10 best cameras for kids to get snap happy

Designed for little hands (aged five-years and up), this kid-friendly camera encourages creativity and storytelling with instant photo printing to fill their scrapbook with fun memories.

With high-resolution 16MP photos and smooth 1080p videos, the large screen makes it easier for them to frame their shot, and includes built-in playful emojis, frames and filters for customisation. It uses thermal printing (so they'll never run out of ink!) and a second screen displays charging updates. Other useful features include a smart idle feature that conserves power when it's not in use – so they can enjoy more playtime and fewer interruptions – and an easily replaceable thermal roll to prevent dust and water from damaging the roll holder.

This keyring camera weighs just 20g, and costs under £15, making it the ultimate pocket money purchase.

Don't be fooled by its diminutive size though, the Photo Creator Mini Cam is a real working camera with a 4MP lens, 1080p video, and a 0.96” screen to frame shots and apply effects. It comes with a 1GB memory card, which can be expanded up to 64GB for even more creative content. The rechargeable battery gives up to an hour of use, and powers back up fast via USB-C.

Clip it onto their bag and away they go!

The VTech KidiZoom is affordable, and it’s suitable for younger kids — VTech says a three-year-old can operate it.

Your child can scroll through the photos they’ve taken on the screen, as this camera can capture both still images and video. They can add dozens of 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. The images are low-quality and grainy, so don’t expect too much, but preschoolers will be delighted.

If your kid tends to take tons of pictures, you could add a micro SD card, sold separately, to increase storage. The camera is robust and durable, so kids should be able to play with it outside, without causing any damage.

The KidiZoom also has four built-in games that kids can play on the camera screen. Overall, we think it's a great toy for younger children, and a good first camera for preschoolers, but if you're shopping for a "real" camera, you might want to look elsewhere.

This simple, point and click camera is unique in that it's a screen-free digital choice. Because there's no screen on the back, just like with a disposable camera, your kid will have to wait to see what they've captured. Once home, they'll be able to plug it in to a computer to see the pictures.

It has a flash, counts pictures as your kid takes them up to 2,000 images, and has a good battery life. But despite being digital, it has a super vintage feel.

This cheerful digital kids camera reminds us of LEGO blocks. It comes in pink or blue, plus you get fun stickers, a useful lanyard and a waterproof case, making it ideal for capturing special moments on holiday. It's lightweight and durable, and even has preloaded photo templates, which we think is a nice touch.

You might remember using one of these cameras yourself, and now they're back. It makes that signature snap-and-print sound, and watching each print develop is as thrilling as ever.

This is another quick-print camera that doesn’t come with any film. Be sure to buy colour Polaroid film, but note that it’s expensive at £1.75 per print. This means we’d give this one to an arty kid who is looking for that specific look, and not a child who wants to take lots of pictures just for fun.

The camera comes with five coloured lens filters and the ability to sync via Bluetooth to a Polaroid app, all of which might appeal to a child interested in learning more about photography and experimenting with creative ideas.

Holding the chunky camera, peering through the lens and clicking the button all at the same time is also easier for tweens and teens versus little kids.

If you're looking for more recommendations for older kids and adults, head to our tech editor's roundup of the best instant cameras.

This camera includes tween-appropriate filters and frames, such as palm trees and hearts, plus stickers and markers for silly decoration.

The lucky recipient should be able to print about 280 images on the four paper scrolls included. When you buy more photo paper you get more stickers, too. The pictures do come out bendy but they are pretty clear, and this is a cheaper alternative to a Polaroid.

The camera charges with a USB cord, and it can be a digital camera and a video. Install a micro SD card, sold separately, for those features.

VTech's KidiZoom studio camera includes a HD video recorder, a convertible mini tripod handle and a wrist strap. The child-friendly video editing is great for encouraging their creative side, and there's over 20 different backgrounds to choose from.