
Medically Reviewed by: Dr Amanda Gummer
Smart tech plays a huge role in our lives these days so choosing the best tablet for your kids can make all the difference in both their lives, and yours.
With much debate regarding staying safe online and if screen time is actually bad for kids, it's natural to wonder if your child really needs a tablet and you may have concerns that it might have a negative effect on them. However, when monitored, an age-appropriate tablet can keep your little one entertained and also be a useful educational tool.
A carefully chosen, durable tablet that's easy to use, and equipped with appropriate parental controls is crucial for ensuring a safe digital environment. Additionally, you may want to consider other factors like screen size, battery life, cost, and portability which all contribute to the overall convenience for both children and parents. Ultimately, the best tablet strikes a balance between functionality for the child and security for the parent.

To gain expert insight, we spoke to child psychologist, Dr Amanda Gummer to get her tips on managing screen time for kids. She believes that tablets, when managed appropriately, can be a valuable part of a child's daily life. "Embracing a balanced approach to screen time can help parents navigate the modern digital landscape with confidence and support their children’s growth and learning."
Best tablets for kids at a glance:
How we chose and tested these tablets for kids
Like all our product recommendations, the best tablets for kids are chosen based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field, to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product.
At times when we can’t get our hands on something personally, we’ll select products only from reputable brands, scouring reviews, forums and real parent experience to ensure all products are fit for use and deserve a space in your home.
To fully put these tablets through their paces, we called on our team of mum testers to try them out over a few weeks with their children. We asked them to consider various factors including how easy they were to use - kids need something that is simple and straightforward, that they can use independently. They also looked at the parental controls, durability, the apps/entertainment, battery life (important for everyone's sanity), the camera and the value for money they offered. We also asked them to give each a score out of 5 and score each of the criteria individually.
By thoroughly testing these key aspects of a kids' tablet, we’ve been able to compare and contrast each to be sure that you’re getting the most in-depth and firsthand feedback from parents just like you, helping you to make an informed decision when buying the best tablet for your child.
Find out more about how we test products for Mother&Baby by visiting our How We Test page.
Best tablets for kids
Best children's tablet overall

Designed with children in mind, thanks to the included bump-proof case, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet is very easy for young children to use. It offers a range of free apps and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, so your little one will be entertained with advert-free books, games, videos and apps.
Our parent reviewer, Ed, liked the protective cover, saying, "It boasts a robust foam case, which has proven essential for durability in small, clumsy hands."
You can have peace of mind with parental controls to help prevent any potential (and often unwanted) in-app purchases without permission, thanks to the easy-to-use Parent Dashboard. This allows you to control what your child can access, and you can have four separate profiles, which is ideal if you have children of different ages using the same tablet. This has the added bonus that the tablet will grow with your child, providing access to more apps and content as they age.
Parents thought the parent controls were particularly helpful; one reviewer said that she likes “that I can set screen times for different categories of apps and set the tablet to stop working at a chosen time every day”.
While it's aimed at three to seven-year-olds, our tester felt that it was a little tricky for his three-year-old child to navigate without help. "In many ways, the tablet feels more like an adult device repackaged for children. While the parental controls are easy to set up and provide good security, navigating the tablet and switching profiles is not intuitive. This lack of intuitiveness extends to general usage; my 5-year-old manages with minimal help, but my 3-year-old struggles significantly." Therefore, this may be better for children towards the top of the suggested 3-7 years age range.
Our tester was impressed with the battery life and memory. "The battery life is impressive, easily lasting through long car journeys with a full film viewing. Performance-wise, the tablet handles apps and games swiftly enough to keep impatient kids satisfied. Storage hasn’t been an issue; we’ve downloaded plenty of apps and films without any problems. Connectivity is seamless, and it stays connected to WiFi without a hitch."
It also has a 2-year guarantee and comes in three colours, so if you have multiple tablets to avoid arguments between children, you’ll easily know whose is whose!
Read our full Amazon Fire 8 review
Pros
- It comes with a sturdy case to protect it from bumps
- Adjustable age filters and parental controls
- Can set screen times for different categories of apps
- Can set the tablet to stop working at a chosen time every day
- Can load four separate profiles for different ages kids
- Three colours to choose from
- Good battery life for long car journeys with full film viewing
- Plenty of storage for apps and films
Cons
- Difficult for younger children to navigate - not very intuitive
Display: | 8"HD |
Screen resolution: | 1280 x 800 |
Storage: | 32 GB |
Battery life: | Up to 13 hours |
Guarantee: | 2-years |
Camera: | 2.0 MP front and 2.0 MP rear camera |
- Kid-proof case
- Easy-to-use parent dashboard
- Free 1-year Amazon kids subscription
Best tablet for older children

