We now live in a society that’s immersed in social media and our children are no different. Many of our teenagers are very active on social media and wish to record videos. For this purpose, an action camera is now becoming more and more popular.
These action cameras are becoming increasingly popular because they’re small enough to pop in a pocket yet still produce the most amazing images and videos.
They’re durable and waterproof making them perfect for children as we all know how tough children can be on their toys.
GoPro is one of the most well-known names in the action camera world. They’re perfect for children because they’re extremely sturdy.
This is why they’re the choice above normal cameras especially for children. We looked at some of the best GoPros available and also some of the more wallet-friendly alternatives.
In this article
- Short On Time? Here Are Our Top 3 Choices
- The Best GoPros Available
- 1. GoPro Hero 5 Session
- 2. GoPro Hero 7 Black
- 3. GoPro Hero 8 Waterproof Action Camera
- 4. GoPro Hero 9 Waterproof Action Camera
- The Best Wallet-Friendly Alternatives to GoPro
- 1. PROGRACE Kids Camera Waterproof
- 2. VTech Kidizoom Action Cam
- 3. Ourlife Kids Waterproof Camera with Video Recorder
- FAQs
- The Final Thought
Short On Time? Here Are Our Top 3 Choices
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | GoPro Hero5 Session | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | GoPro Hero7 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | GoPro HERO8 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
The Best GoPros Available
1. GoPro Hero 5 Session
Features
Hero 5 is a great camera for children and has all the features that they would need. It comes complete with some great GoPro accessories that children will love.
In this package, you get the camera, standard frame, curved adhesive mount, flat adhesive mount, mounting buckle, and a USB-c cable. The package doesn’t include an SD card.
It’s waterproof to 33 feet without the additional waterproof housing. This camera has a built-in rechargeable battery that’s charged via the USB cable. This same cable is also used to transfer files.
Children will be able to easily operate the Session 5 without too much assistance. With a press of a single button, it starts recording. It shoots photos in single, burst, or time-lapse in 10MP and records in 4K video.
Hero 5 is a little smaller than the average GoPro but this also makes it perfect for children as it’s small enough for them to handle. It also comes with voice control which the children will love. Voice commands are simple such as “GoPro start recording.”
Pros
- Waterproof
- Battery life is quite good
- 10MP camera
- 4K video
- Comes with two mounts
- Voice control
Cons
- Issues using during cold weather – anything below freezing
- Some complaints fo short battery life
- poor video quality
2. GoPro Hero 7 Black
Features
The GoPro 7 has added some very cool features to this model, making it a fantastic action camera. If your children are all action, this could well be the best option for them.
It comes with HyperSmooth image stabilization. Hero 7 predicts your movements and corrects for camera shake. This ensures it delivers ultra-smooth footage every time.
It’s waterproof without the need for any additional housing up to depths of 33 feet, making it perfect for capturing sports such as surfing. It can be voice-controlled, leaving you hands-free to enjoy the moment.
Just use simple voice commands such as “GoPro start recording”, or “GoPro take a photo.” Hero 7 also comes with a live streaming option, timewarp video, and 8x Slow motion video playback.
It has a very impressive recording ability of 4K 60 video and 12MP images.
Pros
- Hyperstabalization works very well
- 4k video is amazing
- Timewarp mode is good
- Intuitive menu
Cons
- Battery life is poor
- Some issues with overheating
- Streaming is patchy at best
- Instructions included are not up to the job
- Firmware needs to be updated straight away
- No micro SD card included.
- Not compatible with Windows 10
- Hyperstabilization does not work in temperatures below freezing.
3. GoPro Hero 8 Waterproof Action Camera
Features
This is Amazon’s choice for GoPro and it’s a fantastic piece of kit with a 12 MP camera and 4K ultra HD video recording. It comes with all the features of Hero 7 such as Hypersmooth 2.0 that comes with multiple levels of stabilization.
If still photos are your thing then it’s hitting all the right moves there too with features that allow you to crank up the contrast, kill the blur, and shred. It also takes some amazing action shots.
It’s voice-activated with the same simple sentences as Hero 7. It comes complete with a rechargeable battery, curved adhesive mount, mounting buckle, and USB-c cable.
Pro
- 12Mp camera
- 4K Ultra HD video recording
- Hyper smooth stabilization
- Waterproof
Cons
- Slightly larger than the Hero 7, some issues with fitting in previous dive housing.
- Some issues reported with SD formatting problems
- Short battery life
- The touchscreen is lacking some sensitivity
4. GoPro Hero 9 Waterproof Action Camera
Features
GoPro Hero 9 is the newest addition to the GoPro family. It boasts more power, more clarity, and more stability.
This groundbreaking GoPro comes with a 23.6MP sensor providing breathtaking 5K video and stunning 20MP still images. The new front view offers a display enabling you to frame your images easily.
It also comes with HyperSmooth 3.0 built-in mounting and comes with 30% more battery life. Timewarp 3.0 allows you to record mesmerizing time-lapse scenes. This can be used when you are on foot, in the car, or anywhere else.
One of the best features that Hero 9 comes with is Hindsight. This ensures that you never miss that perfect moment, by recording 30 seconds before you press the record button.
It’s still waterproof and comes with the curved adhesive mount, mounting buckle, and the USB-C cable.
Pro
- Good Battery life
- Improvements to app
- 20 Megapixel camera
Cons
- Some issues with overheating
- Incompatible with some old accessories such as the smart remote
- The touchscreen is a little temperamental.
- No HDMI output.
