When looking for the best tablet for kids, you’ll want to consider the main ways your child will use device, as well as your budget and the tablet’s operating system. There are four main types of tablets for kids: an Apple iPad, a Microsoft Windows-based tablet, an Android-based tablet or one of the alternative tablets that run a proprietary operating system or a specialized version of Android, like the Amazon Fire tablets.
We’ve found the best tablets for kids, with new models from Samsung, Apple and more.
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We recommend picking the tablet that uses an operating system caregivers are most comfortable with. So, if you have an iPhone you may want to stick with an iPad, for example. It’s also worth considering the age of your child, whether it’s more for entertainment like to streaming Bluey or if a tween needs it to complete and turn in homework.
“Tablets and technology are fantastic teaching tools for children. They are a great way for them to connect and learn,” says Dr. Lea Lis, a double board-certified adult and child psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor at New York Medical College. “Many games can appeal to even the youngest of children, while also keeping them occupied on long, boring car rides.” Guided by expert advice and plenty of firsthand experience, we’ve rounded up the best tablets for kids on the market in 2024.
Best Tablet For Kids Overall: Apple iPad (10th Generation)
Best Value Tablet For Kids: Amazon Fire HD 10
Best First Tablet For Kids: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids
Best Tablet For Older Kids And Teens: Apple iPad Air
Best Android Tablet For Kids: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Best Premium iPad For Kids: Apple iPad Pro (11-Inch)
Best Premium Android Tablet For Kids: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Apple
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
Display size: 10.9 inches | Screen resolution: 2,360 x 1,640 pixels | Operating system: iPadOS | Storage capacity: 64GB/256GB | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Size: 9.8 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches | Weight: 16.8 ounces
Best for:
Those seeking an affordable iPad
Access to the widest range of apps
Casual gaming
Skip if:
You’d prefer Face ID (instead of Touch ID)
You want to use the newest Apple Pencil
More intense productivity work needs to be done
The Apple iPad (10th Generation) is a completely modern iPad, with only a few compromises that shouldn’t matter to most kids. The A14 processor is a bit less powerful and the resolution of the touchscreen display is a bit lower than what’s offered by the newer iPad Air and various other iPad models. That said, this is also the least expensive option if you choose to purchase a new (as opposed to used or refurbished) iPad for your child.
It does have a vibrant touchscreen display, a 12MP front-facing camera, an 12MP rear-facing camera, stereo speakers and enough processing power to handle just about any task. This is a great “starter” iPad, especially if the family is already invested in the Apple ecosystem, (we also have tips on setting up an iPad for kids).
One drawback of any iPad is that is does not come with a protective cover or case, stylus or keyboard. These accessories are sold separately. The base model of this particular iPad only comes with 64GB of internal storage, which can be upgraded during your purchase to 256GB of storage for an additional $150. (There is no memory card slot built into any iPad.) A tablet with just 64GB of storage greatly limits the amount of content, such as videos, you can store within the device.
Good Value
Display size: 10.1 inches | Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,200 pixels | Operating system: FireOS (based on Android) | Storage capacity: 32GB, 64GB | Battery life: Up to 13 hours | Size: 9.7 x 6.5 x 0.3 inches | Weight: 15.3 ounces
Best for:
Watching shows, reading books and listening to music
Casual games
Video calls
Skip if:
The widest selection of apps is needed
A child is trying to do a lot of multitasking
They need something for typing or productivity
The newest Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is a perfect device for media consumption for most kids. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and more streaming services are available to watch on the 10-inch screen. While Fire tablets aren’t the most powerful tablets on the market, Amazon claims this newest model is 25% faster than the previous generation. The hardware is also a tiny bit lighter compared to the last-generation tablet, though that probably won’t matter too much.
While this tablet is probably best suited for media consumption, it does have cameras and is capable of making Zoom calls or doing Teams chats if it needs to double as a school device. For less than $150, it’s hard to beat the value of this tablet for kids in fourth grade and up through even seventh grade. However, one thing we don’t love is that it costs extra to remove ads from the lock screen. Even though it might not be the most top-of-the-line tablet experience, it can play Roblox—which might be the only selling point a parent needs to make to some kids.
Amazon
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids
Display size: 8 inches | Screen resolution: 1,280 x 800 pixels | Operating system: FireOS (based on Android) | Storage capacity: 32GB/64GB | Battery life: up to 13 hours | Size: 8.7 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches (with case) | Weight: 18.3 ounces
Best for:
Younger kids (under age 7)
Car trips and periods of downtime
Kids more interested in content than the latest hardware
Skip if:
You have an older kid
You want a wide range of apps or games
You don’t need a protective case
Once a young child is ready for their first tablet, it’s hard to beat the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids. The 8-inch screen is big enough for watching shows, but compact enough to be carried along to most places. This Kids version of the Fire HD 8 has a few differences from the regular model. It comes with a handle-equipped case that can be propped up on nearly any surface and a year of free access to kid content—like books, games and shows. Maybe best of all is that you’re guaranteed to get two years of use from it with Amazon’s 2-year warranty. If it breaks, send it back to Amazon for a new one.