This children's tablet is the perfect in-between for school-age children where they can feel like they have a more grown-up device whilst parental controls are still enabled. With a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, they'll have access to thousands of apps and games, audiobooks, and videos. They can also use the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet to make voice and video calls and browse the web safely and securely.
The parental controls are popular with users. Mum tester, Gabby notes that she could "download the Amazon kids app on my phone, where I could add time limits to enable and disable specific features like web browsers where certain websites can be blocked. The time limits work wonders on school nights when trying to negotiate a balance of screen time and school work."
Speed was a key factor in many parents’ 5* reviews, and our mum tester Gabby also picked this feature out as a particular highlight, saying, “We were also so impressed that a 2-hour movie downloaded in just a few minutes”.
Mum tester Rebecca loved the wide range of content her kids could access, including books, games, streaming services and the camera/video. However, she pointed out that "much of this content is part of the Amazon Kids+ subscription, so it'll be interesting to see how much they can do without it. Saying that most of their time on the tablet is spent on streaming films from Disney and playing games they've downloaded, and these are outside the Amazon Kids+ subscriptions."
Rebecca did notice that "it's not possible to switch between profiles when you're outside WIFI which makes it hard if you are on a car journey and trying to share the tablet between the kids." It's also worth noting that "you can't change the parental controls outside WIFI, so if you're on a long car journey, and their time limit runs out, you can't extend it... as we discovered!"
Some reviewers seems confused about whether it was possible to get YouTube Kids on this tablet -but you can add YouTube Kids to your child's profile by going to the Parent Dashboard, navigating to the Content tab, and selecting the child profile.
Read our full Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet review.
Pros
- 10.1-inch screen with 1080p Full HD display
- Children can request apps pending parent approval
- A Parental Controls app allows you to control settings from your phone
- The time limit is useful when negotiating a balance of screen time and school work
- Downloads a two-hour movie in minutes
- Four colours to choose from
Cons
- Reviewers were confused if YouTube Kids is available on an Amazon Fire tablet
- A lot of the content is part of the Amazon Kids+ subscription
- Not possible to switch between profiles when you're outside WIFI
- Can't change parental controls outside WIFI - if time limit runs out you can't extend it
Display: | 10.1"HD |
Screen resolution: | 1920 x 1200 |
Storage: | 32GB |
Battery life: | Up to 13 hours |
Guarantee: | 2 years |
Camera: | 5.0 MP front and 5.0 MP rear camera |
- 2-year guarantee
- Energy efficient
- Tablet case with built-in stand
- Suitable for ages 6-12 years
Best Amazon Fire children's tablet

Designed with children in mind, this children's tablet comes with a kid-proof case to prevent accidental breakages, a kickstand for comfortable watching, and parental controls. As with the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet in our number one slot, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet includes one year of Amazon Kids+ and offers access to lots of learning games that feel like fun, as well as apps like Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer Kids.
While the content is the same, our mum tester, Gabby, thought “the 10.1inch screen and the 32Gb of memory was a massive improvement from (her daughter’s) previous 7in 16GB Fire kids tablet”. Another reviewer agreed that the larger screen was a plus, saying, “I’ve bought smaller versions in the past, but the bigger version is much better for watching things on and navigating around the screen”.
Parents liked the “dual camera which can easily be switched between rear and front-facing camera”, and the larger 32GB memory which allowed the “quick download of a few movies from Disney ready for a long car journey.” It’s got an impressive battery life of 13 hours, which reviewers noted was “great for children who want it and want it now!”.
Read our full Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet review.
Pros
- Kid-proof case with stand allows you to stand it up rather than holding it
- The larger screen is great for watching films and navigating around
- Quick download of movies
- Impressive 13 hour battery life
- Parental controls allow you to set limits on content and screen time
- Three colours to choose from
Cons
- Limited range of colours
- It uses a different charger than other Amazon products
Display: | 10.1"HD |
Screen resolution: | 1920 x 1200 |
Storage: | 32GB |
Battery life: | Up to 12 hours |
Guarantee: | 2 years |
Camera: | 2.0 MP front and 5.0 MP rear camera |
- Bumper protective case
- 2-year guarantee
- 1 year Amazon kids
Best affordable children's tablet

