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Digital tablets have bright screens that display colorful and vivid images and hence are perfect for drawing your child’s attention. The best tablets for kids will help educate, entertain and enlighten them. But many parents may not like the idea of giving their children a tablet. However, it depends on monitoring their usage and allowing them to use it. Digital devices, such as interactive tablets for kids, help widen children’s scope of knowledge. However, many popular applications, such as YouTube, have child lock features that only show only educational and kid-related videos. As a parent, you have to keep an eye on your child’s online activity and put the right restrictions. So if you have decided that you want to go ahead and buy your child a tablet, we have listed the top-rated and best-selling ones for you.
Top Picks
11 Best Tablets For Children
For your convenience, we have divided the list into two sections, according to the child’s age range.
Tablets for children up to nine-years-old
1. Best For Beginners: VTech Little Apps Tablet
Image: Vtechkids This VTech tablet is ideal for first-time users, especially toddlers, who are just starting school. If you want something ultrabasic, consider this learning tablet for kids. Watch this product testing video to get a detailed review of the product.
Pros
- The tablet computer for kids has large alphabet keys and buttons that are easy for a child to operate. A slider on top lets the child easily switch between various activities.
- It has 12 learning activities, including learning letters, words, numbers, counting, and days of a calendar.
- It has a bright screen with basic graphics that a child can easily understand. A dedicated button lets one change the backlight of the screen to various colors.
- The tablet with age-appropriate content for kids works on two AA size batteries and needs no charging. An auto shut-off feature turns the tablet off after 90 seconds of inactivity.
Cons
- The lack of a real OS in the tablet means that you cannot upgrade and hence, your choices are limited to the activities shipped by the manufacturer.
- The child will quickly outgrow the tablet due to the fundamental nature of its functions.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 12,064 fine reviews on Amazon.
2. Best Interface: VTech InnoTab 3
Image: Vtech The InnoTab comes close to providing a real tablet experience for kids, thanks to its excellent interface and multiple applications. Check this testing cum review video to learn more about the kid-safe tablet.
Pros
- The highlights of the tablet are its touchscreen, motion sensor, and a microphone. Its set of features are quite impressive, considering that it runs on a simple proprietary operating system.
- This is a tablet with kid-friendly apps. The child can enjoy several activities such as coloring, cursive writing, and creating music.
- This portable tablet for kids can be a good tool to engage a restless child with the various educational activities it has.
Cons
- The pre-loaded content is limited. Additional content needs to be bought at an extra price, which can take the overall cost of the tablet above the budget.
"Its Wi-Fi-free design was the first thing that appealed to me. Besides, its pink color looks charming, and the rugged construction has withstood my munchkin’s rough handling. It takes time to load, but my child does not seem bothered by that minor issue. She just loves playing the games on it."
3. Best Touchscreen: LeapFrog LeapPad Ultimate
Image: Leap Frog It has a large touchscreen and manual control too, making it an ideal first tablet for young kids. Check out this product review video to learn more.
Pros
- The touchscreen tablet for kids comes with a directional pad, also called D-pad, which has arrow-buttons on four sides. It lets the child select different highlighted icons and applications on the screen.
- Children can also use the stylus or a finger to operate the touchscreen. The multiple control options make using the tablet easy.
- The kids’ gaming tablet comes pre-loaded with several child-friendly games, eBooks, and videos. It is a tablet with Wi-Fi connectivity. All content can be updated, and additional content can be added using Wi-Fi.
- There is a web browser in the tablet that provides access to pre-selected websites designated safe for children. A tablet with a built-in camera for kids, it allows picture and video-taking.
- LeapFrog wraps the main tablet body in a frame that absorbs bumps, thus minimizing the risk of damage due to falls.
Cons
- A few parents noticed the battery failing in three to four months.
- Problems such as buttons failing and screen cracking were reported, making the tablet less durable than claimed by the manufacturer.
"My child was thrilled to discover that the games on this tablet featured all her favorite cartoon characters. I had to download some extra apps at my own cost, but its simple design and top-notch educational content made it worth the investment."
4. Best For Education: LeapFrog Epic Academy Edition
Image: Leapfrog If learning activities are your focus, you must consider this tried-and-tested LeapFrog tablet device for children that prioritizes educational content.
