From toddlers to teens: The best tablets for kids of all ages

Technology has a strong impact on our lives. It is almost impossible to keep kids away from tech devices. Most kids are more attracted to smart devices with bigger screens. With an ever-increasing variety of tablets, parents may naturally inquire about the best tablets for kids that keep them entertained and engaged within safe limits.
This article will briefly discuss the importance of tablets for kids. We will also list the top tablets for kids of all ages and their pros and cons. We will also compare them for your clarity and share some useful tips for safe usage.

Why tablets for kids?

Kids born in the digital age are always attracted to new gadgets. While overusing these gadgets is also not wise, parents may consider allowing children to use tablets for their benefit.

Here are some of the benefits of tablets for kids:

Educational benefits

The Internet offers limitless opportunities for increasing knowledge. How you use this knowledge depends upon the user. Platforms like Google and YouTube offer a range of information in interactive and engaging ways. Kids may benefit from these platforms by increasing their knowledge.

Kids can also download and play educational games to diversify their knowledge. For example, toddlers can play games to learn the alphabet and animal sounds. Adolescents can learn mathematical calculations by playing fun games. Teenagers can play mind games to sharpen their intelligence.

Learning communication

Communication development is one of the crucial factors for a growing kid. Tablets can help kids develop and increase their verbal and nonverbal communication. They can use tablets to attend video sessions that offer opportunities for them to listen and speak.

Attending a simple video call on tablets also increases their communication in multiple ways. If parents have busy routines, kids can have the opportunity to interact with other family members via video calls on tables. Other than visual communication, tablets offer to increase their written expressions as well.

Creativity and fun

Tablets offer a range of possibilities for kids to develop creative skills in fun ways. It may be a challenge for parents or teachers to teach them skills like painting and drawing, but tablets offer massive opportunities for kids to diversify their creative abilities.

Gaming apps like Color by Number, Scrabble, and Missing Numbers help children become more interested in creative activities. These activities may be less attractive offline. However, the impact is manifold with the variety and atmosphere offered on tablets.

Online classes

Recently, “Remote learning” has become an important aspect of kids’ education. Sometimes, schools and colleges make it mandatory for kids to attend some online classes. In those scenarios, knowing how to operate a tablet becomes necessary. That’s because a tablet is one of the most appropriate devices for attending online classes.

In addition to the children, parents must also develop familiarity with how to operate tablets. Teachers may require parents to accompany their children during their online classes to help them follow instructions properly. You also need to have sufficient understanding to troubleshoot daily issues regarding tablets.

Skills development

Using tablets helps kids develop and polish their hand-eye movements. In addition to their dexterity skills, they also improve their memory, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills by playing interactive games and using various educational apps. They also develop a basic understanding of operating systems, file folders, and soft files stored on tablets.

Tablets also help children explore and bring their hidden talents to life. For example, they can develop a special interest in painting and music apps. They may also develop special interests in graphics and video editing. These skills can be helpful for them in the future.

Top tablets for toddlers (Ages 2-5)

Now that we know the importance and benefits of tablets for kids let’s check out some of the best tablets for toddlers. Following are the top two recommendations for tablets that are designed for kids of 2 to 5 years of age:

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition

Amazon is a leading company that offers specialized tablets for kids. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is one of the best choices for your kids. It offers the following amazing features:

• Price: $189.99.

• 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display.

• 32 GB of internal storage.

• Up to 10 hours of battery life.

• 1-year free subscription to Amazon Fire for Kids Unlimited.

• Strong case to protect the tablet.

• Preloaded with over 5,000 eBooks.

• You can also download content that kids can view offline as well.

• Also includes appropriate videos, apps, and games meant for kids.

• Parents can set controls for supervised usage.

• Appropriate for ages 3 to 7.

Pros

– Ideal for kids to withstand rough usage.

– Comes with a built-in stand to use with convenience.

– Great quality and display.

– Useful parental controls.

– Preloaded with content related to kids.

– Two-year warranty for worry-free usage.

Cons

– Focused on Amazon-related services.

– The warranty doesn’t cover breakage.

– Low internal storage for large data.

LeapFrog LeapPad Academy

What’s better than a tablet that claims to be an academy for kids? LeapFrog is a company that offers a special tablet called LeapPad Academy for kids. It comes with some amazing features that are useful for every kid. Here are some of them:

• Designed for kids of ages from 3 to 8 years.

• 16 GB internal storage.

• It is preloaded with learning apps that help improve skills related to mathematics, phonics, coding, and much more.

• It comes with multiple useful eBooks, puzzles, and informational videos for kids.

• A special feature called Mr. Giraffe teaches children about nature.

• Parents can set controls to ensure careful supervision of their kids while they use this tablet.

• Helps improve vocabulary by teaching one word a day.

