The best kids' tablets of 2026: Expert tested and parent-reviewed

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This winter has been riddled with snow days and freezing temperatures, forcing many kids to do schoolwork from home and spend time cooped up inside. A great kids' tablet can serve as a resource for school and entertainment while helping curb cabin fever. However, it has to be tough enough to withstand wear and tear and safe enough for your little ones. We tested the best parent-approved, kid-friendly tablets to find those that deliver the right balance of durability, entertainment, and value.

We went hands-on with dozens of models and gathered parent recommendations to identify the best kids' tablets you can buy now. The Galaxy Tab A8 is powerful and affordable. In addition, the Fire Kids HD 8 tablet offers robust parental controls, including screen time limits.

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What is the best kids' tablet right now?

After testing multiple kids' tablets, our choice for best overall is the Apple iPad, which parents and experts recommend. This relatively inexpensive tablet seamlessly combines the power of an iPad with the Apple ecosystem. It also supports many iOS apps, works with the Apple Family Sharing plan, and lets you control what your kids do on it and how long they use it.

Also: The best smartwatches for kids

In our March update, we replaced our top pick for the latest base-model iPad (11th generation).

Best tablets for kids in 2026

Apple's tried-and-true base model iPad tablet is great for kids. With the 11th-generation, you get many of the same features as the more expensive iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but in a lightweight form factor with an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, for a fraction of the price.

Early education experts agree that the base model iPad is a great option for kids.

Troy Portillo, director of operations of Studypool, an online tutoring platform for students, said that younger kids in need of a tablet can't go wrong with Apple's iPad.

"You can still get all the great security features that come standard with Apple products and customer support. You can also easily monitor your kid's activity online, limit screen time, and use parental controls for specific apps," Portillo said.

Parents can control their kids' iPad experience through Apple's Family Sharing feature. This feature lets them limit screen time for specific apps, notifies them when a child tries to buy an app, and sends reminders for events like family game night.

And as a recent Best Buy customer said in their review, "The iPad is so easy to use. The kids love it. There are lots of learning apps and games to play. It's great for in-car entertainment as well."

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For kids aged 6-12, parents love Amazon's Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet. It offers 25% faster speeds, higher-quality 5-megapixel cameras, and 13 hours of battery life.

The larger screen, at 10.1 inches, features improved resolution with a 1080p Full HD display that's brighter. It also comes with a kid-proof case, present filters for kids ages 6-12, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.

Even with all these improvements, this model only costs $190. That's $10 less than the previous generation, and it's often on sale.

Review: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet

As a ZDNET reviewer, I went hands-on with the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet and was "pleasantly surprised" with its smooth performance.

The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro has proven itself faster than both generations of the Fire HD 8 Kids tablet we have, and since the older ones were passed down to a four-year-old and a two-year-old, that hasn't been a problem. However, the seven-year-old, new owner of the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro, definitely notices the difference.

In a Best Buy review, one customer noted, "Once you have learned how to use Amazon Kids to download apps, it works great. My five-year-old loves it. It's pretty durable considering this has a slimmer case than the old version."

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet tech specs: Display: 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display | Processor: Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Storage: 32GB (expandable by up to 1 TB) | Memory: 3GB | Colors: Happy Day, Mint, and Nebula | Cameras: 5 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 1080p HD video recording | Weight: 23.21 oz | Dimensions: 7.5 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches (with kid-friendly case) | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C 2.0 | Battery life: 13 hours

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If you'd rather your kid have an Android tablet with full Google support, look no further than the Galaxy Tab A8.

"This tablet is packed with features that make it the perfect choice for parents looking to keep their children entertained and informed," Mo Mulla, parenting expert and creator of Parental Questions, told ZDNET.

Mulla also speaks highly of Samsung Kids, which parents can access from any Samsung tablet. The service lets parents grant their kids access to specific contacts and apps, as well as learning challenges to help kids avoid mindless scrolling. It even includes interaction with Samsung-specific animated characters.

"Its kid-friendly content has been explicitly created with kids in mind and includes educational apps and games to help entertain them and keep them active during playtime," Mulla said.

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 won't blow you away with overall performance, it can run your favorite apps, handle light gaming, and stream movies and shows. In addition, its expandable storage capacity ensures there is never a shortage of space on the device for downloads or extra materials when needed.

One Best Buy customer noted in their review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 how expensive other tablets can be, especially when considering buying one for kids: "If you don't want to spend $300+ on an iPad for your kiddo, this is definitely the route to go."

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While similar to the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids' Pro tablet, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids' tablet is made with little kids in mind. It comes with a colorful kid-proof case built to withstand the drops and bumps, and an adjustable stand so your kids can go hands-free.

It also comes with a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ and an Amazon FreeTime Unlimited subscription. This service grants access to thousands of kid-friendly, ad-free books, movies, games, and other educational content.

I've also had this tablet for a couple of years, and it's a well-built, entry-level tablet that comes with a sturdy kid-proof cover and features useful parental controls.

Review: Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet

Its 13-hour battery life means you'll need to charge it less often than with competitors, and the combination of a durable case and screen ensures the Fire tablet's integrity for years to come.

