The Best Tablets for Kids in 2026

The base-model iPad features an expansive 11-inch screen with a dense resolution of 2,360 by 1,640 pixels. Its A16 chip ensures that your kids can easily run all of the age-appropriate apps from the App Store. This tablet also provides your child with access to iMessage, enabling them to chat with family members or friends who also have an Apple device.

Kids of all ages: The iPad is an ideal entryway into digital entertainment for kids. It lets them stay in touch with friends, play games, watch videos, and browse the web all from one compact device.

Parents: Apple's entry-level tablet makes sense for parents who want something their kids can continue using as they age. Robust parental controls enable you to closely monitor the activities of young children, but you can gradually relax these restrictions over time.

The Samsung Galaxy A9+ packs a decent amount of power for its price and works with Android's built-in parental controls. Quality speakers and an 11-inch, 1,920-by-1,200-pixel screen with an adaptive refresh rate of 90Hz are among the highlights for entertainment. Meanwhile, three more years of software upgrades and a microSD card slot mean the tablet can grow with your child's needs.

Budget-conscious buyers: The Tab A9+ is one of the most affordable Android tablets worth buying. It covers all the basics—price, power, performance, and portability—and does it well.

Movie and TV fans: This tablet is designed for casual users who prioritize entertainment above all else. Its screen is large enough to enjoy movies, its memory card support means you can load lots of media, and its good battery life means you can get from coast to coast on one charge.

The iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models. It comes with a pro-level M4 processor, a centered user-facing camera for better video calls, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. It offers more storage options than older Air models, is available with 5G, and comes in several different colors. It also supports Apple Intelligence and is a solid performer when manipulating media.

Students: High school and college students need a durable tablet with enough power to handle classroom apps—and the iPad Air is the ideal choice. This tablet offers the perfect blend of price and power, enabling students to excel in the classroom and beyond.

Creators: If you're an artist or creator who dabbles in photography, videography, podcasting, or social media, the iPad Air provides the platform you need to accomplish your creative goals. It's compatible with nearly every media format and is as comfortable manipulating 4K footage as it is streaming 4K movies from Netflix.

Big-screen lovers: While the base iPad is only available in 11 inches, the iPad Air is available in both 11- and 13-inch sizes. The 13-inch model is particularly well-suited for productivity, thanks to its expanded screen real estate, making it wonderful for work and play.

The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is good for older kids who want a stylus for note-taking and drawing. It's also reasonably affordable and offers strong multimedia support, along with productivity-tuned software, allowing students to get work done while also enjoying some after-school entertainment.

Artists and scribblers: Kids who want a stylus won't have to pay extra for one with this tablet. Its 12.7-inch display is great for writing, while its expandable storage and good battery life make this a tablet that can grow with your kid.

Families with Android Phones: If your family relies on Android-powered phones, this Lenovo is a good choice because it uses the same operating system and will allow access to your family's apps, games, and content.

Not everyone needs or wants a big tablet, regardless of age. That's why the iPad mini's 8.3-inch display, compact frame, and light feel are so appealing. You won't sacrifice performance benefits, and you can still access all of the apps and parental control features that make iPads a good choice for parents.

Smaller kids: If your kid wants an Apple tablet but can't handle the base model's hefty 10.9-inch screen and weight, the iPad mini is the way to go.

Frequent travelers: The mini is the best tablet for your kid to take on their next trip. It lets them leave the laptop at home and still carry a computer practically anywhere they need to go.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet offers a higher-quality screen and slightly better performance than the Fire 7 Kids Tablet. It also comes with a rugged case, an extended warranty, and a six-month Kids+ subscription. Although it costs more, the larger display and faster processor result in a more enjoyable overall experience.

First-time tablet owners: If an iPad or midrange Android tablet is too pricey or complicated for your tastes, the Fire HD 8 Kids tablet strikes an excellent balance between price, size, and performance.

Amazon Prime subscribers: The Fire HD provides access to Amazon's huge library of streaming content, including Prime Video, Prime Music, and Audible. If your family consumes a lot of Prime content, this is one of the most affordable ways to access it from a mobile device.

Like the base model Fire HD 10 (2023), the Kid's Pro version offers a great value. It comes with a better processor than the Fire HD 8, a sturdy case featuring a built-in kickstand, an extended warranty, and a year's subscription to Amazon's Kids+ service. It's a great way for kids to watch their favorite shows, play some basic games, browse online, and read Kindle books.

School-aged kids: The Kid's Pro Fire HD 10 is best suited for kids aged 6 to 12 for whom durability and robust parental controls are more important than full-fledged performance.

Klutzes: Amazon's Kid-branded tablets all come in a preinstalled case and include a one-year warranty against accidental damage. If your kid drops things a lot, this is the tablet to get.

Entertainment seekers: If all you want is a simple slate that can serve as an entertainment platform, the Fire HD 10 is a great option.

It's rare to find 5G baked into an affordable tablet, but the TCL Tab Nxtpaper 10 5G is a notable exception. While it does not use E ink, the Tab Nxtpaper 10's display features an anti-reflective coating that is easy on the eyes. A decent set of onboard speakers and a microSD card slot add value. Because it runs Android, plenty of parental control apps and settings are available for it.

Frequent travelers: If you and your kid are often away from a Wi-Fi network, this TCL slate makes a lot of sense. Typically, you must spend significantly more to get a tablet with 5G support.