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The Best Kids’ Tablet Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Kids want tablets. But tablets are fragile, expensive gadgets with potentially unlimited access to the internet—both issues that challenge parents. Whereas you might want a tablet that’s slim, light, and fast, an appropriate slate for your kid should be cheap and rugged above all else.Below are some of our favorite tablets for children, which we selected for their balance of price, durability, and age-appropriate features. Whichever tablet you get, buy a case and some kid-friendly headphones. These small investments pay for themselves.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
Best iPad for Kids
Why We Picked ItThe base-model iPad features an expansive 10.9-inch screen with a dense resolution of 2,360 by 1,640 pixels, while its A14 Bionic chip ensures that your kids can easily run all of the age-appropriate apps from the App Store. This tablet even gives your child access to iMessage for chatting with family members or friends who also have an Apple device. Who It’s ForApple’s entry-level tablet makes sense for parents who want something that their kids can continue to use as they age. Robust parental controls allow you to keep a close eye on the activities of young kids, but you can always relax these restrictions over time. Just know that you pay somewhat of a premium for the Apple experience.
PROS
Appealing iPad Pro-like design
USB-C port
High-quality cameras
Good speakers
Fast performance
CONS
No traditional Touch ID button
No Face ID
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Apple iPadOS 16
Dimensions
9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches
Weight
1.1 lb
Screen Size
10.9 inches
Screen Resolution
2,360 by 1,640 pixels
CPU
Apple A14 Bionic
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Battery Life
5 hours, 59 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPad (10th Generation) Review
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
Best Affordable Android Tablet
Why We Picked ItThe Lenovo Tab P11 Plus packs an appreciable amount of power for its price and works with most popular parental control services. An 11-inch, 2,000-by-1,200-pixel screen, quality speakers, and decent battery life are all advantages for entertainment needs, while optional keyboard and stylus accessories make it usable for schoolwork.Who It’s ForThis slate is better for older, more responsible kids who are comfortable with Android.
PROS
Sharp display
Loud, clear speakers
Perky performance
CONS
Unimpressive cameras
No promise for OS updates after Android 12
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Android 11
Dimensions
10.4 by 6.5 by 0.3 inches
Weight
17.3 oz
Screen Size
11 inches
Screen Resolution
2,000 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
MediaTek G90T
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Battery Life
7 hours, 58 minutes
Learn More
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus Review
Apple iPad mini (2021)
Best Small iPad
Why We Picked ItNot everyone needs or wants a big tablet, regardless of their age. That’s why the iPad mini’s 8.3-inch display, compact frame, and light feel are so appealing. You don’t sacrifice many performance benefits either, and can still access all of the apps and parental control features that make iPads such a good choice for parents.Who It’s ForIf your kid wants an Apple tablet, but can’t handle the base model’s hefty 10.9-inch screen and weight, the iPad mini is the way to go. You pay a premium for its portability (and also likely need to factor in the cost of a good case and an extended warranty), but the iPad mini is a lot more future-proof than other entries on this list.
PROS
Excellent performance
Long battery life
Works with second-generation Apple Pencil
CONS
No multi-user option in iPadOS
Pricier than previous model
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Apple iPadOS
Dimensions
7.69 by 5.31 by 0.25 inches
Weight
10.4 oz
Screen Size
8.3 inches
Screen Resolution
2,226 by 1,448 pixels
CPU
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Battery Life
6 hours, 41 minutes
Learn More
Apple iPad mini (2021) Review
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (2023)
Best Amazon Tablet for Kids
Why We Picked ItLike the base model Fire HD 10 (2023), the Kid’s Pro version offers a great value. It comes with a better processor that then Fire HD 8, a thick case with a built-in kickstand, an extended warranty, and a year’s subscription to Amazon’s Kids+ service. It’s a great way for kids to watch their favorite shows, play some basic games, browse online, and read Kindle books. Who It’s ForThe Kid’s Pro Fire HD 10 (2023) is best suited for kids aged 6 to 12 for whom durability and robust parental controls are more important that full-fledged performance.
PROS
Good build quality
Decent display
Strong parental controls
Kid-focused content
Alexa Smart Display mode
Two-year warranty
CONS
Limited app selection
Focus on Amazon services
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
10.1 by 7.5 by 0.7 inches
Weight
1.45 lbs
Screen Size
10.1 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
MediaTek
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
10 hours 18 minutes
Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (2023) Review
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2022 Release)
Best for Reading Books
Why We Picked ItThe Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet offers a higher-quality screen and slightly better performance than the Fire HD 7 Kids, but still comes with a rugged case, an extended warranty, and a one-year Kids+ subscription. It also costs more, but it’s worth the extra money because the larger display and faster processor result in a more enjoyable experience overall.Who It’s ForIf an iPad or midrange Android tablet is too pricey for your tastes, the Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet strikes an excellent balance between price, size, and performance.