This powerful Android tablet for children boasts 32GB of memory, with an in-built iWawa app that gives you plenty of control over access and screen time, as well as the option to download other apps from Google Play. With up to 6 hours of battery life, it should provide entertainment for a long car journey.
While parents were impressed with the large 10.1 inch screen, some also said the “battery life is great” and praised the parental controls. However others reported issues with the longevity of the tablet. Though it has a child-proof casing and claims to be shock-proof, some reviewers felt it could be more cushioned and protective.
Pros
- Easy to use for little ones
- Large 10.1-inch screen for better viewing
- 32GB of memory for storing multiple apps
- Parental controls let you choose the content and age restrictions
- Two colours to choose from
Cons
- The case could be more cushioned and protective
Display: | 10.1"HD |
Screen resolution: | 1024 x 600 |
Storage: | 32GB |
Battery life: | Up to 6 hours |
Guarantee: | N/A |
Camera: | 2.0 MP front and 5.0 MP rear camera |
- Carry handle
- Expandable storage with SD card
- Pre-installed apps
Best lite children's tablet

This children's tablet is incredibly child-friendly, with many safety features already pre-installed, including the ability to set screen-time limits, prevent unwanted app downloads and allow safe internet use. It is preloaded with 40 learning apps and games which children seem to enjoy, with one parent saying, “On the part of my child, there is a clear thumbs up, a purchase recommendation from me.”
It has a seven-inch touch screen that “fits comfortably in children's hands and can be operated intuitively and safely” and a 16 GB memory, which is less than the others we reviewed. Some reviewers felt the battery life could be improved.
Pros
- 40 preinstalled apps and games
- Parent controls allow you to limit screen limit
- Easy to use and smaller for little hands
- Intuituve and safe operation
Cons
- Reviewers felt the battery life could be better
Display: | 7" |
Screen resolution: | 1024x600 |
Storage: | 16GB |
Battery life: | N/A |
Guarantee: | N/A |
Camera: | 2.0 MP front and 2.0 MP rear camera |
- Child safety features
- Protective case
- Screen limit control
6.
Apple iPad (10th generation)
Best Apple iPad for kids

While an iPad might feel a little extravagant for kids, this 10th-generation iPad has lots of kid-friendly features and is great for older children. We'd suggest it has the potential to be an iPad for all the family, as our reviewer, Steph, notes. "I think where the iPad 10th generation comes into its own is with the versatility it offers users, whether you want to use it for downtime or work. Not only is it ideal for creatives and professionals, but it’s also been made with children and families in mind too," she said after testing the iPad. However, she does note that "it would be good to be able to have multiple accounts on the one tablet, to make it easier for multiple people to use without changing the other user’s settings. This is possible with the Amazon Fire 10 Pro, though this is certainly aimed more at kids.
The Apple iPad has 64GB memory storage, which is double that of many of the tablets on our list, as well as a 10.9-inch screen and an Apple A14 Bionic Chip for impressive speed and power. It's ideal for older children and teens who might want to be creative, with a superb 12MP ultra-wide front camera and a 12MP wide camera on the back to capture images sharply.
It can also be combined with a smart keyboard and Apple pencil 1st generation, so it could be helpful as a homework tool. Our tester, Steph, pointed out that you can set up Screen Time, which can keep track of how family members are using their devices, making it easier to manage your child’s screen time. "These tools not only accommodate personal preferences but create an adaptable learning environment for all kinds of learners so that everyone can get the most out of the iPad."
It also has 10 hours of battery life, so it won't let your little one down when they are in the middle of their favourite game. Reviewers appreciated how long the battery lasts and how quickly it charges, with one saying, “They charge quickly, which is fantastic; the kids don’t have to wait long before they’re up and running again”. As Steph points out, it comes in more fun colours than previous iPads, so it is fun for kids (and grown-ups who remember the old iPods!).
One thing to note is that there's no headphone jack, but Bluetooth headphones should fill the gap here and our list of the best kids headphones has a number of good Bluetooth options.
Read our full Apple iPad 10th generation review
Pros
- Access to Apple's apps and safety features
- Good battery life and charges quickly
- Large screen and excellent display
- Ideal for older children and young teens
- Can be combined with a smart keyboard and Apple pencil 1st generation
- The camera is better than any others we reviewed
- Comes in lots of fun colours
Cons
- Maybe not as robust as other models designed for children
- There is no headphone jack - you'll need to purchase Bluetooth headphones separately
- It would be good to be able to have multiple accounts on the one tablet
Display: | 10.9 inch |
Screen resolution: | 2360 x 1640 pixels |
Storage: | 64 GB |
Battery life: | 10 hours |
Camera: | 12.0 MP front and 12.0 MP rear camera |
- Large screen
- Compatible with Apple Pencil
- 64GB storage
- 10 hours battery life
- Lightning charger connection
Best tablet for the family

