We love tablets! They let you watch videos, read e-books, browse online, play games, and create art — all on the go. But they’re not just for grown-ups. Tablets can keep kids of any age entertained at home or on long car journeys, and they can be really helpful learning tools too.
But when going online, kids need supervision. So that's why we've rounded up a few of the best tablets for kids — featuring content filters, parental controls, and neat extras that'll aid with studying and multitasking.
What to look out for in a kids tablet
If you’re shopping for a kids tablet, here are some of the few key things to consider:
Durability — Kids can be clumsy, so go for a tablet with a rugged case that can survive a few knocks and drops. Keep an eye out for IP water and dust resistance ratings too.
Age-appropriate content — You’ll want to take your child’s age and interests into account when finding them the right tablet. Check out devices loaded up with age-appropriate books, apps, and games that are both fun and educational.
Parental controls — Children are curious and might click on something they shouldn’t. That’s why tablets with parental controls are best, so you can monitor their activity, set time limits, and filter out any inappropriate content.
Screen size — Tablets with compact screens will suit younger children with smaller hands. But older kids will probably prefer a bigger display so they can watch cartoons or play games with a better view.
Battery life — You'll want a kid-friendly tablet with a long-lasting battery. You won’t want it running out of juice halfway through the day!
Best overall tablet for kids
The Amazon Fire HD10 Kids Pro ticks all the boxes. For starters, it’s aimed at 6-12 year olds — so your child can use it for a few years before asking for an upgrade.
It's got a nice 10.1" Full HD display that's bright and easy to read, which makes shows, games, apps and e-books really pop on screen. And it's super easy to keep an eye on them even when you're not in the same room, thanks to Amazon's Parent Dashboard. You can set screen-time limits, education goals, approve app purchases, and pause the device right from your phone.
You won't have to worry if your child has butter fingers either. That's because the Amazon Fire HD10 Kids Pro comes protected by a durable case that can take everyday bumps in its stride. 13 hours of battery life will take them all the way from breakfast to bedtime too, while a roomy 32GB of storage is plenty for saving selfies and sketches.
Best value tablet for kids
The Lenovo M11 packs in lots of great features your kid will love, all at an affordable price. Its big 11-inch Full HD+ screen and Dolby Atmos optimised speakers give movies and games a sharp look and sound. While its powerful processor keeps everything running fast for lag-free play and smooth multitasking, especially when using the cool split-screen feature.
But best of all, the Lenovo M11 comes with a Tab Pen that'll let your child get creative whenever inspiration strikes. They can draw, jot down notes for their homework assignment, and much more without making a mess.
And if your littlun struggles to focus, there's a built-in Immersive Reading Mode that'll turn them into a real bookworm. It emulates the look of a page, plays ambient music, and can be used for a few hours without straining their eyes.
Best tablet for toddlers
If you want to buy the best toddler tablet, then you'll want something that can survive thumps and impacts most of all. A smaller display is best too, so that they can easily interact with everything on the screen.
The Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet fits the bill. It's got a rugged kid-proof case with tough rubber bumpers, and there's even a 2-year worry-free guarantee for your peace of mind. The compact 7-inch screen is perfect for tiny hands, and it only weighs a little over 400 grams too. So, your child will have no trouble holding it when reading an e-book or watching their favourite cartoon.
Best tablet for younger kids
If you've got a child who's growing fast and just started school, then a tablet with a bigger screen should keep them more engaged when learning, catching up on their favourite show, or playing games. The Acer 10.1" Kids Tablet is a top choice, with its crisp HD-ready touchscreen easy on the eyes and integrated stand letting them watch videos hands-free!
What's more, it’s got a strong bumper case that keeps it well protected — coming in a few bright colours. And as you'd expect, a host of parental controls allow you to keep your kid safe as they explore, learn, and have fun online.
This Acer children’s tablet also has high-quality 2MP rear and 8MP front cameras made for picture-perfect selfies and clear video chats with their friends. And it packs a pair of stereo speakers and a headphone jack too, so they can listen to tunes out loud or silently if you're in the same room.
Best iPad for kids
If you love everything Apple, then it might make the most sense to buy your child an iPad. With parental controls and Family Sharing, you can easily block or limit apps, restrict explicit content, approve purchases and more on your kid's device from your own iPad, iPhone or Mac. This means that it's easy to keep an eye on what they're doing online and prevent a surprise bill!
An iPad offers Apple's famously fast, user-friendly operating system and access to the App Store — which has almost two million different apps. And as the iPad works with the Apple Pencil, it's perfect if your child’s a creative type who loves sketching and making digital art. You can connect an external mouse and a keyboard to turn the iPad into a laptop too, making it one of the best tablets for teens doing more serious work.
If you're on a budget, you could go for a previous generation iPad from a year or two ago. They still pack loads of great features and will receive updates for many years to come. Or for a more portable iPad that they can take to school, check out the smaller range of iPad mini tablets.
Best Android tablet for kids
Most tablets that aren't made by Apple or Amazon will be running on Android software, which is developed by Google. This means that things like Gmail, Google Drive and Chrome are already built in.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a top android tablet that's great for kids. It's got some neat specs for the price, like a big 11-inch Full HD+ screen and Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers for immersive gaming and movies. And with the Multi Window, they can have up to three apps open at the same time for super smooth multitasking — perfect for revision and homework.
But another feature that makes the A9+ the best Samsung tablet for kids is the Samsung Kids app. It comes loaded with activities that make learning fun and provides a safe space for your child to explore and connect with the world.
FAQs
Which brand of tablet is best for kids?
There is no best brand, as loads of companies make brilliant tablets. Devices like Amazon's Fire Kids tablets are aimed at younger children with their robust designs and simplified software. But pretty much all iPad and Android tablets can be configured for a child with things like content filters and parental controls.
Do tablets help kids learn faster?
Tablets are now being used a lot more in education as they can make schoolwork more fun and help develop a child's tech skills. They offer interactive and engaging learning tools through apps, games and videos — which can capture kids’ attention and help them understand topics more easily.
In fact, in the 2021/22 academic year, the UK government provided 600,000 laptops and tablets to schools and colleges through their Get Help With Technology programme.
What age should a child get a tablet?
This is up to the parent. But tablets can be really helpful for school-aged children as there are loads of educational apps that make learning more exciting. And tablets can be beneficial even for children as young as three years old by developing language, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Any more questions?
We hope you’ve found the best children's tablet for your kid, whether they’re a toddler or a teen. For more tablet shopping advice, check out our tablet buying guide. Or if you’re on a tight budget, check out the best budget tablets.
