Digital camera recommendations for very young (nursery) children

[AngryTechnician]

We have a few digital cameras already, mostly Canon Powershot A495 (or similar) as they are cheap, cheerful, and can take a bit of abuse. We've used these all the way down to Reception-age kids without any issues, but the Nursery are insisting they want something more child-like.

 

Anyone have a recommendation for something that might satisfy them that isn't a pile of old mackerel?

[Itsmartie]

what about the kodak child range? there supposed to be okay and robust so would probably survive nursery

[sreiach]

We've had good luck with the TuffCams from TTS.

Tuff-Cam 2 Child Friendly Digital Camera and Movie Camera

[AngryTechnician]

what about the kodak child range? there supposed to be okay and robust so would probably survive nursery

Haven't been able to find these, do you have a link?

[Itsmartie]

well looks like the kodak 1 i was on about doesnt exist anymore but there is this KODAK EASYSHARE Camera / C1505 which is just a simple point and click however kodak did do one like these which is aimed more at young children The best digital camera for kids (or, how to keep grubby hands off your camera) | ZDNet i know these have amercan prices but you will probably find they are about the same price in uk

[LeMarchand]

+1 for Tuffcams. Even the staff can use them.

[enjay]

+1 for the TuffCam. Also, TTS are owned by RM, so your ICT Co-ord will approve :-)

 

That said, having seen a friend's 3-year-old using their iPhone, I would respectfully suggest that it is the staff who feel the need for something more "child friendly" and not the children...

[elsiegee40]

We have tuffcamIn our preschool too

[AngryTechnician]

having seen a friend's 3-year-old using their iPhone, I would respectfully suggest that it is the staff who feel the need for something more "child friendly" and not the children...

Agreed, I don't really think the kids need something different either. Perhaps when the staff see the difference in image quality and realise the pictures will look terrible compared to the Canon's when printed out for display, they'll realise the error of their ways. Until then, it's their money, and the Tuffcams seem to be the crowd favourite, so I'll pass that on to the Nursery and see if they're happy.

 

Thanks all!

[mrwobbly]

Any camera with a lens that pops out when turning on will not survive the sand pit and it will visit it. The tough-cams are good but the handle may be a bit big for nursery children.

 

I have a few Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Cameras in reception and they are tough. Argos sell them for £26.49.

[dhicks]

Anyone have a recommendation for something that might satisfy them that isn't a pile of old mackerel?

 

In the post-summer holiday period, you might be able to pick up a waterproof camera cheap. Jessops had quite a good range a few months ago, it might be worth checking them to see what's available. They're designed for use on holiday at the beach, so should stand up to being dunked in the sandpit / water tray, and if combined with an Eye-Fi card you wouldn't even need to take the SD card out to download the pictures, you just point-and-click to take a photo. I don't know if any cameras also offer electric-toothbrush style inductive charging, but if they did it'd be great - you could have a fully self-contained, waterproof unit that never needed any tinkering with.

[russdev]

Any camera with a lens that pops out when turning on will not survive the sand pit and it will visit it. The tough-cams are good but the handle may be a bit big for nursery children.

 

I have a few Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Digital Cameras in reception and they are tough. Argos sell them for £26.49.

 

My son had one of these from age of 2 and he is 4 now and it still works..

 

Russ