Best Kids Tablet

This content has not been updated since March 19, 2020. For more recent tech advice for your business, why not try our comparison of the iPad and the iPad Air?

As any parent knows, a tablet can be a godsend when trying to entertain your kids. Pop a screen in front of a child and they’ll be quiet for hours. Naturally, we’re not condoning that you use them as a substitute child-minder – but if your son or daughter doesn’t already have one, they’re no doubt eyeing up yours.

If you want to keep your beloved tablet free of cracks and sticky fingerprints, invest in a dedicated one for your favorite rugrat. They’ll be happy, and you’ll never pick up your tablet again only to find it covered in peanut butter/jelly/mysterious fluids (we’ve all been there).

For our money, the best kids tablet the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, one of Amazon’s dedicated Fire Kids tablets. These are not only robust, but also well priced. For older kids, an iPad is also a great choice (we'd recommend the iPad 10.2), and will have the upshot of making you the parent of the year in your kids’ eyes (for a day or two, at least).

We’re also here to run through some of the questions you frequently ask when looking at kids tablets, as well as some buying advice so you know what to look for.

Which is the Best Tablet for Kids?

While there’s no shortage of tablets out there to consider, we’ve narrowed it down to some of the best on the market. We still think that the Amazon Fire and iPad models are the best choice, but see what you think in our comparison table:

1. Apple iPad 10.2 – A great budget large screen tablet
2. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids – Cheap and cheerful HD tablet
3. Apple iPad Mini – A child-friendly size with plenty of power
4. Amazon Fire 7 Kids – Amazon's budget child tablet
5. Apple iPad 9.7 – An excellent tablet for older kids
6. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids – Amazon's premium kids tablet
7. DragonTouch YXX8 – A no thrills budget option
8. Lenovo Tab 4 10 – A large-screen Android alternative

Scroll right on mobile to see full table

Model	Apple iPad 10.2	Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition	Apple iPad Mini	Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition	Apple iPad 9.7	Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition	Dragon Touch YXX8	Lenovo Tab 4 10
Screen size	10.2-inch	8-inch	7.9-inch	7-inch	9.7-inch	10-inch	8-inch	10-inch
Operating system	iOS	FireOS	iOS	FireOS	iOS	FireOS	Android	Android
Processor	A10	Quad-core 1.3GHz	A12	Quad-core 1.3GHz	A10	Quad-core 1.8GHz	Quad-core A33	Qualcom Snapdragon 425
RAM	2GB	1.5GB	3GB	1GB	2GB	2GB	8GB	4GB – 8GB
Storage	32GB	32GB	64GB	16GB	32GB	32GB	256GB – 1TB	256GB – 1TB
Buy

iPad 10.2-inch

Best for: Older kids who want a large screen

Now, we wouldn't recommend this iPad for the youngest of kids. But for an older child or young teenager looking for a device to cover everything from entertainment to homework, it's a winner.

Movies, YouTube and games look great on a large screen, so your child might be eyeing up the recently announced iPad 10.2-inch model, which replaced the standard 9.7 model at the end of September. It keeps the same processor, cameras and storage as the 2018 model, but for the same price, that bigger screen is bound to be attractive.

Should you get the iPad 10.2 for a child?

This is a generous tablet to give a child, but for an older kid it's a good choice tablet that can and should last for plenty of years. The size of the Apple App Store means every form of entertainment, messaging and learning app should be covered. It's a tablet that should work just as well for down time as it would for homework.

The iPad 10.2 is pretty darn good value, by Apple standards. But, don't forget that Apple has a student discount, too, so you may be able to get that price lower still, making it an even better choice for a kid's tablet.

Fancy an iPad yourself? Check out our guide to the range.

Verdict: Yes, it's one of the pricier options here, but the iPad 10.2-inch model will last for years and be a great entertainment and education device.

Amazon Fire 8 HD Kids Edition

Best for: Compromise of specs and budget

This tablet is perfect for younger kids, and is packed full of child-friendly features and settings to keep parents happy, too.

As the name suggests, the HD 8 Kids Edition is an 8-inch tablet with an HD screen, designed for kids. Now, let's be clear – this isn't the cheapest kids tablet that Amazon sells. That crown goes to the Fire 7. But, for our money, this is the best choice tablet for younger children. In fact, we’d recommend it over the Fire 7 all day long.

Why choose the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition over the Fire 7 Kids Edition?

For an extra thirty bucks, you get a lot more for your money, including stereo speakers, an HD screen, more RAM, more storage, and better battery life. It’s slightly larger than its cheaper 7-inch stablemate, but still not too big for younger children to hold comfortably.

Naturally, you also get that protective case, as well as the Amazon guarantee. If the tablet breaks within two years of purchase, then Amazon will replace it for you, no questions asked.

It’s worth remembering that like all Kids Fire tablets, the Fire 8 HD is essentially the standard Fire 8 tablet, but with kid-friendly features reflecting its higher price. If you can trust your child to look after their tablet, the standard Fire 8 HD is the cheaper option – but it won't have the replacement policy in place.

