By Robin Owens 5 days ago, Graphic Tablets
The best tablets for kids with parental controls.
How many hours should a child spend in front of a screen? Is the content they’re watching appropriate for their age? Are they wasting too much time gaming? These are the questions that trouble parents who are about to buy their kid a tablet, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Talking about tablet for kids, raw performance isn’t as important while parental control functionality and a durable battery become top priorities. The tablet’s design is irrelevant too since it’ll be covered in crumbs or smudges most of the time anyway. Tablets haven’t been an adult-only device for quite some time now, and the market is full of models suitable for children, with integrated features that allow you to check what they’ve been doing and for how long.
Weight: 778 g | Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels | CPU: Octa-core up to 2.0 GHz with 2 GB of RAM | Storage: 32GB | Rear camera: 2 MP | Front camera: 2 MP
⊕ Portable and lightweight
⊕ Cheaper to buy as a bundle
⊕ Library with certified child-friendly content
⊖ Uncomfortable if you don’t use Amazon content
⊖ Fire HD 8 offers almost the same functionality
⊖ Isn’t water-resistant
This model along with the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (available for $129.99) is a great contender for the title of the best tablet for kids. While in the past the transition to a 10” screen felt rushed, that isn’t the case with this model.
The new Amazon tablet is powered by a superior processor and additional RAM, offering slick performance and impressive functionality. Being a device that’s mainly developed to stop kids from whining, it’s more than worth its price.
This kid friendly tablet is a terrific choice to keep your children entertained on the backseat of your car or the couch at home.
Even if you don’t own a car, having your kid play on this tablet while you’re stuck in the subway will save both you and everyone around you from a ton of needless stress.
Weight: 300g | Screen size: 7. 9-inch | Resolution: 1024x768 pixels | CPU: A12 Bionic chip | Storage: 64/256GB | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 7MP
⊕ Portable and lightweight
⊕ Identical feature set to the bigger iPad Air
⊕ Supports Apple Pencil
⊕ Unparalleled app collection
⊕ Solid battery life (so far)
⊖ Isn’t compatible with 2nd-gen Pencils
⊖ More expensive than the 9.7” iPad
⊖ Doesn’t have a USB-C input
The latest iPad Mini is the best kid tablet for its size and price range. It offers Apple Pencil Support, but its design is slightly outdated.
This model is more suited for traditional tablet applications since it doesn’t have a connector for a slim keyboard. So, if that’s what you want, then you’ll have to go for the large Bluetooth edition.
Weight: 640g | Screen size: 7-inch | Resolution: 1024x600pixels | CPU: 1.3 GHz Mediatek 8127 ARM Cortex A7 processor | Storage: 16GB | Rear camera: 1.9MP | Front camera: 1.9MP
⊕ Portable and lightweight
⊕ Perfect for all entertainment
⊕ Original home screen
⊕ High-quality preinstalled apps
⊕ Above-average battery life
⊖ Higher price tag
⊖ Uneven performance
⊖ Quite heavy for a child
The fact that this tablet for kids offers quality parent control features and a solid battery speaks in its favor. However, it costs $20 more than the Fire 7 Kids model covered below.
While the preinstalled applications on this model are good for both entertainment and education, Amazon's FreeTime library includes an incomparably bigger selection of free apps. LeapFrog Epic provides decent performance but lacks the 2-year warranty included in Amazon’s product, even though the 1-year coverage may be enough for most people.
While for anyone who prioritizes safety and reliability above everything else, Fire HD 10 may be the best tablet for kids. The unique child-friendly user interface of this model (which resembles a cartoon) makes it a solid consideration as well.
Weight: 453.592g | Screen size: 7-inch | Resolution: 1024 X 600 pixels | CPU: 1.3 GHz Quad-Core processor. | Storage: 16GB | Rear camera: 2MP | Front camera: 2 MP
⊕ Portable and lightweight
⊕ Intuitive UI
⊕ Acceptable parental controls
⊕ Child-friendly design
⊖ High price tag
⊖ Insufficient content compared to others
⊖ Short battery life
⊖ Low-resolution screen
Made exclusively for children, this is one of the best kids tablets for education. Along with the device, you receive over $100 worth of games, applications, and videos that allow your child to dive into a fun and educational environment.
