Enhance learning with the best Chromebook for kids

Chromebook for kids is a current type of computer meant to enable your kids to do things easier and faster. They run ChromeOS, a Google built-in operating feature that supports cloud storage with numerous layers of advanced security. Some of the reasons why Chromebooks are currently a great deal for your kids are secure, affordable, and easy to use. Besides, they offer educational apps and built-in parental control tools, hence making them ideal for entertainment and learning.

Is a Chromebook a good option for kids?

Yes! Indeed, Chromebooks are highly recommendable as the first computer option for kids. Their comparative advantage over traditional computers is that they are not only affordable but also simple to use. Besides, their stripped-down OS makes them easier for kids to use and less vulnerable to attack by viruses. They are less costly compared to most models of laptops, hence giving you a peaceful mind in case of any accidental damage. Moreover, Chromebooks make browsing on the internet, basic production, and schoolwork excellent, making it a good choice for your kid’s digital journey.

What’s new on Chromebooks in 2024?

There are some nifty upgrades on Chromebooks for kids in 2024. It’s easier to share files from your kids Chromebook to Android phone on Chromebook for kids. Besides, Chromebooks for kids with built-in feature screen readers have a high chance of converting scanned documents to text. Here are more current and emerging features on Chromebook for kids:

• Improvised accessibility feature – Chromebooks for kids are becoming much better regularly for you with the current features of AI. When your kids’ Chromebook is built with a screen reader, they can use “Optical Character Recognition” to convert their scanned PDFs to readable text. Besides, of late, there have been text-to-speech options accompanied by voices with natural soundings for your kids.
• Bigger screens for easier working on. Chromebooks are designed with teachers and students in mind; thus, the larger screen helps learners and teachers to project their work effortlessly.
• Longer battery life, thus making it for students to move around the classroom during the learning or demonstration session.
• More storage to help your children save extra large homework files.
• Chromebook for kids enables the smooth sharing of files using Android. Using “Quick Share,” you can easily share links, photos, and other important files with only a few taps.
• Development of Chromebook apps for kids. Google has made it easier for you to come up with new apps on Chromebooks. Besides, there are new ChromeOS apps that can link to the Play Store directly.

Chromebook vs Laptop for kids

Choosing between a laptop and a Chromebook for your kids can be a challenging task, especially since both offer unique features to your kids’ learning and entertainment needs. To help you make an informed decision, the table below highlights the unique features of each computer model.

Difference between Chromebooks for kids and laptops.

The best Chromebooks for kids in 2024

Below are the 10 best Chromebooks for kids you can consider for your kids in 2024.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Overall best Chromebook for kids.

This 2-in-1 Chromebook is a great option for kids looking for a tablet mode for easier drawing, playing games, reading and a laptop for traditional use. It has a vibrant touchscreen display, durable built quality, and a long battery life.

• Pros: Durable, vibrant display, detachable design, and long battery life.
• Cons: A little heavier for younger kids.

HP Chromebook 11a Laptop

Best Chromebook for elementary school kids.

The HP Chromebook 11a is an ideal choice for junior kids, especially because of its durability, affordability, and lightweight design. It is built to withstand drops and bumps and is also a spill-resistant keyboard. 

• Pros: Affordable, lightweight, durable, and spill-resistant keyboard.
• Cons: Smaller storage and lower processing power.

Acer Chromebook Spin 714

Best Chromebook for high school students.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is 2024 premium Chromebook with a long battery life, powerful processor and a stunning display. Kids can execute the most demanding tasks like running multiple Chrome tabs simultaneously or video editing. 

• Pros: Long battery life, powerful processor, and a high-resolution display.
• Cons: Relatively more expensive than most other Chromebooks.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

Best Chromebook for durability.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a highly rugged Chromebook built to withstand a beating. It includes a reinforced chassis, MIL-STD 810G certification, and a spill-resistant keyboard, which means that it can survive shocks, drops, and vibrations.

• Pros: Spill-resistant keyboard, rugged design, and MIL-STD 810G certified.
• Cons: Shorter battery life, smaller display.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5

A versatile 2-in-1 Chromebook that serves as both a tablet and a laptop, thus making it an ideal device for kids looking forward to flexibility in their learning and entertainment, 

• Pros: Detachable keyboard for tablet mode, Long battery life, and OLED display for great visuals.
• Cons: Smaller storage capacity, higher price, and limited port selection.

HP Chromebook x360 14c

This Chromebook features a convertible design with its 360-degree hinge that allows it to be used in various positions like in tent, laptop, stand, and tablet mode. It’s a great tool for interactive learning.