Pros
- The home screen can be customized so that your child can set their own look for the tablet.
- You get three months of LeapFrog Academy subscription for free. It provides access to several activities in science, math, and reading skills.
- It is one of the best parental password protection tablets. Parents can set a usage time limit for the child. You can limit the app usage to up to 45 minutes in general and 30 minutes for videos.
- The tablet comes with a sturdy bumper for protection. The screen is resistant to shattering too.
Cons
- The limited amount of educational content can cause the child to outgrow the tablet quickly.
- Several parents were disappointed by the tablet’s user interface.
"I came across this option while looking for a functional yet age-appropriate tablet for my little one. Its battery life is average, but the sturdy build and vibrant visuals surpassed my expectations. Also, the time limit feature ensures she does not overdo screen time."
Do rememberTablets for children older than nine years
The list we have next include slightly sophisticated tablets that the children can use beyond their teenage years.
5. Best Parental Control: Apple iPad
Consider this iPad from the trusted brand Apple when you are looking for the best of tablet experience for your teenage child.
Pros
- The child has access to thousands of high-quality educational apps through the App Store. Several of these apps grow with the child by expanding their content.
- iOS offers a tablet with parental monitoring features, which range from blocking app downloads to restricting inappropriate content.
Cons
- You will have to spend on a screen protector and a bumper case since iPads can be prone to damage due to rough handling by a child.
"My little one no longer reaches for my tablet since I got him this one. I wish the camera quality were better and it had a few more parental controls. Nevertheless, I give it a thumbs-up for its exceptional battery life, which allows my child uninterrupted play even on the go."
6. Best Hardware: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
If you are looking for a standard Android tablet for your teenager, consider the tried-and-trusted Galaxy Tab S4.
Pros
- It contains the latest and best of hardware, which includes a high-resolution LED screen and an octa-core processor. The hardware is best suited for educational purposes.
- Features Dolby Atmos surround sound that offers superior audio quality.
- Android OS offers several parental control features such as locking the app store and also setting user profiles that restrict access to certain features.
- Since it runs Android, you can also download third-party parental control apps that can transmit real-time usage details to the parent’s phone.
Cons
- Older teens who are good with technology may find ways to circumvent parental control, especially since a lot of information about breaking parental locks is available online.
- Third-party apps can provide a lot of data to parents about the child’s device usage, but they can cost money.
"Its clear visuals and audio output have made it the perfect find for educational and recreational purposes. It has a slight lag issue, but giving it small breaks keeps them to a minimum. The included stylus and the option to connect it to a PC are also its major perks."
CautionLimit the time your child spends on a tablet and the content they watch with the help of parental controls.
7. Best Durable: Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet
This is the kid’s edition of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet. This parental control-enabled tablet has several pre-loaded features and default services, making it one of the best tablets for children.
Pros
- The tablet comes bundled with a one-year subscription of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited. It gives you access to 20,000 child-friendly apps, games, videos, ebooks, audiobooks, and other educational content.
- You get an unmatched 2-year replacement warranty. Even though it’s a durable tablet for kids, if the child breaks it, Amazon will replace it for free with no questions asked.
- Each Fire 7 Kids Edition ships with a durable, bumper, kid-friendly case with reinforced edges to protect the tablet. Bumper contains cut-outs to facilitate the use of headphones and charger without the need to remove the case.
- This tablet with a kid-friendly interface is easy to operate. Besides, there is substantial parental control.
Cons
- It runs on a proprietary operating system from Amazon. It means there is no Android and no access to Google’s services, including the Google Play app store.
"Its high-quality construction has kept it dent-free despite it being used for months. Managing its storage is tricky, but my son only uses a few gaming apps, so that’s not a significant drawback for us. Besides, the user-friendly interface makes navigation a breeze."
8. Best Screen Size: Amazon Fire 10 Kids Edition Tablet
The Fire 10 works great for adolescents and teenagers. If you are looking for an upgrade from Fire 7, want your child to have a large-screen tablet experience, or seek a tablet with adjustable settings for kids, then this should be your choice.
Pros
- The Fire 10 has a 10.1-inch, full HD display with superior picture quality that provides crisp and clear images, ideal when your child is mostly an ebook reader.
