4 Best Tablets for Kids in 2026

The Amazon Kids Tablet 11 is the best overall pick. Amazon pairs an 11-inch 2.5K display and 8 GB of RAM with stylus support, a kid-proof case, a year of Kids+ content, and a Parent Dashboard that comes pre-installed. It is sold in an ages 3-5 bundle with a soft bumper and an ages 6-12 bundle with a slim hard case.

The other picks cover a smaller Amazon tablet, a Samsung tablet built around a padded case and stylus with long software support, and an iPad for older kids who are ready for a full-featured tablet.

The best tablets for kids right now

Amazon Kids Tablet 11 - Best overall

The Amazon Kids Tablet 11 is the larger of Amazon's two kids tablets, and Amazon pitches it as a bigger canvas for creating, learning, and playing. It has a 2.5K display, 8 GB of RAM for graphics-heavy apps, and stylus support for drawing or homework. It runs Android, and parents manage access to the full Google Play store.

It comes in two bundles. The ages 3-5 bundle ships with a soft bumper, and the ages 6-12 bundle ships with a slim hard case, both with character designs. Each includes a 1-year Kids+ subscription and a pre-installed Parent Dashboard, and parents can set up profiles for up to four children. Amazon also lists Storybuilder, an AI-powered creative tool, as part of Kids+.

Who it is for: Families who want one tablet with a protective case, kids content, and built-in parental controls ready from day one, on a screen big enough for drawing and schoolwork.

Amazon Kids Tablet 8 - Best compact pick

The Amazon Kids Tablet 8 is the smaller model, with an 8.7-inch screen that suits smaller hands and car trips. Amazon rates it for 14 hours of video playback and gives it 64 GB of storage, so kids can download shows, games, and books to use offline.

Like the 11-inch model, it comes in an ages 3-5 bundle with a soft bumper and an ages 6-12 bundle with a slim hard case. Both bundles include a 1-year Kids+ subscription, the pre-installed Parent Dashboard, Android with parent-managed Google Play access, and Amazon's 1-year limited warranty.

Who it is for: Parents of younger kids who want a smaller tablet for watching, reading, and games, with a case and kids content already included.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ Kids Edition - Best for long-term support

Samsung's Galaxy Tab A11+ Kids Edition stands out for how long it should stay current: Samsung promises up to seven generations of OS and security upgrades. It has an 11-inch display (10.9 inches accounting for the rounded corners) at 1920 x 1200, 128 GB of storage, and an upgraded processor. Samsung rates it for up to 15 hours of entertainment, based on local 720p video playback at 162 nits.

The box includes a puffy protective case with a carry handle that works for vertical or horizontal viewing, plus a Crayo-Pen stylus, pen tether, Galaxy Kids stickers, and a setup guide. Samsung Kids comes preloaded, but parents have to set up a PIN manually before the parental controls work. The 25W charger it supports is sold separately.

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Who it is for: Families who want an Android tablet with a padded case and stylus included, and who plan to keep it for several years.

Apple iPad (A16) - Best for older kids

The iPad with the A16 chip is the pick for older kids who need a tablet for school as well as play. Apple pairs the A16 chip (5-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) with an 11-inch display at 2360 x 1640 and 264 ppi, 500 nits of brightness, and True Tone. It works with Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (1st generation) for notes and drawing.

It has a 12MP wide camera on the back, a landscape 12MP Center Stage camera on the front, Touch ID in the top button, and Wi-Fi 6. Apple rates the Wi-Fi model for up to 10 hours of web browsing or video, and it weighs 1.05 pounds. Storage varies by configuration: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, and the linked listing is the 128GB Wi-Fi model.

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Who it is for: Older kids and teens who need a capable tablet for homework, notes, and creative apps, and who can be trusted with a less padded device.

• Match the case to the child's age. Younger kids benefit from a thick soft bumper or padded case, while older kids may prefer a slimmer hard case. The Amazon tablets come with one or the other depending on the bundle, and Samsung includes a puffy protective case.
• Check how parental controls are set up. Amazon pre-installs its Parent Dashboard, while Samsung Kids needs a PIN set up manually before its controls are active.
• Count the storage you need. Offline shows and games fill storage quickly. Look for a stated capacity, such as 64 GB on the Amazon Kids Tablet 8 or 128 GB on the Samsung, and note that iPad storage varies by configuration.
• Decide whether a stylus matters. Kids who draw or do homework on the screen will use one. Samsung includes its Crayo-Pen, the Amazon Kids Tablet 11 supports a stylus, and the iPad works with Apple Pencil sold separately.
• Look at what continues after year one. Kids+ is included for a year on the Amazon tablets and is a paid subscription after that, so plan for it if your child relies on that content.
• Think about how long it will be used. Samsung's promise of up to seven generations of OS and security upgrades is useful if the tablet will be handed down or kept for several years.

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