Tech Tots: 10 Kids’ Tablets Mums Recommend

Kids’ tablets have become the gadget of choice for tech-enthused littlies, and with good reason: they’re lightweight, portable and they’re proved to be excellent learning tools. (They’ve also become a parent’s lifesaver when it comes to distracting kids long enough to get dinner on.)

If you’re after a kids’ tablet for your inquisitive little one, you’re in the right place. We’ve scouted out ten of the best options that facilitate learning and endless creativity.

What to look for when buying a kids’ tablet

While adults look at specs like storage and camera pixels when buying tech, shopping for kids’ tablets comes with a whole new set of considerations. Here’s what to look for when you’re hunting one out:

Parent controls: Many kids’ tablets come with wi-fi connectivity and this means potential access to a LOT of content. Parent controls allow you to choose which websites and games your child views and how much screen time they have.

Battery life: Will your child’s tablet be used occasionally, for a few hours each day, or for prolonged activities like schoolwork? Typically, higher-end tablets tend to have better battery life, and this is important in cases where it’s inconvenient to keep charging the device.

Pre-installed content: While an iPad will require you to download content yourself, some kids’ tablets come with existing games, activities, stories and music for littlies to enjoy from the get-go.

Durability: We all know that kids are prone to dropping things, and they don’t discriminate when it comes to an object’s value! Ensure your tablet is either built tough to withstand drops or is able to be fitted with a protective case.

10 feature-packed kids’ tablets

To help you find the best tablet for your child, we’ve dug out ten of our favourites for Aussie kids. In no particular order, here they are:

1. Dragon Touch

Dragon Touch Y88X Pro Kids’ Wi-Fi Tablet ($114.99)

Unlike many of the big-brand tablets, this chunky, colourful option has been purpose-built with kids in mind, while still being a full-functioning and high-speed Android tablet. It comes with pre-installed kiddie content and a full-colour case to protect against knocks and drops.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab

Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8” 32GB ($249.99)

This family-friendly Android tablet weighs just 345g, so even tots will be able to manage it easily. The 8” retina screen works in both portrait and landscape formats and the battery is designed for extended use – which means less scrambling for chargers! This tablet has a built-in control centre called ‘Samsung Kids’, which enables parents to customise a safe digital environment for their littlies.

3. NEWYES

NEWYES LCD Writing Tablet ($21.99)

If you’ve got creative kidlets on your hands and want to reduce your paper usage, this tablet is the answer. It comes with a stylus and a dynamic LCD screen equipped with pressure-sensing technology: the harder you press, the thicker the line!

4. Lenovo Tab

Lenovo Tab M10 10.1″ HD Tablet ($249)

This is another family Android tablet that is suitable for kids of all ages – whether for work or play. It has a 10.1” screen (equal to the iPad) so it’s fabulous for streaming the kids’ favourite shows. With parent controls, outstanding Dolby audio and access to a whole world of apps, this is a full-featured tablet at half the price of some big brands.

5. LeapFrog

LeapFrog LeapPad Ultimate ‘Get Ready for School’ Tablet ($199.95)

It’s the kids’ wi-fi tablet that is virtually unbreakable. With a tough frame and shatter-resistant screen, this super-fast tablet can handle more than a few drops and crashes, and it will definitely see littlies through those early school years. This one is rechargeable, includes access to a secure kids-safe web browser and comes with pre-installed games and quizzes to get kids on their way. Loads of extra content can be downloaded online or purchased as cartridges.

6. Apple iPad

iPad 7 10.2” Wi-Fi (from $527)

With the power of a computer and bucket-loads of versatility, it’s no surprise that the iPad has cemented itself as the top tablet for school-aged kids. The 10.2” screen has a dynamic retina display and can be hooked up to a Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil for even more functionality. There are over one million accessible apps for the iPad – but don’t worry, with solid parent controls, you can choose exactly what your kids have access to and how much screen time they have.

7. Ape Basics

Ape Basics 10.1 Quadcore Kids’ Android Tablet and Case ($139)

Mighty Ape’s very own Android tablet is fast, tough and comes with a pre-installed Kid Mode for immediate safety. It runs on a Quad-Core processor for speedy play and learning, has dual cameras and a handy 16GB of internal storage – so you’ll have no trouble storing all the photos snap-happy kids will be taking!

8. VTech

Vtech Touch & Teach Tablets (from $25)

Created especially for tots and preschoolers, this educational tablet is loads of fun, and it’s one to use right out of the box thanks to plenty of pre-installed content. Kids can sing songs, master their ABCs and even practise writing. You’ll need AAA batteries to power this one.

9. Beneve

Beneve 7” Kids’ Android Tablet ($79)

As one of the most budget-friendly Android tablets around, this is a fab first tablet for kids of any age. It has a 7” screen, a Quad-Core processor for fluid usage and it comes with a very handy shock-proof, silicone case in blue or pink.

10. Fisher-Price

Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Stages Tablet ($19)

Does your toddler keep snatching your Smartphone? This light-up tablet could come in very handy! It’s been built especially for the teeniest of tech-savvy tots and comes with heaps of pre-installed educational content covering songs, phrases and sounds. You won’t need any internet connection or cords for this one, it runs on AA batteries.

Know a brand of kids tablet we should add to our list? Contact us and let us know, we’ve been curating Australia’s best baby products into helpful lists for over 15 years and we’re always happy to support new brands and businesses.

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We want you to know

At Mum’s Grapevine, we’re a team of passionate mums (with 19 kids!) and over 15 years of experience researching and writing about all things baby and parenting. Our reviews of recommended products, like the ones in this post, may include paid inclusions, but we promise to only feature products that we truly believe in and have used or seen ourselves. We want to ensure that you, our Grapeviner mums have access to the latest and greatest products in the parenting world, and we’re committed to maintaining our high standards of quality and honesty. See our Disclosure Policy.

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xoxo