If you’re tired of giving your kids your tablet to play with when waiting in a waiting room for an appointment, in the car during long rides, or whenever they’re stuck at home and bored, it’s time to think about buying a kid-appropriate tablet they can call their own.
Fortunately, there are lots of tablets suitable for kids these days, from tablets designed for younger kids with durable rubber casing and lots of built-in safety features to affordable tablets for older kids when they’re ready for the next level but not quite ready to be responsible for a pricey gadget.
Once you’ve decided that it’s time to get your child a tablet, you may be overwhelmed by all the choices out there. We recently reviewed dozens of tablets to find the ones that will best fit your lifestyle and needs. We looked at factors like durability, ease of use, availability of parental controls, battery life, expected lifespan, and affordability. All of these top-rated tablets can be purchased online at Amazon.
We’ve identified the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet as the best overall tablet for kids. It has all the capabilities kids need in a tablet, plus it comes with a kid-proof case to withstand daily wear and tear.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Tablet for Kids
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Tablet for Kids Overall | Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet | 4.5 |
| Best Tablet for Young Kids 5-10 | Vankyo MatrixPad Z1 Kids Tablet | 4.3 |
| Best Budget Tablet for Kids | Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet | 4.6 |
| Best Tablet for Toddlers | LeapFrog LeapPad Ready for School Tablet | 4.4 |
| Best Tablet for School | New Apple iPad | 4.8 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change.
Best Tablet for Kids Overall: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet
If you’re looking for an all-around quality tablet that your kids can enjoy for years, choose the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet. It’s easy to use and has a kid-proof case so it can stand up to even the toughest kids, plus it comes packed full of all the content kids want. You’ll find over 20,000 books, TV shows, educational apps, games, and Audible audiobooks, plus you can always download others anytime you like.
This is a tablet built to last, as it has 32 GB of memory that’s expandable by up to 400 GB, with unlimited cloud storage for Amazon content purchases. Kids will enjoy the fast performance of the 1.3 GHz quad-core with 1.5 GB of RAM, along with up to 10 hours of battery life.
Parents enjoy peace of mind with this unit, as it has easy-to-use parental controls and a kid-safe browser that keeps out inappropriate content. Parents can manage and customize kids’ experiences with up to four individual child profiles on one machine. Set bedtime curfews and employ tighter controls on screen time and content. Parents can also block access to videos and games until after the educational targets are met.
The kid-proof case is designed to protect against drops, bumps, and other typical outcomes of kid use, and if something happens to the tablet, Amazon will replace it for free for up to two years from the date of purchase.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet Key Features:
- Comes with a kid-proof case and 2-year replacement guarantee
- Has over 20,000 books, TV shows, educational apps, games, and more
- Parental controls allow parents to set limits and manage kids’ experiences
- 32 GB of memory expandable to up to 400 GB
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
Best Tablet for Young Kids 5-10: Vankyo MatrixPad Z1 Kids Tablet
If you’ve got younger kids about ready for their first tablet, the Vankyo MatrixPad Z1 Kids Tablet may be your best bet. It has a 1.5 GHz quad-core processor and 32 GB onboard storage that’s expandable to up to 128 GB. Lightweight and with a shock-resistant bumper to resist damage, it has a 7-inch HD display complete with an eye health mode that filters out blue light.
Kids will enjoy access to a range of age-appropriate and up-to-date fun content including games, videos, paintings and educational apps, and kid-safe websites designed to help them develop math, reading, and music skills. It also has “PaintBox” available, which allows kids to draw or paint lines, shapes, and patterns or to play coloring pages. The tablet is easy to use, and of course, kids can take pictures and videos with the 2MP front-facing camera and rear camera.
Go into the parental control mode to create and customize profiles for each kids’ account, plus you can hand-pick content for your kids, control screen time, and make sure they’re browsing only safe websites. The battery lasts for up to 8 hours, and it has a built-in stand/handle for adjusting to the perfect viewing angle or carrying it along on trips.
