We Found the 5 Best Tablets for Kids That Are Perfect for Work and Play

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Most of us were lucky if we grew up with a Game Boy in hand. Today, kids are more technologically advanced than ever, with a kids’ tablet commonly being their first taste of technology. A kids’ tablet is a more affordable and durable version of the tablet you’re used to, and they make for an excellent gift since they offer both entertainment and educational features for children. They will make parents happy, too, since they typically have more comprehensive parental controls that prevent little ones from accessing the unfiltered internet and making in-app purchases.

Tablets for kids allow parents to easily download a bevy of entertainment and educational apps to keep children occupied. They come in handy for long road trips, too, since parents or their techie tots can easily download several hours’ worth of videos or music. Plus, their touchscreens can be used to both read books and look at pictures. They can also help kids keep in touch with friends and loved ones, which may benefit you, too, if you're gifting them to your nibling or grandchild.

The Best Tablets for Kids in 2023

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What to Consider

When shopping for tablets for kids, hardware specs like a fast processor or several gigabytes of RAM aren’t the most important qualities to consider. Instead, durability, a long warranty, and parental controls are more practical features to keep in mind. It’s important to consider the tablet’s size, total storage space, and expected battery life. Downloadable or pre-installed kid-friendly content is also essential.

If the child you're gifting the tablet to will mainly use apps and stream videos, I recommend a tablet with at least 32GB of storage space. If you expect them to download lots of videos, music, and apps in preparation for a long flight or road trip, you should expect to spend more on a bigger hard drive or consider shopping for a memory card to expand the onboard storage — assuming the tablet has a microSD card slot. Apple's iPad tablets do not, but Amazon and other Android tablets typically do.

Ready to discover exactly which tablet is best for keeping a child entertained? Learn more about top-rated tablets that are both kid- and parent-approved below.

Best Overall

Compared to specialized kids' tablets like Amazon’s Fire HD Kids Edition series or LeapFrog’s educational tablets, we think recipients will be happier with an iPad because they have the widest catalog of apps out of any tablet, are equipped with a powerful processor that supports almost any app or game, and have the features that most kids (and parents need).

The 9th Generation iPad may not be the most up-to-date iPad (Apple released the 10th Generation iPad in 2022) but it’s still plenty fast and comes with 64GB of storage which should be enough to download several games and videos to keep young ones entertained. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper — the 10th-generation is typically priced around $450 and still has the same amount of storage.

Apple’s App store packs a vast selection of educational apps and you can easily download or stream videos from popular video apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube Kids. The kids’ tablet packs a 12MP front camera that records in high-definition and it has a large battery that should last up to 10 hours on a single charge.

The biggest complaint that our parenting editor and I share is that the iPad doesn’t support multiple user accounts, which is a feature that many Android tablets offer. Regardless, it packs several useful parental controls for limiting screen time, preventing accidental in-app purchases, and accessing unapproved apps.

Best Budget Tablet for Kids

For those looking to spend under $150 for a quality kids’ tablet with robust parental controls consider the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids. The tablet features a tough build, a 2-year warranty, and promises over 10 hours of battery life. The tablet’s foam case — which comes in blue, purple, or Mickey Mouse- and Disney Princess-themed cases — protects it from drops and scratches.

Even better, the Fire HD 8 Kids is backed by Amazon’s 2-year “Worry-Free Warranty,” which covers accidental damage. So, if your recipient jams a candy bar into the charging port or drops the whole thing in the toilet and renders it useless, Amazon will replace it... no questions asked.

You can change the user experience based on who’s using the tablet, whether it be a child, teen, or parent, which is a feature the iPad lacks. Parents are able to set preferences that limit usage, block purchases, and protect against age-inappropriate content.

Amazon also gives buyers a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, a content library that gives kids access to thousands of age-appropriate videos, books, games, and apps. The tablet includes a reversible USB-C charger, it's equipped with 32GB of storage, and also supports microSD cards to add more room for movies and games.