• Pros: Responsive touchscreen, solid build quality, versatile 360-degree hinge.
• Cons: Heavier for young kids, moderate battery life of about 10 hours, performance lags behind due to multitasking.

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

This durable and compact 11.6-inch Chromebook is designed specifically for kids. It includes a flexible 360-degree hinge for easy use in various positions. 

• Pros: Affordable price, compact and sturdy, and good battery life of up to 10 hours.
• Cons: Relatively small screen size, mediocre speakers, and limited performance, especially for demanding tasks.

Samsung Chromebook 4

The Samsung Chromebook 4 is a lightweight and affordable Chromebook making it easier for young kids to use it for basic tasks and carry around.

• Pros: Budget-friendly, lightweight, portable, and long battery life of over 12 hours.
• Cons: Limited display quality, no touch screen, and only basic performance capabilities.

Google Pixelbook Go

Google Pixelbook Go is a premium Chromebook featuring a sleek design and amazing performance. It’s ideal for kids looking forward to a more powerful and stylish learning gear.

• Pros: Excellent performance, high-quality design and build, and long battery life of about 12 hours.
• Cons: Higher price point, no stylus support, and lacks 360-degree hinge.

Asus Chromebook Flip C21

Designed specifically for students. Its rugged design enables it to withstand spills and drops, thus making it ideal for younger school-going kids. 

• Pros: Features a 360-degree hinge, durable and rugged design, and a spill-resistant keyboard.
• Cons: Average performance, basic display quality, and average performance.

Does Chromebook have a kid mode?

No! Chromebooks themselves do not include a dedicated “kid mode” as found in some tablets. However, Chromebooks includes a parental control feature through the Family Link which can help achieve a similar outcome to kid mode. Here’s how to use Family Link on your Kid’s Chromebooks.

• Create a supervised account for your children using the Family Link.
• Use the account to sign in to the Chromebook.
• Set restrictions on what and when your children can access online, limit app usage and even customize screen time limits.
• You can also customize Chrome to detect and block inappropriate content on your kid’s Chromebook.

While Chromebooks do not include the traditional “kid mode” they instead have the “Family Link” feature that offers an effective way of managing your children’s Chromebook use. This ensures a safer online environment for your kid’s learning experience.

Set up Chromebook for kids’ schoolwork

When setting up a Chromebook for the first time, or you want to add a new user to your Chromebook, it’s possible to add a child’s school account in the process. 

By setting your child’s up as a user, you’ll enable them to access the Chromebook through their Google account. This in turn allows you to manage parental controls via the Family Link app.

• Sign in as the device owner on the kid’s Chromebook.
• Click on the bottom right corner where “Time, wifi, and battery power” are featured.
• Select “Settings”.
• Select “People” on the left side, then “Manage other people”.
• Choose your kid’s personal Google account administered by Family Link.
• Near the “Account”, select “Add school account.”
• Follow the on-screen steps to permit the addition of the school account.

Tip. After adding the child as a user, make sure you set restrictions on sign-in permission for the Chromebook. This is to ensure that only the permitted account can access the Chromebook and only through the official account connected to the Family Link app.

Here’s how to add a school account for your child’s Family Link during the Chromebook setup.

•  Step 1. Launch Google Chrome, and when prompted, “Who’s using the device?” choose a child account.

• Step 2. Sign in or create the kid’s personal Google account.

• Step 3. Go through the on-screen prompts to include the school account.
• Step 4. Enter your child’s Google Workspace for education password and account.

Utilizing parental control apps to enhance monitoring of your kids

Keep your children safe online- beyond Chromebook Kid’s mode and use of parental control apps.

While Chromebook includes ways for restricting inappropriate browsing, it has numerous limitations.

• Easy to bypass. Tech-savvy kids can easily find workarounds to access blocked content in kid mode.
• Limited control. It basically restricts access to particular apps and websites.
• No monitoring. Chromebook kid mode does not include a feature to actively track the kid’s online activities. 

Parental control apps on the other hand offers a more comprehensive solutions for monitoring your kid’s online activities. Using the FlashGet Kids app allows you to.

• Set screen time limits. FlashGet Kids app enables you to set overall device usage or specific app time usage, thus controlling how your children stay online.
• Content filtering. FlashGet Kids app enables you to block inappropriate content or websites based on category or age.
• App blocking. This enables you to restrict access to particular apps on your children’s devices that you deem unsuitable for them.
• Enhanced monitoring. Track apps used, websites visited and even social media activities on your child’s Chromebook device.
• Alerts and notifications. Receive alerts in case of suspicious activities or genuine attempts to access restricted content.

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