Sure, when most of us were young if we were lucky we got a tiny GameBoy screen to entertain us for hours. Kids today have it a whole different way: they want and often need a full-fledged tablet allowing them to play games, watch videos, read comic books, and finish homework. But that’s okay because there are quite a few solid, affordable tablets designed just for kids.
Unfortunately for parents, it can be hard to wade through all the garbage that's out there. There are a lot of companies selling old, underpowered, or overly locked-down devices that just won’t cut it, so you have to be careful when shopping for your little one. It's also important that these tablets offer parental controls and keep your kid's data private. The internet is a scary place and giving kids unlimited access to do whatever could lead to some dire consequences – or expensive ones.
In most cases, we've found it’s best to stick with the big names: the same brands you’d buy from if you were looking for a regular tablet. In fact, you could just buy them a normal Android tablet and use its built-in parental controls. But for this list, we're going dig into mostly kid-focused tablets and a few full-featured slates for those that are a little more grown-up. Take a look at our favorites, you're bound to find the perfect option for your kid.
TL;DR – These are the Best Kids Tablet:
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
- Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- Apple iPad (9th Generation)
- Lenovo 10E
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet
- Kano PC
- Lenovo Smart Tab M10 HD 2nd Gen
1. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
The Best Kids Tablet
Amazon makes some solid, budget-friendly tablets, and the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition brings that experience specially tailored for children. It delivers an 8-inch display large enough for kids to see what they're doing and interact with it. Amazon manages to load the Kids Edition tablet up with apps for their entertainment and education, including a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. Naturally, parental controls will let you keep the tablet locked down to only the apps you deem appropriate for your child. This tablet can be used over WI-Fi or you can download content for on-the-go entertainment with its 32GB of storage (or add an additional 1 TB with a microSD card).
Now, what makes a truly great tech product for kids? Affordability and durability. Most of our gadgets (even expensive ones) don't have the most solid designs, and when they get into kids' hands, they can have a way of meeting unfortunate fates. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition gets things right by charging a reasonable price for a sizable tablet that comes in a beefy case designed for even the clumsiest of children. That makes it tough for a kid to break accidentally, and Amazon even offers a guarantee to replace any broken tablet within two years of purchase for free.
2. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
Best Tablet for Older Kids
We love the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, but as your kid gets older, they're not going to need the same kind of concessions for their tablet. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is geared towards 6-12 year olds, so when kids get a bit more responsible. They shouldn't need the same bulky case to protect their device, and the hardware limitations of such a kid-focused device might make it harder to complete tasks. This is a solid middle ground, giving kids a bit more power, more screen, and a slimmer case that isn't too childish while still offering a strong degree of protection.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet totes a 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 display, giving them plenty of screen to play or work with. That sharper clarity also helps if they plan to do a lot of reading or watching TV on it. With an octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM, it gets a boost in muscle to run a wider variety of apps quickly, so it won't test your child's patience. Beyond that, the tablet still comes with many of Amazon's kid-focused features, including special parental controls, a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, and the same two-year worry-free guarantee it provides on its other kids tablets.
3. Samsung Tab A7 Lite
Best Android Tablet for Kids
Simple, affordable, and easy to use, that’s what you get from the Samsung Tab A7 Lite. This computer is compact and lightweight while still giving your kid a 8.7-inch display to easily see and interact with their content. There is a plenty powerful processor on board to keep up with your kid's schoolwork, and it comes toting the more recent Andriod 11 operating system. This helps prevent security vulnerabilities, so you can ensure your kids stay safe while connected.
The Samsung Tab A7 Lite, of course, comes toting parental controls, so you can limit what your kids can do, see, and how long they spend on the tablet. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with its own kid-proof case, but there are plenty of affordable options online. Finally, you get an 8MP camera on the back that can let them explore their inner-photographer, while a 2MP front-facing camera may be useful for video calls with grandma and grandpa.
4. Apple iPad (9th Generation)
Best iPad for Kids
Apple’s 9th generation base iPad comes packing loads of power that make it perfect for kids and adults alike. Under the hood, the latest iPad has upgraded to an Apple A13 Bionic chipset, which will help it keep speeding along a bit longer than previous models. The tablet has also received a camera upgrade, including a special mode that can help your kid record dynamic and engaging videos for school projects. And, if you're worried about your kid getting into any sticky situations while scrolling, Apple makes it super simple to block apps, stop purchases, and prevent restricted media on the device through parental controls.