This is a great tablet for families, so it’s likely you’ll appreciate it just as much as your little one, which makes it a better value for money. It is the first tablet with a charging speaker dock, meaning it can double as a hub for your smart home. Reviewers liked this versatility and the fact the “tablet can be docked and still be used as it charges”. The 10.9-inch screen and display of 1600 x 2560 pixels meant reviewers described it as "crystal clear”, and our tester Maria said, "The 10.95-inch screen is honestly big enough for our little family of four to watch it together". The audio also gained good feedback, with the additional speaker dock improving the tablet's audio.
It has an impressive battery life of up to 11 hours and 128GB storage so you shouldn’t need to worry about it slowing down or running out of battery while your little one is using it. Operating on Android, it's great for online safety and you can set controls to monitor screen time as well as individual profiles for family members. Reviewers appreciated the peace of mind this brought, and our mum tester, Maria, appreciated the versatility, which allowed her to "have my adult profile, which I can password protect to keep things like my banking apps safe. I also have a kids' profile for my son".
Both of our mum testers, Maria and Stephanie, felt it could be improved with a child-friendly case as it made it more risky to take out of the house, with Stephanie saying, "Since the case doesn’t have a screen cover, I personally don’t like to take it out and about too much".
Read our full Google Pixel Tablet review.
Pros
- It comes with a charging speaker dock.
- You can set up individual profiles for added control and versatility
- A larger screen than others makes it great for watching films
- It has 128BG of storage, so plenty of space for films and apps
- It can be used as a home hub, speaker, and tablet
Cons
- No kid-proof case of screen cover available
Display: | 10.9 inch |
Screen resolution: | 1600 x 2560 |
Storage: | 128GB |
Battery life: | 11 hours |
Guarantee: | 2 years |
Camera: | 8.0 MP front and 8.0 MP rear camera |
- It comes with charging speaker dock
- Large screen
- Great for all the family
- Doubles as a hub for your smart home
- Long battery life
8.
PRITOM Kids Tablet
Best children's tablet with sturdy design

This tablet is available in two colours and is perfect for keeping the little ones entertained safely without the higher price tag of some other tablets. The case of the PRITOM Kids Tablet is nice and sturdy and made from soft silicone, so it’s nice to hold but also has a stand for ease. Alongside access to apps, it has a front and rear facing camera so budding photographers can click away. A clever night light feature allows you to adjust the screen to protect children's eyes.
While you can download apps or programs from Google Play, it also comes with several pre-installed kid-friendly apps for the children to play with. You can set up Parental Controls, including filtering content by age, setting screen time limits, choosing the content they see and blocking inappropriate websites and apps. The parents praised the “age-appropriate games installed, and screen quality is really good”.
Some parents felt the battery life could be better, though one noted that this isn’t an issue as “once the battery ran out, that’s their screen time for the day gone.” Overall, people felt it was a good option at a lower price point than most and “great quality for the price.”
Pros
- Budget friendly
- Parental controls allow you to limit screen time and choose age-appropriate content
- Clever night light feature allows you to adjust the screen to protect children's eyes
- Comes with several pre-installed kid-friendly apps for the children to play with
- Suitable for ages 2-12 years
- Includes a sturdy case with a stand
Cons
- The battery runs down quickly, so it may need charging more than others
Display: | 7"HD |
Screen resolution: | 1024 x 600 |
Storage: | 32GB |
Battery life: | Up to 4 hours |
Guarantee: | N/A |
Camera: | 2.0 MP front and 3.0 MP rear camera |
- Preinstalled apps
- Parental control
- Childproof case
- Night light feature to protect eyes
How to choose the best tablet for your child
First off, think about how clumsy kids can be – you definitely want something durable and high on your list should be parental controls. Some tablets give you control over how long they are used, as well as restricting access to sites and apps as you want to be able to keep an eye on what they're doing and set limits. Also ask yourself, is it easy to use? Because if it's complicated, everyone will just get frustrated.
Screen quality and size is important especially if some children have specific visual needs as you don't want them straining their eyes. Similarly if you think that a bigger screen will be better will it be tricky for little hands to hold? If your child loves taking pictures on their travels or gaming, then think about how much storage it has and don't forget all those entertainment apps/features. Also check the battery life - no one wants a tablet that dies halfway through a long plane ride or road trip.
The more features that are packed into a tablet means the price increases so think carefully about what you actually do and don't need before making your purchase.