Compared to the even cheaper Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet, the HD 8 Kids packs a more powerful processor for playing games and running apps. Plus, it features 30% longer battery life and is equipped with a bigger screen that provides better picture quality.

With a price tag that's nearly twice as inexpensive as the ninth-generation iPad, we think the Fire HD 8 Kids delivers great value. It's durable, easy for kids to handle, and works well at playing basic games or streaming video.

The Big-Screen Pick for Watching Videos

If you believe that bigger is better, you won't be disappointed with this tablet from Amazon. It's equipped with a 2-inch larger display and battery that offers 20% better battery life (2 hours more) than our best budget pick.

Besides its larger display, it's equipped with a faster processor than the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids so that it can handle power-intensive apps like Zoom and Microsoft Office Mobile.

The tablet's powerful front-facing speakers and its 1,920-by-1,200 resolution display make for a better video-watching experience, too. Your recipient can easily watch videos from Netflix, Twitch, and Disney+. The bigger screen will also come in handy for playing games like Minecraft, displaying picture books, and reading comics.

Parents of older kids should opt for the slimmer-cased Fire HD 10 Kids Pro, which still has a kickstand case, but is made of harder plastic that's not nearly as big or bouncy. The two tablets are identical with the exception of their cases, which can be removed.

Like our best budget pick, the Fire HD 10 Kids features easy-to-use parental controls and includes access to Amazon's Kids+ service, which packs thousands of kid-friendly apps, games, and books. Even better, it's backed by a 2-year worry-free guarantee!

Best for Toddlers

What’s better than a virtual world designed for kids to grow intellectually? This tablet will adapt to your giftee’s learning level by adjusting the skill for the different games and activities offered in the form of apps. Plus, it’s equipped with a shatterproof screen for slippery fingers and tantrum-throwers. It even has a kickstand for watching videos!

The Leapfrog tablet challenges children with problem-solving, and it'll help them explore topics in math, coding, spelling, reading, writing, and science. There are plenty of activities for a child to explore, but if they get tired of the preinstalled options, parents will have to pay for an $8-per-month subscription for new content or purchase apps individually.

Like Amazon’s tablets, this one runs a modified but easy-to-navigate version of Android with parental controls and a kid-safe web browser. It’s worth mentioning that Leapfrog tablets have slower, less powerful processors than an iPad or Amazon tablet, so they can occasionally be frustrating to use when it comes to certain apps. Fortunately, the tablet is equipped with 16GB of expandable storage, dual cameras, Bluetooth, and a 7-hour battery.

Best for Teens

The lightweight Galaxy Tab A7 Lite by Samsung sports a bright 8.7-inch display that's perfect for Netflix binges or reading under the covers at night. It's a great choice for teens who want to install social media apps, play games, or run multiple apps simultaneously. However, its parental controls aren't as thorough as Amazon's tablets.

On the plus side, parents can install Samsung Kids, an expansive library of educational games, books, and videos that are kid-friendly and easy to monitor and control. It's worth mentioning that the Tab A7 Lite does not include a bumper case, but you can find a compatible one in a wide range of colors on Amazon.

The device is equipped with either 32 or 64GB of storage — perfect for parents who want to fill it up with plenty of videos and apps before a long road trip. And it has dual cameras that'll come in handy for Skyping the grandparents or making YouTube videos. Other highlights of the tablet include up to 4GB of RAM, expandable memory, and 13 hours of battery life, which together make it a powerful and capable pick for a reasonable price.

If you’re willing to spend a little bit extra for a larger screen and improved performance, I also recommend Samsung’s 10.4-inch Galaxy A7 tablet. Also worth a mention, technically, Samsung has released an even newer big-screen tablet called the “Galaxy A8,” but the A7 is a better buy since it packs a faster processor.

At what age should you give a child a tablet?

Like with any child-focused gadget, you should err on the side of caution and know that the device could be used to collect and sell data, or could potentially be compromised to listen in on kids. So, it's necessary to use parental discretion to decide if a tablet is beneficial for their children to use.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids under 18 months avoid screen time — with the exception of video calls.