Apple's iPad offers is a sharp, vibrant 10.2-inch display panel. Conveniently, the dimensions of the product remain the same as older models, so you don't have to worry about shelling out extra dough on cases and accessories. That even includes that 1st Generation Apple Pencil for detailed note-taking while your kids are in school. If you're planning on doing any road trips, the 10-hour battery should be plenty to entertain them for the entire journey. Plus, you'll be able to download a few movies or TV shows for the ride with 64GB of storage.
5. Lenovo 10E
Best Chromebook Tablet for Kids
The Lenovo 10E is a Chromebook built specifically with school-aged children in mind. Running on Chrome OS, this tablet is ready to take on your kid’s school work and will fit seamlessly into their school’s Chrome Ecosystem. It's also simple to get set up and use, which makes it best suited for kids in kindergarten to second grade. And, the MediaTek 8183 processor paired with a 4GB RAM is optimized for use in tablets adding to the excellent functionality of the touch screen. That makes game-based learning apps super easy to play, and your kid will be zooming through tasks on this device.
Aside from that, the Lenovo 10E is a durable product, it should survive the inevitable drop from your kid’s hands thanks to its bumper edges and the Dragontail Pro glass screen. The battery boasts an impressive 16.5-hour life that will get your kid through the school day, homework, and beyond. And, a keyboard isn't included, but it's a fairly affordable add-on to an already affordable tablet at just $69. Overall, though a little chunky, this tablet provides all the functionality your kid needs for learning and playing.
6. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Best Chromebook 2-in-1
Lenovo's Chromebook Duet demonstrates exactly what a great 2-in-1 Chromebook can be. Its compact size makes it kid-friendly, while Chrome OS makes it easy to use, especially since it can be easily integrated into the school's Chrome Ecosystem. It offers up a 10.1-inch display, which is plenty of space to do a bit of homework or explore educational apps. That display is a sharp 1,920 x 1,200 and hits 400 nits, making it bright enough for most settings including outdoor learning. It's also got a quality IPS panel, so your kids will have an easy time seeing it, plus you'll be able to make out what's on the screen from an angle if you need to monitor your child's use.
The tablet portion is just under one pound, making it incredibly light for kids to play with, and it weighs just over two pounds with the keyboard attached. That portability makes it great for older kids who might need to take it along to school with them. And, with a 10-hour battery life, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet has enough juice to last through a whole school day. For kids' artistic urges, active stylus support is another major bonus for getting creative or even just taking better notes. If you're worried about what your kid may be doing on the device, using Chrome's Family Link app, you can monitor and manage usage.
7. Kano PC
Best DIY Tablet for Kids
If you're trying to get your kid started on the road to building their own PC or writing their own programs, the Kano PC is a fun place to begin. This simple Windows tablet has some assembly required, as the battery and speaker need to be installed inside the chassis. But, it's simpler to assemble than some LEGO sets, and it has details printed on the inside to explain the various components of the computer. Plus, the back of the tablet is see-through, so your kid (and you) can make sense of the various parts that make this computer run.
The Kano PC is a bit clunky as a result of the accessible design, but that makes for a replaceable battery. You'll be able to keep this computer chugging along for years. Also, a nice keyboard cover is included to add some more functionality and durability. And, in addition to running Windows 10 Home, you'll get Kano Software Studio + Projects, which can let your kid experiment with coding, design, and 3D modeling. Who knows, maybe you have a little software engineer on your hands?
8. Lenovo Smart Tab M10 HD 2nd Gen
Best Family Tablet for Kids
It's handy to have a tablet for your kids, but that doesn't mean the device needs to be purely dedicated to them. The 2nd Gen Lenovo Smart Tab M10 HD works great for the whole family. This tablet has a sharp 10.3-inch display with a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution. That'll be crisp enough to enjoy most content. With Lenovo's dock, you can have it live in a set part of the house, serving as a smart assistant, kitchen helper, or just a small entertainment screen (or all three!). Of course, it also doesn't hurt to have the tablet's 8MP rear camera handy, so you can grab it to capture footage whenever your kid's doing something that's too cute to miss.
Naturally, you might not want your young kids running around with the tablet and all its broad capabilities. After all, it's running a full-fat version of Android. That's where Lenovo's Kids Mode 4.0 comes in. This mode comes pre-loaded with kid-friendly content and enables a number of parental controls. Plus, you can grab a kids bumper for the device to ensure it stays safe when it's in their clumsy, little hands.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
