Last Updated on December 3, 2022 by Ernests Embutnieks
Tablets have turned into a quintessential part of our lives. One important factor that we often miss is the emphasis on kids’ tablets. Therefore, we’ve done our digging (and a lot of buying), to find out the best kids tablets for your child in 2022.
In this article, we’re going to go over the best tablets for Kids in 2022 alongside everything you need to know about how kid’s tablets actually work.
What Makes A Good Kids Tablet?
A good kids tablet is, first and foremost, a good tablet in itself. For instance, it should have a reasonably large display, be ripe for content consumption, have the ability to deliver some sort of performance, and have good build quality.
All of these tablets check the boxes above, but some do it more than others. That’s where the kid’s part of the equation comes in. You see, shoving in the latest iPad or Android tablet wouldn’t really be in the spirit of what a kid’s tablet is.
In essence, a kids tablet is one that you purchase for your children due to its value for money, first and foremost, but also for its extreme ruggedness, its parental control features or focus on providing child-friendly content.
Unlike a typical tablet, where battery capacity or screen resolution would be your biggest concern, kids simply don’t care about that stuff. Instead, they want a tablet that looks and feels good, is easy to use, plays the latest games, and streams the latest movies.
Besides that, a good tablet from a parental perspective is one that provides them with control over their child’s device, presents them with detailed metrics, and is generally considered to be a good pickup due to its focus on providing content dedicated to kids.
Best Kids Tablet For 2022
Now that we’ve gone through what exactly makes a good tablet for kids, we’ll now be listing down our top picks and presenting you with a verdict. But, before we get started; we’ll be summarizing our choices for you in case you wish to skip the nitty-gritty:
Image | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Tablet For Kids | Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids |
| Check Price on Amazon |
Best Android Tablet For Kids | Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 |
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Best Apple Tablet For Kids | iPad Mini 6th Gen |
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Best Budget-Friendly Tablet For Kids | Amazon Fire 7 Kids |
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Amazon Fire 10 HD Kids
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 10.1” |
Resolution | 1920×1200 |
CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz |
RAM | 3 GB |
Base Storage | 32 GB |
Camera | 2 MP |
Age | 3-7 Year Old |
Ports | USB-C (2.0) |
Dimensions | 8.2” x 10.6” x 1.1” |
Weight | 1.57lbs |
Battery Life | 12 Hours |
The Amazon Fire 10 HD Kids is the defacto standard for a kid’s tablet. It features a rugged, vibrant case that makes up for an exciting package. The 10-inch screen is great for watching movies and reading books And, in our opinion – it is priced very reasonably.
The tablet is the first to feature an ecosystem that is designed for kids through and through. While it isn’t meant to be a replacement for an iPad as it doesn’t feature the complete Google Play Store, and therefore, you’ll be missing out a lot on the applications and games.
Besides that, the Amazon ecosystem is designed for kids from the ground up. You gain access to a yearly subscription to Amazon Kids, which provides you with child-friendly content that’s both educational and informative.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
The Amazon Fire 10 HD Kids is a great tablet for children and teens. Our biggest pet peeve is the lack of the Google Play Store. But, besides that – it can handle almost everything you throw at it with ease.
It features an extremely rugged design that helps it sustain a few drops Plus, its durable nature and overall experience are great for a child. You also gain access to great parental controls and restrictions. Do note, though, that there is no cellular version of the Amazon Fire 10 HD.
Pros:
- Rugged, bulky design
- Parental controls and Amazon Kids+ subscription is great
- Long warranty
Cons:
- Google Play Store is not supported
- The display isn’t bright in sunny environments
iPad Mini (2021)
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 8” |
Resolution | 1488 x 2266 |
CPU | A15 Bionic |
RAM | 4 GB |
Base Storage | 64 GB |
Camera | 12 MP |
Age | 3-99 Year Old |
Ports | Lightning Jack |
Dimensions | 7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 inches |
Weight | 1.32lbs |
Battery Life | 10 Hours |
The iPad Mini 6 is the best small-sized tablet for kids on this list. It is quite an obvious choice as it runs Apple’s A15 Bionic and is, therefore, able to breeze through applications and games like an absolute powerhouse.
