Best Products Camera & Video The 8 Best Camcorders for Kids in 2020 Keep your children entertained with these great video cameras by Andy Zahn Writer Andy Zahn is a writer specializing in tech. He's reviewed cameras, weather stations, noise-cancelling headphones, and more for Lifewire. our editorial process LinkedIn Andy Zahn Updated on September 11, 2020 Camera & Video Accessories Tweet Share Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The Rundown Best Overall: VTech Kidizoom Action Cam at Amazon "The Kidizoom Action Cam is the perfect gift for a child interested in exploring their creativity through video." Best Compact: AIMASON Digital Video Camera at Amazon "Kids can easily record video via the simple controls and the camera is tough enough to withstand accidental drops and falls." Best for Sports: Prograce HD Action Camera at Amazon "It’s one of the best cameras for sports and action, allowing your child to record all of their adventures and activities." Best for Selfies: VTech Kidizoom Duo Selfie Camera at Amazon "With a 2.4-inch color LCD screen and a rear-facing camera, it a great camera for taking selfies or making unique videos." Best for Toddlers: Prograce Kids Camera at Amazon "The camera comes with five puzzle games, making it an educational toy, and built-in frames and filters are fun to experiment with." Best Waterproof: Ourlife Kids Waterproof Camera at Amazon "This durable little action camera can handle rough and tumble usage without taking a scratch." Best Rechargable: IEBRT Kids Video Camera at Amazon "With a rechargeable battery and built-in games, the IEBRT Kids Video Camera will keep your child entertained and snapping pics without the need to constantly cram it full of AA batteries" Best Image Quality: Fede Digital Rechargeable Kids Camera at Amazon "8 Megapixels doesn’t sound like a lot when talking about cameras in general, but it’s quite substantial for a cheap kids' camera" The Best Camcorders for kids are both fun to use and capable of withstanding everything that the rough and tumble lifestyle of kids can throw at them. They may not boast the same image quality of professional digital cameras, but for kids, the experience of using a camera for the first time is more important than the results. You want a camera that won’t break, and also won’t break the bank. Our top pick, the VTech Kidizoom Action Camera (view on Amazon) fits the bill for an ideal kid’s camcorder. It’s simple to use, colorful, and both waterproof and durable. We’ve tested a wide variety of kid’s camcorders, and whether you’re looking for a toy or a more serious camera for your child, you should find the perfect choice below. Best Overall: VTech Kidizoom Action Cam Buy on Amazon What We Like Rugged design Easy to use Fun accessories What We Don't Like Poor image quality relative to adult cameras With its durable, rugged housing, and simple easy to use controls, the VTech Kidizoom Action camera is an excellent option for your child’s first camcorder. The brightly colored camera is housed safe and snug inside a waterproof (down to 6 feet) and shockproof housing, and comes with two different mounts that allow the camera to be attached to a bike, skateboard, or other device. It has a 1.4-inch display and kids can have fun with games and a variety of photo filters and effects. It’s also very affordably priced, so if something does happen to it you won’t be out a pile of cash. It’s cheaper than most Lego sets. However, at this price, you can’t expect much in the way of video and image quality. The Kidizoom is only capable of mere 640 x 480 photos and video, but that’s OK because the point of this kind of camera is to provide enjoyment for children and maybe create a few funny videos to look back on in the future. Here's How to Enjoy Free Video Sharing on Google Video Best Compact: AIMASON Digital Video Camera Buy on Amazon What We Like Durable design Soft silicone coating Additional back facing selfie camera Low price What We Don't Like Poor photo quality This is a great little camera that's both portable and cute. The Aimason Digital Video Camera is easy to use and is coated in a soft silicon coating that makes it easy and comfortable for little hands to grip. This coating also helps make it resistant to being dropped and tossed about. It’s made to be small enough to easily be carried with you and tough enough to survive the journey. A particularly cool feature of this camera is the second camera that points backward so that your child can easily take selfies, or so that you can take a selfie with them. There are also video games and digital filters and frames for children to play with. This is an extraordinarily low priced camera, but the tradeoff for this affordability is in its photo and video quality, which is quite poor. Tips for Getting Started With a Camcorder Best for Sports: Prograce HD Action Camera Buy on Amazon What We Like Full HD video Included action camera accessories Waterproof and durable What We Don't Like Poor audio quality Featuring a rugged and waterproof shell and including helmet, bicycle, and wrist mounts, the Prograce HD Action Camera is the perfect companion for young sports enthusiasts. What sets this action camera apart from other kids' camcorders is its relatively high-resolution video capability—the Prograce can record at 1080p 30fps. This is an ideal companion for an adventurous and active young explorer. The 10 Best Electronic Toys for Kids in 2020 Best for Selfies: VTech Kidizoom Duo Selfie Camera 3.5 Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart What We Like Ergonomic grip Durable Motion control video games Dual cameras Dual optical viewfinders What We Don't Like Complicated menu system