Instax vs Polaroid vs Canon IVY: Best Instant Camera for a Grandkid?
Our Top Pick
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
$75-90. The default grandkid instant camera. Cheapest film ($0.75/print), durable body, widest color options.
An instant camera is one of those gifts that works for nearly every grandchild ages 7-17 — and lasts years, if you pick the right one.
There are three legitimate brands in the space: Fujifilm Instax, Polaroid, and Canon IVY. This guide picks the right one for your specific grandchild.
The 30-second verdict
- Most grandkids ages 7-14: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. $80 camera, $0.75/print, durable, fun colors.
- Teens 15-17 who want the aesthetic: Polaroid Now Gen 2. $120 camera, $2-2.50/print, classic square format.
- Kids who want digital control + scrapbooking: Canon IVY CLIQ+2. $120 hybrid camera, $0.55/print on 2x3 stickers.
- Avoid: any no-brand instant camera under $40. Film costs more, bodies break faster, print quality is visibly worse.
Now the detail.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12: the grandkid default
What it is: A pure analog instant camera. You push the shutter, a card-sized print (1.8 × 2.4 inches) slides out the top, develops in 60-90 seconds.
Price: $75-90 for the camera body.
Film cost: $0.70-0.85 per print. 40-pack film = $25-30. Cheapest of the three.
Body colors: Pastel Blue, Blossom Pink, Lilac Purple, Clay White, Mint Green. Wide selection beats Polaroid’s limited color options for kid appeal.
Why it wins for most grandkids:
- Cheapest upfront and cheapest over time.
- Durable enough for elementary school age hands.
- Simple operation — point, shoot, print. No menus or screens.
- Card-sized prints fit in wallets, scrapbook pages, photo frames.
- Film is widely available at Target, Walmart, Amazon.
Why it might not win:
- Prints are smaller than Polaroid Now (1.8x2.4 vs 3.1x3.1 inches).
- Aesthetic is “kid camera” more than “adult premium” — some teens 15+ want the Polaroid look instead.
- No digital review or preview.
Recommended bundle: Instax Mini 12 camera ($80) + Instax Mini Film 40-Pack ($25-30) + carrying case ($15-20) + a small photo album ($15-20) = $135-150 total. A complete gift.
Polaroid Now Gen 2: the premium and teen aesthetic pick
What it is: Pure analog instant camera with classic square-format prints (3.1 × 3.1 inches). The iconic “Polaroid look.”
Price: $110-130 for the camera body.
Film cost: $2.00-2.50 per print. 8-pack film = $16-20. 16-pack = $36-40. Most expensive of the three.
Body colors: Black, White, various limited-edition colors.
Why it wins for specific situations:
- Teens 15+ who want the classic Polaroid aesthetic (Instagram, scrapbooks, dorm walls).
- Aesthetic-focused kids who care about how the camera and the prints look.
- Premium-feel gift where the camera itself is the centerpiece.
Why it doesn’t always win:
- Film cost is 3x Instax. At 5 photos per week, that’s $520/year in film.
- Camera body is pricier AND feels more precious — kids are more hesitant to take it to soccer practice or summer camp.
- Prints take longer to develop (3-5 minutes) vs Instax (90 seconds).
Recommended bundle: Polaroid Now Gen 2 camera ($120) + 16-pack film ($36-40) + album or frame ($20-30) = $175-200 total.
Canon IVY CLIQ+2: the digital-hybrid choice
What it is: A hybrid digital camera + Zink sticker printer. You take a digital photo, preview it on a small LCD screen, then choose whether to print it onto a 2x3 inch sticker-back paper.
Price: $110-130 for the camera body.
Film cost: $0.40-0.60 per print on Canon Zink sticker paper. 50-pack = $25-30.
Body colors: Black, White, Pink Pearl, Grape Crush, Sky Blue.
Why it wins for specific kids:
- Kids who love scrapbooking, sticker-decorating notebooks or water bottles.