Moreover, it features Apple’s updated design language which has minimal bezels and a Face ID sensor at the top. So, you’ll be able to get a large 8.3-inch screen that almost goes edge to edge. Besides that, for video calls, you end up getting a 12 MP FaceTime HD camera with Apple’s Center stage built-in.
The tablet is very pocketable and has great build quality, and while the battery life of 6 hours doesn’t compare to other tablets of this size, it does hold up quite well.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
The iPad Mini is a great choice for a child who’s a bit older. This is because younger children tend to prefer larger-sized tablets as they aren’t going to be moving around with them a lot. Plus, the iPad Mini is quite an expensive purchase, and it shouldn’t really be given to toddlers.
In terms of parental control, Apple has got us covered. From being able to track screen time restrictions to the ability to find your child’s location live at all times, the Apple ecosystem also contains tons of applications and games that are meant for kids.
Pros:
- Great form factor
- Blazing fast speeds
Cons:
- Might be a bit expensive for kids
- iPadOS may feel a bit restrictive
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 10.5” |
Resolution | 1200×1920 |
CPU | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm)Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
RAM | 3/4 GB |
Base Storage | 32 GB |
Camera | 8 MP (rear), 5 MP (front) |
Age | 3-99 Year Old |
Ports | USB Type C |
Dimensions | 0.27 x 6.37 x 9.72 inches |
Weight | 1.12 lbs |
Battery Life | 13 Hours |
If you are looking for a great Android tablet that has all the bells and whistles, the Galaxy Tab A8 is the best choice. Featuring USB-C fast charging, battery life of over 13 hours, and facial recognition just like ID, the A7 is a no-brainer for anyone who’s looking for a budget tablet.
Let’s confess, it probably won’t be able to keep up with an iPad of the same generation for a few more years down the line. But, if you are okay with not getting the latest version of Android and can settle for security updates, the A7 packs a brighter screen, better battery, and respectable performance at a price point that’s fairly decent.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
Samsung has taken a lot of strides over the recent years to provide kid-friendly content on their subscription platform, Samsung Kids. Alongside that, parental restrictions have also played a big role in ensuring that the content your child consumes is actually safe for them.
All in all, the tablet comes in a great value for money and is actually quite a good pickup, especially if you have a child who isn’t a big fan of iPads or wants some Android-specific application that he can’t access if he has a Fire tablet due to them not having the Google Play Store.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Stellar battery life
Cons:
- Performance isn’t all that great
- Build quality leaves a little to be desired
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022 Edition):
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 10.4” |
Resolution | 2000×1200 |
CPU | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
RAM | 4 GB |
Base Storage | 64 GB |
Camera | 8 MP |
Age | 3-99 Year Old |
Ports | USB Type C (Gen 2) |
Dimensions | 9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in |
Weight | 1.03lbs |
Battery Life | 13 Hours |
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite(2022 edition) aims to be a more budget-friendly version of the much more premium Galaxy Tab S6. But, we’ve seen it fall short on a large number of occasions. For instance, the build quality isn’t all that great, the display isn’t even close, and the specifications leave a lot to be desired.
But let’s take the tablet at face value rather than comparing it to its more premium brother. From first impressions, the tablet looks relatively premium and actually contains a lot of features that you wouldn’t expect at this price. For instance, the inclusion of an S-Pen is a great addendum to the entire ecosystem.
Besides that, you get the signature Samsung experience, a lot of features, and gimmicks. But, those gimmicks often lead to your user experience being significantly hindered due to the amount of lag you’ll experience.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
The tablet is great for kids who are into drawing, as it contains an S-Pen built-in. While it is no Apple Pencil, it still is a great beginner stylus and does get the job done for most. We’ve had great fun trying to get our hands on the stylus, and it genuinely is a worthwhile experience.
The Samsung Kids application, once again, contains a lot of kid-friendly content, movies applications, and games that are fun for all groups and ages below 18. However, we did experience some slowdowns here and there. But, they were few and far between.
