Best Tablets for Kids of 2024
Not all tablets are created equal. There are many benefits to children using technology like tablets however there are also risks. That’s why it is important to purchase a tablet that offers integrated parental controls, kid-friendly content, and durability.
What to Look for in a Kid’s Tablet
Content
First and foremost you’ll want to look at what type of apps and videos a tablet offers because if your child isn’t interested they won’t play with it. If your child is into a specific topic or certain characters find out if the tablet offers content that is relevant for your child. Also, make sure the content is age-appropriate, meaning if your 3-year-old child likes superheroes and there are games about superheroes but are geared toward older kids your child will eventually get frustrated with those apps because they don’t have the skills required to play them. Likewise, look at content that your child can grow into. You don’t want to invest in a tablet they will outgrow in 6 months.
Additionally, see what content comes standard with the tablet and what content has to be downloaded, and if there are additional fees involved. If the content has to be downloaded does the tablet have wifi for downloading content or does it have to be synced on a computer? These are all important things to research when selecting a tablet for your child.
Durability
Kids are tough on toys and they will try their hardest to break whatever tablet you get them. If you’re going to invest in a tablet for your child make sure it can withstand being dropped, sat upon, hit, and general abuse. Find out what type of case the tablet has and look into any warranty options available.
Parental Controls
Most parents would agree that controlling what content their child can view while on a tablet is crucial. You want to protect your children but also allow them to view child-friendly content. Most kid tablets offer some parental control to make sure your child is safe, especially if they are on the web. However, parental controls go beyond monitoring web content. Parental controls also allow you to set time limitations on tablet usage, set educational goals, and remotely control the tablet from your parent account.
Cost
Finally, how much do you want to spend? Tablets can be costly, especially as companies add more bells and whistles. All of these extras can be worth it if the tablet is a good fit for your child. If you plan on spending over $100 on a tablet for your child you want to be sure that you are getting your money’s worth. Sometimes spending a little more on a quality product that will last long is worth the few extra dollars.
Recommendations
Amazon Fire 7 Kids
The Amazon Fire 7 is an affordable option for kids ages 2-12. This versatile tablet offers videos, books, games, and more for children of all ages and skill levels. The device comes with a 1-Year subscription to Amazon Kids+ Content which offers curated books, movies, TV shows, music stations, apps, and games. Amazon also offers a great warranty deal that covers pretty much anything your kid can throw at it. The parental controls allow parents to set time limits, set goals, select specific content, add additional content, and remotely control the app from their Amazon Prime account. This is the smallest of the Amazon Fire Kid tablets but offers a great punch for a great price.
Features
- 7-inch display
- Kid-Proof Case with built-in stand
- 2-year worry-free guarantee
- 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ Content
- Downloadable content, no WiFi needed
- Parental Controls
- Kid-safe browser
- Choose from 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage. Add up to 1TB of expandable storage with microSD—more space for downloading favorite content.
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids
The newest and biggest of the Amazon Fire Kids tablets is the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition. The Fire HS 10 offers all of the same features the 7 has but has a larger screen (HD), more storage, and faster processing. If you’re looking for a little more storage and a slightly larger screen the Amazon Fire 10 Kids might be a great option.
Features
- 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display
- Kid-Proof Case
- 2-year worry-free guarantee
- 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ Content
- Downloadable content, no WiFi needed
- Parental Controls
- Kid-safe browser
- 32 GB Storage
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
LeapFrog LeapPad Academy
For years LeapFrog has made great tablets for kids but we think LeapFrog LeapPad Academy is by far the best tablet for the money. The LeapPad Academy is designed for children ages 3-8 years old. The device comes loaded with 20 educational and creative apps and LeapSearch, LeapFrog’s kid-friendly web browser. You will also get a free three-month trial of LeapFrog Academy, an interactive learning program that progressively guides children on learning adventures. Parents can also download popular Android apps from the LeapFrog App Center
Features
- 7-inch shatter-resistant display
- 7 hours of battery life
- 16GB storage plus a microSD slot for expandable memory of up to 32 GB
- 20 educational and creative apps
- 2-year warranty
- 3-month subscription to LeapFrog Academy
- Kid-safe browser
- Parental controls