• 7-inch screen with shatter-safe feature.

• The body is made with tough material for rough usage.

• Comes with a built-in stand for ease of use.

• Offers free trial of LeapFrog Academy for 3 months.

• Comes at an affordable price of $99.99.

Pros:

– This tablet provides quality content that has been vetted by professional education experts.

– Ideal for kids to increase their knowledge and abilities.

– Avoids digital distractions with the right apps and features for kids.

– Kids can access the LeapFrog Academy to learn, develop, and expand their existing knowledge and skills.

Cons:

– Limited trial for LeapFrog Academy.

– Small screen size and internal storage.

Here’s the comparison for both tablets we discussed. The following table will help you have a quick overview of both tablets so you can make a quick and easy decision.

Best tablets for young kids (Ages 6-9)

Are you confused about which tablet to buy for your kids from the two big tech giants, Apple and Samsung? We are here to assist you. Following are the two of the best tablets from both companies:

iPad 10.2-inch

If you want to buy a versatile, strong, and long-term tablet for your kids, the iPad 10.02-inch is the tablet you must consider. This tablet is appropriate for the kids between ages 6 to 9. The strong backup of iOS gives kids the best experience with this device.  

Let’s have an overview of its main features:

• Big screen size of 10.2 inches.

• Retina display ensures a smooth tablet experience.

• Comes with 32 GB to 128 GB internal storage options.

• The battery lasts up to 10 hours.

• Decent camera. 8MP rear, 1.2MP front.

• Supports Apple pencil.

• Screen Time features for parental controls.

• Special rugged case to keep the tablet protected.

• The price starts at $329.

Pros

– High-quality Retina display

– Comes with a huge selection of educational apps

– Supports Apple Pencil for creative tasks

– Regular software updates and strong security

– Long battery life

– Ideal for education and fun purposes.

Cons

– Higher price point compared to other kids’ tablets

– Not specifically designed for children, so requires a durable case

– Limited parental controls compared to some dedicated kids’ tablets

– Accessories like Apple Pencil and durable case are sold separately

Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition

Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition is a carefully designed tablet for kids. It offers amazing options that suit the needs of kids aged 6 to 9.

Here are the main features:

• Decent scream size of 8 inches.

• Great screen resolution of 1280 x 800.

• 32 GB internal storage, expandable up to 512 GB.

• Strong battery life for up to 13 hours

• Good cameras. 8MP rear camera and 2MP front camera.

• Provides excellent parental controls

• Comes pre-loaded with multiple educational content and apps.

• Rugged case to protect the tablet.

• The price starts at $149.99

Pros

– Durable design with a kid-friendly case included

– Long battery life to sustain prolonged usage.

– Good parental controls with the support from the Samsung Kids interface.

– Comes with built-in educational content.

Cons

– Lower resolution display compared to iPad

– Limited to 8-inch screen size, which may be small for some users

Here is a table of comparison for both tablets for your quick overview:

Ideal tablets for tweens (Ages 10-12)

Kids in their pre-teenage are going through the most important phase of development. Hence, it is very important to choose the right devices for them.

Here are the top two recommendations for the kids aged between 10 to 12:

Amazon Fire HD 10

Amazon Fire HD 10 is one of Amazon’s most-liked tablets. It has all the necessary features to suit the needs of kids aged 10 to 12 and provides a good mix of fun and knowledge.

Here are its main features:

• 10.1 inches.

• Full HD resolution supporting up to 1080p.

• Comes with 32 GB and 64 GB (expandable up to 1 TB)

• Up to 12 hours of battery life.

• 2MP front and rear cameras.

• Fast processor of Octa-core 2.0 GHz.

• Provides parental controls with Amazon FreeTime.

• The pricing starts at $149.99.

Pros

– Affordable pricing is the real attraction for buyers.

– The battery life is far better than other tables.

– Provides many apps and content that can be used later on.

– Expandable storage for extended usage over time.

Cons

– Lower resolution display.

– Performance may not be as smooth as higher-end tablets.

– Limited to 8-inch screen size.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus

When it comes to tablets, Lenovo is among the top players. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus provides the best combination of features and benefits for kids between 10 and 12 years of age.

The top features of Lenovo Tab M10 Plus are mentioned below:

• Ideal compact screen size of 10.3 inches.

• Good HD resolution for streaming.

• Multiple options for storage as per users’ needs.

• Extendable memory for increased storage.

• Long battery life of p to 9 hours.

• 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras.

• Octa-core 2.3 GHz processor.

• Provides parental controls with Google Family Link.

• Price: Starts at $179.99.

Pros:

– High-resolution display

– Many educational apps come built-in.

– Better camera quality compared to many other tablets

– Higher capacity for extendable storage.

– Fast processor for better performance.