Pros:
- It contains an S-Pen pre-packaged
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- The S-Pen doesn’t compare to the Apple Pencil
- Not the best build quality
iPad 9th Gen(2021)
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 10.2” |
Resolution | 1620 x 2160 |
CPU | A13 Bionic |
RAM | 3 GB |
Base Storage | 32 GB |
Camera | 8 MP (back) 12MP Ultra Wide front camera |
Age | 3-99 Year Old |
Ports | Lightning Jack |
Dimensions | 9.87 x 6.85 x 0.3 inch |
Weight | 1.07lbs |
Battery Life | 10 Hours |
Well, for starters, the iPad still has a horrendous selfie camera, 32 GBs of base storage, and the same front design we’re seen from the start of the iPad.
But, you see, the reason you would purchase the iPad for your kids is not because of the design or the chassis, its the fact that it is equipped with the very capable A13 Bionic and allows you to access all the goodies of iPadOS in a very reasonable price bracket.
In terms of battery life, we’re honestly quite happy with a reasonable 10-11 hours of video playback with a charger included right inside the box, yay. Besides that, this iPad supports both the Apple Pencil and a Smart Keyboard, which gives your kid more options.
Is The Tablet Great For Kids?
The iPad 2021 is not the best from iPads, but it’s a good pick for a kid.
So, whether your child is into drawing or just wants a robust device that is able to handle the latest games or applications, or, maybe they’re in the mood for some kid-friendly shows and movies, the iPad is fantastic.
Plus, with Apple’s increasing support of content restrictions, cold-friendly content, and the ability for parents to fully control and limit access to certain areas of their child’s iPad, this tablet is an excellent option for both an entry-level and experienced tablet user.
Pros:
- Stellar value for the price
- Great screen size
Cons:
- Old, unchanged design
- Bezels can be annoying to deal with
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 10.6” |
Resolution | 2000 x 1200 |
CPU | MediaTek Helio G80, Octa-Core (2 x A75 2.0GHz + 6 x A55 1.8GHz) |
RAM | 3 GB |
Base Storage | 64 GB |
Camera | 8 MP |
Age | 3-99 Year Old |
Ports | USB C (Gen 2) |
Dimensions | 9.9 x 6.26 x 0.29 inches |
Weight | 1.03lbs |
Battery Life | 12 Hours |
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus is at a weird spot on our list. It’s a great tablet, don’t get us wrong, but it is neither the most powerful and neither does it have the most kid-friendly features. Honestly, it’s right smack-dab in the middle.
If you are getting the tablet at a discount compared to an offering from Samsung, it’s a good snag; otherwise, you are better off with the latter. Besides that, though, in terms of design, the Tab M10 has a more discrete design language compared to tablets meant for kids.
The display is great; it’s FHD and IPS, which means it can pump out great colors and has a good contrast ratio too. Moreover, it consists of a charging dock right out of the box, which allows anyone in your family to plug the tablet in and leave it in a spot where it can be found later.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
The Lenovo Tab M10 has a pin-locked kids mode that has a few educational applications, games, and videos present in it. Compared to Amazon or even Samsung, the variety of applications available in this mode isn’t all that great.
If you are used to the Google Play Store, that isn’t really a great issue, and you’ll probably be able to find what you need anyways. Besides that, parental controls for the Lenovo Tab M10 are great. You gain access to blue light filters and can also add restrictions for web browsing and content as well.
Pros:
- Good build quality
- The IPS display works wonders
Cons:
- Not a lot of applications in kid’s mode
- Lenovo isn’t known for great future support
Amazon Fire 7 Kids
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 7” |
Resolution | 1024 x 600 |
CPU | Quad-Core 1.3 GHz with 1 GB of RAM |
RAM | 2 GB |
Base Storage | 16 GB |
Camera | 2 MP |
Age | 3-7 |
Ports | USB 2.0 |
Dimensions | 6.4 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches |
Weight | 0.94lbs |
Battery Life | 7 Hours |
The Amazon Fire 7 Kids is an exceptional budget-friendly option that serves as a great entry point for kids to the world of tablets. With the same durable case that its older brothers have, the interface is simple – and everything is within arm’s grasp.
