For busy parents, tablets have become a viable asset to keep kids entertained during long car rides, when you need to get some work done, or simply when you need a break. However, parents are naturally hesitant to spend hundreds of dollars on a device that their kid(s) will surely put to the test. The good news is you don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent tablet. 

Also: The best smartwatches for kids

Tablets and tech are part of our landscape across the age span. Just as with books, food, and seat belts, the parent sets the tone for consumption and usage. Rebecca Mannis, PhD.

You can find a device that offers plenty of educational content along with entertainment options and parental controls like limiting screen time so kids aren't glued to tech devices. Our top pick isApple's iPad , but we included other options from brands like Amazon, Samsung, and more that both parents and parenting experts recommend. 

The best tablets for kids in 2023

Apple iPad (9th generation)

Best kids' tablet overall

Jason Cipriani/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Solid performance
• Long battery life
• Ample app support
• Apple's Family Sharing

Cons

• Expensive

More Details

Apple iPad (9th generation) tech specs: Display: 10.2-inch with True Tone  Processor: A13 Bionic chip  Storage: 64GB or 256GB  Biometrics: Touch ID  Colors: Silver and space grey   Cameras: 8MP f/2.4 back, 12MP Ultra Wide f/2.4 front  Weight: 1.08 pounds  Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x .29 inches  Connections: USB-C, Smart Connector  Battery life: Up to 10 hours

Apple's tried-and-true tablet, the base model iPad, is great for kids. After testing, 's Jason Cipriani said Apple had "perfected the tablet equation" with the 9th generation model. You get all of the same features as the more expensive iPad Pro and iPad Air models but in a lightweight form factor with a 10.2-inch display that has True Tone. 

Although there's a newer iPad model, the 9th generation has pretty much all of the same features and costs about half of the price of the 2022 model at just$270. (I don't recommend spending$449 for the newer model for your child to use and abuse unless you plan to share it with them.)

Review: Apple iPad (2021) review: If it's not broken, don't fix it

Early education experts agree with Cipriani's assessment that the 9th-gen iPad is kid-friendly. 

Troy Portillo, director of operations of Studypool, an online learning platform for students, said that if you have younger kids in need of a tablet, you can't go wrong with Apple's iPad: "Your kid doesn't need the more expensive iPad Air or even the iPad Pro."

"You can still get all the great security features that come standard with Apple products and customer support. You can also easily monitor your kid's activity online, limit screen time, and use parental controls for specific apps," he said. 

Parents can control their kids' iPad experience through Apple's Family Sharing feature, which lets them limit screen time for specific apps, notifies them if a child is trying to buy an app, and sends reminders for events like family game night, among other things. 

View now at Best Buy View now at Apple View now at Amazon more buying choices

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet

Best kids' tablet with a large display

Maria Diaz/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Better and brighter display
• Long battery life
• Great price point

Cons

• Amazon's Appstore is slightly limited

More Details

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet tech specs: Display: 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display  Processor: Octa-core 2.0 GHz  Storage: 32 (expandable by up to 1 TB)  Memory: 3GB  Colors:Happy Day, Mint, and Nebula  Cameras: 5 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 1080p HD video recording  Weight: 23.21 oz  Dimensions: 7.5 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches (with kid-friendly case)  Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C 2.0  Battery life: 13 hours

For bigger kids (ages 6-12), there is Amazon's new Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet. New to this generation is 25% faster speeds, higher quality 5 megapixel cameras, and 13 hours of battery life instead of 12 hours. 

Thanks to the 10.1-inch display, you'll get a larger screen without adding much to the overall cost, and the resolution is better than previous generations with a 1080p Full HD brighter display. It comes with a protective case, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a year subscription to Amazon Kids+. 

It comes with a slim, kid-proof case, as well as preset age filters for kids age 6-12. Even with all these improvements, this model is still$10 less than the previous generation at$190. 

