Buying a tablet for your child feels like a simple decision. It’s not their first phone or a laptop. It’s just a basic tablet for games, videos, and the odd educational app.
I get the appeal, I really do. I even bought one of the cheaper options, thinking I was being sensible.
And then, about a year later, I had to buy another tablet.
What I didn’t realize before I purchased the first one was that kids are brutal users. They tap everything, they install more apps than you’d expect, and they don’t close things properly. And when a tablet starts slowing down, it also becomes even more difficult to manage from a safety standpoint.
What Actually Makes a Tablet “Good for Kids”
When parents ask for the “best tablet for kids”, what they usually mean is: “What tablet will cause the fewest problems?”
In my opinion, that comes down to the following boring (but important!) details most buying guides gloss over:
- Parental controls that actually work: You need controls that handle screen time, app approvals, and content filtering across the whole device, not just one app.
- Long-term software support (easy to miss, very important): Tablets for kids don’t need to be fast; they need to be supported. Security updates protect against new issues, and when they stop, the device slowly becomes less safe, even if it still works.
- Performance that holds up over time: A slow tablet creates knock-on problems: kids get frustrated, rules get bypassed, and the device gets replaced early. Paying a bit more for stable performance usually saves money (and arguments) down the road.
- Coverage for repairs, warranties, and accidents: Tablets get dropped. A lot. Having a decent warranty, repair option, or accidental damage cover can be the difference between a quick fix and buying another tablet sooner than planned.
The Tablet Options I Actually Recommend (With Specific Models to Look For)
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably realised this isn’t about brands for the sake of brands. It’s about choosing something that stays usable, supportable, and controllable as your child grows.
These are the tablets I consistently point parents towards.
Used or Entry-Level iPad: The Safest All-Rounder
For many families, a basic iPad is still the least stressful option long-term.
This is because you’ll get:
- Strong, well-supported Screen Time controls.
- Long software and security update lifespans.
- Excellent app support (especially for school apps).
- Performance that doesn’t fall apart after a year.
When shopping around, know that you absolutely do not need the latest model. Instead, here are some solid options to look for:
- iPad (9th or 10th generation), the sweet spot for most families.
- iPad Air (4th or 5th generation), if you find a good used deal.
- iPad mini (5th or newer), great size for smaller hands.
What I’d avoid:
- Anything that’s right at the bottom of Apple’s supported list.
- Very old models that are “technically compatible” but near end-of-life.
If you’re buying used, try to go one or two generations newer than the minimum supported version. That usually buys you a couple of extra years of updates.
Entry-Level Android Tablets: More Choice, More Flexibility
Android tablets are a great option if you:
- Already use Android
- Want flexibility
- Don’t want to buy into Apple’s ecosystem
The rule here is simple: stick to well-known manufacturers with a track record of updates. Here are just a few of the Android tablet models I’d look at.
From Samsung:
- Galaxy Tab A9 / A9+
- Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (excellent balance of price and performance)
From OnePlus:
- OnePlus Pad (often overkill for kids, but very solid if found on offer)
From HONOR:
- Honor Pad series (good value, decent performance)
These all work well with Google Family Link, and crucially, they remain usable for years rather than months.
What I’d avoid:
- Unknown brands with impressive specs on paper
- Tablets with unclear update policies
- Anything suspiciously cheap for its size and storage
If the manufacturer can’t clearly tell you how long it gets updates, that’s usually your answer.
Hand-Me-Down Tablets: Worth Checking First
Using a tablet you already own can also be a smart move, if it passes a quick sanity check.
Before handing it over, ask:
- Is it still receiving security updates?
- Can it run current apps smoothly?
- Can you create a proper child account on it?
If it struggles with basic tasks now, it’s only going to get worse.
Accessories That Actually Help
You don’t need a trolley full of add-ons, but these few things genuinely reduce breakages and unnecessary arguments.
A Proper Case
A good case is the difference between a tablet lasting years and lasting months.