Performance for the Kids 7 is entirely dependent on your use case. For kids, we feel like the tablet will run just fine as it was able to run all the games present in the Amazon Kids+ subscription quite fine.
It does feel a bit slow compared to the beefier tablets on the list, especially if you use it as a stock Android tablet. But, you can watch videos and consume most content with a few hiccups here and there. To be honest, at this price, I can’t complain much.
Is The Tablet Great For Kids?
With a 2-year warranty, a rugged, durable case, and a price that’s hard to beat, the Fire 7 Kids is an easy recommendation from us for anyone who wants to introduce their children to the world of tablets.
While yes, they won’t be able to achieve as much as they could on a regular tablet due to the poor specifications and a lack of the Google Play Store, it still is an excellent product, especially considering the fact that you can introduce your kids to tablets and the entire ecosystem that follows.
Pros:
- A great entry-level budget device
- Amazon Kids+ is an excellent subscription
Cons:
- The display is of a shoddy quality
- Lags and hiccups can be annoying to deal with
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 10.9” |
Resolution | 2000 x 1200 |
CPU | SC7180(Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ SC7180 Processor (8x Kryo 468 CPU, up to 2.55 GHz)) |
RAM | 4 GB |
Base Storage | 64 GB |
Camera | 5 MP |
Age | 3-99 Year Old |
Ports | USB C (Gen 2) |
Dimensions | 10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches |
Weight | 1.14lbs |
Battery Life | 9 Hours |
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is the only 2-in-1 tablet that comes packed in with a keyboard in this list. And, we’re big fans of the entire premise of the tablet. It packs in a Snapdragon 7C Generation 2 and is able to provide you with adequate performance.
When it comes to battery life, the Duet 3 lasts for about 10 hours and is comparable to high-end tablets in a much lower budget range. The primary concern when it comes to Chromebooks is their heat dissipation. You wouldn’t want your child’s lap to be burning when they use the tablet / laptop.
Thankfully, the chip present inside doesn’t really scorch anyone’s lap and provides you with adequate I/O so that you can connect your peripherals adequately.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
The Chromebook Duet 3 is an excellent choice for a school-going child. From being able to set up parental restrictions having multiple applications and games at your disposal is quite fun for your children.
To be honest, a Chromebook allows for a lot more versatility compared to just a generic tablet. While it is not Windows, you’ll be able to get a lot more done from a Chromebook. But, there comes the issue too, then. They are also harder to understand and use. So, for younger children, you’ll run into quite a lot of issues with them not being able to comprehend certain tasks quickly.
From what we’ve seen, the tablet does lag in certain instances. After all, it is a low-specced Chromebook in the first place. So, for older kids, they might be a bit annoyed with doing schoolwork as you may be met with a fuzzy experience in some case.
Pros:
- Great display
- Budget-friendly Chromebook
Cons:
- It has no headphone jack
- The keyboard isn’t all that great
Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 8” |
Resolution | 1280 x 800 |
CPU | Exynos 7904 |
RAM | 2 GB |
Base Storage | 32 GB |
Camera | 8 MP |
Age | 3-9 Year Old |
Ports | USB 2.0 |
Dimensions | 0.31 x 4.89 x 8.28 inches |
Weight | 1.32lbs |
Battery Life | 7 Hours |
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a safe bet for a kid’s tablet. It comes from a reputable brand, runs Android (allows you to download applications from the Google Play Store), and has a great display for the price.
The device is extremely budget-friendly. But that’s where the Samsung touch comes into play. Running an Exynos 7904 based on the 14 nm architecture. As one can imagine, this SoC is extremely slow. Couple with just 2 GBs of RAM for the base model, and you are in for a lag fest.
According to most users, you won’t experience any crashes or lag spikes if you keep the tablet on Android 9. But, as soon as you upgrade to Android 10 – the tablet will turn nigh-unusable for most. Thankfully though, for kids, this doesn’t matter that much.
Is The Tablet Good For Kids?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a great entry-level tablet for kids. Yes, it may lag once in a while but what do you expect from a tablet at this price range? You can use Samsung Kids to gain better parental control over the device.