View now at Amazon

Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Best kids' tablet for battery life

June Wan/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Long battery life
• Full Android
• Great display

Cons

• Keyboard not included
• Performance
• Cameras

More Details

Lenovo Tab P11 Plus tech specs: Display: 11-inch display  Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T  Storage: 64GB or 128GB  Memory: 4GB or 6GB  Colors: Slate grey  Cameras: 8MP front and 13MP rear  Weight: 1.1lbs  Dimensions: 10.2 by 6.4 by 0.3 inches  Connections: USB-C, microSD  Battery:  Up to 15 hours

Lenovo's Tab P11 Plus is an attractive tablet that's not overly expensive. The 11-inch 2K display looks fantastic, and the battery life will keep your child entertained for hours. The battery life is perhaps the best part of this tablet: Lenovo touts up to 15 hours of video streaming, and tests can back that claim up. Plus, it runs Android 11 out of the box. 

One downside to the Tab P11 Plus is that it lacks a headphone jack, so if you want to keep your child's cartoons or games quiet, you'll have to invest in some kid-friendly Bluetooth headphones. 

Review: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Just above$200, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is easy to recommend and very competent. In 's review, June Wan said, "It's hard to argue against how much value you're getting with this tablet."

View now at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Best Samsung kids' tablet

Samsung/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Samsung Kids experience
• Expandable storage
• Great tablet for simple entertainment

Cons

• Sluggish performance
• Battery life isn't as great as other options

More Details

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tech specs: Display: 10.5 inches  Resolution: 1920 x 1200  Processor: Octa Core Unisoc T618  Storage: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, microSD up to 1TB  Cameras: 8MP rear, 5MP front camera  Weight: 1.12lbs  Dimensions: 9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 inches  Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 2.0  Battery: 7,040mAh (About 6 hours)

If you'd rather your kid have a proper Android tablet with full Google support, look no further than the Galaxy Tab A8. 

"This tablet is packed with features that make it the perfect choice for parents looking to keep their children entertained and informed while they are away from home," parenting expert and creator of Parental Questions Mo Mulla told . 

Mulla also speaks highly of Samsung Kids, which parents can access from any Samsung tablet, as it lets parents give their kids access to specific contacts and apps, provides learning challenges for kids to avoid mindless scrolling, and even includes interaction with Samsung-specific animated characters. 

"Its kid-friendly content has been explicitly created with kids in mind and includes educational apps and games to help entertain them and keep them active during playtime," he said. 

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 won't blow you away with overall performance, it can run your favorite apps, handle light gaming, and stream movies and shows. In addition, its expandable storage capacity ensures there is never a shortage of space on the device for downloads or extra materials when needed. 

View now at Amazon

What is the best tablet for kids?

Apple's base iPad is the best kids' tablet that money can buy. It offers the complete package of performance, battery life, app availability, and widespread accessory support. It's a great option for kids who need a reliable device for schoolwork, gaming, or streaming content. However, if you prefer Android OS or a better price point, there are plenty of solid alternatives on the market.

Best kids' tablet	Price	Where to buy	Processor	Storage	Colors	Cameras	Battery life	Protective case	Operating system
Apple iPad 9th generation	$329	Apple, Best Buy, Walmart	A13 Bionic chip	64GB or 256GB	Silver, space grey	8MP f/2.4 back, 12MP Ultra Wide f/2.4 front	Up to 10 hours	Available	iPadOS
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet	$190	Amazon	Octa-core 2.0 GHz	32GB (expandable up to 1TB)	Happy Day, Mint, Nebula	5 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 1080p HD video recording	13 hours	Included	Fire OS
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus	$235	Amazon, Best Buy, Lenovo	MediaTek Helio G90T	64GB or 128G	Slate grey	8MP front and 13MP rear	Up to 15 hours	Available for purchase separately	Android 11
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8	$182	Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart	Octa Core Unisoc T618	32GB, 64GB, 128GB, microSD up to 1TB	N/A	8MP rear, 5MP front camera	About 6 hours	N/A	Android

Which is the right tablet for your kid?

Picking the right kids' tablet comes down to a couple of questions you must ask yourself. First and foremost, you need to have a set budget in mind. Once you decide how much you will spend, you can begin narrowing down your options. Then, determine if you want a tablet made by a specific company.