Kids tablets safety
Do kids need tablets?
A lot of families were introduced to the educational benefits of tablets during Covid and it has stuck; some schools send homework via apps like Teams which helps children build their confidence with these devices. Kids can also read, colour, play games on tablets so it can keep them entertained when really necessary. The key is finding a tablet that also lets parents keep things safe, with features that control how long they use it and what they can see.
What age should kids be using or not using tablets?
In some households older children have a tablet, so the younger ones want one too. You know your child best and if you're still on the fence, the best thing would be to get an age-appropriate model as they are designed to be durable and made for little hands. Most of a baby's brain develops in the first two years of life so experts recommend waiting until after they are two before introducing them to a tablet. If you can wait longer, that's even better.
Screen time advice and limits
Recommendations for screen time limits, as issued by Health Professionals for Safer Screens are as follows:
• 2-5 year olds: 30 minutes per day and not to be used two hours before bed.
• 6-10 year olds: 1-2 hours per day and nothing within the first hour of waking or an hour before bed.
• 11-17 year olds: up to 2 hours per day and nothing within the first hour of waking or an hour before bed.
It's fine for children to have some screen time, but allocate some time to play with toys, do jigsaws, read kids’ books, and stretch those legs outdoors. Studies have shown a clear link between excessive screen time and certain issues such as delayed speech and language development, short-sightedness, communication difficulties, poor sleep and mental health problems.
Dr Amanda Gummer recommends having screen-free zones around the house to promote a more healthy relationship. "If you’re fortunate to have the space, then dedicate an area for drawing, music or reading, and if space is limited, then consider making certain times of the day screen-free, but make it so that everyone in the household complies - for this to be effective it can’t be just about the kids!"
Balance is key when kids start using tablets, it's worthwhile for parents to set clear limits and boundaries early on to help children develop healthy digital habits.
Staying safe online and parental controls
Whether you choose Apple or Android, your kid's tablet should have an option to add controls. Apple suggest creating an Apple ID for your child to set aged-based controls limiting the content they can access. Also consider keeping track of usage, setting time limits, not forgetting setting a bedtime to make sure your little one has screen-free time before they sleep.
Also, consider the physical impact of screens on children’s eyes and ensure your little one regularly has enough distance from the screen. Apple has introduced new Vision Health features, including Screen Distance on Family Sharing, which automatically sets a screen distance for children under 13 and blocks the screen if they use it too closely for too long.
As with all aspects of your child's life, it's important to communicate and show interest in what your children are watching, learning, and being intrigued by online. Dr Gummer says, "If they are old enough to be on social media, then take an active interest in their platforms, be within their network and tackle challenging topics together. Involving children in their own screen time planning and activity will foster independence, responsibility and self-awareness, which are all really important for developing healthy screen habits later in life."
Should my child be watching YouTube?
It's pretty hard to avoid and most children start off with watching familiar shows like Bluey and Peppa. It is also great for education and crafty videos where kids can learn new things and learn to draw or make things.
YouTube introduced YouTube Shorts, their version of TikToks and Instagram Reels: short-form videos that last a few seconds. These appear throughout and children can easily click them to watch which may eventually expose them to content that is not suitable. The best thing to do is use parental locks and watch videos with them if you can. It's also a good idea to openly communicate with them about some of the potential dangers.

Kids tablets FAQs
How to make screen time educational and fun?
Obviously, tablets have to be fun too. It can’t be all controls and limits, but there are lot of ways children can learn using their tablets and also be entertained. As Dr Gummer told Mother&Baby, "engaging in age appropriate shows, interactive games and content can really be beneficial to learning and overall well-being." Her practical tips on CBeebies offer guidance on screen time and how parents can embrace the screen and use it to actually empower learning.
Consider streaming services such as Disney+, where they can watch films and TV shows when they need to have a rest after a busy day or on a long journey. There are lots of educational apps for toddlers, which include interactive games supporting development with maths and shape and colour recognition. something like the Apple Pencil is a great tool to both entertain and educate. Tablets give kids independence to learn and play while at the same time providing parents with an opportunity to monitor and limit what they see and do.
What are the benefits of a kids' tablet?
Kids' tablets can offer interactive learning experiences, customisable features, fun and educational games like colouring, jigsaw puzzles, reading and more.
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About the experts
Dr Amanda Gummer
Dr Amanda Gummer is a child development expert who founded The Good Play Guide in 2012. Amanda has a PhD in Neuropsychology, a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and over 20 years of experience working with children and families. Having worked in children’s industries for many years, Amanda is now widely considered as the UK’s go-to expert on play, toys and child development.
Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.