Tablets for kids: The best children’s tablets for 2024

The best children's tablets

by Laura Healy |
Updated on

Smart tech plays a huge role in our lives these days, and with your little one getting older, you might be thinking that it's time to start shopping for the best tablets for kids.

With much debate at the moment regarding staying safe online and if screen time is actually bad for kids, it's only natural to worry if your child really needs a tablet and have concerns that it might have a negative effect on them. However, when monitored, an age-appropriate tablet can not only keep your little one entertained, but tablets for kids can also be used for educational purposes. There are so many apps for your toddler, too, which can benefit their development, especially as they get older and start getting ready for school.

We spoke to Child Psychologist, Dr Amanda Gummer to get her tips on managing screen time for kids, and as she says, tablets can be a useful part of everyday life when managed appropriately. "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:

Best children's tablet overall

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet

Best tablet for older children

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet

Best children's tablet with sturdy design

PRITOM Kids Tablet

Best Amazon Fire children's tablet

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet

With a wide range of tablets aimed at children these days, you can choose between a less expensive but still sturdy model or a more high-tech tablet that will last them for several years. Regardless though, a children's tablet should be tough or at least be compatible with a child-proof tablet cover to prevent any damage.

How we tried and tested these kids' tablets

When selecting the best tablets for kids, we have a number of ways to make sure that what we’re recommending is the best available for you and your little one. By combining real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers, the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team, and insights from our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe, we’re able to discover the products mums really like best and why, helping us highlight those that meet what you really want.

For the essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested, and you can find full reviews from our mum testers provided on the product page. The winners and runners-up for each category then appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team. Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.

Testing the best tablets for kids

To fully put these tablets through their paces, we called on our team of mum testers to try them out over the course of a few weeks with their children. We asked them to consider various factors that we know to be important to parents when they’re looking for the best tablet to entertain their little ones. These included how easy they were to use, the parental controls, durability, the apps/entertainment, 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 and reviewing 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. For instance, our Amazon Fire 8 tester felt it was fine for his 5 year old, but too difficult to navigate for his 3 year old, despite it being recommended for 3-7 year olds.

A number of the tablets are still being put through their paces with our testers and we'll be updating this guide with our findings once they've been thoroughly tried and tested.

Best tablets for kids

Best children's tablet overall

Expert rating:
4.0
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet ©MOTHER&BABY

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 load four profiles so children of all ages can see the content that's appropriate for their age
  • Three colours to choose from
  • Suitable for ages 3–7
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Difficult for younger children to navigate
  • Ease of use
    3.0
  • Parental Controls/Online safety
    4.0
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Apps/Games/Entertainment value
    3.0
  • Camera
    4.0
  • Value for Money
    3.0
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

Expert rating:
4.0
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet©MOTHER&BABY

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, and our mum tester, Gabby, “liked that I 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!"

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
  • Four colours to choose from

Cons

  • Some reviewers questioned whether you could get YouTube Kids on an Amazon Fire tablet.
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Parental Controls/Online safety
    4.0
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Apps/Games/Entertainment value
    5.0
  • Camera
    5.0
  • Value for Money
    4.0
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 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

  • Parental controls allow you to limit screen time and choose age appropriate content
  • Suitable for ages 2-12 years
  • Includes a sturdy case with a stand

Cons

  • The battery runs down quickly so 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

Best Amazon Fire children's tablet

Expert rating:
4.5
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet ©MOTHER&BABY

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
  • 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

Kids Tablet Veidoo Android Tablet
Price: £59.99

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, said the “battery life is great” and praised the parental controls, some reviewers 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

Expert rating:
4.0

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 limit screen limit
  • Easy to use and smaller for little hands

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

Best Apple iPad for kids

iPad 10th Generation being used with a keyboard and cover stand©MOTHER&BABY

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 and 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 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 Bluetooth options.

Read our fullApple 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
  • The camera is better than any others we reviewed

Cons

  • Maybe not as robust as other models designed for children
  • There is no headphone jack, so you will need to purchase Bluetooth headphones separately
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

Expert rating:
4.5
©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £1285.00
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=eb32892e8a408657289072c26bd927b5&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DRZHQksDHUpPFkMeVlNCUlVfF1NYX0xCGVIhcx8HUlYlHgIICQFSBwhAVVULDGR7eXx6YHlXAQNUVg4%3D&x=v1

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
  • 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 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
  • Comes with charging speaker dock
  • Large screen
  • Great for all the family
  • Doubles as a hub for your smart home
  • Long battery life

What to look for in the best tablets for kids

When choosing a tablet for your children, make sure to find one with a sturdy, shock-proof, and child-proof case. You don't want to invest in pricey technology and then find it being flung off the sofa and breaking on day one.

Always check what parental controls there are; you'll find that some tablets for kids give you control over how long they are used, as well as restricting access to sites and apps, plus several filter websites to only show certain vetted sites.

Also, have a look at what size screen you want to buy; you might think that a bigger screen will be better as it's easier to see, but will it be tricky for little hands to hold?

Of course, choosing a tablet that's appropriate to the age of your child will ensure they get the most out of their device.

Which is the right tablet for your kid?

It really depends on what your child needs and what best suits your family. There are so many tablets out there which are great for adults and kids, but they come in at different prices and have many different features. Some tablets are great to grow with your child and will entertain and educate them for years, while some are aimed at the younger years. Also, consider battery life; there is nothing more frustrating for your child (and you!) if the tablet needs to be charged constantly. Also, you know your child best, and if you think they need some controls to manage screen time, then consider the features each tablet has with regards to online safety and parental controls.

Should young children have screen time?

As parents we know how hard it is to avoid screen time completely. Not only do little ones want to have time on their devices, to wind down and rest after school, but also we sometimes need to get things done and screen time gives us a chance to do that. Tablets are also useful for homework and they can be both educational and entertaining.

It is fine for children to have screen time, but maybe consider setting a few parental controls to ensure your little one is both safe online and also that they still have time to play with toys, do jigsaws, read kids’ books, and go outside. Dr Amanda Gummer also recommends having screen-free zones around the house to tie in with these activities and promote a more healthy relationship with the tablet (and your phone!).

"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!"

How to keep children safe online

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 now 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 talk and show interest in what your children are watching, learning, and being intrigued by online. As 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."

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.

How did we choose the best kids tablets?

When looking at the best kids’ tablets, we considered:

Durability: We all know how rough children can be with their toys, but when it’s a tablet which has cost a lot, we don’t want it to easily get damaged. We considered if they have kid-friendly cases, or are at least compatible with a suitable case, and also checked the guarantee.

How easy they are to use: Sometimes kids know how to use technology better than adults, but still, they need something that is simple and straightforward. Younger children especially will get frustrated if the tablet is too complicated and they can’t use it independently.

Online safety: It is important to ensure children are safe online and also that their screen time is limited, therefore tablets with parental controls are brilliant for kids.

Cost: Tablets can be expensive, and when you are buying one for a three-year-old, that can be a worry! Little ones will not appreciate how much they cost and will be as rough with a tablet as they are with a teddy.

Battery life: There is nothing worse than a frustrated toddler! A tablet with reliable battery life is important for everyone's sanity. If your little one uses a tablet to entertain themselves on long car journeys, you don't want it running out of battery halfway through. Also, older children won't need excuses not to do their homework if they use their tablet, so a good battery life is key.

Ultimately, the best tablets for kids work for your family and give you the benefit of education and entertainment while maintaining control and not breaking the bank.

Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.

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, the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and over 20 years’ 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.

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