What to look for:
- Thick corner protection
- Raised screen edges
- Grippy material
- A built-in stand (hugely underrated)
Solid iPad examples:
- OtterBox Defender / OtterBox Kids
- Speck BalanceFolio
- ESR Hybrid cases (good value)
Solid Android examples:
- SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle
- Spigen Rugged series
- Brand-specific kids’ cases for Samsung Tab A / S6 Lite
As a rule of thumb, always avoid thin “fashion” cases. They look nice, but they do nothing.
Screen Protectors (aka Cheap Insurance)
This is one of the cheapest ways to avoid an expensive repair.
What to look for:
- Tempered glass (not plastic film)
- Case-compatible sizing
- Easy installation kit
Most reputable brands are fine here, just don’t skip it.
Headphones With Volume Limits
Kids will happily run headphones at unsafe volumes if given the chance.
What to look for:
- Built-in volume limiting (around 85dB)
- Wired (often simpler for younger kids)
- Comfortable padding (otherwise they won’t wear them)
Reliable options parents tend to like:
- Puro Sound Labs (excellent volume limiting)
- JLab Kids
- Belkin SoundForm Mini
- JBL Junior series
Common Tablet Buying Mistakes Parents Make (And Why They Happen)
If you’ve already bought a tablet and feel a bit uneasy about it, you’re not alone. There are a handful of common mistakes parents make, and they’re surprisingly easy to fall into.
None of these makes you a bad parent. They happen because tablets are marketed badly, and settings can be very difficult to find.
Mistake #1: Buying Based on Price Alone
This is the most common one.
A cheap tablet feels like the responsible choice, especially when it’s for a child. The problem is that price often comes at the cost of:
- Short software support
- Poor performance after updates
- Limited parental controls
When a tablet becomes slow or frustrating, parents tend to relax the rules just to keep things working.
Mistake #2: Assuming “Kids Mode” Means Safe
“Kids mode” sounds reassuring.
In reality, many kids’ modes:
- Sit on top of the real operating system.
- Break when apps need updating.
- Don’t scale well as kids get older.
- Make it harder to manage accounts properly.
They can be useful for very young children, but they’re rarely a long-term solution.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Software and Security Updates
This one can be easy to miss, but it matters far more than most people realize.
Why? Because if a tablet stops receiving updates, then:
- New security issues don’t get patched.
- Browsers become less safe.
- Apps stop working properly.
An outdated tablet that can’t update is not only more frustrating to manage as a parent, but it also exposes your child to unnecessary risk online.
Mistake #4: Handing It Over Before Setting It Up
This usually happens with good intentions, like “I’ll just let them use it now and sort the settings later” or “it’s only temporary.”
And then more often than not… later never comes.
Once habits are formed, tightening rules feels like punishment rather than structure. Taking 30 minutes to set things up before handing the tablet over can save you months of pushback and negotiation.
Mistake #5: Letting the Tablet Become the Default Activity
Tablets are designed to fill time.
Without clear boundaries, they quickly become:
- The thing kids reach for when bored.
- The fallback for car journeys, meals, mornings, and evenings.
- Harder to put down the longer they’re used.
This usually isn’t a conscious choice; it just slowly becomes a habit. And resetting that habit later is much harder than preventing it in the first place.
The Bottom Line on the Best Tablets for Kids
You don’t need the most expensive tablet.
You don’t need the newest tablet.
And you definitely don’t need a tablet designed to look “kid-friendly” at all costs.
What you do need is a tablet that:
- Still receives updates.
- Runs properly without frustration.
- Supports real parental controls.
- Can grow with your child.
Nail the basics, and everything else falls into place.
Choosing the right tablet is only one piece of the puzzle, though. If you need help with phones, apps, screen time, and the stuff that usually causes problems later, my Definitive Guide to Protecting Your Kids Online pulls it all together.
Prefer to see everything step by step? Check out my full video walkthrough below.