The Best Wallet-Friendly Alternatives to GoPro
1. PROGRACE Kids Camera Waterproof
Features
The PROGRACE camera comes with 5MP, 4x digital zoom, volume adjustment, 40 photo frames, burst shooting, time-lapse photo, face recognition, manual brightness adjustment, and games.
It’s simple for children to use without the help of an adult and the power button is small enough for them not to bother with it. The camera can be mounted on to any flat surface and record all those great moments hands-free.
It can be added to a durable waterproof case and can then be used underwater up to a depth of 100ft. The level of protection reaches IP68.
It also comes with a helmet mount and two helmet belts so that it can be easily installed on a helmet. It also includes a bike mount that can be attached to most bicycles enabling your children to record all those great moments of their outdoor life.
The camera does require a micro SD card in order to use it which is not included and will need to be purchased separately.
It comes with a rechargeable battery which with continuous photo-taking and recording should last around 1.5 hours. It is also available in a variety of colors suitable for both boys and girls.
Pros
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Easy for children to operate without assistance
Cons
- Picture quality is poor
- The computer interface is unreliable
- Requires a memory card to use and this is not stated
2. VTech Kidizoom Action Cam
Features
VTech is a brand that’s well known for bringing intuitive technology to children. The Kidizoom Action Cam is no different with its durable, waterproof, and versatile camera that enable children to easily capture those memorable moments for themselves.
It comes with three mounts that can be used to attach the camera to bikes, skateboards, helmets, and any flat surface.
It also has a wrist strap to keep the camera attached to your little one while they are busy exploring. It includes a waterproof case that protects the camera from damage up to a depth of 6 feet.
It features a 1.4-inch color LCD screen. It can take photos, videos, time-lapse, and stop motion. It includes fun effects, frames, and photo filters.
The VTech Kidizoom does require an SD card that’s not included and will need to be purchased separately before it can be used. It has a rechargeable battery which will last around 2.5 hours with continuous photo-taking and recording time.
Pros
- Easy to operate for young children
- Durable
- Waterproof
Cons
- Some issues with uploading files to a computer
- Picture quality is mediocre
- Action shots are of very poor quality
3. Ourlife Kids Waterproof Camera with Video Recorder
Features
Ourlife camera comes with an HD camera and video, allowing your little ones to capture their great adventures both in pictures and videos. It’s very durable and can capture 5 megapixel still images.
It has an integrated 1.77 inch LCD screen, built-in rechargeable battery, micro SD card slot, and comes with an 8GB memory card, and a fixed focus lens. It’s also equipped with a 7 color shooting mode and 6 fun frame filters for still images.
When placed in its waterproof case, it can be safely used underwater to depths of 33feet and features IP68. It also comes complete with fastening straps for helmet mounting, 2 types of mounts for bikes, and scooters.
Pros
- Includes 8GB memory card
- Small and lightweight perfect for children
- Good picture quality
- Versatile
- Durable
- Easy for little ones to navigate without assistance
Cons
- The preview screen is very small
- Annoying file transfer issues
- The camera is very small and it’s difficult to not get fingers over the lens even for small children
- Poor sound quality
FAQs
What features to look for when choosing a GoPro and a budget-friendly alternative?
When you’re deciding whether to pay out for a GoPro or to try a more wallet-friendly alternative, there are a few things that you need to consider before making your final decision.
Build Quality
If you’re looking for a GoPro or alternative action camera, they tend to stand out from normal cameras because they’re built to take a few more knocks and are therefore far more durable than a traditional camera.
Most of the action cameras are waterproof, can deal with some rough handling and even a few drops. So before making your choice, make sure that the action camera that you choose is tough enough for the handling that your child will put it through.
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Budget
There’s a huge variation in the price of not only GoPros but also action cameras in general. So be certain what your budget is and what you can expect to get for that budget.
You may not get all the features that you want but you may get the accessories. Be prepared that you may have to make a few minor compromises.
Image and Video Quality
This is one of the most important features that you need to check out. There’s no point in taking amazing images and videos if the quality is that of something from the 80s.
Your children will be even less impressed by this than you as they’re used to seeing everything in high-quality resolution.
Make sure that the camera that you choose has the megapixel and video resolution that you desire before making that final purchase.
Batteries
This is another area that has a vast array of possibilities. Many action cameras come with built-in rechargeable batteries while others come with ones that can be removed and charged.
You also need to check out the average battery life and again to see if it’s going to suit your needs.
Connectivity
Some of the action cameras with higher price tags come with GPS and Wi-Fi making it super easy for your children to connect to social media.
This feature comes in really handy if your children are wanting to live stream, for tagging and location sharing.
Extra Features
Some of the GoPros come with voice commands, video stabilization, slow-mo, and touchscreen. These are all designed to make them super user friendly.
For many of these features, you’ll pay a little extra and you’d need to decide which you can live with and those that you can live without.
For example, if your child is a keen mountain biker and will be using their GoPro mounted on a helmet or handlebars then the voice commands will come in really useful.
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The Final Thought
Whether you choose an action camera or a GoPro will depend hugely on your budget, the age of your children, and what it’s going to be used for.
If your children are quite young and you’re just trying to get them interested in this sort of equipment.
It may be worth your while going for the action cameras with a lower price tag and that is going to be more durable. That’s because they’re specifically designed for children.
But if you’re looking for a piece of kit for a teenager who’s a keen mountain biker, skateboarder, or surfer who’s looking to capture all those great moves, it will be worth spending the additional money and getting that GoPro.
