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What are the best tablets for kids and is YouTube available on Fire tablets?
A tablet is a multipurpose gadget that has quickly become an indispensable tool for many. Whether you've replaced your laptop with an iPad Pro or use it to sketch with a dedicated stylus, tablets are versatile devices that you can customize. Not only are tablets a staple in most classrooms, but they're also a great education and entertainment tool for kids at home.
Parents are naturally hesitant to spend hundreds of dollars on a device that their kid(s) will surely put to the test. But the good news is, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent tablet. You can find a device that offers plenty of educational content along with entertainment options and parental controls. In turn, these devices make perfect kids' gifts this holiday season.
Below, you'll find a selection of tablets that are best for kids, starting with my top pick: Apple's iPad.
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- Solid performance
- Long battery life
- App support for days
- Apple's Family Sharing
- Expensive
- Accessories add up, too
Tech specs: Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone | Processor: A14 Bionic chip with 16-core Neural Engine | Storage: 64GB or 256GB | Biometrics: Touch ID | Colors: Silver, Pink, Blue, Yellow | Cameras: 12MP f/1.8 wide, 12MP Landscape f/2.4 front | Weight: 1.05 pounds | Dimensions: 9.79 x 7.07 x .28 inches | Connections: USB-C, Smart Connector | Battery life: Up to 10 hours of video playback with USB-C charging
Apple's tried-and-true tablet, the base model iPad, is a great tablet for kids. You get all of the same features as the more expensive iPad Pro and iPad Air models in a lightweight form factor with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and thinner bezels than the previous generation.
Read the review: iPad 2022 (10th Gen) review: Better than the Pro in two ways
Apple updated the base iPad model in the fall of 2022 with the A14 Bionic processor, USB-C support, 5G support for on-the-go tasks, and a new 12MP ultra-wide camera. It also has support for the Magic Keyboard Folio made specifically for this iPad and include an adjustable kickstand with a 14-key function row for shortcuts.
It also comes in new and fun colors kids will love including pink, blue, yellow, and the expected Apple silver.
Older kids will appreciate the iPad's ease of use, and you'll appreciate features like Apple's Family Sharing feature, so you can add parental controls and limit screentime for specific apps.
- Affordable
- Kids edition has many perks
- Easy to use
- Performance will be an issue
- Amazon's Appstore is hit or miss
Tech specs: Display: 8-inch display | Processor: Hexa-core 2.0 Ghz | Storage: 32GB or 64GB (expandable by up to 1 TB) | Memory: 2GB | Colors: Blue, purple, Disney Mickey Mouse, or Disney princess | Cameras: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p 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
Amazon just updated this tablet model last year making it faster and have longer battery life. Not only does it have a kid-proof case built to withstand 3- to 7-year-olds, but it also comes with a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. The subscription gets you to access to thousands of kid-friendly ad-free books, as well as movies and games and other educational content your child will love.
Parents can control screen time and set educational goals for their children using the parental controls built into the tablet to make sure their kid is actually reading or learning something while using it.
The kid-friendly case protects against drops and bumps, complete adjustable stand so kids can go hands-free. Plus, Amazon offers you a two-year worry-free garuntee in case the tablet does succumb to playtime.
- Larger display
- Long Battery life
- Great price point
- Performance is good, not great
- Amazon's Appstore is slightly limited
Tech specs: Display: 10.1-inch display | Processor: Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Storage: 32GB (expandable up to 1TB) | Memory: 3GB | Colors: Sky blue, black, doodle, intergalactic | Cameras: 2 MP front-facing and 5 MP rear-facing | Weight: 25.3 ounces | Dimensions: 7.4 x 10.1 x 0.7 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 12 hours
For bigger kids (ages 6-12) Amazon's Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet was made for this age group in mind. With the 10.1-inch display, you'll get a larger screen without adding much to the overall cost. The Kids Edition version of comes with the same perks as the Fire 8 Kids Edition, including a protective case, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a year subscription to Amazon Kids+.
Either way, you get Amazon's largest tablet with a 1080p display. It has a USB-C port for faster charging, and up to 12 hours of battery life. Performance isn't on par with an iPad, but in my experience testing, it's better than the Fire 7 or 8.
