Alexis Kestler
Hey there! As a parent, I know you want to make the best choices for your child. Getting them an educational yet entertaining tablet can really help nurture their development and skills.
In this guide, we‘ll explore the key features that make tablets "toddler-friendly" and I‘ll share my top 10 picks to help you find the perfect tablet for your little one.
How Kids‘ Tablets Differ from Regular Tablets
Kids‘ tablets are purpose-built with your child‘s needs in mind. Let‘s look at some of the key differences compared to regular tablets:
Tailored Content & Apps
Children‘s tablets come preloaded with a handpicked selection of age-appropriate games, apps and videos. According to research by academics at the University of Michigan, toddlers learn best through interactive apps that provide feedback, repetition and encourage discovery. Regular tablets simply have too many options, some of which may not be suitable.
Built-in Parental Controls
As a parent, having control over your child‘s digital activities is so important. Kids‘ tablets allow you to easily monitor usage, filter content and block access thanks to sophisticated parental controls. In a survey by Common Sense Media, over 65% of parents cited parental controls as a key benefit of kids‘ tablets. Most regular tablets lack such specialized controls.
Durable, Kid-Proof Design
We all know children aren‘t always gentle with electronics! Kids‘ tablets feature reinforced cases, shatterproof screens and rubber bumpers to withstand those inevitable drops and tumbles. A UK study on tablet damage found that 63% of parents have had a device broken by their child. Kids‘ tablets are designed to handle rough treatment better.
Compact Size & Ergonomic Design
Made specifically for little hands, children‘s tablets have a compact, lightweight form factor. Controls are easy to use and icons are large and colorful. According to research compiled by TabTimes, the majority of child development experts recommend compact 7” to 9” tablets for toddlers. Adult tablets can have small, awkward buttons.
Focus on Educational Content
unlike regular tablets catering to adult users, kids‘ tablets place emphasis on supporting early learning. They contain preloaded apps focused on developing creativity, reading, writing, math, science and more – gamified for interactive fun! Education researchers have found tablets can significantly improve learning abilities in kids when used appropriately.
Strictly Curated Content
To create a safe digital environment for your child, kids‘ tablets severely limit advertising and chances of accidental purchases. According to surveys by kidsafe.com, over 80% of parents are concerned about ads and unwanted buying on tablets. Leading kids‘ tablet brands specially design their interface and apps to avoid this.
So in summary, children‘s tablets provide a more tailored, safer and age-appropriate experience for your young one compared to regular tablets. Now let‘s look at my top recommendations in 2024!
Top 10 Tablets for Kids & Toddlers
1. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
Fueled by a powerful octa-core processor, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro delivers seamless performance. Your child will love the vibrant 10.1” Full HD screen and dual cameras for capturing memories.
The Fire Kids Pro gives your child access to over 20,000 apps, games, videos and books approved by you via digital storefront. These are tailored for different age groups.
I really like how Amazon tablets encourage learning creativity. Your child can ask Alexa questions, video chat with approved contacts and enjoy interactive content. It comes with a full-coverage bumper case and a 1-year Amazon Kids+ subscription.
2. JREN 10” Kids Tablet
JREN is one of the most popular brands I see among parents. Their 10-inch tablet has an HD touchscreen with eye comfort mode to avoid strain.
It has quad-core processing power and Android 11 OS for smooth performance. The JREN tablet promotes STEM learning with apps focused on science, engineering, arts and math activities.
Your child can comfortably video chat with the 2MP front camera. The long battery life provides over 8 hours of screen time – great for travel! It comes with a shockproof bumper case and kickstand. Overall an excellent pick.
3. PBS Kids Playtime Pad
Looking for a tablet designed by education experts? The PBS Playtime Pad is focused on nurturing literacy and curiosity in little learners through interactive games.
Over 25 learning apps and hundreds of games led by beloved characters help kids ages 2 to 7 practice reading, math, science and more! It provides over 8 hours of engagement on a single charge.
As a parent you‘ll appreciate the robust parental controls to manage usage. There are no in-app purchases or external ads to distract your child either. If you want an affordable tablet crafted for early learning, the Playtime Pad is a great choice!
4. Dragon Touch K10 Tablet
The Dragon Touch K10 is an attractively priced option crafted for preschoolers. It has Kidoz pre-installed, giving access to over 10,000 popular games, books and videos approved by education experts.
