The Best Tablets For Kids
Those seeking to rein in the chaotic inclinations of their child would be well-advised to get their tyke a tablet. These sleek and versatile devices can educate, entertain, and serve as an engaging outlet for a child's creative tendencies. And for those hesitant to place a fragile screen into the hands of their destructive youngster, fear not. Kid-friendly tablets do exist and sport a shock-absorbing case and customizable parental controls. There are tons of different options in the world of tablets for kids, so we decided to whittle them down to the best of the best. Here, we list our top five favorites, from the budget-friendly to the premium pick.
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue, Kid-Proof Case
Almost too good to be true
The Fire 7 is like a dream-come-true for both kids and parents. For starters, the bright and colorful 7-inch screen is easy to clean and the kid-proof case is built like a tank. Seriously, this thing can bounce back from all sorts of drops and spills. Better yet, the Fire 7 hosts a wide range of parental controls. With the easy-to-use parental control interface, you can set screen time limits, filter content, and even set educational goals. Best of all, the Fire 7 comes with a free year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited. That means your kid gets 365 days of free access to thousands of age-appropriate apps, games, books, and videos. And when it’s time to hit the road and leave the WiFi behind, the Fire 7 features a whopping 16GB of expandable memory space to store downloaded media. Those long car rides just got a whole lot shorter.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy-to-use parental controls
- 1 year of FreeTime Unlimited
Cons
- Interface isn’t customizable
Padgene Kids Tablet 7 Inch, Android 9.0 Parental Control Kids Mode Preinstalled Learning Games, HD Display with Kid-Proof Case
Happy kids, happy wallet
A tablet for your youngster doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. After all, why spend a fortune on the latest-and-greatest tech when all your kid wants is a YouTube machine? That’s why we were delighted to discover this option from Padgene. Costing little more than sixty dollars in total, it’s a kid-friendly tablet with a 7-inch display and an incredible 10 hours of battery life. Of course, tablets in this price range aren’t quite as robust or reliable as the more expensive models. Nonetheless, the Padgene Kids Tablet is the best in its class, featuring an effective shock-proof cover and intuitive controls. Plus, the operating system is Android 9.0, so it’s easy to access tons of content over a WiFi connection. And for all those protective parents out there, it comes pre-installed with a parental control system that allows up to four different custom profiles.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Effective kid-proof case
- Pre-installed parental controls
Cons
- Low-quality speaker
- Slow start-up
Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Tablet – 10.1″ 1080p full HD Display, 32 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case
A premium tablet for a premium price
Amazon basically pioneered tablet tech, so it should come as no surprise that they made it onto our list yet again. This time, we were wowed by their latest-and-greatest tablet, the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition. As Amazon claims, this option is definitely “not a toy”. With a 10.1-inch HD screen and a 12 -hour battery life, it’s a mean machine that can basically be used all day long without needing to charge. Plus, the expandable 32GB of internal memory provide plenty of space for numerous movies, books, and apps, while the enhanced WiFi and fast processor stream content without interruption. Just like the Fire 7, this premium pick features intuitive parental controls, a free year of FreeTime Unlimited, and a heavy-duty kid-proof case. Unlike the Fire 7, the Fire HD 10 is wicked-fast and HD. Remember, not a toy.
Pros
- Super responsive
- Large, HD screen
- 2-Year replacement warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Vankyo MatrixPad Z1 Kids Tablet 7 Inch, 32GB ROM, Kidoz, Pre-Installed, IPS HD Display, WiFi Android Tablet, Kid-Proof
The Toddler-proof tablet
Although all of the tablets on our list are excellent choices for toddlers to use, the Vankyo MatricPad Z1 has a slight advantage when it comes to destructive, wild tots. For one, the case is just a wee bit better at absorbing falls, and features an extra-spongy shock absorber that’s thick around the corners. Plus, the 360-degree adjustable stand is made of a durable plastic that’s easy-to-use and can prop up the device both horizontally and vertically. As an added bonus, the stand functions as an easy-to-carry handle meant for smaller hands. Really, the Vankyo MatrixPad is a great all-around option for kids of any age, and can really take a beating.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Long 8-hour battery
- Large 32 GB internal storage
- Convenient 360-degree handle/stand
Cons
- Screen brightness lacking
Dragon Touch Y88X Pro 7 Inch Kids Tablets, 2GB Ram 16 GB ROM, Android 9.0 Tablet, Kidoz Preinstalled with Disney Content
The most bang-for-your-buck tablet
Another great choice overall, the Dragon Touch Y88X offers a couple extra goodies for a hard-to-beat price. Coming in at around 70 dollars, it’s an affordable option for those with tight pockets in need of a kiddie-proof tablet. And with such a low price tag, the specs are hard to believe. With a whopping 2GB of RAM, a fast 1.5Ghz quad-core processor, and an ample 16GB of storage, the Dragon Touch Y88X is a responsive and capable machine. The parental controls are intuitive and the shock absorber is thoughtfully-designed. Best of all, this pick comes pre-loaded with numerous Disney E-Books and audiobooks, as well as the PaintBox and KIDOZ apps.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Preloaded content
- Super responsive
Cons
- Low-quality speaker
- Battery doesn’t last very long
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tablets are best for destructive children?
As we said, tablets are a great way to rein-in the chaotic energy of a wild child. However, some children are considerably more destructive than most. In such cases as these, we recommend the Amazon Fire line of tablets for kids. Like the other options on our list, these kid-friendly tablets come with a shock-resistant cover and a scratch-resistant screen protector. However, unlike the other options, the Amazon Fire Tablets include a 2-Year Worry-Free Guarantee. With this special warranty, you can send in a broken tablet and get a replacement for free. Thus, although Amazon Fire tablets cost a bit more than most other options, they include an additional safeguard against the destructive tendencies of your tot.
What are parental controls?
Most commonly, parental control software is a way for parents to block their child from accessing the unfiltered internet, downloading apps, and viewing inappropriate content. For example, you can link your child’s account to YouTube and ensure that they will only see age-appropriate videos. You can also monitor the amount of time spent on different apps and set educational goals to balance their screen time. Different manufacturers use different parental control software, so we suggest doing a web search to find out if your tablet-of-choice’s parental controls are up to snuff.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.