Read the review: Fire HD 10 review
- Full Android support
- MicroSD card support
- Under $150
- Performance
- Battery life
- Display is just okay
Tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch display | Processor: MediaTek MT8768T | Storage: 32GB | Colors: Gray | Cameras: 8MP rear, 1080p video. 2MP front | Weight: 13 ounces | Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C | Battery life: 10 hours
If you'd rather have a true Android tablet with full Google support, then look no further than the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Samsung's low-end tablet has an 8.7-inch display, 32GB of storage, and runs Android 11 out of the box. That means you or your kids will have access to the Play Store, which includes access to YouTube or YouTube Kids.
The Tab A7 Lite, like the Fire tablets, isn't going to impress you with performance, but it's more than capable of streaming shows, playing child-friendly games, or being used as an e-reader. You can also expand the 32GB of storage via microSD card, which is a nice feature that keeps the overall cost low.
- Long battery life
- Full Android
- Great display
- Keyboard not included
- Performance
- Cameras
Tech specs: Display: 11-inch display | Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T | Storage: 64GB or 128GB | Memory: 4GB or 6GB | Colors: Slate grey | Cameras: 8MP front and 13MP rear | Weight: 1.1lbs | Dimensions: 10.2 by 6.4 by 0.3 inches | Connections: USB-C, microSD | Battery: Up to 15 hours
Lenovo's Tab P11 Plus is an attractive tablet that's not overly expensive. The 11-inch 2K display looks fantastic, and the battery life will keep your child entertained for hours. The battery life is actually my favorite quality of this tablet. Lenovo touts up to 15 hours of video streaming, and my tests have confirmed that its accurate. Plus, it runs Android 11 out of the box.
One downside to the Tab P11 Plus: It lacks a headphone jack, so if you want to keep your child's cartoons or games quiet, you'll have to invest in some kid-friendly Bluetooth headphones.
Read the review: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus review
What is the best tablet for kids?
Apple's base iPad is the best tablet for kids that money can buy. It offers the complete package of performance, battery life, app availability and widespread accessory support. However, if prefer Android OS or a better price point, there are plenty of solid alternatives on the market.
Kids tablet | Price | Display size | Battery life |
Apple iPad 10th generation | $450 | 10.9-inch | 10 hours |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition | $150 | 8-inch | 13 hours |
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Edition | $200 | 10.1-inch | 12 hours |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | $130 | 8.7-inch | 10 hours |
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus | $250 | 11-inch | 15 hours |
Which is the right tablet for your kid?
Picking the right kids tablet comes down to a couple of questions you need to ask yourself. First and foremost, you need to have a set budget in mind. Once you decide the dollar amount you're willing to spend, then you can begin to narrow down your options. Then, decide if you want a tablet made by a specific company.
Choose this kids tablet… | If you want... |
Apple iPad 10th generation | The best all-around tablet your kid can grow up with |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition | A tablet for ages 3-7. |
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Edition | A large display for ages 6-12. |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite | An Android tablet with access to the Play Store. |
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus | A tablet with long battery life. |
How did we choose these tablets for kids?
I've used an iPad as a laptop replacement since the original iPad was released. Because I've constantly had a tablet on hand, my kids naturally grew up using the same devices I did. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to test every tablet on this list (plus others that didn't make the cut).
I chose these five picks based on my personal experience testing and, more importantly, watching my own kids test these tablets. I've reviewed all of these tablets and read more reviews about these tablets than I want to admit.
I chose devices that are affordable, or in the case of the iPad, has a tradeoff that makes the higher price tag worth the cost.
Should I pay for insurance for my kids' tablet?
It's not a bad idea to get a protection plan for any of your gadgets -- especially when it comes to a tablet you're handing to a young child. If you opt for one of Amazon's Kids Edition tablets, it comes with a two-year protection plan included in the price with no deductible to replace a broken device.
Meanwhile, Apple Care and Asurion also offer protection plans for the iPad or tablets from competing manufacturers, respectively.
How do I video call on an Amazon Fire tablet?
There is a front-facing camera on all Fire tablets, allowing you to video call using the Zoom app that's available in the Amazon Appstore, free of charge.
Alternatively, you can also use the Alexa app to video call other Fire tablets or Echo Show devices.
Can my kids use YouTube on Amazon's Fire tablets?
Not officially. Amazon customizes the base version of Android and turns it into Fire OS, forgoing any sort of 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.
Are there alternative tablets for kids worth considering?
There are plenty of tablets on the market that can be kid-friendly. Be sure to look for features like parental controls, long battery lives, and ease of use. Here are a few other options to consider.