What’s The Best Camera For My Kids To Take To Camp?

Having those images right away means they can actually share and give them to the other kids at camp. I can’t think of a better way to use pictures than to share them with new friends!

Comparing Disposable Cameras,

Instant Cameras, and Smartphone

Cameras For Kids

If you’re trying to weigh the pros and cons of different cameras for kids to take to camp, it's important to consider their age, experience level, and specific needs (in my kids’ case, the bulk and weight of carrying one over the course of the day).

As you know I’m a strong believer in the printed photo, so it was important to me when I was trying to help my kids pack a camera option for camp that getting something that made printing their pictures easy was really the most important thing to me.

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I’ve never been interested in point and shoot cameras for my kids because they would need to upload them to my computer, and then I would need to send them off to print. It’s that additional step that I know would keep us from getting them printed.

Disposable Cameras

Given that this was camp, I was also looking for a low tech option. You may be asking yourself, are disposable cameras even still available? We may not see them on wedding tables at receptions anymore, but they are still available at local retailers. I found some at Target. And since they are not used all that often anymore, I’ve noticed they are a fun novelty for kids, especially if they’ve never used one before. The whole idea of taking a photo and not being able to see it immediately is a totally unique experience for most kids.  I also love how easy and straightforward they are for kids to use, too.  

These cameras are very budget friendly and you can even find them in a two pack. They’re about $15 individually. For being disposable, these cameras are plenty tough enough for kids to use without much worry. They even make waterproof options! 

Disposable cameras do have their limits, though. They generally take 24 or 36 frames, which I think is plenty when you’re thinking about prints in the end. 

Unfortunately, if your kids haven’t used a disposable camera before, they might not really be able to get the pictures they think they are making. The on-camera flash on these really make a difference. What they make is not going to be able to be edited later, which is actually what I love most about this option. 

This was my first choice, until I had to find a place to develop them. Since we no longer have a film processing place in town and Costco no longer has one, either, I realized it would be best to mail out disposable cameras to be developed. Mpix will develop disposable cameras for about $12 plus the cost of prints. 

Instant Cameras

My girls both already have Instax cameras, and my favorite thing about them is the instant image. This instantaneous can help the kids make creative decisions.  If something doesn’t come out the way they hoped, they have a chance to take the photo again. 

Having those images right away means they can actually share and give them to the other kids at camp. I can’t think of a better way to use pictures than to share them with new friends!

The film comes out to about $1 per exposure and is sold in packs with 10 exposures per film/developer cartridge. Relative to other types of prints, this is on the more expensive side.  The print quality can be muted, but I just write it off as the aesthetic to this type of camera.

There are two downsides to taking the Instax cameras to camp that I foresee. The first is that they are a little bulky. My kids have definitely gotten tired of walking around with their cameras after a long day, as they do when at Disneyland.  And secondly,  in almost every pack, my younger daughter winds up taking a few photos that she didn’t intend to. 

Smartphone

And finally, the smartphone.  This was the least novel option, and therefore the one I was least excited about.  Most kids I know have smartphones, so it eliminates the need to carry an additional device, making it one less thing they need to keep track of. 

And, obviously, smartphones have all the editing options, letting kids take the really nice high quality photos that kids really expect these days. Pictures would also be super easy to share, as kids already do with friends and through messaging apps. And very unlike disposable cameras and Instax cameras, smartphones pretty much let kids take as many photos as they’d like (especially if they clear them out before their trip).

Even without getting reception, the kids can access Subway Surfers or whatever games they have on their phones. Honestly, anything that can potentially take away from the camp experience is a big “no thanks” for me. Don’t forget - their phone will need charging, and their options may be limited at camp.

Which camera is your favorite? I’d love to hear about it.

If you have any questions, send me an email.