- Consider this one if you’re looking for a tablet with all-day battery life for kids. The battery life gets an upgrade from the seven-inch model. The Fire 10 offers 10 hours of battery life and 32 GB storage, making it great for traveling.
- The Kindle Fire 10 comes with all the benefits that the Fire 7 offers, including Amazon’s 2-year replacement warranty.
Cons
- There is no Android version of the tablet. You only can choose from Amazon services and the apps Amazon designs for the tablet.
- According to some parents, a recent update in the OS has rendered the interface a bit confusing for children.
"Besides keeping my daughter entertained, the tablet doubles as a learning aid. Its battery life is impressive, and the numerous audiobooks and games keep her constructively engaged. Overall, it turned her playtime fun and educational."
9. Best For Monitoring Usage: Samsung Galaxy Kids Tab E Lite
Image: Samsung Let your child enjoy the vast library of Android games, applications, and kid-friendly software within the safe limits of this kids’ tablet by Samsung.
Pros
- The tablet comes with the Samsung Kids service dashboard, where you can set the time limit for tablet usage. The service automatically shuts down apps once the limit is attained.
- You can deactivate in-app purchases so that the child cannot purchase anything within the app, a useful feature to prevent any surprises for the parents.
- Samsung has tied up with Dreamworks Animation, Sesame Street, and National Geographic to provide subscription-based, high-quality kids entertainment and infotainment content via the tablet.
- The manufacturer ships the tablet encased within a soft and durable bumper cover.
- Since the tablet comes loaded with Android, it has long-term usability. It can be used as a secondary media device by your child once they step into their teenage and young adult years.
Cons
- The screen resolution stands at 1024 x 600, which is not even HD resolution (1280 x 720) – the basic screen resolution one can expect from an Android tablet.
- The 40 GB storage may not be enough considering the huge library of Android apps and multimedia content the kids can download on the tablet.
"Its remarkable range of activities can keep my kid engaged for hours. Although mostly durable, I had to add a protective case to ensure longevity. Still, its child-friendly interface and parental controls have made it a worthwhile find."
Do rememberEnsure your child is not using the tablet on low battery, as repetitive use of the tablet on low battery may shorten its battery life.
10. Best Content: Dragon Touch X10 Kids Tablet
Fans of Disney will love this tablet with pre-loaded educational content and many entertaining features from Disney.
Pros
- The tablet comes with 18 Disney storybooks and six audiobooks, including Disney favorites like Frozen, Finding Nemo, Zootopia, Toy Story, and many more.
- Tablet runs on a proprietary interface called Kidoz based on Android. It is safe and child-friendly.
- The tablet ships with a silicone case, which protects the device from drops and bumps.
Cons
- The hardware can come across as outdated, but it should not matter unless the child is a heavy user.
- Some parents were not impressed with the durability of the tablet.
11. Best Silicone Case: Dragon Touch Y88X Tablet
Image: Dragontouch If your child has butterfingers, which leaves you nervous about the longevity of the tablet, then Dragon Touch’s tablet with its robust case is made just for you. It is one of the more affordable tablets that has been loved by reviewers.
Pros
- The tablet comes with a thick silicone case. The bumpers on the side protect the device from drops while a stand on the back makes it convenient to view videos.
- You get 20 Disney storybooks and four audio books right out of the box.
- The screen is seven inches across and has a resolution higher than other children’s tablets.
Cons
- The device’s interface seems to be slow despite the processor being a quad-core one.
- Some noticed glitches in the interface, which the users attributed to the device being defective.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
About 2,287 reviewers on Amazon have given their seal of approval to the product.
How To Pick The Right Tablet For Kids?
Below are the four essential points to keep in mind when buying a kids’ tablet.
- Age of the child: The age of the child determines their expectation from the tablet. Young children who are just beginning to go to school will be okay with basic tablets that do not have a conventional OS (Android and iOS). It is when the child is older than six that they are likely to demand ‘real’ tablets like the one they see mom and dad using.
- Parental control features: Parental lock is an important attribute that allows parents to prevent children from visiting certain websites and block access to some apps. The parental control features are the hallmark of kids’ tablets.
- Apps and services: Most tablets come with default apps and services. Check what apps come pre-installed and if they are appropriate for children. If the tablet is likely to have something inappropriate, then you have to clean it up before letting the child use it.