This tablet allows you to set limits on usage time and allows filtering of content based on your child‘s age. The 7” display has a durable tempered glass screen and rubber edges for protecting against drops.
With its intuitive operation, fun games, and education-focused features, the Dragon Touch K10 is great for keeping your little one happily engaged. It makes a wallet-friendly choice if you‘re looking for a starter tablet.
5. VANKYO MatrixPad S21 Tablet
The VANKYO MatrixPad S21 delivers top-notch performance and features for the price. The octa-core processor and 3GB RAM allow smooth multitasking. It has 32GB storage expandable to 128GB – plenty of space for media.
This tablet comes preloaded with over 200 educational games and apps from Kidoz. You also get access to YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and other apps to support remote learning.
It has handy parental controls with options to limit daily usage, disable ads, and set age filters. The tough silicone case and shock-absorbent bumpers provide military-grade protection. For parents looking for an affordable yet well-equipped tablet, the MatrixPad S21 is an excellent option.
6. Kurio Tab Connect
Kurio is one of the pioneers in kids‘ tablets and the Tab Connect is their flagship offering. This tablet runs Android 11 OS on powerful 2.0GHz processor with 2GB RAM. It has 32GB storage expandable up to 2TB – unmatched space!
Preloaded apps include YouTube Kids, Disney+, an advanced Web Filtering system and over 40 educational games. Time controls allow limiting daily tablet usage.
It has UL/FCC safety certification and all apps are carefully curated. You can even add content restrictions based on ratings. The Kurio Tab Connect is great for providing a multimedia entertainment and learning experience in a child-safe design.
7. Lexibook Fun Tablet
If you‘re looking for a straightforward, easy-to-use starter tablet for toddlers, Lexibook‘s Fun Tablet is a great choice. It provides a simplified interface tailored for preschoolers with large icons and bright colors.
With its quad-core processor and Android 10 OS, it delivers smooth performance. The 8GB storage has plenty of preschool games, videos and educational content preloaded. It also supports microSD expansion up to 128GB.
As a parent, you‘ll appreciate the included bumper case and screen protector. It has a built-in kickstand and parental controls to restrict usage. For introducing your young toddler to their first tablet experience, Lexibook‘s Fun Tablet ticks all the boxes!
8. RCA Voyager Pro
The RCA Voyager Pro provides stellar value at its budget-friendly price point. The 7” tablet is easy for little hands to grip and operates on Android 11 Go OS. It has 16GB storage and supports microSD expansion.
This tablet comes preloaded with over 20 apps spanning learning, creativity, music, reading, problem-solving and more. To avoid distracting ads, it runs on Amazon FreeTime Unlimited providing curated kid-friendly content.
The Voyager Pro is a highly-rated choice among parents for an affordable first tablet for toddlers. It delivers a solid experience and all the essential features you need.
9. toddleroo Tab
The toddleroo Tab is designed in collaboration with education experts specifically for children aged 1 to 4 years. It provides a library of over 150 games and apps focused on developing thinking, creativity, vocabulary and motor skills.
Everything is curated to be age-appropriate, ad-free and child-safe. It has built-in parental controls to manage usage and filter content. You can select apps based on your child‘s age too.
With its safety bumpers, durable screen and port protection, the toddleroo Tab can withstand rough handling. If you have a young toddler and want a tablet intentionally built for early development, this is an excellent pick.
10. LeapFrog Epic 2
LeapFrog is renowned for making educational toys for children and the Epic 2 tablet delivers an exceptional experience. It provides access to over 20,000 learning activities crafted for young learners.
The games and apps focus on building core skills in math, reading, science, creativity and more. Everything has been created by child development experts and teachers to support your child‘s growth.
It provides up to 9 hours of battery life for extended learning. The included bumper keeps the tablet protected. With its purpose-built educational content, the LeapFrog Epic 2 promotes early childhood development in an engaging way.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – my top 10 picks for the best tablets for kids and toddlers this year! Each provides an amazing experience focused on education, safety and entertainment.
Tablets can be a powerful learning tool if used appropriately for young children. With the right tablet, you can really nurture their development from as early as 1 year old. I hope this guide gives you a better idea of which options suit your needs.
Do let me know if you have any other questions! I‘d be happy to offer more personalized advice. Wishing you and your little one a fun learning journey ahead!