The hardware is not cutting-edge, but the types of apps that young kids use shouldn’t stress the machine. With parental controls available and always something age-appropriate to do, this tablet is a solid choice for little ones.
Display size: 11 inches | Screen resolution: 2,360 x 1,640 pixels | Operating system: iPadOS | Storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Size: 9.8 x 7 x 0.2 inches | Weight: 16.5 ounces
Best for:
Power and productivity
Compatibility with Apple’s Magic Keyboard
Varying levels of games
Skip if:
You want a less expensive option
Having the best screen is important—look at the 12.9 Pro if so
The iPad Air is a legitimate computer in tablet form now that it has an M2 processing chip, all-day battery life and an abundance of Apple-infused software features. Speed is one aspect that sets this iPad Air apart from the iPad (10th Generation) or iPad Mini. You’ll also find it on our list of the best iPads for kids.
The Air supports both the the Apple Pencil (USB-C) stylus and the Apple Pencil Pro, but those are sold separately. Unlike the iPad (10th Generation) which only has 64GB or 256GB storage options, the iPad Air offer four storage tiers and starts at a more reasonable $599 for 128GB. With a good mix of performance for price, this tablet is ideal for kids who are not only using it to consume content, but also beginning to explore creative tools like photo and video editing apps.
Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Display size: 11 inches | Screen resolution: 1,920 X 1,200 pixels | Operating system: Android 13 | Storage capacity: 64GB+ | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Size: 10.12 x 6.64 x 0.27 inches | Weight: 16.9 ounces
Best for:
Apps only available for Android
Expanding storage space
Wide aspect ratio
Skip if:
You need the smallest tablet
The latest hardware is important
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a perfect blend of modern features and value. It lacks the cutting-edge technology built into the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab, but this tablet is far more affordable. Its internal storage is also easily expandable using an optional microSD memory card, so your child can have plenty of storage for photos, videos and apps. The tablet’s larger 11-inch screen should be bright enough to accommodate uses of the tablet in the car or around the house. When it comes to sound, the tablet’s two speakers support Dolby Atmos. Bluetooth headphones or earbuds can be used as well.
The overall design of the Galaxy Tab A9+ is on the compact and lightweight side, so it’s nicely suited for kids. Beyond content available for it from the Google Play Store, Samsung Kids allows parents more control over tablet use. For younger kids, you might consider the Kids Edition, which comes with a colorful case and is pre-loaded with the Samsung Kids app, but has less storage.
Apple
Apple iPad Pro (11-Inch)
Display size: 11 inches | Screen resolution: 2,420 x 1,668 pixels | Operating system: iPadOS | Storage capacity: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | Battery life: Up to 10 hours | Size: 9.8 x 7 x 0.2 inches | Weight: 15.7 ounces
Best for:
Vivid screen
Laptop-like speed
Tablet gaming
Skip if:
You’re looking for something less expensive
Speed is not the most important consideration
Whether you choose the 11-inch or 13-inch display, the iPad Pro represents Apple’s top-of-the-line and most powerful tablet. Both versions operate using Apple’s fastest and most powerful processor, the M4 chip. Both have a pro-level camera setup, plenty of internal storage options, four stereo speakers and a truly stunning touchscreen display. Both models feature an OLED with bright colors and deep blacks. The Pro iPads are stunning for watching videos.
What we love about the iPads Pro is that it’s versatile, especially when used with a keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro stylus. These tablets are designed for people with heaving processing needs to handle tasks like video editing, high-resolution photo editing or playing ultra-fast paced and graphically intensive games. There’s a reason why professional artists, videographers and photographers use an iPad Pro as part of their workflow. However, the tablet can also easily handle note taking, word processing and countless other tasks some teenagers might need for their school work, entertainment or creativity. We’d recommend choosing at least the 512GB storage capacity option if your child wants to use it with creative tools.
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Display size: 12.4 inches | Screen resolution: 2,800 x 1,752 pixels | Operating system: Android | Storage capacity: 256GB, 512GB | Battery life: Up to 16 hours | Size: 11.2 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches | Weight: 30.4 ounces
Best for:
Largest display
Gorgeous screen
Productivity tasks
Skip if:
Compact size is important
Having the best-looking screen isn’t key to tasks it’s used for
What sets Samsung’s highest-end tablet apart is that it runs the latest version of Android as well as its extra-large, 12.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The four-speaker system supports Dolby Atmos, and the tablet possesses a collection of features that give it incredible computing power thanks in part to its AI-capable processor. This is definitely one of the most powerful Android-based tablets you can buy, so high school students may find it useful (especially if they also use an Android-based smartphone).