Vankyo Matrix Pad Z1 Kids Tablet Key Features:
- 32 GB onboard storage expandable to 128 GB
- Build-in handle/stand
- Allows access to a range of kid-friendly content
- Parental controls provide peace of mind
- Educational programs help kids develop math, language, music, and creative skills
Best Budget Tablet for Kids: Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet
If you aren’t ready to shell out over $100 for your kids’ tablet, you can still get your kids a quality product with the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet. As with our best-pick, you still get a year of free Amazon FreeTime, which gives kids access to over 20,000 apps, games, books, videos, audiobooks, and educational content. (After the year is over, the subscription continues at $2.99/month plus tax unless you cancel it.)
This one also comes with a Kid-Proof Case, built-in stand, and a 2-year worry-free guarantee, which means if it breaks Amazon will replace it for free up to two years from the purchase date. It doesn’t have quite as much internal memory—16 GB—but you can expand that with a microSD card for up to 512 GB of storage. It has a quad-core 1.3 GHz with 1 GB of RAM and provides up to 7 hours of battery life.
The camera is the same too—2 MP front and rear-facing cameras so your kids can experiment with pictures and video. Easy-to-use parental controls allow you to limit screen time, set educational goals and curfews, and manage content for up to 4 children. Choose from three different colors: pink, blue, and purple.
Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet Key Features:
- Similar to the Amazon Fire 8 for about half the price
- Comes with over 20,000 apps, games, books, and other kid-friendly content
- Easy-to-use parental controls allow you to limit screen time and set educational goals
- About 7 hours of battery life, with up to 512 GB add-on storage
- Kid-Proof Case and 2-year no-worry guarantee
Best Tablet for Toddlers: LeapFrog LeapPad Ready for School Tablet
The AAP recommends parents avoid screens for infants up to about 18 months of age, but then some children may be ready for some exposure. If you have a little one just begging to start learning with something like a tablet, we recommend the LeapFrog LeapPad Ready for School Tablet.
This tablet includes $100 worth of free school-readiness apps, plus apps featuring reading, music, problem-solving, and creativity. Kids will also have access to a library of content including award-winning apps and cartridges featuring kid-favorite characters. A kid-friendly web browser provides access only to pre-selected websites all approved by learning experts.
The 7-inch screen is shatter-safe, and the tablet has a built-in stylus and energy-absorbing bumper for durability. A music player comes pre-loaded with 10 songs, and the dual front and back cameras let kids play with photos and videos.
Parental controls include password protection, time limits, and customized experiences. Finally, the LeapFrog Just-for-Me learning technology personalizes the content in select learning games by adapting the curriculum based on right or wrong answers and remembering your child’s progress across various games, to further challenge kids as they go.
LeapFrog LeapPad Ready for School Tablet Key Features:
- Perfect for young kids 3-6 years old
- Includes free school-readiness apps and access to a library of kid-friendly content
- Built-in energy-absorbing bumper for durability
- Parental controls allow you to set time limits and to customize your child’s experience
- Just-for-Me learning technology challenges kids as they grow
Best Tablet for School: New Apple iPad
Once your child starts to get serious about schoolwork, it may be time to upgrade to a New Apple iPad. It’s the highest-rated product by reviewers, but it does cost quite a bit more than the other products listed here, so you want to consider it only for older, tech-savvy kids. This tablet doesn’t have a kid-friendly case either, so it’s suitable only for kids that will treat it with care, though Apple does say that it’s built to be durable so you can take it anywhere.
Kids are likely to love the large 10.2-inch retina display, 8MP camera, and up to 10 hours of battery life. The machine combines the power and capability of a computer with the ease and use of a tablet and allows kids to use multiple apps at once. Edit a document while making a FaceTime call, for example. You can add on a smart keyboard to turn it into a laptop, and/or the Apple Pencil to create, draw, paint, and sketch.
