A camera for children aged 3 to 9: the Realikids Instant Cam 2, creative and instant
The festive season is approaching, and you’re no doubt looking for a present that will make their eyes light up without adding yet another video game to the house. An instant camera for children could be the perfect idea this year. Your child frames the shot, presses the button, and then sees their photo come out in a matter of seconds.
AgfaPhoto’s new Realikids Instant Cam 2 has been designed for 3 to 9-year-olds, with settings that are easy to understand. It’s just as suitable for playing on their own as it is for a family afternoon. Let’s take a look at what it can do, so you can choose with confidence.
What’s the best camera for children?
There isn’t a single ‘right’ choice that suits every family. It all depends on your child’s age, how they’ll use it and where they’ll take it. AgfaPhoto’s Realikids range includes several models, each designed for a specific purpose. Before introducing the star model of this article, let’s set out a few simple guidelines to help you see things more clearly.
What is the best camera for children that isn’t a game?
Many parents don’t want a camera that looks like a games console. You’d probably prefer your child to look around them rather than remain engrossed in a game. This preference translates into a few criteria that are easy to check on a product page.
The screen is the first thing to check. It needs to be big enough and bright enough for little eyes to see clearly what they’re framing. The buttons matter too. It’s better to have just a few, clearly visible ones, so that a 4- or 5-year-old can work out for themselves which one to press. When it comes to handling, a lightweight body stays steady in little hands. As for durability, this will be put to the test sooner or later by a fall onto the tiled floor. A strap around the neck helps prevent breakages.
Let’s take the Realikids Cam 2 as an example. Its 3.5-inch screen displays the image large, which helps a child frame their subject properly. Selfie mode lets you take photos of yourself, for example to capture funny faces in front of the Christmas tree. Measuring 117 x 72 x 25 mm, it fits easily into a bag and comes with a strap. The photo filters add a real touch of fun without complicating things.
This approach is also found in the Realikids Instant Cam 2, which we’ll discuss in more detail later in this article. It keeps children engaged in a genuinely creative activity, and its built-in games are a nice little bonus. If you’re torn between two models, let your child hold the camera for a few minutes. The way they handle it will often tell you more than any technical specifications.
What’s the best waterproof camera for a child? The ideal choice for holidays or water-based outings
You might also want to consider a waterproof camera for your child, especially if you’re going on holiday. A standard camera is fine for birthdays, days out and weekends at home. As soon as water comes into the picture, water resistance becomes a key factor. It means you don’t have to keep an eye on the camera every time it gets splashed.
The Realikids Cam Waterproof 2 is waterproof to a depth of 3 metres. Imagine your child at the swimming pool, wearing their mask and snorkel, filming their friends or the fish in a pond. It features a selfie mirror and a 2.8-inch screen.
Photos are up to 12 megapixels and video is recorded in 2.7K, resulting in a very sharp image. A wrist strap attaches to the wrist to stop it from sinking to the bottom. Before the first swim, it’s always a good idea to have a quick look at the instructions.
Don’t forget the battery either. Its battery life is measured in mAh, and the higher this figure, the longer the camera lasts. This model has a 1,200 mAh battery, which is double that of some simpler models. That gives you plenty of scope for a whole day at the beach. In any case, pop a memory card in your bag before you set off, as a day’s holiday quickly fills up a camera. It’s ideal for children aged 5 and over.
What’s the best instant camera for children?
An instant camera changes the way you relate to photos. They’re no longer stuck on a mobile phone; they become a small object you can hold, show off and keep. For a child, the effect is immediate. Let’s take a look at what the Realikids Instant Cam 2 has to offer and how it works in everyday use.
The Realikids Instant Cam 2: all its features explained simply
Let’s start with its camera features. The Realikids Instant Cam 2 goes up to 12 megapixels. One megapixel corresponds to a million tiny dots that make up the image, and the more there are, the more detailed the photo is. You can choose a lower setting, which takes up less space on the memory card. For small prints, a medium setting already produces great results.
The 2.4-inch screen allows your child to check their framing before pressing the shutter. The body measures 88 x 86 x 50 mm and weighs 192 grams. Two small hands can hold it effortlessly. The focus is fixed, which means the camera automatically focuses from around fifty centimetres away from the subject. Your child doesn’t need to adjust anything.
The 16x digital zoom brings the subject closer by enlarging the image. It’s useful for capturing the cat perched at the far end of the sofa, although the sharpness drops ever so slightly when zoomed in to the maximum. The built-in flash comes in handy when the light fades, for example in the evening around the Christmas tree. For a bit of fun, the camera offers 20 filters that alter the colour palette and 14 more whimsical special effects. It also records video at a maximum resolution of HD 720p and supports a micro SD card of up to 64 GB.
