Choosing the best kid-friendly tablet can be an arduous task. Since you’re here, I’m sure that you are looking for a reliable tablet for your little one. The good thing is you don’t have to spend huge time researching different options, as I’ve already done it for you and have prepared this list of the top 5 tablet devices.
If you’re here just for the list, you can directly go to the list. However, if you’re interested in knowing the important factors to consider when purchasing a tablet for your child, then continue reading. (Note: I considered all of them while making this list)
Factors I considered before making this list.
Age Groups: Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a tablet, make sure you know who’s going to use it. If you’re going to share the tablet across age groups, then make sure to look for the one with versatile programs and apps to protect your content.
Usage: Make sure you figure out what you’re going to use the device for before buying it. Whether it’s for reading comics, e-learning, gaming, or entertaining your kids while you’re working, it’s important to know the purpose.
Parental Controls: It is important that the model you buy has in-built settings or apps that offer parental control. This will help you to protect your child from any content that might be inappropriate for their age.
Durability: Kids are always on the move, and they often tend to bump into things while doing so. So, it’s important that your tablet has a durable build. Try to look for the ones which have a rugged body and rubber edges. Or else, you might need to shell out some extra bucks for a protective case.
Pre-Installed Content: A lot of tablets suited for kids come with preinstalled content such as a variety of apps and games. Ensure the content is age-appropriate and take care that the tablet’s software is not a trial version.
Portability & Screen Size: Children love to carry their favorite “toys” around, and it’s not going to be any different for the tablet. So, for children below 12 years of age, 8-inch tablets are highly suitable, and make sure they’re light enough for your kid to run around with.
Battery life: Kids need to be entertained all day long. So, it’s important that your tablet has long-lasting battery life. Do not go for a device with a battery life lower than 5 hours.
Price Range: It’s important to have a budget in mind before you buy a tablet. Premium-end tablets may have all the bells and whistles, but if you can’t afford it, then it’s not the perfect piece of technology for you. So, remember to always set a price range according to your requirements.
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5 Best Tablets for Kids in 2023
Now that you have a better idea of choosing the right fit, below are some of the best options that you can opt from. I handpicked them after researching the market, talking to 31 parents and 38 kids of multiple age groups to have a perfect combination of tools and liking for your little one. I review each of them in detail:
1. Best Overall: Lenovo Tab M8
If you’re looking for a 100 dollar budget tablet that not only serves as an entertainment option for your kids but can also keep up with your office documenting, then you must check out the Lenovo Tab M8.
Display
Your kids will have the time of their life watching their favorite cartoons and movies on the 8-inch screen sporting an HD resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The color contrast and picture quality are commendable. So, go grab some popcorn because the display quality of this tablet will surely make you crave some family movie nights.
Processor & Performance
The device is powered by the quad-core MediaTek Helio A22 chipset, which clocks in at a speed of 2GHz. It also has the Imagination PowerVR GE8300 graphics processor to turn your gaming dreams into reality.
RAM, Storage, OS
It has 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC storage which is expandable with a MicroSD card slot. The tablet runs on the Android 9 Pie OS. The OS is quite old in 2023, but it supports the most features you would expect on a kid-friendly tablet. Therefore, it is suitable for the 10-year age group who may use it for online classes and watching YouTube Kids.
Design & Build
The Lenovo tablet has rounded corners and a stylish black matte finish which you’ll absolutely adore. It measures 0.32 x 4.8 x 7.84 inches and weighs just 0.67 pounds. It has a Micro USB port and an adapter along with it.
Other Features
It sports a 2MP front camera and a 5MP rear camera. The cameras can adequately click decent shots and record videos too. However, they’re not nearly as efficient as the company’s higher-end variants like Tab M10 Plus. Next up, Lenovo offers wireless connectivity with stable WiFi, so your kids won’t have any connectivity issues.
Battery & Conclusion
This $100 tablet has an extraordinary battery life of up to 18 long hours. Mind-boggling right? It is a great purchase for parents who are looking for a quality tablet that can be shared across age groups.
- Capable processor
- Highly durable metal design
- Long-lasting battery life
- Pretty lightweight
- Excellent display
- Micro USB port
- Average cameras
2. Best from Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Entertain your kids with a Samsung Galaxy Tab A. Its efficient processor, long battery life, enough internal storage, and reasonable price range will definitely convince you to buy it.
Display
Just like most of the Samsung branded tablets, it also features an 8-inch screen with a TFT panel and an HD resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. The color contrast is great. However, the resolution is quite low for the screen size.
Processor & Performance
The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 429, which allows its users to enjoy an impeccable display and a smooth system experience. It boasts the Qualcomm Adreno 504 GPU processor, which offers a smooth casual gaming experience.