Low-resolution photos and video Though again the photos and videos this camera produces aren’t the greatest, the VTech Kidizoom Duo Camera really is a ton of fun. It’s durable and features particularly ergonomic grips, as well as both a front-facing camera and backward-facing selfie camera. It also has two optical viewfinders which make it more fun to use, and the camera makes for a remarkably exciting portable video game console featuring motion controls. This Kidizoom camera certainly puts form and fun over function, and that’s just fine. VTech Kidizoom Duo Camera Review Best for Toddlers: Prograce Kids Camera Buy on Amazon What We Like Simple and colorful Built-in puzzle games Relatively good image quality 2 inch IPS display What We Don't Like A little on the small side for older kids The Prograce Kids Camera is an ideal camera for toddlers with small hands, though this makes it less ideal for older kids. Surprisingly, it records 5-megapixel photos and FullHD 1080p video, which makes it something of a bargain at this price point. Its colorful design will appeal to children, and its simple to use control scheme can be operated even by younger kids. The 2 inch IPS display is bright and vivid, and the camera has a small library of puzzle games built in. The 5 Best Cameras for Under $300 in 2020 Best Waterproof: Ourlife Kids Waterproof Camera 3.3 Buy on Amazon What We Like Affordable price Compact and portable IP68 waterproof rating What We Don't Like Very poor photo and video quality Frustrating menu system With a robust water and dustproof case that features an impressive IP68 rating, the Ourlife Kids Waterproof Camera is perfect for a day at the beach. It’s able to survive down to 6 feet underwater for 30 minutes, and won’t suffer from being stuffed into a dirty seat cushion. It’s both affordably priced and designed to be eminently compact and portable so that your child can easily carry it with them wherever they go. Unfortunately, the menu system is somewhat confusing, and its 5-megapixel sensor is fairly poor, and photos and videos have a greenish cast to them. However, the results are higher resolution than some kids cameras, and at this price it's a great alternative to a GoPro for children. The 8 Best Camcorders for Kids in 2020 Best Rechargable: IEBRT Kids Video Camera Buy on Amazon What We Like Rechargeable battery Relatively good photo/video quality Built-in games What We Don't Like No built-in memory Poor instructions With a rechargeable battery and built-in games, the IEBRT Kids Video Camera will keep your child entertained and snapping pics without the need to constantly cram it full of AA batteries. It unfortunately needs a separate MicroSD card, and doesn’t come with good instructions, but it’s capable of producing remarkably high quality 1080p video and 3264 x 2448 pixel still images, which is excellent for a kids camera. It’s a friendly little camcorder whose shockproof design should stand up to years of happy memory making. Best Image Quality: Fede Digital Rechargeable Kids Camera Buy on Amazon What We Like 8 megapixel still images and 1080p video recording Backward facing selfie camera Included 32GB TF card What We Don't Like Lack of color options 8 Megapixels doesn’t sound like a lot when talking about cameras in general, but it’s quite substantial for a cheap kids' camera. The Fede Kids Digital Camera is also capable of capturing FullHD 1080p video, making this a competent companion for the young aspiring photographer in your life. The camcorder also features a backward-facing selfie camera and comes with a 32GB TF memory card, plenty of storage given the resolution of the camera. About the only thing working against this camera is the lack of available color options, but that’s a minor issue. Final Verdict Our top pick, the VTech Kidizoom Action camera is a good all-round choice for kids. Its excellent design makes it easy to use for kids, as well as durable and waterproof. For better image quality, the Fede Kids Digital Camera offers 8MP stills and 1080p video. About our Trusted Experts: Andy Zahn has been writing for Lifewire since 2019 and has been obsessed with photography and the technology that makes it possible since childhood. When he isn’t testing the latest camera gear he is likely to be found exploring and photographing the mountains and forests of the Pacific Northwest. What to Look for in Camcorders for Kids: Durability: Even the most careful and considerate child can be awfully rough on their possessions, so it’s important to consider durability when purchasing a camera for them. Look for devices with the standardized IP rating system denoting water resistance. This will ensure your camera survives any accident involving water. Price: Though your child may take an early interest in photography, the whims of childhood are fickle indeed and there is no guarantee that they'll continue to embrace this hobby as they grow older Furthermore, no matter how durable the camera, a child is likely to test the limits of that durability. With all that in mind, it’s wise not to break the bank on a camcorder for them. A budget camcorder will provide an enjoyable experience for them, and if they’re particularly keen you can always get them a more capable device later on. Image quality: While the quality of photos and videos a kid will capture isn’t of particular importance, as it’s the experience of photography that really matters, it’s still worth ensuring that the quality is at least marginally viewable. Look for at least 480p video. 720p or 1080p is a nice upgrade, but don’t shell out extra cash for 4k. Kids don’t need that kind of resolution for their videos, and in cheap cameras it's rarely true 4K anyway.