And, the fact that you have access to the entire Google Play Store allows your child to indulge in games and applications that simply aren’t attainable on the Amazon Fire series.
Pros:
- Gorgeous display
- Extremely budget-friendly
Cons:
- Lags often
- Build quality feels cheap
Contixo Kids Tablet
Specifications:
Attributes | Specification |
Display Size | 7” |
Resolution | 1024 x 600 |
CPU | ARM 710T |
RAM | 1 GB |
Base Storage | 16 GB |
Camera | 8 MP |
Age | 3-7 Year Old |
Ports | USB 2.0 |
Dimensions | 7.2 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches |
Weight | 1.00lbs |
Battery Life | 8 Hours |
The Contixo Kids Tablet is an Android tablet with sub-par specifications but a great, durable, rugged design. It is a bit laggy and can’t really run the latest and greatest. But that’s not what it is meant to do either.
For content consumption and general web browsing, you get a table that can survive a drop while also being capable enough with a great display that lets you enjoy movies. Yes, it is no iPad Pro when it comes to its functions – but it is quite reasonably priced.
Is The Tablet Great For Kids?
The Contixo Kids Tablet is great for kids! It comes with a few pre-installed games and the price makes it reasonable enough for you to be fine if it takes a beating once in a while. Its lag is not that noticeable, considering the main demographic of the tablet is going to be kids.
With that said, don’t expect special parental control restrictions other than the ones offered by Android out of the box. In my opinion, if you can’t afford the Amazon Fire series but are looking for a tablet that operates in the same relative fashion, the Contixo is a good pickup.
Pros:
- Durable design
- Extremely cheap
Cons:
- Quite laggy at times
- Amazon reviews have mentioned that the tablet may randomly break
Why We Ranked The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Above The iPad Mini 6
The iPad Mini 6 is a great device, don’t get us wrong. But, for kids, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids takes the cake. This is because the device consists of a rugged, vibrant design and is meant for kids. With a 2-year warranty and a subscription to Amazon Kids+ that contains applications, games, and videos for kids – you’ll end up not needing to purchase anything else.
Plus, the Amazon Fire absolutely trumps the iPad when it comes to providing parental control restrictions and child-friendly content. We’ve often found the Kindle Fire to have a lot more utility and fine-tuning when it comes to controlling what your child watches and does on the tablet.
And of course, the price, when we give something to our kids, it’s a 50/50 chance they are going to break it, right? And Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids is a less risky investment, and it wouldn’t be so painful if they would break it on the other hand, if your kid breaks the newest iPad mini probably won’t make you feel that good about your latest decisions.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is Watching A Tablet Better Than TV For Kids?
A tablet allows your child to access on-demand content that is deemed safe for them. If you maintain proper posture for your child, it is arguably better than watching TV for kids. However, if they don’t, then a TV is better.
Moreover, maintaining parental controls also helps reduce the risk associated with your children getting addicted to content that they aren’t allowed to watch.
What Screen Time Should A Kid Have?
A child should not be allowed more than 2-3 hours of screen time. However, this number is totally dependent on their age. For instance, a toddler as young as 3-5 years of age should not be on their screen for 1-2 hours a week, and they need to be supervised.
Does Screen Time Affect Children’s Eyesight?
Yes, excessive screen time does affect a children’s eyesight. It causes excessive eye strain and can be harmful to their cognitive development, also affecting their sleep schedule. This is why children should only be allowed a limited amount of time on their screens.
Conclusion
In the end, the best tablet for your kids is one that you are most comfortable with. We aren’t sure of your exact use case. But, ultimately, picking any tablet out of the list we’ve mentioned above should add some smiles to your little ones.
Related Articles:
Should Your Toddler / Kid Have An iPad?
How Long Should A Child Be On A Tablet?
Differences Between Kids Tablets and Normal Tablets
Best Tablets Under $100
I love tech and all about it. I'm interested in finding ways how they can make my life more productive, and I share my knowledge with my blog readers. I'm an iPad Pro, iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch user, so I know a thing or two about these devices and try to write helpful content around these topics.