Our pick for the best camera for kids is the Olympus Tough TG-5. It’s not a toy camera, nor is particularly cheap, but it is very good at one thing that makes it a great choice for putting it in the slippery hands of youngsters: Survival. It is waterproof, drop-proof, crush-proof, and probably even dog-proof, so wherever it ends up and however it gets there, it should survive the journey.
Why you should buy this: A camera that can withstand pretty much anything, with advanced features to grow into
Who’s it for: Tech-savvy teens, adventurous kids, and even parents that want to snap photos at the river or beach
Why we picked the Olympus TG-6:
The Olympus TG-6 is durable enough to survive 50 feet of water, 7-foot drops, or 200 pounds of pressure on top of it — which means it can survive at the hands of most children (unless you’re raising Sid from Toy Story). But while there’s a handful of good rugged cameras out there, the TG-6 has some of the best specs, with a bright lens that allows the camera to take decent photos indoors and 20-frame-per-second burst shooting for keeping up with the most active kids.
Designed as a ruggedized point-and-shoot and not specifically as a camera for kids, the TG-6 is an excellent option for tech-savvy teens because there’s room to grow and learn beyond using the camera as a basic point-and-shoot. Some semi-manual modes, as well as some creative automated modes, are included for kids who want to really learn photography but are a bit too accident-prone to try a DSLR yet.
The TG-6 will also record things like the speed and location for outdoor adventures (you can disable this if you’re concerned about privacy). Other advanced features include Wi-Fi for transferring photos over to a smartphone.
Why you should buy this: A cheap, durable camera designed for small hands
Who’s it for: Toddlers and nursery kids, ages 2-5
Why we picked the VTech Kidizoom:
Finding a cheap camera isn’t hard, but the VTech Kidizoom has one of the best toddler-friendly designs out there. The design is durable enough for toddlers, although it is not submersible like the Olympus TG-5.
But it’s the Kidizoom’s ergonomics that are really make the camera suited for the youngest photographers. The camera has two grips on both sides, with two viewfinders. Why two viewfinders? Most toddlers really don’t get the concept of closing one eye and putting the other up to the camera. There is also a screen, along with large buttons and a big joystick for navigating the different options with little fingers.
Will the Kidizoom capture great photos? Not at all — it’s a 2-megapixel camera. The Kidizoom isn’t a camera for taking photos good enough to print or share; instead, it’s designed specifically to teach toddlers photography basics and to spark an interest in photography. We’re a bit more conservative than the manufacturer’s suggested age range on this camera, however, which goes up to age 8 — we can’t really see a child that old getting excited about it, but it’s certainly a hit among toddlers and nursery and reception aged children.
Why you should buy this: The novelty of instant film is great for kids — but the screen can help prevent wasting expensive film
Who’s it for: Kids (and kids at heart) that prefer holding physical pictures over looking at pixels on a screen.
Why we picked the Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay:
Want to teach your kids that some things are worth waiting for, but don’t want to spend money on prints of your kid’s fingers and feet? The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is a film-digital hybrid that offers the experience of instant film with some of the convenience of digital. There’s a screen at the back so not every single photo is printed — since kids could easily go through a $15 pack of film in five minutes. But, the keepers you can spit out on credit-card-sized Instax Mini film.
The best part of the LiPlay is how fun it is to use — even for adults — and that could help spark a lifelong love for photography. The digital aspect means you can have the photos in print and in pixels, or even just in pixels. The sensor is just meant to print out tiny photos, so it’s not the best. But that digital sensor allows kids to keep taking pictures even when they have run out of film. Teenagers can use those digitals for sharing on social media, and the Instax prints for sharing in person.
The Instax Mini LiPlay isn’t perfect, but instant photography isn’t supposed to be. While not designed specifically for kids, the fun user experience, simple interface, and affordable price point makes the LiPlay a good instant film option for even the youngest budding photographers.
The world can be a noisy place. Whether you’re at home, on the bus, or in the mall, the world assails you with sound. Even if you try to relax and detach by playing some music or your favorite podcast over your headphones, all those sounds leak through, distracting you and causing even more stress and chaos. Maybe you don’t even tend to play audio on your devices, and instead, you’re just looking to filter out some of that ambient noise.
If you want to find some peace and quiet anywhere, anytime, try out a pair of noise-canceling headphones. They use special technology to intercept background noise and keep it from reaching your ears. At the same time, they amplify the notes or words playing from your phone or other digital devices to provide a clear and engaging sound.
Save space in your living areas by using a TV mounting kit to mount your TV or large monitor onto the wall. TV mounting kits feature a heavy-duty bracket to support the weight of your TV and all the hardware needed to hand the bracket. Some styles of TV mounting kits allow you to tilt your screen down, for better viewing or telescope your TV for an optimal gaming experience. Some mounting kits even allow TVs and monitors to be turned in a vertical position. We researched the best TV mounting kits available online and chose our favorites based upon their style, durability, and ease of installation. Here are our recommendations for TV mounting kits so you can decide which one is best for your TV or monitor.
TV stands are available in a variety of styles to fit your needs whether you are a homeowner, renter, or in a college dorm. There are wall mounted TV stands, stands that have a base you can mount your TV on, and TV stands that are credenzas or cabinets. Each style of stand allows you to make the most of your space by giving you more room or having additional storage. We researched the best TV stands available online and chose our favorites based upon their style, durability, and ease of installation. Here are our recommendations for TV stands so you can decide which one is best for your TV!