Yes, this tablet is larger and a bit heavier than others featured in this story, but this is due to the larger screen. The high-speed processor and the refresh rate of the display really become obvious when playing graphic-intensive, high-action games, for example. There are millions of compatible apps available from the Google Play Store. Unlike the iPad Pro, this Samsung tablet comes with an S Pen stylus, although the attachable keyboard is sold separately.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The parenting and technology teams at Forbes Vetted have extensive experience testing and reviewing the very best consumer tech products, as well as baby and kids gear. We provide honest, comprehensive product buying advice, steering parents and shoppers toward the best items for them. We partnered together to combine expertise between these two teams—baby and kids gear and consumer tech—to determine these picks of the best tablets for kids, from toddlers to savvy high schoolers.
The authors of this article, Tyler Hayes and Jason R. Rich are both seasoned tech writers. Hayes is a parent and tech writer and editor who has covered consumer electronics since 2014. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, Wired, Newsweek, PCMag and dozens of other publications over the years. Rich has been writing about consumer technologies, including smartphones, tablets, video games and computers, for more than 30 years.
This story was edited by Margaret Badore, the baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. A mom herself, she has over 15 years of experience covering science and health topics.
To help guide our choices, we consulted with several child development experts and educators, including Jillian Amodio, a social worker and parenting expert at Waypoint Wellness Center in Maryland. We also spoke with Dr. Carolina Estevez, a Texas-based clinical psychologist; Maria Shaheen, Ph.D., director of education research and innovation at The Goddard School; and Dr. Lea Lis, a double board-certified adult and child psychiatrist.
This story is frequently reviewed and updated to ensure accuracy. It was last updated in October 2024 to include the newest versions of our top picks, including new tablets from Samsung and Apple, and to remove products that are no longer available.
How We Chose The Best Tablets For Kid
Our focus for this story was on choosing tablet options that run either the popular Apple iPadOS, Android or Windows operating system and that can meet kids needs.
We conducting extensive research into tablets designed for kids. We analyzed each tablet’s battery life, screen size, screen resolution, storage capacity, size, weight, overall durability and the parental controls available.
We strive to provide options at multiple prices—from less than $100 to up to $1,000—while paying attention to the overall quality of each tablet.
We also spoke to parents, including those on staff, to get their firsthand feedback on these devices, including various iPads and Fire tablets.
What To Look For When Buying A Tablet For Kids
There are many reasons why parents opt to provide their children with tablets, from entertainment to more creative and even educational exploration.
“We live in a technical age and early access to technology can help build early tech literary skills,” says Jillian Amodio, a social worker and parenting expert at Waypoint Wellness Center in Maryland. She says there are many educational games, emotional literacy apps, creative games, as well as art apps and activities can provide enrichment opportunities. “But a tablet should not be used as the sole access to educational and creative opportunities. Instead, a tablet should serve as a supplementary option.”
As you begin shopping for a tablet for your child, here are some of the most important features and functions to consider.
Tablet Display Size, Type And Resolution
Screen size, type and resolution of a tablet’s display directly impacts the clarity of the text and graphics seen on the screen, as well as the fluidity of the animations or video. For a toddler or child, screen size is an important consideration, because you want them to be able to see everything, but still be able to easily work with the tablet using their smaller size hands.
A tween or teenager who is tech-savvy, however, might appreciate a tablet with a higher-resolution and faster screen refresh rate, as this impacts the graphics quality of the games they play and the apps they use. Chances are, they’ll also prefer a larger display that makes multitasking between multiple applications easier.
Overall Tablet Durability
All tablets are thin and have a fragile screen on the front of the device. This can accidentally get cracked, scratched or broken if the tablet gets dropped or crushed. Plus, tablets are also not waterproof. However, some tablets are more durable than others. If you’re choosing a tablet that doesn’t already come with a protective case, we highly recommend investing in one. However, no matter how careful your child is using their tablet, accidents do happen.
Battery Life
How long a tablet can continue running between battery charges is an important consideration, especially if your kids use the tablet at school or during long car rides. Most of the tablets in this roundup have a battery life of at least 10 hours, which should be more than adequate, assuming you or your child remembers to charge the tablet at night or when it’s not being used.
Physical Size And Weight
The size and weight of the tablet impacts how comfortable it is to interact with and use. Smaller size tablets are lighter and more transportable, but they have smaller screens, which may not be ideal for streaming for longer periods of time. A lighter tablet is also easier to hold while reading or watching a movie. Larger tablets with larger screens tend to be heavier but allow you to enjoy a better picture, but kids may get tired of holding them sooner.
