The Best Tablets For Kids
Tablets can be a great tool for a growing child, offering educational resources and endless entertainment. But there are a lot of tablets out there that are sluggish and poorly designed, so we searched the market for the best choices for our children. And if you're investing in a tablet, you might as well get one that will last a while and have good enough specs for an adult to use. Read on and get ready to find your household's newest piece of tech.
What to Look For
There were a few key questions used to guide our search: Does it have parental controls? Does it come with a case or a durable design to withstand rough use? Does the tablet run fast and chare quickly? Can it run a multitude of services and different apps? Is the price fair for the quality? We found a few tablets that passed our scrupulous standards. Amazon’s Kids Fire HD 8 tablet won our top spot since it comes with kid-focused software and an incredibly durable protective case. We also couldn’t neglect the Galaxy A8 from Samsung, with its premium hardware. In fact, it’s a tablet that anyone can use, thanks to Samsung Kids. Read on to see which tablets earned a place in our family room.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet
Safety first
The Amazon Fire is clearly designed with the destructive tendencies of kids in mind. The 8-inch screen is protected by the “kid-proof” case, which also helps youngsters grip the tablet without slipping. And the software is also ready to stand up to mischief. With a slew of parental controls and pre-installed apps for kids, this bona fide tablet lets parents decide what their kids can access. Perfect for both education and entertainment, the Amazon Fire is without a doubt the best tablet for kids.
Pros
- It’s very affordable when compared to some of the higher-end tablets available.
- The parental controls can be accessed remotely, so you don’t have to keep grabbing it out of your kid’s hands every time you want to monitor the settings.
Cons
- Tweaking the settings and installing apps can make the setup process a little time-consuming and involved.
Galaxy A8 Samsung Tablet
The full house
The A8 is one of the best Samsung tablets for parents unsure of a good fit for their family. This tablet comes outfitted with Samsung Kids, a suite of child-friendly books, games, and movies that include robust parental controls. Older family members will love this tablet too, thanks to its generously sized 10.5-inch screen and the ability to sync all your notes and documents between multiple Samsung devices. If you have a large household, this is one of the first Samsung tablets you should check out.
Pros
- The modern hardware makes this the kind of tablet that can grow with your child as they advance through their education.
- This tablet has great speakers, whether you’re listening out loud or plugging in headphones.
Cons
- You’ll probably need to invest in a kid-proof case since this tablet isn’t durable enough to be used by a child on its own.
Anyway.Go Kids 10-Inch Tablet
Play your own way
The Android operating system has established itself as the most versatile and widely used in the world, and this 10-inch tablet from Anyway.Go makes the most of it. Pre-loaded with apps for kids and a robust app for setting parental controls, this beauty is built for excitement and entertainment. Better yet, the included case protects the device from inevitable drops with ease. If you want an alternative tablet for kids with a bit more juice than your average option, go with this.
Pros
- The battery lasts an average of 8 hours on one charge, making it ideal for long car rides and workdays.
- The speakers are surprisingly crisp and loud.
Cons
- Although its bulkiness is probably necessary for most toddlers, the case is noticeably chunky.
Galaxy S8+ 12.4″ Samsung Tablet
Crystal-clear clarity
If you want to buy a tablet to accompany your child through their formative years and beyond, Samsung is the best source. These tablets tend to have fantastic presentation values, which the Galaxy S8+ proves in spades. The 12.4-inch screen displays visuals in superior AMOLED fidelity, and its camera can capture pictures and video in 4K. It also contains a whopping 256GB of space, giving it plenty of room for not only your favorite apps and videos but your creative projects as well. Not many Samsung tablets have more to offer than this jumbo-screened option.
Pros
- Even though it has so many high-fidelity features, the battery stays strong throughout the day.
- The SD card expansion lets you store up to 1TB of data, making it one of the only Samsung tablets that can potentially replace even a laptop.
- It runs quietly and never gets hot to the touch.
Cons
- It’s expensive for a kids’ tablet.
- It doesn’t come with a kid-proof case.
Galaxy A7 Lite 8.7″ Samsung Tablet
Give it a ring
Monitoring your child’s device usage remotely is only possible with an internet connection. And that means you’ll need a tablet with cellular service for when you’re out and about. That’s when we recommend the Galaxy A7. This beautiful tablet isn’t one of the chunky kid-oriented tablets. Instead, it’s a powerful computer that can surf the internet during long car rides. This tablet is designed to be able to make calls using common GSM cellular providers, like T-Mobile and MetroPCS.
Pros
- The price is a steal considering the specs.
- Not only will your kid be able to watch Youtube videos on the go, but you’ll also be able to keep track of their surfing without wifi.
Cons
- The screen is a bit on the delicate side, so you’ll need to invest in a robust case and screen protector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What advantages do Android tablets have over iPads?
Android tablets tend to be more flexible and less restrictive than Apple products, and most Android tablets come at a lower price. Many people find the Android operating system to be easier to customize.
Is it safe for children to use tablets?
Most if not all tablets will come with robust parental controls that strictly set out what your child can or can’t do on your tablet. The family tablet should be safe for them to use as long as you remember to turn these settings on before you hand it to them.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
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.