As they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. For most of my son’s life (he’s only 2.5), he hasn’t had much screen time. Only recently has he really been into a few television shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sesame Street. Man, does this kid love Mickey Mouse and Elmo.
The same goes with my phone. In the past few months, I found myself downloading a few educational apps that he loves to play. He’s growing up in the technology age so I feel like introducing screen time slowly will help him learn the functionality.
It’s been amazing to see how quickly he can catch onto how technology works. From scrolling through my apps to finding his favorite app, he knows how to turn on the phone, find items in my phone, expand photos, click on videos to play them … the list goes on and on. What a little smarty pants.
One of his favorite things about my phone is the camera. Just last night I was scrolling through my phone when I came across selfie after selfie of my son. Forehead, toes, nose, and arm photos flooded my phone. It was hilarious to scroll through and see how my little photographer captured himself. The best part? When he holds the phone up in the air in selfie mode and says, “Cheeeeeeeese!”
I absolutely love that he is into photography. I think that photography is such an awesome skill to help develop in kids. Do you know who also thinks this way? Camera companies. What I love is that camera companies are now making durable cameras geared toward children. Covered in protective and durable material, these cameras allow children the freedom to capture the world as they see it all while learning. Snapping photos is fun no matter what your age. However, you can turn photography into a learning experience so that kids have fun while becoming educated at the same time.
10 Photography Activities for Kids
Here are five activities that will make photography fun and educational for kids.
1.) Learn Colors and ABCs
Have your child walk around the house or great outdoors and photograph different colors. You can assign a different color per outing/week/month/etc. Your child can also learn ABCs through photography by photographing objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.
2.) Go on a Word Hunt
Write words on flash cards and have your child walk around your neighborhood, town, home, etc. trying to find the words. Once found, have your child take a photo of the word.
3.) Capture a Story
Encourage your child to take a photo of an object or scene, print the photo, attach the print to a piece of paper, and have your child write a story based on what was photographed. This activity will enhance creative thinking and writing skills.
4.) Set Up a Photo Gallery
Print the photos that your child takes and create a home photo gallery. You can have fun mixing and matching frames. Your child will have so much joy and pride looking at the photos.
5.) Create a Happiness Journal
Have your child photograph one item a day/week that makes him or her happy. Print the photos and attach them to the pages of a journal. Your child will have a book full of images that will be great to look through as your child gets older. You’ll be able to not only document memories but also view how your child’s photographic eye changes throughout the years.
6.) Take Self Portraits
Have a 52-week challenge for your child by having your child take one self portrait every week of the year. It will be so much fun looking through the photos at the end of the year.
7.) Teach Skills
When it comes to photography, there are so many items to consider—composition, lighting, rule of thirds, aperture, shutter speed … just to name a few. Each month, so as not to be too overwhelming, have your child pick an area of photography, focus on it, and master it.
8.) Assign a Vacation Photographer
As a parent, you’ll want to capture some of your favorite moments during vacation. But, you’ll love seeing the vacation from your child’s perspective. Have one of your kids also take photos during a vacation so that you end up with tons of great (and interesting) photos.
9.) Become Familiar With Characteristics
Everyone loves a good pet photo, right? Pets are quirky and full of character. Have your child capture your pet’s personality through photos. You can also have your child photograph a pet’s characteristics and learn about fur, eyes, noses, paws, feathers, or fins. Plus, trying to get an animal to sit, behave, etc. will be great in learning patience.
10.) Learn Software
When it comes to photography, there are many types of editing software that can teach your kids computer skills. This is definitely for the older crowd. But, download photo editing apps, use PicMonkey, upload photos to Canva … the possibilities are endless.
What photography activities do you love to do with your kids?
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