Cons

– Costs may be beyond reach for some users.

– Battery drains faster than other tablets.

Here is the table for a quick comparison:

Tablets for teens (Ages 13+)

Teenage is the advanced age for kids before they are considered to be fully grown-ups. That’s why the tablets suitable for teenage kids are the most versatile and full of options.

Here are the two top tablets for teens suitable for 13+ years of age:

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Microsoft has introduced some of the finest tablets. The best tablet for kids is Microsoft Surface Go 3. Due to its variety of options, it is best suited for teens.

Here are some of its salient features:

• Comes with the standard and most common screen size of 10.5 inches.

• The display resolution is 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI).

• Multiple storage options of 64 GB eMMC and 128 GB SSD.

• Long battery life of up to 11 hours.

• Available in Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or Intel Core i3-10100Y processors.

• Price starts at $399.

Pros:

– Complete Windows 11 experience.

– Versatile device with tablet and laptop functionality.

– Stylus support with Surface Pen.

– Expandable storage with the support for microSDXC card.

Cons:

– Higher price point compared to tablets with similar features.

– The basic model has limited functions.

– Accessories like Surface Pen and Type Cover are charged separately.

iPad Air

Apple users are well aware of the iPad Air. Its durability and functionality make it ideal for teens and adults alike. Many users believe that iPad Air is far better than other tablets in terms of user satisfaction.

Here are some of its top features:

• Ideal screen size of 10.9 inches.

• High quality display of 2360 x 1640 (264 PPI).

• Multiple storage options start from 64 GB up to 256 GB.

• Good battery life of up to 10 hours.

• The price starts at $599.

Pros:

– High-resolution Retina display.

– Powerful A14 Bionic chip for faster performance.

– Support for 2nd generation Apple Pencil.

– A huge selection of apps and educational content.

– Regular software updates and strong security from Apple.

Cons:

– Expensive tablet compared to others.

– Accessories do not come with the tablet.

The following table will help you compare both tablets easily to assist you in your buying decisions:

Features to consider when choosing the best tablets for kids

You must consider the following features when you are deciding to buy a suitable tablet for your kids:

Parental controls: Parents must check if the tablet supports parental controls. This option will allow parents to check their kids’ activities on their tablets closely.

Durability and Ruggedness: A tablet must be durable and rugged. It shouldn’t be designed in a way that gets defective easily due to rough usage by kids.

Educational and entertainment apps: An ideal tablet improves a kid’s knowledge in fun ways. It must have built-in apps for this purpose.

Battery life: The best user experience comes when the tablet is used without putting it on charging. The work must not stop while using a tablet. So, always go for tablets with a long battery life.

Screen size and resolution: Screen size is the main face of a tablet. If your kids depend on online sessions and learning videos, you must prefer appropriate screen sizes with HD resolution.

Storage capacity: A tablet must support the data saved in its internal storage. Otherwise, you will have to delete old data to store new. To avoid this headache, you must go for tablets with higher storage.

Price and value for money: Expensive tablets do not always guarantee the best user experience. Therefore, you must carefully analyze what you get for your money.

Tips for safe and effective tablet use

Buying a tablet may not be aa big issue for parents. They must know how their kids must use tablets safely. The prime purpose of using tablets is to ensure the required positive effects on kids.

The following are some tips for using tablets safely and effectively:   

Setting up parental controls

Setting up parental controls on your child’s tablet is the most effective way to ensure safe and effective table usage. You can use the parental control options that come built-in with these tablets.

If you think the parental controls on the tables are insufficient, you can also download the parental control App FlashGet Kids.

You will have the following benefits of using the FlashGet Kids app:

• Screen time: You can manage and control the screen time so your kids can use their tablets. It helps parents prevent their kids from using tablets for extended durations.
• Screen mirroring: The FlashGet Kids app offers an exclusive option to mirror your kids’ screens on your mobile phone. This allows you to see what your kids are doing in real time.
• Location tracking: The FlashGet Kids app’s salient feature is tracking children using their locations. This way, they can be sure of their safety and security.
• Live notifications: The FlashGet Kids app sends you live notifications for your kid’s activities. If your kids start using inappropriate sites or apps, you will immediately be notified and notified to take action accordingly.

Choosing age-appropriate content

You must ensure that your kids only use content appropriate for their age. While kids can always get distracted, it is a must to use parental controls. You can have a live view of their activities at any given time. If they are involved in accessing inappropriate content, you can stop and protect them in time.

Final words

Tablets are necessary gadgets in our lives. These little devices have the potential to guide and align kids with their goals. Therefore, you must choose the tablet according to your children’s age and requirements. The market is flooded with multiple tablets. Most of them are not really meant for kids. You must always take help form this article to select the best tablets for kids. This will help you make the right decision for you and your kids.