The best tablets to buy for your kids

If your child wants a tablet, which one is best - and which ones are indestructible?

Young girl playing with tablet

by Sophie Knight |
Updated on

Whether it's for watching endless reruns of Hey Duggee, or playing with the latest educational app, your children will love having their own tablet.

And, you'll be happy they're not constantly borrowing your iPad and getting it covered with jam. But which tablets for kids are best? Which ones are worth investing in - or should you just buy the bargain one?

Whichever one you choose, make sure it has an indestructible case for when they chuck it over their shoulders or down the stairs... (speaking from experience, here).

Whilst we may receive commission for purchases made through our links, we never allow this to influence product selections.

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Best Kids' Tablets

All-new Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet1 of 6

All-new Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet

A fully functioning Amazon Fire tablet, this isn't just a toy but the same as your own tablet, just in a super-protective case. It includes a two-year guarantee, so if your little one breaks it, you can return it and get a replacement for free. Also includes a year's subscription to Fire for Kids Unlimited, with loads of apps, games, videos, and audiobooks.

LeapFrog 602003" Leap Pad Ultimate Toy, Green2 of 6

LeapFrog 602003" Leap Pad Ultimate Toy

LeapFrog products are popular and for good reason - they allow children to learn while they play, and develop skills with fun technology. There are more than 1,000 games to play on this kids' tablet, with a kid-friendly search engine, and an indestructible case.

Dragon Touch Kids Tablet3 of 6

Dragon Touch Kids Tablet

The brightly coloured silicone case will keep it safe, and your little one will also be safe thanks to the parental controls. There's a Kids' Mode and Android Mode, plus loads of built-in cartoons.

VANKYO MatrixPad Z1 Kids Tablet4 of 6

VANKYO MatrixPad Z1 Kids Tablet

Features a parental control dashboard and all sorts of filters to keep your little ones away from inappropriate content and advertising. There's also a 'blue shade' option to filter blue light and decrease tired eyes.

Kids Tablets PC5 of 6

Kids Tablets PC

A powerful Android tablet for children, with a robust shock-proof child-proof casing that should protect against being thrown down the stairs. The in-built iWawa app gives you plenty of control over access and screentime.

Kurio Smart 10-Inch Tablet6 of 6

Kurio Smart 10-Inch Tablet

It's an adult tablet but designed for little hands, with a lighter weight than a normal tablet. The system grows with your child allowing development alongside technology. The parental controls filter millions of websites for your peace of mind.

Once you've bought your little one a tablet, there's a whole new world of tech for them to discover and enjoy. We can sit back on our laurels and say, "Why do they need a tablet? Can't they just read books like we did?" But there's no denying that tablets, smartphones, computers and other smart tech are all part of the world our children live in now. We can't ignore it, but, we can embrace it and make sure it's a safe, manageable place for them to learn and enjoy.

Here are some of the best apps for toddlers that they can learn and develop with (rather than just browsing YouTube all day long...)

Elmo Loves 123s Lite

Elmo Loves 123s Lite
©Elmo Loves 123s Lite

This colourful app is free to download and is full of games, activities and videos which help your childs development. The games include number tracing, counting objects and problem solving. It's suitable for ages 4+ and you can download the full version for a small payment.

Download from: iTunes and Google Play

ABC Kids Tracing & Phonics

ABC Kids Tracing & Phonics
©ABC Kids Tracing & Phonics

A simple education game that's suitable for ages five and under. The kid-friendly app is brightly coloured help to teach your toddler how to trace the alphabet and learn phonics.

Download from: iTunes and Google Play

Playtime Island

Playtime Island
©Playtime Island

There is something for everyone on Cbeebies Playtime Island and it's jam-packed full of fun games for kids - for free! With games from all the Cbeebies characters the game is suitable for ages 4+.

Download from: iTunes and Google Play

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk
©Jack and the Beanstalk

From British books and apps publisher Nosy Crow, this fairytale makes reading all the more fun by actively encouraging children to make their own ending

Download from: iTunes

Gruffalo Games

Gruffalo Games
©Gruffalo Games

With six Gruffalo-themed mini-games, this educational app is designed to develop logic, problem solving and reactions for children aged three and above. There are no in-app purchases so your little ones can enjoy everything on the app.

Download from: iTunes and Google Play

Teach Your Monster to Read

Teach Your Monster to Read
©Teach Your Monster to Read

An award-winning phonics and reading game that's designed to help your kids to read! Let them create their own monster and play games that help their understanding of phonics and word blends! It covers the first two years of learning to read, from matching letters and sounds to enjoying little books.

Download from: iTunes and Google Play

Cbeebies Storytime

Cbeebies Storytime
©Cbeebies Storytime

Free books with the Cbeebies characters that parents and children can enjoy together, with guided interaction points that your children will love!

Download from: iTunes and Google Play

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