However, parents are naturally hesitant to spend hundreds of dollars on a device that their kid(s) will surely put to the test. But the good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent tablet. You can find a device that offers plenty of educational content along with entertainment options and parental controls like limiting screen time so kids don’t become glued to tech devices. Below, you’ll find a selection of tablets that are best for kids, according to parents and parenting experts. More:
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Apple’s tried-and-true tablet, the base model iPad, is a great tablet for kids. In fact, ZDNET’s Jason Cipriani said Apple had “perfected the tablet equation” with it. 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 $250. (I personally 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 broke, don’t fix it Early education experts agree. 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, as well as the customer support. You can also easily monitor your kid’s activity online, as well as 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 if a child is trying to buy an app, and sends reminders for events like family game night, among other things. In addition, parents can control screen time and set educational goals for their children using the parental controls built into the tablet to make sure their kid is actually reading or learning something while using it. Review: Fire HD 10 ZDNET’s Jason Cipriani, who has three children of his own, also went hands-on with the standard Fire HD 10 model and found that it too can serve as a solid entertainment device. If you’d rather your kid have a true Android tablet with full Google support, then look no further than the Galaxy Tab A8. Parenting expert and creator of Parental Questions, Mo Mulla told ZDNET that he highly recommends this tablet to parents. “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,” he said. “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.” Mulla is talking about Samsung Kids, which parents can easily access from any Samsung tablet. It lets parents give their kids access to specific contacts and apps, provides learning challenges for kids so they aren’t just scrolling on an app, and kids can even play around with Samsung’s unique animated characters. 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. 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 ZDNET tests have confirmed that is accurate. Plus, it runs Android 11 out of the box. One downside to the Tab P11 Plus: 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 At a starting price of $249, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is easy to recommend and very competent. In ZDNET’s review, June Wan said “it’s hard to argue against how much value you’re getting with this tablet.” Note: Prices may vary. Tim Dikun, Reading.com COO and VP of Product and a dad of little ones, has some advice when it comes to what parents should prioritize in a kids’ tablet. 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. “They recommend no consistent screen exposure prior to 18 months of age, max one hour age 2-5, and limiting screen use to two hours beyond that,” she said. “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.” Mannis added that while kids often learn to read these days through a tablet thanks to reading apps, it’s important 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, make sure to give your kids lots of opportunity 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.”