Should the tablet meet an untimely demise during playtime, Amazon offers a 2-year warranty.

One Amazon customer said they were impressed with the device's durability, and said, "one of the first things that caught my attention is the impressive build quality of the tablet. Designed with kids in mind, the sturdy construction and reinforced edges provide a sense of durability that assures me the device can withstand the inevitable bumps and drops that come with the territory of young users."

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tech specs: Display: 8-inch display | Processor: Hexa-core 2.0 Ghz | Storage: 32GB or 64GB (expandable by up to 1 TB) | Memory: 3GB or 4GB | Colors: Blue, grape, Disney Pixar Cars, or Disney princess | Cameras: 2 MP front-facing and 5 MP rear-facing cameras with 1080p HD video recording | Weight: 18.3 ounces | Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches| Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 13 hours

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A Kindle Kids e-reader is a great option for a tablet that stimulates your child's brain and lets them carry all their favorite books at once. The Kindle Kids e-reader is designed for kids ages 3-12 and comes with an Amazon Kids+ subscription for kid-friendly books and audiobooks.

Parents can even keep track of their reading progress with Amazon's Parent Dashboard, adjust book age filters, add books to their kids' library, and set a bedtime for each child's profile. Kindle Kids also comes built-in with Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise to help young readers build their reading skills and tackle more challenging books.

I let my kids read on their Kindles at bedtime, and it has greatly encouraged a love of reading to blossom. Reading on the Kindle instead of using a night light helps them calm down in bed, and it adds extra reading time to their day, which their teachers can appreciate.

Kids -- even the bookworms -- are unpredictable. This reading tablet comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee. If it breaks, Amazon will replace it free of charge.

One Amazon customer shared their child's experience using the Amazon Kindle Kids: "I got this for my 11-year-old son for Christmas. He loves reading, and he's read 11 books in one month! I didn't realize this would be smaller than the standard Kindle, but it is a good size for kids. It has a good selection of books for his age as well."

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Apple's base iPad is the best kids' tablet that money can buy. It offers the complete package of performance, battery life, app availability, and widespread accessory support. It's a great option for kids who need a reliable device for schoolwork, gaming, or streaming content. However, if you prefer Android OS or a better price point, there are plenty of solid alternatives on the market.

Best kids' tablet	Price	ZDNET's take	Processor	Storage	Colors	Cameras	Battery life	Protective case
Apple iPad	$330	Best overall	A16 Bionic chip	128GB or 256GB	Silver, Yellow, Blue, Pink	12MP front and rear	Up to 10 hours	Not included
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet	$190	Best with large display	Octa-core 2.0 GHz	32GB (expandable up to 1TB)	Happy Day, Mint, Nebula	5 MP front and rear	13 hours	Included
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8	$245	Best from Samsung	Octa Core Unisoc T618	32GB, 64GB, 128GB, microSD up to 1TB	N/A	5MP front, 8MP rear	About 6 hours	Not included
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids' tablet	$150	Best for young children	Hexa-core 2.0 GHz	32GB or 64GB	Blue, Disney Pixar Cars, Disney Princess, Grape	2MP front, 5MP rear	Up to 13 hours	Included
Amazon Kindle Kids	$130	Best for reading	N/A	16GB	Ocean Explorer, Space Whale, Unicorn Valley	None	Up to 6 weeks	Included

Picking the right kids' tablet comes down to a couple of questions you must ask yourself. First and foremost, you need to have a set budget in mind. Once you decide how much you will spend, you can begin narrowing down your options. Then determine whether you want a tablet from a specific company.

Choose this kids' tablet	If you want...
Apple iPad	The best all-around tablet your kid can grow up with. It offers excellent performance, battery life, app availability, and widespread accessory support.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet	A large display for ages 6-12. It has a built-in stand, advanced parental controls, and access to over 20,000 apps, games, videos, and books.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8	An Android tablet with access to Samsung Kids. It offers a kid-friendly interface, parental controls, and the ability to set time limits and monitor usage.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids' tablet	A tablet built for kids ages 3-7. It has a durable and kid-proof case and has up to 13 hours of battery life.
Amazon Kindle Kids	A tablet that's built for reading. It comes with hundreds of kid-friendly books and audiobooks to choose from, as well as a helpful Parent Dashboard.

Before you invest in a kids' tablet, you'll want to consider the following:

Durability: Having a kids tablet that can last is especially important. If a tablet isn't durable to bumps and drops, like the iPad, be sure to invest in a kid-proof case.
Ease of use: A tablet for kids needs to be simple. Consider factors such as large screens, built-in apps, and operating systems that are easy for kids to learn.
Parental controls: Your kids' safety and privacy are top priority when it comes to tablets. Look at what kind of parental controls each tablet offers including features like screen-time monitoring and app restrictions.
Cost: Kids tablets run the gamut in price, so decide on your budget, as well as what you need and what features are most important to you in a tablet.

Tim Dikun, dad and chief operating officer of Teaching.com, also recommended parents to "look for granular parental controls, including if specific apps can be blocked and/or unlocked around certain times. For example, Amazon's FreeTime app allows parents total control over how children use the tablet by setting learning goals, limiting time spent on gaming apps, or locking gaming apps until learning goals are met."

