Best Kid Tablet | Tablets for Kids

Find out how five popular Android models did in our lab tests and hands-on reviews

Published: December 2012

The market for tablet computers has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year, and the same has happened to tablets made just for kids.

Last year, with one exception (the Vinci Tab), the four tablets for kids we reviewed were more like toys than tablets. This year, we reviewed five 7-inch "real" tablets made specifically for children: the Arnova ChildPad, Fuhu Nabi Tablet, KD Interactive Kurio 7, Oregon Scientific Meep! Tablet, and Toys "R" Us Tabeo 7 Tablet. (More have been announced since we started our testing.) All of the tested models run the Android 4.0 operating system.

Each of these tablets has a multitouch display and features preloaded child-friendly games and apps, some of which are trial versions only. Each but the Childpad includes a protective silicone bumper or sleeve, and all have a memory-card slot, a built-in rechargeable battery, Wi-Fi connectivity with parental filters and monitoring, and a built-in app store for downloading more content. And each has a music player, video player, camcorder, photo editor, and art app.

The cost of these kid tablets isn't so child sized—they range from $150 to $200. The 7-inch Google Nexus 7, which scored very well overall in our tablet Ratings, starts at $200.

What distinguishes kid tablets? Children-specific content is featured in all of the ones we tested. But of course, you can download games, e-books, and learning apps for kids to other tablets, too. Perhaps more compelling are the controls and filters that can protect kids online and regulate their usage of the tablet.

We evaluated each tablet in our labs and with a panel of children. As you'll see from our reviews and features comparison chart, these tablets have a lot to offer. Best of all, with one of these in your children's hands, maybe they'll leave your tablet and smart phone alone!