Verdict: The best budget kids tablet out there

iPad Mini

Best for: Older kids that need a higher-end tablet

The 2019 iPad Mini is a powerful tablet, with even more horsepower than the larger 10.2-inch model. Its smaller form factor makes it a perfect choice for younger hands, although it’s one of the pricier models we’d recommend. The good news is that if you opt for the Mini, it will be years before you need to upgrade again. Starting at $399, we’d recommend taking out Apple Care for $3.49 a month, just for peace of mind in case of any mishaps.

Is the iPad Mini a good tablet for a kid?

There's no question that it's good – it may be, whisper it, too good for what most kids will need. Despite its appealing smaller size, this is a powerful, premium device, so have a good think before lavishing it on younger children who may just not look after it so well.

For an older child who'll treat it sensibly and may want something smaller to carry to school, it could well be ideal. As with the full-size iPad, above, there's little it can't do. One last tip – seek out the Apple student discount if you can.

Verdict: A generous choice for older kids who need a powerful tablet

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition

Best for: Younger children

Amazon’s entry-level kids tablet can’t hold a candle to an iPad – but then again, it’s only $99, comes with a protective case, and has a two year, no quibble guarantee, which some parents might find all but essential. Like all Fire tablets, it’s built on the Android system, but uses Amazon’s proprietary FireOS. This means that it seamlessly ties in with all existing Amazon services, and even has its own Amazon app store.

Should I get the Fire 7 Kids Edition?

This is a great tablet for very young kids who won't be too fussy about the less detailed screen quality and unmistakable cheap feel. Ultimately, the price is amazing (and gets cheaper around Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday). We still feel you're better off spending more to get the HD 8 model, above, which has a better screen and speakers.

Sure, it’s no powerhouse, but its 7-inch screen is a good size for smaller children, and the tie in with Amazon services make it a great choice for those already deep in the Amazon ecosystem.

For more information, read our Amazon Fire tablet guide.

Verdict: An excellent first tablet for younger users

iPad 9.7-inch

Best for: Kids who are always nabbing your iPad

Everyone knows this classic iPad – in fact, chances are your children already know their way around its friendly user interface better than you do. At $329, it’s hardly cheap, but its beefy A10 processor and large screen make it a great choice for everything from apps to streaming. It’s also reassuringly tough, able to survive the odd knock, and has an excellent 10+ hour battery life.

Should you get the iPad 9.7 or 10.2?

The iPad 9.7 has been surpassed by the newer 10.2-inch iPad. Now, here's where logic goes out the window a bit when it comes to pricing. Even though the iPad 9.7 is smaller, older and lower-spec, it's somehow more expensive than the newer 10.2 model.

So, all in all, we can't think of many reasons to recommend the iPad 9.7 over the newer model. It's still a great tablet, of course, but it all comes down to price – if you can find deal on old stock, snap it up. Otherwise, go for the iPad 10.2.

Fancy an iPad yourself? Check out our guide to the range.

Verdict: The entry-level iPad may not be for the budget-conscious, but it's hard to beat

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition

Best for: Kids after a large screen display

This is Amazon’s top end kids tablet, but it still won’t break the bank. Recently updated with a faster processor, at $199, it’s still considerably cheaper than anything that Apple can offer. Keep in mind that in terms of specs, it’s still no match for the cheapest iPad. If your child isn’t bothered about the ongoing arms race in the tablet world though, and prefers their chips to be served in a Pringles tube rather than on a motherboard, they’ll be more than happy with the Fire 10 HD.

Should you get the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition?

This tablet represents the moment that Amazon's Kids Edition range stops being quite such amazing value. While it's cheaper than an iPad, it's not exactly bargain bucket priced, so have a good think about just how much your child might need that extra-large screen. We feel the 8-inch Amazon Fire tablet is much better value, and size-wise, will suit most young kids just fine.

The 10-inch screen might be a little large for smaller kids, but older children will appreciate the screen real estate for gaming and streaming. But, if those older kids also need something for school work, you're better off getting them the cheapest iPad.

Verdict: A great large screen tablet that's a bit pricier than the rest of Amazon's range

Dragon Touch YXX8

Best for: Tight budgets

Dragon Touch is a highly popular kids brand of tablets on Amazon, no doubt helped by its official Disney tie-in, which offers exclusive apps and stories from the House of Mouse. It’s a standard Android tablet with a kid-friendly interface, and includes typical features like a web browser (albeit one tweaked to only show child friendly content). It’s ace in the hole is the price. At $70, it seems like great value, even compared to the Amazon Fire Kids 7, which costs you thirty bucks more. However, we still think that Amazon’s tablet should be your priority.

