Try This Fun, Kids Photography Activity

As a photographer, having young children underfoot while working can create a variety of challenges. From endless questions to missing lens caps, there’s no doubt that kids are fascinated by cameras. They’re also in awe of what you do, and ready to absorb whatever inspiration and creativity you have to share, which is why it’s never too early to get your kids excited about photography.

If you’re considering getting a kids’ camera for your future photographer, there are tons of fun activities to help you kids learn while they’re busy snapping their first images.

Story Time

The hours you’ve spent reading and showing your kids the beautiful illustrations in your favorite picture books have laid an excellent foundation for a fun photography activity. Let your kids come up with their own story book using images they’ve taken around the house. Their imaginations will run wild as create their own picture books starring their favorite stuffed animals, toys, (and maybe even your cat!). You can either print out their images and staple them together or just let them tell their story as they flip through the photos they see in the camera’s viewfinder.

Treasure Hunt

Create a list of “hidden” objects for your kids to find. The first one to take a picture of every object is the winner! This simple exercise can be repurposed for many educational activities, giving you the opportunity to make learning a game everyone can enjoy. For example, your list can consist of:

Any objects that start with the letter R (for learning the alphabet)
Any objects that are blue (for learning colors)
Any objects that are round (for learning shapes)
Any objects that are soft (for learning textures)
Any objects that are on a list they need to read (for helping with reading skills)
Take a picture of 12 different objects (for learning numbers)
Take a picture of 2 doors and 5 grapes (for learning math)

Photo Sessions

Younger school age children are the perfect age for learning photography basics like the rule of thirds and the difference between soft light and hard light. This time you get to be the subject while your budding photographer handles the set ups. Pose with a favorite teddy and let your position you while the begin to understand the importance of lighting and composition.