How does ink-free instant printing work?
Here, there are no cartridges to replace and no stains on the sofa. The camera uses thermal paper, the surface of which reacts to heat. The print head heats tiny dots and the image gradually appears within a few seconds. The paper measures 57 x 30 mm and prints at 200 DPI. You can also adjust the density from 1 to 4 to achieve a lighter or darker result.
The box contains four rolls of paper, one black and white and three coloured (red, green and blue), as well as five coloured felt-tip pens to decorate the prints.
Let’s imagine a rainy Saturday at home. Your child takes a photo of their cuddly toy sitting next to the bunting, then chooses a filter on the screen and starts the print job. Whilst the paper is coming out, they go and fetch their felt-tip pens. Once the photo has been cut out, they draw stars around it, add a moustache to the cuddly toy and sign their artwork. You can then stick it onto a greeting card for Granny. The whole activity takes just twenty minutes, without you having to explain a thing.
The 1100 mAh battery recharges using the USB cable supplied. The camera also features an automatic standby mode, which is useful for preventing it from staying on at the bottom of a bag.
From the Realikids Instant Cam to the Realikids Instant Cam 2, what’s changed?
If you’ve already come across the Realikids Instant Cam, the original model, the basic concept will be familiar to you. It also has a 2.4-inch screen, ink-free thermal printing and three rolls of paper included in the box. It takes photos of up to 10 megapixels, films in Full HD and has 16 photo filters. It prints in black and white only.
But bear in mind that the new version goes a step further. It also prints on coloured paper, which makes decorating the photos much more fun, whilst still including a black-and-white roll in the box for that classic look. It now offers 12 megapixels, adds a digital zoom and features 20 filters. The supported memory card capacity has increased from 32 to 64 GB. Finally, it comes with a few games and an MP3 player to keep them entertained between photo sessions.
What’s the best camera for a 7-year-old?
At 7 years old, a child can read, write their first name and follow simple instructions. They also want to do things on their own. This is a great time to give them a camera. Let’s look at how this changes depending on age, and then what you can do with them.
At what age can a child start using an instant camera?
A child can use an instant camera from the age of 3, with a bit of help. The Realikids Instant Cam 2 is designed for children aged 3 to 9, so a 7-year-old is right in the middle of this age range. They’ll quickly get the hang of it. They look at the screen, frame their subject, press the button and wait for the photo to come out.
Younger children will need a helping hand. At 3 or 4 years old, your child presses the shutter button and you help with the rest, such as printing or choosing a filter. By the age of 7, they can manage almost everything on their own and may even be able to explain to you how it works.
Activities to do on your own or as a family with the Realikids Instant Cam 2
A camera isn’t just for taking pictures. Above all, it sparks ideas for games, away from the usual screens.
You could organise a photo hunt on a Sunday. Set three or four themes, such as ‘something round’, ‘something red’ or ‘an animal’. Your child can go hunting for them around the house or in the garden, then print out their finds. They can also put together a little family album. They can take photos of their grandparents, their cat or their bedroom. They can then stick the prints into a notebook and decorate them with their felt-tip pens.
By playing in this way, they learn without even realising it. They observe their surroundings, choose what’s worth keeping and learn how to frame a shot. On their own, they build their self-confidence. As a family, they show you their perspective on things and it’s often surprising.
Give the Realikids Instant Cam 2 for Christmas: the ideal gift for children
Are you looking for a Christmas present that won’t end up forgotten at the back of a drawer come January? An instant camera is likely to stay in use, because every photo becomes a tangible keepsake. Your child can give the prints to their loved ones, use them to decorate the Christmas tree or make their own Christmas cards.
One final practical tip: remember to buy a micro SD card before 25 December, as it isn’t included. That way, your child will be able to use it as soon as they unwrap it.
If you’d like to compare the models at your leisure, you can find all the children’s cameras in the Realikids range on the AgfaPhoto website.
The Realikids Instant Cam 2 instant camera: the perfect Christmas present
Giving your child an instant camera means giving them a simple way to discover the world through their own eyes. The Realikids Instant Cam 2 lets them frame their shots, print their photos in seconds and decorate them with coloured felt-tip pens. It’s suitable for children aged 3 to 9 and is just as much fun on their own as it is with the family.
This Christmas, it’s the perfect way to keep them occupied on rainy afternoons and create lovely memories to stick in an album, give as a present or hang up. All you have to do is choose the colour your child will love. Wishing you and your family a very happy festive season!
