While we might disagree with each other on a variety of different topics, there's one thing we can all agree on:kids love touchscreens. Their little fingers might not be nimble enough to write their own name, but they can tap, slide and pinch better than most adults.
SummaryWhat to consider1. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids2. Amazon Fire HD 83. Lenovo Tab 44. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.15. Apple iPad (2018 model)Of course, there are crowds of people who laugh at the sight of kids staring at a tablet or smartphone. However, these devices can be important development tools, portals to educational materials, and the source of hours of entertainment. Fact is, a tablet can be a must-have parenting tool – just ask anyone who's had to endure a long plane, train or car journey with a youngster.
There is no "one size fits all" approach to buying a tablet for a child. The best one will depend on a variety of factors, such as the age of the child, your budget, and the type of parental controls you might need. Additionally, you can also consider the durability of the tablet. After all, if your child lacks fine motor skills or is a little rough with things, you probably don't want to give them your iPad Pro.
Luckily, there are a number of different products out there, and some are even marketed as kid-friendly. However, just because a tablet is labeled kid-friendly doesn't necessarily mean it's the best one.
FreeTime gives kids access to over 20,000 popular apps and games, videos, books, Audible audiobooks, and educational content, all screened to make sure they're kid-friendly. Plus, much of the content available through FreeTime comes from brands kids know and love, like PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more. Be aware that FreeTime is a paid subscription-based service. While you get one year free with the purchase of the tablet, renewals start at $2.99 per month.
If the Kids Edition is too "baby-ish" for your offspring, consider the Amazon Fire HD 8. The Fire HD 8 is one of the cheapest tablets on the market, currently priced at $79.99. It has a vibrant 8-inch high-definition screen and an impressive ten-hour battery life. The Fire HD 8 is available in 16 and 32 GB versions; however, the 32GB model commands a $30 price hike. Thankfully, the Fire HD 8 supports microSD cards up to 400GB, so you can upgrade to the cheaper 16GB model without worrying about storage space.
With such a low price, there are corners being cut, mainly with the meager 1.5GB of RAM and lackluster 2MP front and rear cameras. Despite that, there are a few extras like hands-free Alexa; however, you'll have to do without Google apps. You won't find the Play Store, Gmail, Google Drive or any other Google proprietary apps. All in all, if you're looking for a cheap tablet that lets your kids watch videos from Netflix or Amazon Prime, the Fire HD 8 might be just what you're looking for.
If the lack of Google apps is a deal-breaker, you might want to consider Lenovo's Tab 4. The Tab 4 packs decent specs at an affordable price, but what makes it an attractive choice for kids is the optional Kid's Pack. This includes an impact resistant bumper, blue light filters and decorative stickers.
Plus, the Tab 4 supports multiple accounts, which means every member of the family can customize the device to their liking, including kids. With the children's account, children have access to applications and games specially designed for their age. Plus, kids can use an internet browser with whitelisted websites, ensuring they won't stray into inappropriate areas of the web.
Compared to the other Android tablets we've mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is on the more expensive end of the spectrum, retailing for around $250. That being said, this price becomes more justifiable with the realization that the tablet can be used by multiple family members. The Tab A has a "kids mode", which is described by Samsung as "your child's first digital playground". This gives kids access to over 3,000 apps designed specifically for kids, most of which have an educational focus.
The best part about Kid Mode is that it's locked with a PIN, preventing your child from leaving it. If an adult wants to use the tablet, just enter the PIN and they'll be greeted by the familiar, unrestricted Android experience.
Additionally, the Tab A supports multiple profiles. This ensures that each family member can have their own account. Tab A also has robust parental controls. It allows parents to restrict the content their children have access to and limit their use.
If your heart doesn't skip a beat every time you see a child get rough with sensitive electronics, Apple's iPad might be for you. Granted, you'll need deeper pockets compared to some of the cheap Android tablets, but it's worth it. On the hardware side, the iPad has something to brag about. The 9.7-inch Retina display is a feast for the eyes, and the A10 Fusion processor can easily keep up with your small power user.
Additionally, the iPad has a large and robust app store. Whether you want educational apps using augmented reality or the latest games optimized for tablets, they will be available on the Apple App Store.
To sweeten the deal, the 2018 model of the iPad supports Apple Pencil. While the Apple Pencil will set you back an extra $100, it's a worthwhile investment if you have a little one who likes to draw.
Overall, the iPad does it all and then some. If you're looking for a tablet that can grow with your child, don't shy away from this one just because of the price.
Does your child use a tablet? Which of our choices do you think they would choose? Let us know in the comments!