The available content selection includes top-rated apps and cartridges with several beloved cartoon characters. Many apps and games have integrated Just-for-Me functionality that evaluates the child’s playstyle and quickly accommodates the curriculum to make it easier or harder, ensuring maximum engagement level.
Everything about this model is child-friendly, including the Internet browser that prompts the user to visit specific sites chosen by learning experts. The tablet itself offers an integrated bumper, reinforced body, and shatter-safe screen.
The included parental controls let you add several children to a single tablet and establish playtime restrictions. If you need the best kids learning tablet to prepare your children for preschool, this is the model for you!
Weight: 331g | Screen size: 8-inch | Resolution: 1920x1200pixels | CPU: Octa-Core (1.8GHz, 1.6GHz) | Storage: 32GB | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 5MP
⊕ Screen quality
⊕ Impressive quad-speaker sound
⊕ Great battery life
⊕ Stylish design, good ergonomics
⊖ Just 32GB of storage space
⊖ Can’t stream in HD on Netflix
This is the best kids tablet for watching cartoons, TV shows, and playing games. The screen offers terrific and accurate colors, and the produced sound is of very high quality.
This 8 inch tablet is powered by a 7300 mAh battery that offers terrific durability. Your kid will adore viewing multimedia content on the large screen of this model.
Holding this tablet is also extremely comfortable, which can be very important for children. The large screen ensures their eyes won’t tire quickly. If you’re not restricted in funds, then getting this best rated kids tablet is a fantastic idea!
Weight: 456g | Screen size: 7-inch | Resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels | CPU: Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Storage: 16/32GB | Rear camera: 2MP | Front camera: 2MP
⊕ Straightforward UI
⊕ FreeTime: child-oriented content
⊕ 2-year warranty
⊖ Sturdy case comes with an integrated kickstand
⊖ Low-res screen
⊖ Subpar performance
⊖ Weak battery life
This Fire 7 kids tablet comes with a lengthy warranty, an expansive library of child-oriented apps and videos, and this 7 inch tablet is suitable for kids of all ages.
However, if you’re able to spend just $30 more, you can get the next model in the series (Fire HD 8 Kids) and enjoy improved performance and a larger screen, which will particularly impress your kid.
Weight: 458g | Screen size: 10.5 -inch | Resolution: 1536 x 2048 pixels | CPU: A12 Bionic chip with 64‑bit architecture, Neural Engine, Embedded M12 coprocessor | Storage: 64/256 GB | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 7MP
⊕ Cheaper than iPad Pro
⊕ Big high-resolution Retina screen
⊕ Terrific speed thanks to the A12 chip
⊕ Long-lasting battery
⊖ Doesn’t have quad speakers
⊖ Slightly dated design
⊖ Doesn’t support Face ID
iPad Air is a noticeable improvement in nearly all areas compared to the original iPad. It’s larger, has a sharper display, extra storage space, and stylish design.
Moreover, it also supports the Smart Keyboard. Even though it needs to be purchased separately, it greatly expands the number of things you can do with this iPad for kids without overpaying for the Pro edition.
While there are certainly cheaper kid friendly tablets for parents on a budget, if you can afford the iPad Air and would like your child to have something more than a barebones device, then this model is definitely worth the investment.
Weight: 800g | Screen size:10.1 -inch | Resolution: 1280x800 pixels | CPU: 1.3 GHz Quad Core | Storage: 32GB | Rear camera: 5 MP | Front camera: 2 MP
⊕ Keyboard
⊕ Case is a bit too large
⊖ Lightweight
⊖ Disappointing resolution
This might be the best tablet for kids if you’re looking for a feature-packed powerhouse. Running on Android 9.0 and based on a quad-core processor, it’s a perfect GPS tablet for entertainment, allowing kids to enjoy HD videos, play demanding games, and browse the Internet safely.
This gaming tablet has a 10” IPS touchscreen, which is very convenient to use.
Supplied with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and FM connectivity, two cameras, and a micro-SD slot, this tablet has a 6000mAh battery that lasts for about 7 hours. Google Play comes preinstalled and allows the child to use thousands of free educational and gaming apps, giving your kids everything they need to keep themselves busy.