The Apple App Store provides thousands of educational apps that help kids get a leg up in geometry, learn a new language or even practice composing music. Downtime is even more fun with the A10 Fusion chip which delivers amazing gaming performance. Pair an Xbox, PlayStation, or MFI controller to create the ultimate portable game console. Apple also provides the Apple Arcade, a game subscription that gives kids access to over 100 new games.
Kids can even turn this iPad into a TV with the Apple TV app, gaining access to television shows and movies. Finally, parents can still set up parental controls on this machine. Apple includes a robust set of controls that let you turn off apps and stop kids from downloading and buying new apps. Apple also includes a built-in website filter to keep adult content off the iPad without the need for special software. Simply go to the Settings>General>Restrictions and tap “Enable Restrictions.”
New Apple iPad Key Features:
- Best for older kids who are tech-savvy and serious about schoolwork
- Beautiful 10.2-inch retina display and up to 10 hours battery life
- 8MP camera
- Built-in parental controls
- Access to Apple App Store which provides thousands of educational apps
- Up to 10 hours battery life; built to be durable
Who Should Buy Tablets for Kids?
Tablets can be helpful educational tools for kids. Many games are designed to help children learn, and simply operating a tablet can help younger children figure out how to navigate this world where computerized gadgets are everywhere. For older kids, tablets can be an important tool for completing homework assignments, conducting research, or making presentations, particularly for those kids who are taking online classes or otherwise completing school work at home.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, most children have had to transfer to schooling at home, which typically requires some sort of device they can use to connect to the Internet, read assignments and books, communicate with teachers, and complete homework assignments. When parents have to work at home, too, the family computer may be off-limits, so a tablet can be a nice tool for children to have when they need it.
Tablets are often easier for young kids to use than computers, as well, because they’re smaller, easier to tote around, and typically last a long time on a battery charge. They often include pre-installed parental controls so parents can choose which apps and programs kids use and limit their screen time as desired. Parents like that tablets tend to cost much less than a laptop or desktop computer, as well.
Important Features to Consider
When shopping for laptops for kids, consider the following features:
- Battery life. A tablet is a very portable type of machine, which is what makes it great for kids. If it’s constantly running out of battery power, though, your kids are going to get frustrated quickly. Consider the child’s age. Very young children shouldn’t be using the device for more than a couple of hours at a time anyway. Older children may want more battery power.
- Storage. How much storage does the tablet provide? This affects how many files, pictures, videos, songs, and more your child can store on the tablet before running out of space. In general, the more the better. Look for the word “storage” when finding this information.
- Processor/speed. The more advanced the processor, the faster the tablet will run. This can be noticeable when playing games or when switching back and forth between different apps. This may not be as important for young children as it will be for older children who may be using their tablets for homework assignments.
- Camera. Kids love to take pictures with their tablets, plus older kids often need to be able to take good pictures to complete their school projects. Look for tablets that have both a front-facing and rear-facing camera so the child can take selfies when needed.
- Screen resolution. The higher the resolution the sharper the image on the screen. A higher resolution is typically more expensive, however, and usually is not overly important to young children.
- Parental controls. It can be particularly convenient if the tablet comes preloaded with parental controls. You can always find some yourself, but tablets that already include them can offer significant convenience.
- Durability. For young children, look for tablets that can stand up to a bit of rough treatment. Older children can be taught to be more careful with their devices.
- Connectivity. Some tablets have USB ports that allow you to connect other tools to them, like printers, keyboards, a mouse, and other peripherals. Some allow you to add memory cards to get more storage space or to transfer photos. An HDMI port will allow you to hook the tablet up to your television, allowing your child to watch or read on a larger screen. What will your child be using the pad for? Use that knowledge to choose how much connectivity you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should a child have a tablet?
It’s completely up to parents to determine when it’s best to get a tablet for their child, but there are some important things to consider. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under the age of two avoid screen time in most cases, as there is evidence of harm from excessive media use at this age. Between the ages of two and five, the AAP recommends limiting total screen time to one hour per day.
