Yep. The title says it all.... Action Cameras, for kids. This of course runs contrary to one of my previous posts on my other site, Hike with Kids, in that post I talk about how digital cameras for kids deliver poor potato quality output and that a cheap phone (with camera built in) would be a better option. And yes, I still stand by that statement. And yes, the camera I'm about to talk about DOES deliver some really horrible potato quality photos and video. Yet with all of the above, I'm beyond impressed by this product and its versatility, so much so I went out and purchased the "grown up" version of it.
Let's dive in (as you'll discover, pun intended).
Let's go back a few weeks from when I'm writing this - to early July 2023. We're busy preparing for a family holiday up to Port Douglas and my wife has an idea. If we're planning to head up there and do things like go Snorkeling, surely the kids would love to capture some photos & video of their adventures. So she went to the Internet searching for waterproof cameras for kids.
In her search she found the Kidizoom HD. We didn't have much time before we needed to leave for Port Douglas, so we ordered 2 of the cameras - one for each child (yay Amazon next day), opened them, charged them, dusted off some 8GB microSD cards, then packed the cameras with their swimming case + handle only and left for holiday.
So, what did we have? 
The cameras max out at 720p, for both videos and photos (1280x720). At this resolution there are no special features. Lower resolutions are also available that can apply special effects, borders, etc. For video this is 240p, for photos this is 640x480.
One feature I didn't count on is that they also contain games. While the kids loved this feature, I have to admit I didn't want them to have another portable gaming device to get hooked on. Traveling interstate is a bit of a waste if all you're doing is staring at a screen. 
Both of the kids cameras in their "ready to swim" configuration 
Close up in the waterproof case: 
Without the waterproof case: 
Where these really excel is under the water. Again, yes I realise these photos leave much to be desired quality wise, but the key point here is that these photos were taken under water or on the water where other cameras dare not tread. Taken by a camera that will just float to the surface if you let go. Much like my drone article, I realised I've been missing a whole chunk of the story up until now. 
The real stand-out feature of these action cameras however isn't the photos but the video. The quality is still very average, but the moment it's underwater average quality video all can be forgiven.
I was so impressed I drove the hour from Port Douglas back to Cairns so I could pick up a "grown up" action camera in time for our next bit of snorkeling. Putting them side-by-side, the Kidizoom HD stacks up well against it's full sized alternative. 
My daughter continued to snap pictures both up on dry land and under the water. While the quality is undeniably "early 2000s webcam", I still can't help but appreciate the versatility on show. 
Once we got home I unpacked the other bits-and pieces that came with the camera, they include:
- Bike mount;
- Adhesive mount;
- Wide angle lense; and
- Camera holster for these "I'm using the wide lense" situations.*
What about the alternatives?
At $90AUD each the price is my real criticism. $90 is very high for 720p potato quality even if it shoots photos and video underwater and starts to encroach on the price-point of some super cheap "real" action cameras. For example at the time of this writing, Amazon has the AKASO EK7000 on sale for ~$110AUD. It's a 4K camera and it doesn't really live up to any kind of 4K I'd be happy with, but as this review shows it's still a significant step up from the quality of the Kidizoom HD at not too much more to spend.
So why didn't I go down this route?
In short, if I was buying at this price point for myself, or if my daughter (my eldest) was quite a bit older, I'd be happy to look at something like the EK7000. But (and it's a big but) the themes of many reviews are that it's fiddly, hard to use, takes a while to get used to. In short, a trade off that's potentially worth making if you're trying to save some money, but a fatal flaw if you want your kids to operate it.
The Kidizoom for all its average quality captures is SUPER easy for kids to use. Both of my kids worked it out by themselves.
Closing thoughts
All-in-all I'm happy with what this unit produces, I'm impressed by the versatility and the kids LOVE it. We've only scratched the surface, primarily using these units as dive cameras, but the flexibility they offer should see them getting regular use for a long time to come.