What is it? A safe, simple camera app for kids
Who is it for? Parents looking to encourage creativity and focus
How much does it cost? Free or $1/£1 monthly for unlimited sessions
What makes it special? No ads, no distractions, no nonsense
Apple’s Camera app is a nightmare in the hands of a toddler or young child. Kids hit the wrong buttons, switch modes, and are constantly one tap away from full access to a parent’s entire photo library. There are a handful of kids camera apps out there, but they’re full of gimmicks and gamification – as if children need to be bribed into finding photography fun.
By contrast, Lemon Squeezy is minimal, calm, and respects children’s impulse to be creative. It’s got a big shutter button they can’t miss and a separate photo library they can browse independently. There are custom photo limits to keep screen time down, a shutter cooldown to curb rapid-fire excitement, and sensible parental controls tucked away behind a lock. Simple common sense features dictated by the developer’s actual experience as a parent.
(I should probably mention the developer is me, your humble editor! I recently made the switch from critic to creator.)
Lemon Squeezy won’t replace the built-in Camera app – and it’s not trying to. Instead, it offers a calmer, more intentional alternative designed for ease of use and peace of mind. If you’ve ever handed your iPhone to a child and immediately regretted it, this might be exactly what you’re looking for.