PROS
Rugged case
Strong parental controls
Good battery life
Vibrant screen
CONS
Sluggish performance
$10 more than the previous model
Limited app selection
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
8.7 by 7.1 by 1.1 inches
Weight
18.3 oz
Screen Size
8 inches
Screen Resolution
1280 by 800 pixels
CPU
Hexa-core 2.0 GHz
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
10 hours (est.)
Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2022 Release) Review
TCL Tab 10 5G
Best Low-Cost 5G Tablet
Why We Picked It5G tablets are pretty rare in the affordable segment, but the TCL Tab 10 5G is a notable exception. It lasted more than 10 hours in our battery drain test, which is impressive for a device with a large 10.1-inch display. A decent set of onboard speakers and a microSD card slot also add value. And, because it runs Android, most parental control apps are available for it.Who It’s ForIf you and your kid are often away from a Wi-Fi network, this TCL slate makes a lot of sense. Typically, you have to spend much more to get a tablet with 5G support.
PROS
Quality screen for the price
5G support
Good performance and battery life
Decent stereo speakers
MicroSD support
CONS
Disappointing Android upgrade commitment
Only 32GB of built-in storage
Lackluster cameras
SPECS
Name
Value
Operating System
Android 12
Dimensions
9.51 by 6.24 by 0.33 inches
Weight
17.28 oz
Screen Size
10.1 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
MediaTek Kompanio 800T
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
10 hours 11 minutes
Learn More
TCL Tab 10 5G Review
Buying Guide: The Best Tablets for Kids in 2024
The Best Tablets for SchoolThe best tablet for school is probably a base model iPad. The iPad’s dominant role in the tablet landscape means most schools support them, many teachers have them, and tech support is easy. Other tablets might not be able to run the third-party apps that schools demand or even allow you to fill out basic web forms. The worst offenders here are Amazon’s Fire tablets, which are inexpensive and popular, but don’t work well for productivity.If an iPad won’t do for your school, pick something with Chrome OS. For those, head over to our list of the best Chromebooks for kids for recommendations.What Specs Do You Need in a Tablet for Kids?Don’t assume a tablet for a kid should be a piece of junk. Sufficient hardware specs can help you find a tablet that works well enough to avoid frustrating meltdowns. Let’s start with screen size and resolution. An 8-inch, 1,280-by-800-pixel display is good for reading comics and watching videos, so use that as your baseline.Pay close attention to storage specs, too. We recommend 64GB of built-in storage (or more) rather than 32GB. This amount of storage enables you to install more apps and take more pictures and videos. A microSD card slot can’t hurt, either, especially if you want to download movies to watch on long trips. Some games, like Genshin Impact, take up more than 32GB on their own.Look for 4GB of RAM or more. This amount of RAM helps apps launch and run more smoothly, particularly if there’s anything else running in the background. Amazon’s Fire tablets get a pass here because they still provide a stutter-free experience despite their 3GB of RAM.Battery life is another factor to remember—you don’t want the tablet to die in the middle of a long car ride. Carrying a backup battery can help. The Best iPad for KidsiPads have the best tablet apps, grow with your kid, and can double as a pseudo-laptop for schoolwork. Apple’s operating system, iPadOS, has the Screen Time feature that lets you monitor usage, set time limits, block apps, filter content, and prevent purchases—which you should use to keep your kids from spending money without your permission. iPadOS does not, however, support multiple user profiles to separate what adults and kids see when they use the tablet.The iPad has by far the best ecosystem of accessories for productive and creative kids of any individual tablet model: cases, keyboards, and the Apple Pencil stylus. It’s versatile and extendable.
Apple iPad (Credit: Eric Zeman)
And, as you probably already know, iPads let kids use iMessage and FaceTime to talk with friends or relatives who have Apple devices without you having to get them a phone.The Best Fire Tablet for KidsAmazon’s inexpensive Fire tablet lineup has been one of the best family options for years. The Kids Edition has a rubber case, a no-questions-asked two-year guarantee, a simplified interface, and Kids+, which is basically a giant bucket of age-appropriate content. A Parent Dashboard lets you track what your children are doing and restrict their screen time. You can put multiple user profiles on the tablets, as well.The Best Android Tablet for KidsIf you primarily use Google services and Android apps, an Android tablet can get you what you need for a little less money than an iPad, and it’s not locked to Amazon services the way a Fire tablet is.
Recommended by Our Editors
Regarding parental controls, Google Family Link lets you control what apps your kid can access, set daily limits, and block explicit content in Chrome, Search, and YouTube. Your best bets come from Lenovo, Samsung, and TCL.Why You Should Avoid Toy TabletsCompanies such as Fuhu, Kurio, and Leapfrog made their names with highly restricted tablets that come with kid-friendly software and, by default, don’t offer access to the open internet. By and large, though, these tablets haven’t been updated for years and are running old, insecure versions of Android that we don’t recommend. They also won’t grow with your kids as they age, leaving you to purchase a more advanced tablet from this list eventually, anyway.While you’re shopping for your kid, check out our lab-tested picks for the best kids’ phones and the best kids’ laptops. For a broader selection of tablets for older kids and adults, look at the best tablets we’ve tested overall.Sascha Segan contributed to this report.
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