- Kids who want to choose which photos to print (less film waste).
- Families budget-conscious about film cost.
- The “sticker-back” format is genuinely more creative for kids who love craft projects.
Why it might not win:
- Loses the “instant magic” of a physical photo developing in your hands.
- Prints are small (2x3) compared to Polaroid (3.1x3.1).
- Zink print quality is decent but not as crisp as Instax or Polaroid chemistry-based prints.
- Requires battery charging (USB-C) — one more thing to manage.
Recommended bundle: Canon IVY CLIQ+2 camera ($120) + 50-pack Zink paper ($25-30) + sticker supplies/decorative kit ($15-20) + mini photo album ($15-20) = $175-190 total.
Film cost over time — the real spend
The camera is the one-time cost. Film is where the real spend accumulates.
At an average of 5 photos per week (reasonable for a kid who uses the camera regularly):
- Instax Mini: $200/year ($40/year if they only shoot at birthdays/events).
- Polaroid Now: $520/year ($110/year at events-only).
- Canon IVY: $140/year ($30/year at events-only).
At 15 photos per week (high-use kid):
- Instax Mini: $590/year.
- Polaroid Now: $1,560/year — not sustainable for most families.
- Canon IVY: $420/year.
Budget implications matter. Know the family’s spending context. A $2.50/print Polaroid at a birthday party where the kid shoots 30 photos = $75 of film in one afternoon.
Head-to-head scenarios
”I’m gifting a 7-year-old’s first camera.”
→ Instax Mini 12 ($80) + 40-pack film + carrying case. Simple, durable, cheap film.
”I’m gifting a 10-year-old who loves crafts and scrapbooks.”
→ Canon IVY CLIQ+2 + Zink paper + sticker supplies. The sticker-back format matches her interests.
”I’m gifting a 13-year-old who posts on Instagram.”
→ Instax Mini 12 for casual use OR Polaroid Now if she specifically wants the aesthetic. If parents are OK with the film cost, Polaroid.
”I’m gifting a 16-year-old Sweet 16.”
→ Polaroid Now Gen 2 ($120) + 16-pack film + a quality photo album ($30). The premium feel matches the milestone.
”I’m gifting a 17-year-old heading to college.”
→ Polaroid Go Gen 2 ($90-100) + film. Portable, dorm-friendly. Or gift card for any brand.
”I’m gifting twin 9-year-olds and want to match.”
→ Two Instax Mini 12 cameras in different colors ($80 each) + one large shared 40-pack film. Match but different.
”I’m gifting a kid who already has Instax and wants to level up.”
→ Polaroid Now Gen 2 ($120). Real step-up in aesthetic and format.
”I’m working with a tight budget — under $100 total.”
→ Instax Mini 11 (older but still great, $60) + 10-pack film ($8-10) + small album ($10) = $80-90. Perfect entry.
”I want a long-term gift that keeps giving via film refills.”
→ Instax Mini 12 + 100-pack film ($55-70) = $140-150 total. Film supply covers ~8-12 months.
What to avoid
No-brand instant cameras. Kodak Mini Shot ($70-90) is acceptable (Kodak is a real brand), but anything from unnamed Amazon brands ($40-70 cameras) uses proprietary film that costs MORE per print than Instax, has worse print quality, and breaks more often. False economy.
Cheap toy cameras. “VTech Kidizoom” and similar for under-7 kids are OK as toys but are NOT in this category — they’re digital kid cameras, not instant cameras. Don’t confuse the two.
Polaroid Originals / OneStep / 600 line. These use i-Type film or vintage 600 film, which is even more expensive than Polaroid Now ($2.50-3.00/print). Skip for grandkid gifting unless you specifically want the retro camera design.
Buying just the camera without film. Kid unwraps an empty promise. Always bundle at least one film pack.
The simple decision tree
- Budget under $150? → Instax Mini 12 + film + album. Done.