Some studies have shown that well-designed apps such as those from the Sesame Workshop and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) can be effective at teaching literacy skills to preschoolers. The AAP warns parents, however, that many of the apps they may find under the “educational” category in app stores have no such evidence behind them, so it’s important to be choosy.
After the age of five, when kids start school, tablets can become useful tools as long as they are used under a teacher’s or parent’s supervision. No matter what sort of program or app your child may be using on a tablet, it’s always best for parents to supervise young children, and to set controls limiting use for older children.
How can I child-proof a tablet?
Many tablets today—especially those made for kids—come preloaded with parental control software that allows you to set limits on what your child can do with the tablet. You simply go to the “settings” portion of the tablet, find the parental controls, and set the limits you prefer. You can typically control which apps your kids can use, what media they can have access to, and how long they can use the device.
If your tablet doesn’t have pre-installed controls, you can install them yourself. There are many child-friendly Internet browsers, for instance, including Maxthon for Android systems, that create a safe web environment for kids by blocking all unwanted websites, search results, and content. The Google Play Store also has kid-friendly modes you can install that will give you several ways to limit your child’s use of the tablet.
How can I set technology usage limits with my kids?
Screen time can be a difficult thing for parents to manage. There are a lot of things to consider. On the positive side, tablets can help keep kids busy and quiet when parents have to attend to other urgent matters. They allow kids access to games, animation series, movies, music, books, and apps that can help entertain them and even cheer them up. Parents and children can play games together, too, which gives them both something fun and interactive to do together.
It is important for parents to set rules, however, and to properly supervise children’s use of tablets. Too much screen time can be detrimental to a child’s growth. One recent study of children age three to five found that those with higher exposure to screens had poorer expressive language and did worse on tests of language processing speed than those with lower exposure.
The AAP has some guidelines to help:
- Set limits on the use of the tablets.
- Know what platforms, software, and apps your children are using, and what sites they are visiting on the web.
- Encourage playtime without screens, including outdoor activities.
- Make sure at least some of your child’s screen time is spent with a parent, to encourage bonding and learning.
- Be a good role model by limiting your own screen time.
- Avoid digital media for toddlers younger than 18-24 months other than video chatting.
- Create tech-free zones, such as the dinner table and children’s bedrooms.
- As children get older, warn them about the importance of privacy online and the dangers of predators.
Are tablets bad for children’s eyes?
Tablets, like all devices with a screen (computers, laptops, televisions, smartphones), emit blue light. Blue light also comes from the sun and is good for kids in some ways, as it helps set healthy circadian rhythms and promotes good mood and focus. Too much exposure to blue light, however, can damage the back of the eye, called the retina.
Typically kids don’t have to worry about blue light, but if they’re spending hours every day in front of televisions, phones, tablets, and computers, the excessive exposure to blue light could harm their vision. Exposure to blue light at night can also disrupt melatonin, the sleep hormone, and thereby disrupt the child’s sleep.
To limit your child’s exposure to blue light while using a tablet, look for those that include built-in safety displays. You can also purchase blue-light filters to place on top of the screen. There are many available on the market now and they are easy to attach to the tablet.
Other Tablets for Kids We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other tablets for kids. Even though they didn’t make our top five laptops for kids list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for kids just starting to learn or who need a tablet for school. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Tablets for Toddlers
This Android tablet comes with free pre-installed apps for learning and playing, free security controls, content management, and behavioral restrictions like child locks and game-time limits.
Key Features:
- Android 10.0 OS
- Dual camera
- Expandable storage to 32 GB of SD cards for storing music and photos
- Includes a kid-proof case made of a lightweight, durable, impact-resistant soft silicone material
- Includes only child-friendly apps and websites
- About 3 hours of average battery life
Cost: $58
This is also an Android tablet, but it has a little more storage (also expandable) and comes pre-installed with 30 Disney audiobooks.