- Accessories and protection: Children may not always have a strong grip when holding something delicate. Prefer a tablet that ships with a free kid-friendly case or a bumper for protection. A limited replacement warranty and damage insurance are also useful.
Jennifer Stalley, a toys entrepreneur and the founder and president of Meemzy Magic, says, “The laptop should offer a decent battery life to let children carry it anywhere and watch content or play games without hindrance. Also, prioritize apps that push for engagement and critical thinking over streaming video where the child can disengage their mind and just consume content.”
Tips For Tablet Usage In Children
- Screen time: Children above two years of age should not have more than two hours of screen time each day (no screen time is suggested below this age) (1). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents only allow an hour of screen time for their child (2). It is hard to convince children, especially teenagers, to use the tablet for no more than a couple of hours. However, you can set some ground rules before giving the tablet to the child. Spreading the time across the day is an excellent way to prevent the tablet use all in one go.
- Avoid tablet use in the bedroom: Set a designated place where the child can use the tablet, while in a seated position. It is ideal to avoid tablet use in the bedroom since it may interfere with sleep. Media consumption is best avoided one hour before bedtime (3). Other good practices are taking a break by looking away from the screen every 20 minutes.
- Adequate distance from the eyes: The tablet screen should be about a foot away from the child’s eyes. Staring at a screen that is held close to the eyes for an extended time can cause eye fatigue and also affect vision in the long run.
- Review the child’s usage on the device: Take a look at the tablet every once in a week. It is a good way to check if the device happened to download files or apps that are inappropriate for the child. Reviewing the device is also a nice way to update any parental control settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I get my child a laptop or tablet?
Tablets are small, lightweight, sturdy, and have long battery life. They also have an interactive interface and are travel-friendly. On the other hand, children may find a laptop too complex to operate and heavy to carry around.
2. Is 32GB enough for a kid’s tablet?
The content in kid’s tablets is usually preinstalled or streamed and rarely downloaded, making a 34 GB tablet sufficient for their needs. This amount of space in a tablet can be enough to run educational and gaming apps.
3. Can my child attend online classes on a tablet?
Yes, kids can attend online classes on a tablet. Unlike laptops, tablets are an affordable and kid-friendly option. In addition, tablets have a more straightforward interface, making online schooling easier for children to navigate.
4. Do tablets help students learn faster?
Tablets are like a digital repository that keeps students active and involved. Unlike traditional teaching, tablets have interactive sessions and attractive audio and visual elements that facilitate learning.
5. What are educational tablets?
Tablets with preinstalled learning materials are called educational tablets. The learning materials for children in such tablets can include basic rhymes and stories with attractive visuals and chirpy music. These tablets can be ideal for parents with a strong emphasis on educational content.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah has used his experience in writing about electronics and gadgets to compile this list of the best tablets for kids. He has done extensive research and compared and evaluated various products online to ensure optimal performance, simple user interface, and durability. Moreover, he has mentioned the pros and cons of each tried-and-tested product and included a buying guide to help you pick the right product.
The Bottom Line
Tablets, when used correctly, may have several educational and entertainment-based benefits for children. Using the tablet primarily for academics, ensuring limited screen time, keeping a tab on the child’s activities, and encouraging ample opportunities for physical play can help reap maximum benefits for the child’s well-being. Regular maintenance and proper care of the device help increase the tablet’s longevity. If you are looking for the best tablets for kids, you can check out the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet with long-lasting battery life or the LeapFrog LeapPad Ultimate, featuring multiple games. You can also pick the Samsung Galaxy Kids Tab E Lite with superior parental controls. Moreover, reading the tablet buying tips above can help you make the right purchase.
Infographic: How To Keep Your Child’s Screen Time In Check?
While tablets can enhance a child’s development with educational apps and parental guidance, it is important to limit screen time to prevent issues such as obesity, sleep disturbances, and mood swings. Discover ways to restrict your child’s tablet usage in the infographic below.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Screen Time And Children; NLM
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000355.htm - Tips To Reduce Screen Time; NIH
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/reduce-screen-time/tips-to-reduce-screen-time.htm - Screen Time And Children; The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx
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