Instant camera for kids: learning to take photos made easy

Select a motif, press the button and hold the photo in your hands a short time later: an instant camera is ideal for children. Here you will find a selection of the best devices.

By Sven Wernicke

Instant cameras are not only for retro lovers and hipsters, they are also popular at weddings and parties, with snapshot photographers and even ambitious photo artists. And they can introduce children to classic photography. It only takes a few seconds from choosing the motif to developing the film to the haptic result. Kids experience in a practical way how exciting photography can be.

Luckily, no one has to go to flea markets to find old Polaroid cameras from the 1980s anymore. There are various modern instant cameras that are also and especially suitable for children.

Fine Life Pro: photograph, print and paint

The funny looking kids camera Fine Life Pro brings creativity and photography together in a friendly way. The digital camera has two cameras, and selfies are also possible. You can see the results on the 2.4-inch screen, and the photos can be printed out on thermal paper. The results are monochrome, they can be colored with the included crayons.

A memory card is included in the scope of delivery. The Fine Life Pro is a full-fledged, albeit simple, digital camera. If desired, pictures can be transferred from the smartphone to the camera via WLAN and printed out. The technology is encased in a robust housing, and the device is suitable for children aged 5 and over.

Per	against
+ Stable, child-friendly housing	– Only black and white printouts
+ Photos are also backed up to memory card
+ Inexpensive printing thanks to thermal paper
+ Ability to take selfies
+ Pens, handicraft book and other accessories included

Fine Life Pro instant camera
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Vtech KidiZoom Print Cam: Print and Play

With the With KidiZoom Print Cam you not only print out previously taken photos in black and white, but also cards, games, coloring pictures and play money. More than 60 templates are integrated, which kids can select on the 2.4-inch color display. The camera even offers three games to gamble on.

Videos can also be recorded with the 2-megapixel camera, and a 256 MB memory is available. The supplied roll of thermal paper is sufficient for up to 75 printouts. Parents can specify how many photos their offspring can print each day – which is practical. The manufacturer recommends the KidiZoom Print Cam for children aged 4 and over.

Per	against
+ More than 60 printable templates for games and coloring pages	– Only black and white printouts
+ Inexpensive printing thanks to thermal paper
+ Video camera function
+ Storage can be expanded using a microSD card

Vtech KidiZoom Print Cam
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Fujifilm Instax Mini 11: Every snapshot is a hit

Fujifilm’s Instax series makes it easy for your children to take beautiful photos without any prior knowledge. The compact and easy to hold Instax Mini 11 brings together the idea of ​​a classic instant camera with the possibilities of today’s digital cameras: there is intelligent exposure compensation, an automatic flash and an electronic shutter.

Nevertheless, there is enough room for creativity: Kids can try out the selfie mode thanks to the integrated mirror and use the adjustable lens for close-ups. The Instax Mini 11 is always easy to use. And she looks good too.

Per	against
+ Intuitive operation	– Relatively expensive films
+ Ability to take selfies
+ Adjustable lens
+ Available in different colors

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11
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Polaroid Go: Cute little instant camera

It almost looks like a toy, but it’s a full-fledged instant camera: The Polaroid Go is extremely compact and because of its simplicity, it is also fun for slightly older children. Selfie mode, self-timer and double exposure for budding artists are the main features of the Polaroid Go.

Because the camera fits in your pocket, kids (and adults) can take the camera with them wherever they go. The integrated battery lasts for 15 films, which corresponds to 120 photos. What could bother you: The pictures are surprisingly small, only about half the size of a conventional Polaroid photo.

Per	against
+ Great retro design for your pocket	– Small photos
+ High-quality analogue camera	– Expensive films
+ Integrated battery
+ Easy to use

Polaroid Go
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Kodak Mini Shot Combo 3 Retro: Instant camera and printer in one

the Mini Shot Combo 3 Retro is an eye-catcher with its unusual look. It is aimed at older children and adults who also want to print photos from their smartphone: the device is both an instant camera and a mobile printer with Bluetooth.

The special 4Pass printing process gives you high-quality results. Access fun face filters and templates via a connected smartphone. Without a mobile phone, the Mini Shot 3 Retro is a 10 megapixel digital camera with an automatic flash and a display for selecting motifs and prints.

Per	against
+ Printer and instant camera in one	– It is not possible to save photos that have been taken
+ High print quality	– A bit complicated to use

Kodak Mini Shot Combo 3 Retro
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What you should consider when buying an instant camera for children

The market for children’s instant cameras is small. But some devices for adults are also recommended for slightly older kids due to their accessibility. These cameras even offer all sorts of advantages, most notably higher quality photos. There are a few additional aspects you should consider when buying a camera.

• Analogue vs digital: Aside from Polaroid cameras, the vast majority of instant cameras these days are digital. That is, they are digital cameras with an integrated printing function. This usually has advantages: Photos can be edited or deleted before printing, which reduces printing costs. Analog cameras, on the other hand, are more sensitive and error-prone. This could frustrate younger children.
• Photo printing: Inexpensive cameras rely on thermal printing, which often only allows low-quality black and white photos. Polaroid, Fuji, Canon and Kodak use their own technologies. One thing is always the same: you have to purchase special films for your camera, which are associated with additional costs, some of which are quite high. If the kids want to take a lot of photos, the particularly inexpensive thermal print and Kodak’s 4Pass technology are recommended. The films for Fuji Instax cameras and Canon Zoemini devices are slightly more expensive. The films for Polaroid cameras are the most expensive.
• Age appropriate: Simple instant cameras are suitable for children from the age of four. It is important that your offspring has a serious interest and is able to operate the camera. You can use a camera for adults with children from around 8 years of age.
• More functions: Instant cameras for kids should be robust and easy to understand. This is particularly true of models that are explicitly aimed at children. However, adult cameras are often easy to use. As a rule of thumb, the more functions a camera has, the more complicated it is to operate. With small children, it is better to use an instant camera without a lot of frills.