Key Features:
- Android 8.1 Go Edition
- Pre-installed with 30 Disney digital audiobooks
- Expandable storage to 128 GB
- Allows parental control and child-safety options for monitoring children
- Comes with protective bumper tablet case and color-matching headphones
Cost: $100
This Android tablet is made for kids age 3-6 and includes pre-installed parental controls. It’s compact, durable, lightweight, and easy for kids to hold.
Key Features:
- Android OS
- Easy for kids to hold and carry
- Parental controls included
- 8 GB memory
- Up to 3 hours of battery life
- Contains only child-friendly material—children will not have access to other content
Cost: $69
On this Android tablet, your child will find kid-friendly content like stories, art, music, painting, counting, puzzle games, and more. It also offers advanced parental controls.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 OS
- Full of kid-friendly material
- Advanced parental controls
- Supports 64 GB Micro SD card
- Durable silicone case with stand
- Up to 6 hours of average battery life
Cost: $66
Like the tablet above, the Winsing comes preloaded with educational apps and games. It also includes an IPS Safety Eye Protection screen, which helps block blue light.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 OS
- Full of kid-friendly material
- Advanced parental controls
- Expandable up to 128 GB memory card
- IPS Safety Eye Protection screen
- Durable, lightweight case protects against drops and bumps
- Up to 3 hours of battery life
Cost: $66
If your child likes to take pictures, try this tablet. It has both a rear-facing and front-facing camera, along with an IPS eye safety screen.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 OS
- Kid-safe out of the box
- Includes parental control mode
- Expandable up to 32 GB memory card
- IPS Safety Eye Protection screen
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- The kid-proof design provides shock absorption for edges and corners
Cost: $59
Designed for kid-appropriate content, this tablet has dual cameras, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and all the things you’d expect for a reasonable price. It does have a rather short battery life but for young kids, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Key Features:
- Android OS
- Pre-loaded with educational programs and parental controls
- Supports up to 32 GB SD card
- Battery life up to 3 hours
- Durable protective cover
- Up to 3 hours of average battery life
Cost: $57
Tablets for Young Kids
Young kids will enjoy the 18 e-books and 6 audiobooks pre-installed on this tablet and will be able to access thousands of apps, games, videos, and filtered websites.
Key Features:
- Fully functioning Android tablet allows access to Gmail, YouTube, Drive, Maps, and more
- Perfect Wi-Fi tablet for online learning
- Dual rear-facing and front-facing camera
- Kid-proof case perfect for kids 2-10
- Parental controls and child lock launcher
- Up to 3 hours of battery life
Cost: $70
Set this tablet up and work with it hands-free. It has a handy stand on the back and comes complete with advanced parental controls and the ability to create and customize multiple users.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 OS
- Built-in stand allows it to stand up on its own
- Supports up to 32 GB SD card
- Pre-installed with educational materials and parental controls
- Durable protective cover
- Up to 5 hours of battery life
Cost: $71
Enjoy more power and flexibility with this tablet, which has a MediaTek quad-core processor that boosts multitasking ability. It’s also a little bigger with a 10-inch screen.
Key Features:
- Android 8.1 Oreo OS
- Bigger 10-inch screen
- 64 GB internal storage; supports SD cards up to 128 GB
- Comes with pre-installed apps for children
- Kids-lock app keeps kids safe from potentially dangerous websites
- 8 hours of battery life
- TV connectivity
Cost: $140
Like the tablet above, this one also has a larger, 10-inch screen and a quad-core processor, but it has less memory and connectivity. Children enjoy most of the same features, however, for less money.
Key Features:
- Android 8.1 Oreo OS
- Bigger 10-inch screen
- 32 GB internal storage, with support for 128 GB memory card
- Comes with pre-installed apps for children
- Flexible parental controls allow access and time limits
- Durable lightweight protective case
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
Cost: $93
A smaller screen and less onboard storage help you save money on this tablet, but it still has the Android 8.1 operating system and fast processor, plus it’s preloaded with educator-approved academic and entertaining apps.