RAM, Storage, OS
The tablet has a 2GB RAM space which is adequate for everyday functions. It has a 64GB in-built memory which can be expanded up to 512GB with a MicroSD card slot. Furthermore, the table is fueled by the Android 9 Pie OS, which features some major Android run time enhancements.
Design & Build
The hybrid metal and plastic design keep the tablet safe and sound. It is also super easy to clean and wraps securely around the table’s body. Measuring 0.31 x 4.9 x 8.27 inches with 1.28 pounds weight makes it suitable for school-going kids. The tablet has a micro USB 2.0 port and a MicroSD card slot as well.
Other Features
The rear 8MP camera has a range of kid-friendly controls and creative options. The front 2MP camera is adequate for clicking quick selfies. So, if your kids love photography, this camera is built just for them. It offers wireless connectivity with a stable WiFi and Bluetooth connection.
Battery & Conclusion
The table’s battery life will match your little one’s energy and will last for up to 13 hours. However, unlike the special kid’s edition (which costs high), it misses out on kids-specific content. But again, you can install third-party apps as and when needed. With the amazing battery life and solid performance, this sub $200 tablet is definitely worth the hype.
- Reliable performance
- Good storage configuration
- Expandable storage
- Excellent battery life
- Good rear camera
- Poor quality front camera
- No kid’s friendly content
3. Best Runner Up: Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
The Amazon-branded Fire HD Kids Edition tablets might not serve the purpose for adults, but they’re sure the perfect pick for children. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is no exception. It offers amazing kid-friendly features that will blow your mind!
Processor & Performance
The Fire HD 8 is powered by a quad-core processor, which clocks in at 2GHz. Its efficiency is 30% better than its predecessor. The tablet possesses the ARM-based Mali T720-MP2, which is capable of running casual games.
Display
This Kids Edition tablet has an 8-inch screen with an IPS Panel and HD resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Although it lacks the ambient light sensor, the screen brightness has to be adjusted manually. It has stable viewing angles and impeccable color contrast.
RAM, Storage, OS
It has 2GB RAM which is 50% more compared to the 7-inch Fire HD kids edition. It’s perfect for basic to advanced operations. Furthermore, the tablet has 32GB of in-built memory, which can be expanded with a MicroSD card slot. It is fueled by the Amazon Fire OS 6.3.1, which has a lot of kid-centric functionalities.
Design & Build
It measures 9.2 x 7.2 x 1.0 inches and is ultra-light, weighing just 0.78 pounds. So, the kids will have no trouble carrying it around while they play. It also features a MicroSD card slot and a MicroUSB port. The tablet offers wireless connectivity with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
The device is quite sturdy, and the case is made up of hard foam, which is about 0.5 inches thick. The tablet’s back has a rugged folding stand which is perfect when the kids want to watch the screen in landscape mode.
Other Features
The device has a 2MP front and rear camera. The front camera is surely an upgrade from its earlier model, but the rear one has remained unchanged. The camera quality may seem average, however, it serves the purpose for little kids.
Another great feature about this tablet is the unlimited Amazon Free-Time in Spanish. Now you can entertain your kids with thousands of kid-friendly Spanish books, videos, games, and apps. Parents will especially love this tablet for its easy-to-use parental controls.
Battery & Conclusion
Moreover, the tablet has a battery life of up to 12 hours. So, you can forget about charging the device while your kids are playing on it. Overall, the Fire 8 Kids Edition is a solid tablet. And with features like unlimited free time and easy-to-use parental controls, it’s definitely worth it.
- Significant upgrades from predecessor
- Kids proof stylish hard foam case
- Unlimited FreeTime
- Easy to use parental controls
- Super lightweight
- Good battery life
- Camera quality
4. Venturer Small Wonder 7
If you plan on gifting a budget-friendly yet useful tablet to your child, I would recommend the Venturer Small Wonder 7 over other products on the list. The reason for swearing by this product is the bumper case that comes along, which paves the way for rough usage and the occasional drops, something that you would associate with a kid.
As compared to a similarly constructed tablet from Pritom, Venturer performs a bit better, courtesy of the glare-free screen.
Display
The 7-inch IPS HD glare-reducing panel also exhibits an overall resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, which is acceptable enough for kids when offline media and occasional games are concerned.
Processor & Performance
Coming to the processing setup, the standard quad-core processor prevails. The integrated GPU doesn’t make heads turn but holds its own when visual support and clarity are concerned. Teaming up with the SoC is 2GB RAM, which is quite enough considering the kids-specific activities like reading, streaming, and web surfing.
RAM, Storage, OS
The 16GB storage space isn’t bound to disappoint the kids as they can now store books, digital comics, and more. However, if you want them to use it as a school journal, the same can always be upgraded to up to 128GB via the microSD slot.
