Kids growing up today have some pretty amazing gear, but with a lot of expensive choices, you’ve got the worry that they’ll quickly grow out of it. Also, just how safe is it to be staring at those screens all day?
Today we’re going to talk about the best tablets for kids and let you know what features make them stick out. We’ll talk about durability, features, parental controls, and more so that we can make it just a bit easier for you to choose the best tablet for your kids.
Let’s get started with why it’s a good idea to get a child-specific tablet.
The need for buying tablets specifically designed for kids
Tablets pack many awesome features into those pretty little displays, but that same technology is also quite fragile. To combat the chances of that expensive tech being dropped, the best tablets for kids are generally going to need a little armor. Some models come with a rubberized frame that should handle quite a few drops, so you’ll want to make sure that you go with one of these.
Parental controls are also a consideration. The internet is an excellent source of information, but there are a lot of websites you don’t want your kids bumping into. So the best tablet for kids in this regard is one that can give you a little content control. As a bonus, if they are spending a little too much time playing, then these controls can let you lock them out of messenger programs and the like so that they will focus on learning.
Finally, you also want to make sure that the tablet that you select is upgradable. You don’t want to spend a lot on tech’ that’s only going to be suitable for a few months, and this is where things can get a little trickier when it comes to finding the best tablet for kids. Later in this article, as we present our top 4 best tablets for kids, we’ll let you know some of the product highlights so that you can select the best tablet for durability, controlled access, and expandability.
Differences between tablets for adults and tablets for kids
The most significant difference between tablets for adults and those for kids is the shell design and the built-in software. Due to that ‘drop factor,’ a good tablet for a kid will be rugged, reliable, and inexpensive (or well-warrantied). Adult tablets tend to be thinner, more fragile, and often cost significantly more. So, how do you choose the best tablet for kids?
How to choose the best tablet for kids
We’ve compiled together an assortment of tablets that have a little bit of everything. Some are more durable, for instance, while others will be more compatible with expansion and extra functionality. This lets you choose a tablet that is a better fit specifically for your child. While every child’s needs will be a little different, we’ve listed some of the product highlights for each so that you can weigh the pros and cons on your own to help find the best tablet for your kids.
Top 4 recommended tablets for kids 2021
While the market is congested with ‘the best tablets for kids, we could winnow down the competition to 4 of the best options available out there. Each one is fairly durable and comes with several features that we think that your kids will love. Our first ‘best tablet for kids’ comes from Amazon.
Tablet #1 – Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
Our first selection is one of the best tablets for kids. The Amazon Fire HD 8 has a rugged rubber bumper that should withstand a lot of wear and tear, and Amazon even provides a 2-year ‘no questions asked’ warranty to boot. That said, the cover is pretty easy to remove, so you’ll still want to keep an eye on your kids when they are playing with it just in case they get a little too curious about the packaging. Battery life on this model is an impressive 10 hours, so you won’t have to spend an excessive amount of time charging it.
Product highlights at a glance:
- Durable build
- Generous 2-year warranty
- 32 GB built-in memory
- Free age-appropriate content is available
What we liked about this tablet
This design is rugged enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about it. It’s got an 8-inch screen with a brilliant 1280 x 800 resolution — a good-looking little tablet. With the 2-year warranty thrown in and all the free content, this was one of our favorite tablets.
What could make this the best tablet for kids
The specialized content can be a little limiting as well, as it is added through the ‘play’ store and specially selected, so you might not get access to all of the apps that your kid might want to load on it. The speakers on this model are not very loud, either, though this might make the tablet a little more attractive for some parents.
Tablet #2 – Lenovo Tab 4 8-inch
Next up, we have the Lenovo Tab 4, and this model has an 8-inch 1280 x 800 screen like the Amazon tablet. This model is a good choice for slightly older kids, as the content is not going to be as ‘locked’ except what you set up with their optional $20 ‘kids pack’ add-on. This add-on not only lets you control the content, but you can set ‘play limits’ with apps if you like, and it also comes with a protective case that is reasonably durable. It has a pretty good battery life, and with the expanded features, this is a tablet that they won’t tire of anytime soon. This is the best tablet for kids that are a little more mature.
Product highlights at a glance:
- Good battery life
- Looks more like an ‘adult’ tablet
- The case is pretty durable
- 16GB onboard memory, upgradable to 128GB
What we liked about this tablet
We liked the added functionality on this, and this model gives you an authentic Android experience, which means that you can expand it as needed. The mature look was also quite appealing for older kids who might resent a ‘too armored’ tablet. The audio on this tablet is excellent, with Dolby Atmos speakers producing excellent sound with this tablet.
What could make this the best tablet for kids
The camera on the front of this tablet is not the best, but beyond this, we liked the Lenovo Tab 4.
Tablet #3 – Apple iPad Air 2019
It’s impossible to exclude Apple when it comes to the best tablets for kids, and this iPad Air 2019 is a great example. It is much more affordable than the 12.9 inch iPad pro but still gives you the kind of performance you expect from Apple. The a12 chipset powering means that it performs with little or no delay, and the 10-inch display is gorgeous, with a resolution of 2224 x 1668. This model also supports Apple’s ‘smart keyboard’ so you can even give your kids a head-start on typing. Battery life on this model is also perfect, lasting in at just under 12 hours. The Apple iPad Air is one of the best tablets for kids.
Product highlights at a glance:
- Excellent battery life
- Fast performance
- Beautiful 10.5-inch display
- 64GB internal memory
What we liked about this tablet
Apple products tend to speak for themselves, and this iPad Air is no exception. This is a super-fast tablet that will run just about any content, and the keyboard is quite a clever addition.
What could make this the best tablet for kids
You will still need to armor this tablet up with a good cause, and this might not be the best fit if your child is a little more on the destructive side. That said, it is a great tablet for older, more responsible kids and not one that they will get bored with anytime soon.
Tablet #4 – Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition
If you want something a little bigger for your child, this Amazon Fire HD model has a bright, good-looking 10-inch display. It also sports Amazon’s 2-year warranty so that you’ll worry less about it and comes with some preloaded content, so you’ll have to worry less about spending the day setting up your child’s new tablet. Battery life on this model is superb at 13.5 hours, making this a definite contender for kids’ best tablets.
Product highlights at a glance:
- Excellent battery life
- Large, bright display
- 2-year warranty to protect your investment
- 32GB internal memory
What we liked about this tablet
The battery life on this unit is our favorite feature, but the added durability and that super-warranty certainly don’t hurt, either. This is a good little tablet that can take a bit of roughhousing, and that’s exactly what you need for most kids.
What could make this the best tablet for kids
The camera on this model is not the greatest, but it does fine for video chats. Beyond this, we really couldn’t find anything wrong with this model. It’s strong, performs well, and can take many drops, making this one of the best tablets for kids.
So, which one was our absolute favorite?
If you’d ask us to recommend only one from our list, we’d have to say that we liked the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition. This is one of the best tablets for kids that we’ve seen, and it’s rugged enough that you should get a lot of use out of it.
While you could go with the iPad for the extra resolution and the keyboard, even if your kid is responsible, you’ll be worried anytime the neighbor’s kids are around. With the Amazon, you get a large screen, good battery life, built-in parental controls, and it’s a great deal more sturdy.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is simply one of the best tablets for kids, and yours will love it!