Price
Caregivers may not want to buy a young child an expensive top-of-line tablet, of course. They very well might break it, and most kids under the age of 8 don’t need a particularly power device. But it’s worth noting that while you can purchase a tablet for your child for around $100, these options tend to be less technically advanced. The screen’s resolution will be lower, the processor may be slow, internal storage can be minimal and its other functions may be limited. By spending between $100 and $400, you’ll find a full-featured tablet that can easily handle a wide range of tasks and that offers plenty of internal storage.
If you’re willing and able to spend between $500 and $1,000, you’ll have no trouble finding a tablet for older kids and teens with cutting-edge features, a fast processor, a high resolution screen, excellent sound, a long battery life and plenty of internal storage. Be sure to also take into account the added cost of optional accessories you may wind up needing.
Available Parental Controls
All of the tablets featured in this roundup have some level of customizable parental controls, but it’s up to you to fully utilize them in order to manage your child’s usage of the tablet and determine the types of content and apps they’ll have access to. Parental controls can limit access to inappropriate content or unsupervised communication with strangers.
“One parental control that parents should be sure to set is a screen timer for their little ones,” says Maria Shaheen, Ph.D., director of education research and innovation at The Goddard School. “The age-old saying, ‘everything in moderation’ still rings true with today’s advanced technology. Too much screen time not only creates a sense of dependency on technology in your children, but it can negatively affect their development.”
Shaheen notes that, “as important as it is to place parental controls on the tablet itself, it is equally important to teach your child to impose their own limits on tablets just as you would teach your child how to set limits on anything else, like having one cookie rather than the entire bag.”
Operating System And Compatibility With Parent’s Equipment
It can be helpful to choose a tablet for your kids that uses an operating system you’re already familiar with, whether it’s iPadOS, Android or Windows. This makes it easier for you to set up the tablet for your child and manage their usage of it.
You’ll also be able to help them with any problems or questions that might arise, even if you don’t consider yourself to be overly tech savvy. It may also be worth finding out which OS their friends are using most for those important group chats as they become more independent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At What Age Can A Child Use A Tablet?
This answer depends a lot on your parenting style. We asked several child development experts about the right age to introduce a table to the child—and they had a lot to say, although toddlerhood might be just fine as long as you limit the total amount of screen time, as well as set up strong parental controls and have final approval on apps.
“Tablets are super user‒friendly, so depending on your views, they can be introduced from age 2 onwards,” says Dr. Lea Lis. “Most schools use them in elementary school and many schools give them to students starting in Kindergarten. Some parents choose to go electronic-free, which has some great benefits. This is especially great because tablets can be addictive… However, once your child starts school and is learning through mixed mediums, including tablets in the classroom, it is okay to introduce them at home.”
Amodio agrees that the timing really depends on the family: “When a parent should introduce a tablet to their child will be highly dependent on the needs, wants and situations of each family.” Instead, she recommends proceeding with caution at offering unrestricted access. “Too much usage of a tablet, or any mobile device, could cause a child to develop trouble sleeping, behavioral issues, attention issues and even unhealthy weight gain if physical activity is replaced by screen time,” she says.
What Tablet Should I Get a 9-Year-Old Or Tween?
Tween and teens are likely best served by an iPad, like our top overall pick, or a higher-end Android tablet. Of course, it all depends on what they use the tablet for the most. Kids who use a tablet for school and to play games with detailed graphics and fast animations, or who want to watch a lot of action-based movies, are best served by a tablet that offers a slightly larger screen with a high resolution, more internal storage space and a faster processor.
Choosing one with an optional keyboard and stylus or a 2-in-1 tablet to laptop style device might be best for older teens with heavier homework loads or those going to college soon.
What Type Of Storage Capacity Do I Need For A Kid’s Tablet?
One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to a tablet’s storage capacity relates to streaming content. When content is being streamed from the internet, very little internal storage is required, because none of that content is actually being stored within the device. However, if you want your child to be able to store a library of TV shows, movies, apps, games, eBooks, photos and other content that will be available to them when there’s no Wi-Fi internet connection, this is when having a tablet with a lot of internal storage (at least 256GB) is extremely useful.
Tablets are not upgradable once purchased, so if you purchase a device with just 64GB of storage, for example, that’s what you’ll be limited to. Unfortunately, many tablets, including all iPads, do not have a built-in memory card slot. However, when a tablet does have a memory card slot, you can insert an optional microSD memory card to increase storage up to 1TB (sometimes more).
When choosing how much internal storage your child might need, consider where they’ll be using the tablet and whether or not they’ll be able to stream content from the internet via Wi-Fi, or if need to store the content within their device to access it anytime when no internet connection is available.