The ZDNET team chose all of the tablets included in this list based on their performance when tested in the real world. When we test tablets, we typically follow the same routine for each one to see which performs best.

Display: We measure the brightness level in different lighting conditions and assess color accuracy.
We also compare the display's performance with what the manufacturer promised, test the screen's responsiveness to touch, and assess the performance of any extra features, like a manufacturer's stylus.
Performance: For real-world performance metrics, our reviewers measure how quickly the tablet reacts to input, assess game performance and frame rates, test how the tablet handles having multiple apps running simultaneously, measure the time it takes to launch apps, and even assess the tablet's temperature during intensive tasks.
Battery life: We test different scenarios for battery life, including measuring how long the battery lasts while streaming, web browsing, using productivity apps, and playing games.

Camera and audio: For cameras, we evaluate features like resolution, aperture, low-light performance, autofocus accuracy, dynamic range, color accuracy, image quality, sharpness, and video quality. For audio, we look at the sound quality and overall listening experience, including audio clarity at different volumes, stereo separation of left and right audio channels, maximum volume level in various environments, and if there is perceived distortion.

For a deeper look into our testing process, check out our comprehensive tablet testing methodology.

Rebecca Mannis, PhD., learning specialist at Ivy Prep Learning Center, referred to The American Academy of Pediatrics' new guidelines. These standards recommend no consistent screen exposure before 18 months of age, a maximum of one hour of screen exposure for ages 2-5 and limiting screen use to two hours after age 5.

"In considering preschools and primary schools, it is helpful to know their policies -- both to see how their philosophies match your family values, and so you can reinforce their rules at home," Mannis said.

Mannis added that while kids often learn to read these days through a tablet, thanks to reading apps, it's essential to switch up how your child reads.

"Researchers have found that the brain processes content that we read online in a different way - and one that is not as skilled," Mannis said. "So, as great as online reading is, give your kids lots of opportunities to hold books in their hands to maximize their literacy skills growth. Or 'cross train' their reading between devices and traditional print books to see if you as a parent notice a difference."

Not officially. Amazon customizes the base version of Android and turns it into Fire OS, forgoing any Google certification in order to make Google's apps available on the tablets.

You won't find the official YouTube app available in the Appstore, but you can use Amazon's Silk browser to access the YouTube website to gain access to the video platform.

Depending on the tablet, you want to ensure you have sufficient storage for downloading or pre-installing kid-friendly content for those long road trips.

Assuming your child will obsess over taking pictures and videos, which can easily take up 5-6GB, we would recommend a tablet with at least 32GB of storage.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is the most promising, and it's proven to be one of the best evolving kids tablets out there.

It is faster, higher quality, and has a long battery life. If you can get past Amazon's slightly limited app store, this tablet is sure to keep your child entertained on an airplane or long car ride.

Overall, a kids tablet will provide a safe and engaging environment tailored to your child's needs while a regular tablet will always cater to a wider audience and need more parental supervision.

If you're worried about your child's online safety, nowadays, you can put parental controls on almost any tablet, so there's no free range to downloadable content. When it comes to price, case, warranty, and subscription, it's best to consider a kids' tablet in case something happens.

This depends on your parenting philosophy. Several surveys show parents are divided on the topic.

For starters, your child will need fine motor skills to handle the tablet and the ability to navigate the device independently.

Another factor is exposure to technology. Maybe you would prefer to have your child less dependent on technology for entertainment. Regardless, it is best for you as a parent to weigh the pros and cons of introducing your child to technology

Latest updates:

March 2026: We added the latest base-model iPad to our list of best kids' tablets. We also added more first-person experience after testing the rest of the tablets on the list.

Other tablets for kids worth considering

There are plenty of kid-friendly tablets on the market. Be sure to look for features like parental controls, long battery life, and ease of use. Here are a few other options to consider.

Amazon's new Fire HD 10 Kids model also got some upgrades including better battery life, a higher quality camera, and a kid-proof case, plus, preset age filters for kids aged 3-7.

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Children aged 3-7 will enjoy this kid-friendly tablet with built-in educational apps from the Google Play Store like Khan Academy for Kids, Duolingo, and ABC Mouse.

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ZDNET sourced external industry experts for this article. Here is more information about them:

Troy Portillo: The director of operations of Studypool, an online learning platform for students that offers tutoring services, homework help, book guides, and more.
Mo Mulla: A father and a lawyer with a degree from UCL London who writes his parenting tips from a dad's perspective in his spare time at Parental Questions, a family-run blog.
Tim Dikun: A father and the Chief Operating Officer at Teaching.com, an online education website that equips students and teachers with the tools to succeed.
Rebecca Mannis, PhD.: Founder and learning specialist at Ivy Prep Learning Center. She has 35 years of experience teaching children and holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology with a specialization in Neuroscience and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Masters degree in Reading, Language and Learning Disabilities from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

For more on getting the most out of your tablet, check out how to charge your tablet the right way, and how to turn your old Amazon Fire tablet into an Echo Show.

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