance.
All photos are copyrighted as indicated above and no derivative work is allowed.
This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.
by mulberry
We learn by doing, observing, interacting, and creating. We learn best when we discover a passion. With a digital camera in hand...
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