The best tablets for kids in 2023

Give your youngster a magical mirror—a tablet for kids—that teleports them into the world of shapes, colors, math, science, and never-ending reruns of “Paw Patrol.” You don’t have to be afraid of screens. Today’s tablets for kids are designed to be user-friendly, parent-friendly, durable, and safe. An affordable children’s tablet is not a distraction from the real world but a friendly learning center that helps kids adapt to and navigate thru the modern world. The best kids’ tablets are much more than busy boxes to entertain kids on road trips. And the best tablets for seven to 10-year-olds are more than rubber bricks that play Disney songs. The best tablets for kids are sophisticated, yet simple, tools for learning, playing, and … yes … keeping kids occupied at TGI Fridays.

• Best for toddlers: Animal Island AILA Sit & Play Preschool Learning System
• Best for kids age 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet
• Best for kids age 7 to 10: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet
• Best for kids over 10: Apple iPad
• Best budget: Pritom 7-Inch Kids Tablet

The best tablet for kids: Reviews & Recommendations

The market is flooded with bright, colorful tablets aimed at kids. But some of these tablets are nothing more than an overpriced calculator. Look for trusted brands with a proven track record of creating useful technology. Your children’s tablet should be fun, strong, and functional.  

Best for toddlers: Animal Island AILA Sit & Play Preschool Learning System

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Specs

• Dimensions: 9.25 x 6.5 x 8 inches
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Parental controls: Yes
• Subscription required?: No

Pros

• Parental controls are smartphone accessible
• Sturdy pedestal
• Curated apps and content

Cons

• No robust functionality
• For toddlers

The AILA Sit and Play is not a traditional tablet. The company curates all the apps and content to create a learning experience. (No web surfing, no app store, no subscriptions.) Parents can set up and monitor the tablet on their smartphone. Daily lessons are aimed at children between 12 and 36 months old. It’s a lot of fun for toddlers, but it’s not good for older kids who will get bored by the kiddie content. With its sturdy pedestal, this is the best tablet for toddlers not yet ready to hold a screen. This is more of an early learning tool than a full-blown tablet, so don’t expect robust functionality. 

 Best for kids age 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet

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Specs

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Weight: 1lb.
• Parental controls: Yes
• Subscription required?: Yes

Pros

• Longlasting battery
• Lots of storage
• Durable and sturdy with great warranty

Cons

• Subscription required for ad-free content after free Amazon Kids+ one-year trial

Amazon has become the king of tablets for kids, and with good reason. The colorful and sturdy Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is the latest kid-friendly touch screen and checks all the boxes of a quality tablet. Its 32GB of storage and 2GB of RAM is enough power to run apps and stream videos comfortably. The battery lasts 12 hours, and the eight-inch tablet has decent front and rear cameras (both 2MP). It comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, the subscription service that provides age-appropriate movies, shows, music, and games. (It’s $3 a month after the free trial.) And the parental dashboard is simple and secure for adults to manage. As an added bonus, the device comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee—Amazon will replace the tablet if it breaks or cracks. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is the best tablet for kids too old for baby games and too young for more delicate electronics. 

Best for kids age 7 to 10: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet

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Specs

• Dimensions: 7.4 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 1.6 lbs.
• Parental controls: Yes
• Subscription required?: Yes

Pros

• Great upgrade from Amazon HD 8
• Less lag
• Has a more mature look and feel

Cons

• Subscription required for ad-free content after free Amazon Kids+ one-year trial

The kids’ edition of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Pro has a big, bright HD screen perfect for watching movies and playing games. That’s one of the reasons why this device is a fantastic upgrade from the Amazon HD 8. The bigger model is designed for older kids, with more RAM, better web-surfing capability, and less lag. The protective bumper case is slimmer than the HD 8 and gives the tablet a more mature look and feel. It comes with the same 12 months of Amazon Kids+ and the two-year worry-free guarantee of the Amazon HD 8 tablet for kids. For parents looking to buy a bigger, better tablet for the whole family, the HD 10 Pro is a powerful tool that can take a beating. 

Best for kids over 10: Apple iPad, 10.2-inch

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Specs

• Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x .29 inches
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Parental controls: Yes
• Subscription required?: No

Pros

• Like a portable computer
• Versatile
• Uses beefy A13 bionic chip

Cons

• Expensive
• Delicate

The Apple iPad is the iconic leader of the tablet market. The latest 10.2-inch iPad is a beautiful and elegant device that makes work easier and more fun. The iPad is the perfect portable computer for kids mature enough to handle a delicate tablet. The long list of apps and functions makes it the most versatile tablet on the list. No matter if your kid needs help accomplishing complex school work, or wants their own screen to watch shows and play games, the iPad 10.2 easily handles all digital tasks. Add the intuitive Apple Pencil to get even more out of the tablet. The biggest downside: This device isn’t so good for clumsy kids covered in candy. The iPad is for young adults who know how to use expensive gadgets. And even if the kid is responsible, a sturdy rubber case is recommended to keep the device protected.  