Key Features:
- Android 8.1 Oreo OS
- 7-inch shatter-proof screen
- 16 GB internal storage expandable up to 128 GB with micro SD card
- Comes with educator-approved academic and entertaining apps
- Customizable with parental controls
- Durable protective case
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
Cost: $56
This is similar to many of the other Android tablets listed here, but it has a larger 10.1-inch screen with the IPS safe display as well as a silicone base and stand available in two colors.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 OS
- 1-inch screen with IPS safety display
- 16 GB internal storage expandable up to 128 GB with micro SD card
- Includes preinstalled story, drawing, music, math, and learning apps
- Includes parental controls
- Silicon case and stand in two colors: blue and pink
- Average 4-5 hours battery life
Cost: $89
Tablets for Older Kids
Though made by the same company as our top pick for young kids, this Vankyo is a bit more advanced, with an octa-core processor geared for multi-tasking, fast interaction.
Key Features:
- Android 9 Pie
- 1-inch HD screen
- Dual speakers and quality cameras (8 MP front and 13 MP rear)
- 32 GB onboard storage expandable with up to 128 GB memory card
- Full access to GooglePlay, Skype, Netflix, YouTube, and kids apps
- Up to 15 hours “reading” battery life; 12 hours browsing
Cost: $160
This tablet is not as advanced or flexible as the one above, but it can still work well for schoolwork and it costs a bit less. It also features a nice 10.1-inch HD display.
Key Features:
- Android 8.1 OS
- 1-inch HD screen
- 3 GHz quad-core processor
- 16 GB onboard storage expandable to 128 GB with microSD card
- Dual cameras (2 MP front and 5 MP rear)
- Up to 7 hours of mixed-use battery
Cost: $90
If your child takes good care of her possessions, this sleek-looking tablet may be perfect for her. It runs on the Android system and is perfect for kids wanting something compact and lightweight.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 Pie OS
- 7-inch IPS safety display
- Quad-core CPU processor
- 16 GB onboard storage expandable to 128 GB with microSD card
- Up to 3 hours of battery life
Cost: $70
Middle-school and even high-school kids may enjoy this tablet, which runs on Windows 10 Home (rather than Android), has a nice 10-inch screen, and is fully loaded with the latest user-friendly Windows 10 package.
Key Features:
- Windows 10 Home OS
- 10-inch IPS safety display
- 64 GB onboard storage expandable up to 256 GB with micro SD card
- Provides connectivity with HDMI and USB ports
- Ideal for online classes and entertainment
Cost: $190
Want a keyboard with your tablet? Choose this Novel TTT 2-in-1 option, which comes with several extras, including a wireless keyboard and mouse and a leather case.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 Pie OS
- 10-inch HD display
- 64 GB onboard storage expandable up to 128 GB with micro SD card
- Dual cameras (5 MP front, 8 MP rear)
- Up to 8 hours of battery life
- Comes with wireless keyboard and mouse, plus leather case and tablet screen protector
Cost: $119
If you want a tablet with cell phone connectivity, this one will work—it supports 2pcs phone card insertion. When you sign up with your cell phone service, you’ll be able to call or send messages to anyone anytime even without Wi-Fi.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 Pie OS
- Supports 2pcs phone card insertion
- 32 GB internal storage, expandable to 128 GB with micro SD card
- 1-inch IPS safety display
- Comes in two colors: black and silver
- Up to 6-8 hours of battery life
Cost: $102
This Samsung Galaxy tablet has a fast, multitasking octa-core processor and supports the use of a stylus. The average battery life beats most on this list—up to 13 hours.
Key Features:
- Android 9.0 Pie OS
- Fast octa-core processor great for multitasking
- 32 GB internal storage, expandable to 512 GB with micro SD card
- 8-inch display
- Dual cameras (8 MP front and rear)
- Slim and comfortable
- Up to 13 hours of battery life
Cost: $128