- Kid is teen 15+ and cares about aesthetics? → Polaroid Now Gen 2 + film + album.
- Kid loves crafts, stickers, scrapbooks? → Canon IVY CLIQ+2 + Zink + sticker supplies.
- Not sure? → Instax Mini 12. It’s the safest default pick for ages 7-17.
Instant cameras are one of the few tech gifts that become a years-long tradition. The kid takes photos at every family gathering, birthday party, summer camp, school trip — and you end up being the grandparent whose gift is visible in every photo album for years.
Pick the right brand for your grandchild’s specific age and interests. Pair with enough film to get rolling. Add an album to put the photos in.
That’s a real gift.
Full Comparison: Our Picks
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
$75-90. The default grandkid instant camera. Cheapest film ($0.75/print), durable body, widest color options.
Polaroid Now Instant Camera
$110-130. Premium choice. Classic square format prints. Film is $2-2.50/print — 3x Instax cost.
Canon IVY CLIQ+2 Instant Camera Printer
$110-130. Hybrid digital + Zink printer. Cheapest film per-print ($0.55/print). Sticker-back 2x3 format.
Instax Mini Film 40-Pack
$25-30 for 40 prints. Essential pair-with for any Instax gift. Covers ~6-8 months at kid shooting rate.
Polaroid Now i-Type Film 8-Pack
$16-20 for 8 prints ($2-2.50/print). Premium price. Buy in 16-pack bundle ($36) for better value.
Polaroid Go Gen 2
$90-100. Smaller portable Polaroid. Good for teens/young adults. Film $2/print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instax Mini vs Polaroid Now — which is better for a 10-year-old?
Instax Mini 12 wins for most 10-year-olds. Here's why: (1) Camera body is $80 vs Polaroid Now's $120 — more budget-friendly. (2) Film is $0.70-0.85 per print vs Polaroid's $2.00-2.50 per print — dramatically cheaper, critical for a kid who shoots 20-40 pictures per birthday party. (3) Smaller camera body fits in kid hands better. (4) Less precious feel — Polaroid cameras are 'don't drop this' premium, Instax is 'go take pictures outside.' (5) Instax film packs come in 10-pack ($8-10), 20-pack ($15-18), 40-pack ($25-30) — easy to stock up. Polaroid win scenarios: for aesthetics-obsessed teens 14+ who specifically want the classic square-format Polaroid look, for young adults/college gifts where the premium feel matters, and for gift-for-a-kid-who-already-has-Instax who's ready to level up.
How much does instant camera film actually cost per picture?
Huge range across brands. Budget it out: INSTAX MINI (1.8 × 2.4 inches): 10-pack $8-10 ($0.80-1.00/print), 20-pack $15-18 ($0.75-0.90/print), 40-pack $25-30 ($0.60-0.75/print). Cheapest when bought in 40 or 100-packs. POLAROID NOW (3.1 × 3.1 inches): 8-pack $16-20 ($2.00-2.50/print). Premium price point. Bundle packs $60-80 for 40 prints. CANON IVY / ZINK 2x3 STICKERS: 20-pack $10-15 ($0.50-0.75/print), 50-pack $25-30 ($0.50-0.60/print). Cheapest per print but smallest format (2x3 stickers). Annual cost estimate at 5 pictures/week: Instax ~$200/year, Polaroid ~$520/year, Canon IVY ~$140/year. Plan for ongoing film cost — the camera is the sunk cost; the film is the real spend over time.
Is Canon IVY different from Instax and Polaroid?