Why the Amazon Fire range is better than the Dragon Touch

Why go for an Amazon Fire model over this one (even the cheapest Fire 7)? Well, while the specs between the two models aren’t wildly different, there’s one key area where the YXX8 falls down – the battery only lasts for around 3 hours, compared to 7 hours you get even with the most basic Fire 7. You’ll be constantly charging this while your child impatiently waits for it to be ready. Is that really worth a $30 saving? We don’t think so.

Verdict: Very cheap, but poor battery life is a massive warning sign

Lenovo Tab 4 10

Best for: Those after a larger tablet, but still on a budget

The Lenovo Tab 4 10 is a large screen tablet that offers pretty good value for what you get. At first glance, it might not seem the most obvious choice for a kids tablet, but with a dedicated kid friendly account system that decks out the tablet with a more colorful and easy to use interface, and dedicated cases available too (sold separately), there’s a lot to like here – especially for that $160 price tag. The 32GB memory size might not be too generous, but the inclusion of a Micro SD card slot means you can cheaply add more storage as and when you need it.

Verdict: An excellent budget choice for a large screen tablet

Buying a Tablet for Kids: FAQs

Should I Get an iPad for My Child?

iPads are the most popular tablet on the market, and there’s a reason for that – Apple has been putting out a consistently powerful and desirable product for almost a decade, refining it year by year. Chances are your child already identifies the iPad as THE tablet.

We wouldn’t recommend getting an iPad for a young child or toddler. With the cheapest model costing $329, it’s a big expense to trust in the hands of your offspring, and you’ll be the one that gets upset when they drop it in the toilet or use it as a frisbee. It’s also way too overpowered for anything a small child would want to use it for.

For older kids though, absolutely. The key thing about an iPad is that if you look after it, it will last you, or your loved one, for years – and you won’t need to upgrade for some time. What starts off as an entertainment device for streaming Peppa Pig for a young child, could also still be serving them in a different capacity as a homework tool when they get to school.

How Much Does a Kids Tablet Cost?

The real question is, how much do you want to spend? A kids tablet could be anywhere from $50 (although don’t buy one that cheap) up to $400. It depends on the age of the child, and how much power they need for their device. We think a good starting point is the Amazon Kids Fire 7, which is $99 and a great value tablet for a first device.

Can I Put Parental Controls on a Tablet?

Yes! Most tablets will allow you to adjust at a granular level what your child can have access to, and this is especially true for kid-focused tablets.

Lots of apps now let you set parental controls for screen time – even the World Health Organization recommends cutting back the number of hours children spend on tablets and phones.

You’ll also find that you can restrict access to certain apps, block social media, set age gates for TV and movies, stop your child from playing multiplayer games, or prevent them from downloading any apps without your permission. You can lock up as much, or as little of a tablet as you want, and then can grant access to certain features as the child gets older.

Can I Stop Kids from Buying things on the Tablet?

Absolutely. It will only take you one experience of your darling child spending $50 on in-app purchases or movies for you to find this out. With many apps selling cosmetic items and extra levels, it’s all too easy for a child to nonchalantly click a button and not see the consequences.

All tablets have a verification system in place, which will ask for a password before any purchases can be made. As long as you don’t let slip the password to your child (and don’t make it too easy for them to guess), they’ll have to come to you for sign off on any purchases.

Should I Get a Kid-Focused Tablet?

There are tablets out there aimed at kids that are closer to toys than traditional tablets. The Leap Frog Innotab range is a good example. While they have their place, we don’t necessarily recommend them. Kids will tend to outgrow them fairly quickly, and they can also reinforce the notion that tablets are toys.

If you get a ‘real’ tablet, and teach your child to look after it, it will last them a lot longer than one of these child-focused models. While the kid-friendly interface and ready-to-go apps might appeal, the likes of the Amazon Fire Kids range has an equally good, colorful menu system, and with a little curation, you can download the apps that your child will love best.

Do Tablets Break Easily?

Tablets have been toughened up over the years, with stronger cases and more resilient screens – but there’s only so much hammering they can take. You’ll find that usually those models aimed at children will be more robust, or have dedicated cases.

Amazon has gone all out with its Fire Kids range, offering not only bright, rubbery bumper cases that protect the tablets from drops, but also factoring a 2 year guarantee into the price. If the tablet breaks, for whatever reason, you get a replacement. It’s a wonderful selling point, and one that’s really tough to beat.

If you’re looking at an iPad, we’d suggest also taking out Apple Care for a few dollars a month, to cover the device should it suffer a mishap.

Should I Buy That Cheap Tablet I Saw on Amazon/eBay/Craigslist?

No, probably not. There are plenty of cheap tablets out there, usually from no-name, Chinese manufacturers, with ‘too good to be true’ pricing. We recommend steering clear for several reasons. Firstly, if it’s a brand name you don’t recognise, you can’t be sure of its pedigree, or whether the tablet will even have an English language interface. It’s also likely to offer little to no after-sales support.

Then there are the safety concerns. With cheap imported tablets, you can’t be sure that the devices have gone through the rigorous testing that is demanded by the US Government – for the sake of saving a few dollars, it just isn’t worth the risk.