Coming to the UI, the Android 10 Go edition lingers and offers several integrated apps and resources for your kid to make use of. The OS is best viewed on the 7-inch screen.
Design & Build
As far as the structural presence is concerned, the Small Wonder 7 from Venturer weighs 1.21 pounds and is best used alongside the bumper stand that also doubles up as a kickstand for watching videos.
The dimensions, however, are tagged at 8.82 x 5.28 x 0.38 inches, which is good enough for a thick, plastic-clad tablet. Camera-wise, kids are best served by the 2MP rear and front shooters, which allow you to stay connected and keep track of their whereabouts.
Battery & Conclusion
The 5-hour battery backup is acceptable enough considering the minimalistic usage of the kids. However, the rugged structure and the family-targeted productivity suite make it stand out compared to other tablets in the same segment.
- Durable structure
- IPS display
- Acceptable battery life
- Dedicated kickstand
- Glare-free screen
- Limited internal storage
- Heats up sometimes
5. Best for 7-10 Year Olds: Dragon Touch Y88X Pro
If you’re looking for a budget tablet for your child, then you should definitely try out the Dragon Touch Y88X Pro.
Display
The Y88X Pro sports a 7-inch 178-degree IPS display with a screen resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. The screen does not feature an automatic brightness sensor, and hence you’ll have to set it manually.
Processor & Performance
This model is powered by a quad-core processor, which clocks in at a frequency of 1.5GHz. It boasts the Mali-400MP2 GPU processor that supports low-range gaming.
RAM, Storage, OS
It has a 2GB RAM space that performs your everyday tasks efficiently. The tablet has 16GB of in-built memory. However, if you require more storage, you can expand it up to 128GB with a MicroSD card slot. It runs on the Android 9 OS, which is easier to use and has a lot of valuable features.
Design & Build
The device has a beautiful luxurious design with a slim body. The kid-proof case secures your tablet against harsh falls and bumps. It measures 9.7 x 9 x 1.8 inches and weighs 1.7 pounds. It has a USB 2.0 port, a MicroSD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Other Features
The tablet has a rear camera of 2MP. It clicks good pictures in bright light, but the photos look grainy in dim light. Therefore, it’s best suited for younger kids who don’t use cameras much.
Your kids can enjoy a plethora of age-appropriate videos and pre-installed games on this device. It also has easy-to-use parental control options, so you can always keep a check on what your kids watch!
Battery & Conclusion
The battery life for this tablet won’t last longer than 3 hours, and you’ll have to struggle with the charger almost all the time. Other than that, the tablet is a perfect entry-level tablet for kids that is definitely worth considering.
- Preinstalled age-appropriate content
- Affordable
- Rugged kid-proof case
- Easy to use parental control
- Expandable memory
- Low-quality display
- Extremely low battery life
Do Kids need a Tablet?
I’m sure that the question of why kids need a tablet must’ve crossed your mind at least once. There are a bunch of reasons for what they can do on this device. Firstly, they’re an inexpensive replacement for computers with a multitude of education and entertainment options.
These devices are super portable, offer a prolonged battery life, present an opportunity for social development, and offer infinite expandability. And if that’s not enough to convince you to buy one, the possibility to monitor your kids with parental control definitely will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Samsung tablets offer a kids mode. A few other brands, such as Lenovo and Amazon, also manufacture tablets especially curated for kids. However, Apple tablets do not offer a kids mode, but you can install parental control apps on them.
You should look for the following factors:
– Age groups who will use the tablet
– Portability and screen size
– Parental controls
– Battery life
– Build quality for durability
Some tablets, such as the Amazon Fire kids edition series, Samsung Galaxy Tab A, and Lenovo Tab M8, offer in-built parental controls. And for the tablets that don’t, you can always install parental control apps such as FemiSafe and Kids Place.
Verdict
The tablets on this list hit all the cylinders when it comes to the factors required in tablets suitable for children. I hope that my list of top 5 kids tablets will definitely answer all questions that you have in mind. And help you choose the perfect tablet for your kids! However, if you’re still not sure which one to go for, let me help you out:
- If you’re okay paying little above $150 for your kid’s tablet, I would suggest opting for Samsung Galaxy Tab A. It comes equipped with an efficient processor and reliable storage module.
- If you’re looking for the best overall pick, you may go with the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition or the Lenovo Tab M8. Both of them offer 8-inch display and comes with on par specifications under the $100 price tag. They both have equally good build too, so, you need not worry about their durability.
- If you need a slightly smaller 7-inch tablet, the Venturer Small Wonder 7 is a good option to consider. It costs significantly less than the above mentioned models, and provide you with good features.
In this fast-moving world, it is important to sensitize your kids against technology early on in their life. And what better way to do this than a portable and budget-friendly tablet.
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