Choose this kids' tablet.	If you want...
Apple iPad 9th generation	The best all-around tablet your kid can grow up with. It offers excellent performance, battery life, app availability, and widespread accessory support.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro	A large display for ages 6-12. It has a built-in stand, advanced parental controls, and access to over 20,000 apps, games, videos, and books.
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus	A tablet with a long battery life. It offers a premium design, a vivid display, and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge. It also comes with a fingerprint scanner for added security.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8	An Android tablet with access to Samsung Kids. It offers a kid-friendly interface, parental controls, and the ability to set time limits and monitor usage.

How did we choose these tablets for kids?

While I've used some of these tablets myself, I don't have any kids, so I turned to experts for their thoughts. I also researched tablets from renowned brands and paid attention to parental controls and kid-friendly programs that can come with a tablet. 

• Durability:Having a tablet that can last is especially important when kids will be using the device, so I looked at the durability of tablets in what they are made of, kid-friendly cases and warranties available. 
• Ease of use:A tablet for kids needs to be simple, so I looked at factors such as large screens, built-in apps, and operating systems that are easy for kids to learn. 
• Parental controls:Your kids' safety and privacy are#1 when it comes to tablets, so I looked at what kind of parental controls each tablet offers, including features like screen-time monitoring and app restrictions. 
• Cost: Kids tablets run the gamut in price, so I included tablets in both low and higher price points, depending on what you need and what features are most important to you in a tablet. 

What features should I look for in a tablet for kids?

You have to think about different things when you're buying a tablet for kids compared to buying a tablet for yourself. 

Tim Dikun, dad and Teaching.com COO and VP of Product, has some advice when it comes to what parents should prioritize in a kids' tablet. 

"Look for granular parental controls, including if specific apps can be blocked and/or unlocked around certain times," he said. "For example, Amazon's FreeTime app allows parents total control over how children use the tablet by setting learning goals, limiting time spent on gaming apps, or locking gaming apps until learning goals are met." 

Dikun also said to pay attention to a tablet's durability, since, well, kids will be kids. If a tablet isn't exactly durable to bumps and drops (like the iPad), be sure to invest in a kid-proof case.

What should parents know about tablets and screen time?

Rebecca Mannis, PhD., learning specialist at Ivy Prep Learning Center, referred to The American Academy of Pediatrics' new guidelines, which recommends no consistent screen exposure before 18 months of age, one hour tops of screen exposure for ages 2 through 5, and limiting screen use to two hours after age 5. 

"In considering preschools and primary schools, it is helpful to know their policies -- both to see how their philosophies match your family values, and so you can reinforce their rules at home," she said. 

Mannis added that while kids often learn to read these days through a tablet, thanks to reading apps, it's essential to switch up how your child reads. 

"Researchers have found that the brain processes content that we read online in a different way - and one that is not as skilled," she said. "So, as great as online reading is, give your kids lots of opportunities to hold books in their hands to maximize their literacy skills growth. Or 'cross train' their reading between devices and traditional print books to see if you as a parent notice a difference."

Can my kids use YouTube on Amazon's Fire tablets?

Not officially. Amazon customizes the base version of Android and turns it into Fire OS, forgoing any Google certification in order to make Google's apps available on the tablets. 

You won't find the official YouTube app available in the Appstore, but you can use Amazon's Silk browser to access the YouTube website to gain access to the video platform. 

Are there alternative tablets for kids worth considering?

There are plenty of tablets on the market that can be kid-friendly. Be sure to look for features like parental controls, long battery life, and ease of use. Here are a few other options to consider. 

Best alternative for a smaller tablet

Apple iPad Mini

Apple's iPad Mini is a powerful, more portable option for kids who prefer iOS.

View at Apple

Best alternative for smaller kids

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids

Amazon's new Fire HD 10 Kids model also got some upgrades including better battery life, a higher quality camera, and a kid-proof case, plus, preset age filters for kids age 3-7.

View at Amazon

Best alternative for Microsoft users

Microsoft Surface Go 3

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a versatile option for kids who want to use it for entertainment and schoolwork.

View at Amazon

Best alternative for little kids

Contixo Kids Tablet

Children aged 3-7 will enjoy this kid-friendly tablet with built-in educational apps from the Google Play Store like Khan Academy for Kids, Duolingo, ABC Mouse, etc.

View at Amazon

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