Weight: 589g | Screen size: 10.1-inch | Resolution: 1280*800 pixels | CPU: Intel Quad-Core 1.83 GHz | Storage: 64 GB | Rear camera: 5MP | Front camera: 2MP
⊕ Great screen
⊕ Attractive price
⊖ Subpar camera
⊖ Bulky bezels
If you’re looking for the best tablet for toddlers and older kids that can handle anything you want, this model is a solid consideration for the job. It has a 10” screen, is extremely portable and lightweight, offers terrific technical characteristics and reliable exterior design.
Thanks to the powerful hardware packed into this light device, your child will enjoy terrific performance (far better than you’d expect in this price range) when playing games or engaging in educational apps, regardless of how resource-demanding they are.
The only real drawback is the weak camera, but that’s an expected compromise considering the price.
Thanks to its portability and specs, it is the best rated tablet for kids at its current price. Your children can use it on the go wherever you are, allowing the parents to focus on their other responsibilities.
Weight: 1587g | Screen size: 12.3-inch | Resolution: 2736x1824pixels | CPU: 1.3 GHz Core i5 8400T | Storage: 128 GB | Rear camera: 5MP | Front camera: 8MP
⊕ Slimmest and lightweight 2-in-1 model
⊕ Battery can last for up to 14 hours
⊖ Very expensive
⊖ Heavier than regular tablets
⊖ Doesn’t have USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 inputs
⊖ Type Cover has to be bought separately
This model could have been easily named the best Windows 10 portable PC if not for one missing feature: lack of USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
If you’re looking for the best tablet for kids that will be used here and now, then this is a safe choice. But if you’re looking for a device that will remain relevant for years to come, then the lack of modern inputs is a solid drawback.
Compared to the previous model, Surface Pro 6 costs less, offers better performance, while remaining sturdy, portable, and easy to transport. The connectable Type Cover keyboard is a must-have add-on for this tablet, while the Surface Pen stylus can also be a good purchase if your kid likes drawing.
Should you invest over $1.200 on a 2-in-1 tablet that won’t be able to connect to most devices in a couple of years? The answer to that question depends entirely on your budget and your kid’s needs.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Fire HD 10
OUR CHOICE |
Check PRICE → | |
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Apple iPad Mini
SMALL SIZE |
Check PRICE → | |
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LeapFrog Epic
CONTROL |
Check PRICE → |
When can a kid start using a tablet?
If you’re going to leave the kid without supervision, you shouldn’t get them a phone or tablet until they’re eleven years or older.
Is purchasing a large tablet for kids worth it?
A tablet is a better choice than laptops or phones for children due to the superior battery life, less potential cost of water- or fall-caused repairs, and overall functionality.
How to pick the best tablet for kids?
Start by setting a budget for yourself. Next, you should think about what you want your kid to do on the tablet and then pick an appropriate screen size (usually 7 or 10-inch tablets). Be sure to pick a tablet that supports all the apps you want your kid to use.
What are tablets for kids good for?
Tablets are rather versatile devices that can typically perform most tasks that you can do on smartphones and laptops. As for kid models, they are perfectly suited for playing games, studying via educational apps or watching video lectures, watching YouTube, and generally keeping your children busy. You can also choose a good drawing tablet for kids to develop their skills.
Kids like looking at their parents and try to imitate their behavior by grabbing onto tablets and trying to use them.
Therefore, getting them an iPad or Samsung when they’re still so young isn’t a good idea due to how fragile such devices are.
They’re not particularly harmful, and the educational apps featured on the App Store and Google Play can be far more useful than having your child simply sit in front of the TV.
That being said, a tablet is held closer to the eyes than a laptop or PC monitor is, so it does put more stress on the eyes.
Devices like Microsoft's 2-in-1 Surface Pro 6 model are the best tablets for taking notes and other casual tasks, which students have to fulfill.
The combination of standard tablet functionality, connectable keyboard and stylus, make them perfect for everything – from watching lectures and videos to writing, drawing and taking hand-written notes.
While the final decision comes down to you, the PewResearch Center suggests that the ideal age for the first smartphone is somewhere between 11 to 13 years old, with the specific number depending on the kid's maturity and needs.