• The association advises that all screen time for kids age 18 to 24 months occurs with a parent or guardian.

What's the recommended amount of screen time for kids?

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to just an hour each day for kids aged 2 to 5.

• Children aged 6 and up can have increased usage, according to the association — just as long as parents set time limits and restrict use to “high-quality” programming and apps.

• Most experts also agree that you shouldn’t give children a tablet around bedtime, and a tablet shouldn’t get in the way of exercise, family socializing, or mealtime.

• The New York Times published an informative walk-through on how and when to limit kids' tech use that I recommend checking out.

How do you pick a tablet?

• Choosing a brand of kids’ tablet should ultimately come down to the child’s age.

• Manufacturers like LeapFrog and Amazon make tablets that are well-suited to younger kids because of their drop-proof bumpers and modified operating systems.

• Amazon’s bevy of kids’ tablets runs a watered-down version of Android that’s easier to use, and it doesn’t have the Google Play app store installed on it. Instead, it has the Amazon App Store, where you can install third-party, kid-friendly versions of apps.

• With most Amazon kids' tablets, you’ll have to jump through more hoops to install apps like YouTube, Netflix, or TikTok than you would on a Samsung Android tablet or Apple iPad.

• If all of this sounds confusing, The New York Times published a helpful guide on how to set up a kids' tablet.

When kids get older, they’ll probably want a more grown-up tablet that looks like the one you use. Of course, you can “open up” Amazon and LeapFrog tablets to allow access to regular Android apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok when you decide the time is right. Amazon's Fire tablets even have different user experiences depending on which type of profile (Child, Teen, or Adult) you selected when you set it up.

No matter how many settings you modify, however, you can’t change the tablet’s kid-centric, brightly colored, and well-protected exterior. Your son or daughter probably already knows what a real tablet looks like because they've almost certainly borrowed an iPad or Android tablet in the past from a friend, a relative, or even you.

Fortunately, Amazon sells the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro, and Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablets that feature slimmer and more grown-up-looking cases. You can remove any of Amazon's bumper cases when kids outgrow them, too.

What apps are included?

Tablets for kids oftentimes come installed with kid-friendly apps and web browsers, and they can even offer parental controls to limit usage and prevent in-app purchases.

• Amazon's Kids+ service offers instant access to thousands of books, educational apps, videos, and games that are perfectly suited for kids 10 and younger. The service — which is available in English or Spanish — costs $4.99 each month, but when you buy an Amazon Kids tablet, you get a 1-year subscription for free.

• LeapFrog Academy is a learning service aimed at preschoolers 3 to 6 years old, and it costs $7.99 a month with a free 1-month trial. It’s packed full of books, games, puzzles, videos, and music, all centered around traditional school subjects to inspire creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. LeapFrog also sells a $39.99 annual plan for additional savings.

• Samsung Kids is suited for kids 3 to 8 years old, it costs $7.99 each month (or $59.99 for a year), and has a free 1-month trial. Your subscription includes an expansive library of educational games, books, and videos featuring some of kid's favorite characters from shows like Super WHY, The Octonauts, and My Little Pony.

Is the iPad Worth Splurging For?

• The iPad doesn't have a kid-centric subscription service unless you include its game-centered Apple Arcade service, but it does offer the widest catalog of apps out of any tablet, which makes it easy to justify its steeper price point.

• Priced typically more than $300 (after tax), you may deem an iPad too expensive for a child. I think iPads offer the best selection of apps, games, and educational content in the business, but you should only buy one for a child if they're responsible enough to take care of one — especially considering their steep asking price and shortage of parental controls.

• We recommend the iPad 9th Generation over the newer iPad 10th Generation and iPad mini, because it packs a zippy processor, a long-lasting battery, and good-enough cameras, and it has a headphone jack. You can see how it stacks up against other iPads in this useful guide.

• Without a doubt, the iPad is the best tablet for school, because it has the most powerful processor that supports almost any app. Not to mention, iPads are incredibly common, so kids can easily get tech support from their peers or teachers when they need it.
  

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