Yes, significantly. Canon IVY CLIQ+2 is a hybrid digital camera + printer. How it works: the camera takes a digital photo, which you preview on a tiny LCD screen, and you choose whether to print it. Photos print on Canon Zink sticker paper (2x3 inches, adhesive back). This is categorically different from Instax and Polaroid, which are pure analog — you press the shutter and a physical photo develops. Canon IVY advantages: (1) kid can pick which photos to print (less film waste), (2) smaller 2x3 sticker format is fun for scrapbooks and decorating notebooks/water bottles, (3) Zink film is cheapest per-print, (4) camera doubles as a digital camera. Canon IVY disadvantages: (1) the 'no-wait magic' of an Instax/Polaroid pulling out a developing physical photo is gone — less tactile, (2) tiny 2x3 print is much smaller than Instax or Polaroid, (3) Zink sticker quality is decent but not as crisp as Instax. Best for: the kid who loves scrapbooks, stickering everything, or wants more photo control. Worst for: the kid who wants the classic 'instant photo magic' experience.
What age is a good instant camera gift?
Instant cameras work well ages 6-17, but the sweet spot is 8-14. Ages 6-7: possible but kid needs parent supervision on buttons + film loading. Film waste is higher (kids shoot at floors, feet, their own foreheads — part of the fun but adds up financially). Ages 8-10: the sweet spot. Old enough to frame and compose photos, young enough that the novelty never fades. Instax Mini 12 is right for this age. Ages 11-14: still magic. Teens start getting more intentional about what they shoot. Instax or Polaroid both work. Ages 15-17: aesthetic matters. Many teens specifically want Polaroid Now for the classic look and the Instagram aesthetic. Ages 18+: young adult gifts — Polaroid Go Gen 2 (smaller, portable) or a Canon IVY for scrapbooking. For first-time instant camera at any age, Instax Mini is the default recommendation.
Are no-brand instant cameras cheaper for the same quality?
No. No-brand instant cameras (Kodak Mini Shot, Polaroid Go knockoffs, Amazon brands) cost $40-70 up front BUT: (1) use proprietary film cartridges that are MORE expensive per print than Instax, (2) have notably lower print quality — grainy, color-shifted, often under-exposed, (3) break or malfunction at much higher rates than Fujifilm or Polaroid, (4) don't benefit from brand-name film economies of scale. The 'cheaper' camera costs more over 2 years when you account for film cost + replacement. Stick with Fujifilm Instax, Polaroid, or Canon (for IVY line) — these are the only three brands with long-term film availability, decent print quality, and reliable camera bodies. Kodak Step / Kodak Mini Shot are the closest respectable alternatives to the big three but offer no compelling advantage over Instax Mini.
What's the best instant camera gift bundle for a grandkid?
The winning bundle: Instax Mini 12 ($80) + 40-pack Instax Mini film ($25-30) + a photo album or photo frame ($15-30) + a carrying case ($15-20) = $135-160 total. This is a full-experience gift — the camera, enough film for ~6-8 months at kid shooting rate, a place to put the photos, and protection for the camera body. For Polaroid: Polaroid Now Gen 2 ($120) + 16-pack film ($36-40) + album ($20-30) = $175-200. For Canon IVY: Canon IVY CLIQ+2 ($120) + 50-pack Zink paper ($25-30) + decorative sticker supplies ($15) = $160-175. Don't gift just the camera alone — kid unwraps it and has nothing to shoot. Always bundle with at least one extra film pack.
What's the biggest downside of instant cameras for kids?
Film cost compound. The camera is the one-time cost ($80-120). Film is the ongoing cost. A kid who gets excited and shoots 10 pictures a day for a week burns through $30-50 of film in 7 days. Then parents either keep buying film (real spend pile-up) or the camera gathers dust in a drawer. Manage expectations by: (1) including plenty of film in the initial gift bundle (40-pack Instax, 16-pack Polaroid), (2) explaining to the kid 'this is enough for X weeks, then we get more for the next occasion' (sets the rhythm that film is an occasional gift), (3) choosing Instax or Canon IVY over Polaroid if cost is a concern (3x difference). Some families genuinely can't support the ongoing film cost — a $2.50/print Polaroid at 5 prints per week = $650/year. Know the family budget context before gifting Polaroid specifically.