I saw some great cameras that would be great first cameras for older kids at CES (including one that prints photos right out of the camera), and I even found a great starter camera bag. And the ModoPocket mini-tripod is a great little accessory for that first camera too.
The MondoPocket (from tripod experts Manfrotto) is a small table-top tripod that folds up underneath the camera. It's about the same size as a business card, and raises the camera off of a table, ground or almost any other surface. The other cool thing it has is a mount for another tripod underneath, so you can keep it attached to your camera full time - even when you want to attach your camera to a bigger tripod.
If your kid is interested in photography, this would be a great way to get them to start thinking about their camera as something that can do things besides just taking snapshots.
The MondoPocket 797 is available now for around $30. Check it out at Manfrotto.com.
About Chris Ford
Chris Ford is a raconteur, musician, technophile, Certified Sommelier, and modern design-obsessed stay-at-home dad in Las Vegas. He has also recently grown a beard, which he thinks is awesome but his wife thinks is a sign that he's finally cracked. When he's not busy traveling the world looking for cool products for children and parents, you can find him shuttling his two daughters to and from casinos.