Best budget: Pritom 7-Inch Kids Tablet

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Specs

• Dimensions: 9.1 x 8 x 1.3 inches
• Weight: 1.7 lbs.
• Parental controls: Yes
• Subscription required?: No

Pros

• Cheap
• Great for basics
• Pre-installed apps

Cons

• Might be better off spending more for a device that will last longer

What can you expect from a tablet that costs less than $70? More than you may think. While the Pritom 7-inch tablet is a far cry from the dignified and industrious iPad, this budget-priced Android tablet for kids can accomplish the basics, such as watching YouTube and playing games. It comes with pre-installed apps for children between the ages of two and 12 and has parental controls to manage screen time. But never forget: This is a discount item, which means it’s not as dependable as an Amazon or Apple tablet. You may be better off spending an extra $100 to buy a tablet that will last longer. However, if your young one has the tendency to drop, lose, or toss things into a volcano, an Android tablet like this one is a gadget you won’t worry too much about replacing. 

What to consider when shopping for the best tablets for kids

There’s a big difference between standard tablets and tablets made for kids under the age of 10. Simply put: Don’t hand your clumsy kid an iPad Pro and expect to get it back unscathed. The best tablet for kids should be durable, affordable, and highly controllable. It should also be fun and functional. 

The tablet must be as kid-proof as possible

Imagine throwing a pane of glass into a tornado, and you’ll have a good idea about what a tablet for kids will be up against. The best tablet for eight-year-olds and younger must have tough, rubberized protection around the edge. And the best tablet for a two-year-old should be more rubber than screen if you plan to use it longer than a day. 

Thankfully, some of the biggest brands make strong tablets designed for the wobbly and dirty hands of kids. The rubber shell of these tablets will be thick and round—something a tiny hand can comfortably grasp. But you could cage the screen in Wolverine’s adamantium bones, and kids will still find a way to break, scrap, and scratch the tablet. No tablet is 100 percent kid-proof, so don’t be too angry if a toddler drops the gadget in the toilet. All kids’ tablets are temporary. And a good protection program and warranty are a must. 

For children older than eight, you won’t need as much protection. Plus, some older kids will balk at the idea of using a baby tablet that looks more like a toy than a computer. Older kids should be able to handle a regular tablet, as long as you use a robust case. And always explain to your kids the importance of gadget care. 

Don’t spend too much

If you’re spending more than $300 on a tablet for a kid between the ages of two and eight, you’re probably spending too much. Tablets designed for children are typically more affordable, costing less than $200. 

These tablets will lack the hefty processing power of an iPad Pro or Microsoft Surface Pro. But kids don’t need all that functionality. Unless your five-year-old is a graphic designer using the tablet to create a multimedia campaign for an international sneaker company, they won’t miss the ability to use the full Adobe suite. 

Yes, these lower-priced tablets can be sluggish. But if you streamline the apps, using only what’s important, today’s kid-friendly tablets get the job done at a fraction of the price of professional touch screens. The best tablet for kids is like dinner at a restaurant—don’t order the filet mignon if all they’ll eat is the bread. Stick with the kiddie menu.

Size of the tablet screen and internal storage 

There are smaller and much larger screens, but generally speaking, an eight-inch screen with a 1,280 x 800-pixel resolution is perfect for kids of all ages. This size is big enough to play games and watch videos without being too big and cumbersome for tiny hands. 

Check the specs and look for at least 8GB of storage. The more storage, the better, since you and your family will quickly fill up a tablet with apps, music, photos, and videos. Storage management is a pain for adults and tantrum-inducing for young kids. A microSD card slot can give you extra space, but always be careful with tiny parts around small children. Those cards do look delicious. 

While no one is expecting a kids’ tablet to run at breakneck speeds, find a tablet with at least 2GB of RAM to get apps up and running quickly and smoothly. The more RAM means the easier it will be to run multiple apps at once. 

You have the power: The joys of parental control

The ability to limit screen time and restrict online access is a must. Make sure the tablet is equipped with parental controls. Tablets like the Amazon Fire come equipped with controls that allow parents to set educational goals, reinforcing the idea that this isn’t a toy but a learning device.

The best tablet for kids should also block social media apps. Most social media platforms already have age restrictions, but ingenious kids can find loopholes to gain access. (Lying about your age? What kind of hacker madness is this?) A secure children’s tablet will effectively block the insanity and cruelty of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and any other social media timesuck. 

Parents must, of course, know how parental controls operate. Before handing over a tablet to your child, play around with it and get a feel for the interface and management system. You don’t want to ask your kid for help on this one. 

Is the tablet for school?

Distance learning and virtual classrooms have become a norm during the pandemic, and even in-person education relies on technology to teach. If your child’s school asks students to use a tablet, make sure the tablet you choose can run the necessary apps. For instance, Amazon tablets are great for kids, but they only run proprietary apps. If your school or daycare wants to use third-party programs, the tablet may not be up to the challenge. 

Check with your school. The IT department will have the specs and recommendations for a tablet that can run the right apps. And don’t assume every tablet is the same. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best tablet for kids

• Best for toddlers: Animal Island AILA Sit & Play Preschool Learning System
• Best for kids age 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet
• Best for kids age 7 to 10: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet
• Best for kids over 10: Apple iPad
• Best budget: Pritom 7-Inch Kids Tablet

Screens aren’t going anywhere, and if you want to introduce your kids to a tablet, make sure it’s safe, secure, and parent-friendly. Amazon offers several high-quality tablets for kids of all ages. Younger kids will need a tablet with a big case that’s easy to hold. Older kids will get the most out of an Apple iPad and appreciate all it can accomplish. Look for a good warranty because any tablet for kids is susceptible to falls and scratches. And when in doubt, look for a brand you know and trust, like Amazon or Apple. Or, pick up a budget-priced tablet if you just need something your kids can play with in the car.

Why trust us

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to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.