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The 7 best back-to-school tablets for kids and teens in 2024

By Jason R. Rich

Edited By Fox Van Allen

Updated on: August 6, 2024 / 2:55 PM EDT / Essentials

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The 7 best back-to-school tablets for kids and teens in 2024 — Amazon

Looking for an affordable tablet for a kid? Seek no further. We've found models with terrific parental controls; pre-installed, age-appropriate content and more.

But that doesn't mean every tablet is the same. Which tablet you choose should depend on their age and what you want them to do with the device -- whether it's watching education videos, playing games, getting help with homework, streaming music, watching TV shows and movies, reading e-books or listening to audiobooks.

Best tablet for kids 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids
Best tablet for kids 6 to 12: Amazon Fire 8 Kids Pro
Best tablet for pre-teens: Amazon Fire Max 11
Best Apple iPad for kids 6 and up: Apple iPad (9th Generation)
Best Android tablet for kids 6 and up: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition
Best premium iPad for teens: Apple iPad Pro 11" (256GB)
Best premium Android tablet for teens: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

Pro Tip: No matter which tablet you choose for your child or pre-teen, be sure to activate the built in parental controls to make sure that only the right content is accessible. These same controls can also limit screen time, and the times of day a tablet can be used.

What is the best tablet for students?

Our in-house tech experts have curated this list of the best tablets for children under 12, as well as pre-teens and teens. If you already use an Android phone, we recommend an Android tablet. Likewise, if you're an iPhone user, consider one of the lower-cost iPads for your child. However, we like that Amazon Fire tablets for kids can be easily managed by an adult using either an iOS or Android smartphone.

Best tablet for kids 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids (2023 Edition)

All of the Amazon Fire tablets for kids have three key features we love. Each comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which offers thousands of age-appropriate videos, shows, games, songs, e-books, and even some educational content. And it's created by top brands, like Disney, Lego, Marvel, Audible and National Geographic. After a year, the service can be continued for $4.99 per month.

Amazon Fire tablets for kids, including this 2023 edition, come with a durable case in a choice of colors and patterns. And for two years, the tablet is protected by a guarantee, so if the tablet is damaged, you can replace it for free.

This is the 11th generation of the Amazon Fire 10 Kids tablet. It features a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. And like all tablets designed for young people, this one has parental controls that can be managed using any Internet-connected smartphone. Between these controls and the Amazon Kids+ service, a young user will be shielded from the wrong kind of content. The tablet also limits video calls -- using the 5MP front-facing camera -- to pre-approved people. Battery life is up to 13 hours, so it can keep a child entertained during long trips.

$190 at Amazon

Best tablet for kids 6 to 12: Amazon Fire 8 Kids Pro

Ages: 6 to 12 | Display size: 8-inch touchscreen | Screen resolution: 1,080 x 800 pixels | Storage: 32GB (expandable with microSD memory card) | Parental controls: Yes | Average battery life: Up to 12 hours | Operating system: Proprietary version of Android | Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches (with case) | Weight: 17.9 ounces | Port: USB Type-C | Case/cover included: Yes | Special feature(s): Comes with a one year subscription to Amazon Kids+ and a 2 year "worry-free" guarantee

Released in 2022, the Amazon Fire 8 Kids Pro offers a vibrant, 8-inch touchscreen. It too comes with a durable case available in a choice of colors. Like the Fire HD 10 Kids above, this Fire 8 Kids Pro comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ and a two year guarantee.

The battery lasts up to 12 hours. The storage (which starts with 32GB) can be expanded up to 1TB using an optional microSD memory card. This means you can store dozens of movies, so when no internet is available, your little one can still have plenty to do.

Access to parental controls is easy, thanks to an app via your iOS or Android phone. Since this tablet caters to a slightly older audience, user can surf the web, but with controls that can block inappropriate content. Parents can pre-approve additional apps. Kids can make video calls with the tablet's 2MP (720p) front-facing camera, but only communicate with pre-approved contacts. It's also possible to take and share photos using the front- or rear-facing cameras, but again, only with pre-approved people.

$150 at Amazon

Best tablet for pre-teens: Amazon Fire Max 11

In the Amazon Fire tablet lineup, this model offers the largest touchscreen, with the highest resolution, as well as the most powerful processor. It also offers an impressive battery life that's up to 14 hours. Unlike the Fire tablets in the Amazon's Kids lineup, this one does not come with a case, a two-year guarantee, or a subscription to Amazon Kids+. Instead, it provides more processing power for an older user, but at a very affordable price.

Thanks to the tablet's front and back cameras, stereo speakers and two microphones, the Max 11 handles video calling or online learning with ease. And while the tablet runs a modified version of Android, you can still install optional apps from Amazon's own store. This includes the Google Workspace (free) or Microsoft 365 (with a $6.99 per month subscription) apps that can be useful to middle- and high-school students.

The Max 11 has several accessories that make student life a heck of a lot easier. An optional detachable keyboard and pen-shaped stylus are among our favorites.

This tablet includes lock screen ads. The ad-free version of the tablet is priced at $245 for the 64GB model.

$230 at Amazon

Best Apple iPad for kids 6 and up: Apple iPad (9th Generation)

This iPad comes with a collection of apps and access to the App Store (which offers millions more). With Wi-Fi, the tablet can stream videos or music. While this version of the iPad offers slightly older technology, it still runs the current version of the iOS 17 operating system and offers the same core functionality as other iPad models.

Released in 2021, this iPad model offers a 10.2-inch Retina touchscreen that can be used to handwrite or draw right on the tablet's display. The Apple Pencil (1st Gen) stylus is sold separately.

This tablet is more suitable for older kids and tweens because of its enhanced capabilities. Yes, parental controls are available, but you can forego them, so there will be no limits to what your tween can access, if you think they're ready for that.

This iPad supports Apple's Family Sharing feature and works with all Apple services, including iCloud, Apple Arcade, Apple Books, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+ and Apple Music.

While the iPad is more powerful than the Amazon Fire tablets for kids, it does not come with a durable case, and AppleCare+ (which protects the tablet if it gets damaged) costs extra.

$249 at Walmart

Best Android tablet for kids 6 and up: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition

For loyal Android users, consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids edition for a child over 6. It runs a full version of Android and pairs automatically with the company's wireless earbuds.

The tablet comes with 64GB of storage and a stylus, along with a protective case in your choice of blue, red or yellow. It's a Wi-Fi only tablet when it comes to internet connectivity, but it can be customized using apps downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Like most of the mobile devices in the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, when you purchase this tablet from Samsung, you can trade in an older (eligible) device and get up to $170 in instant credit toward the purchase of the Tab A9+ Kids Edition. You also have the option to finance the tablet for just $11.25 per month for 24 months.

When it comes to content, Android makes it easy. Sign up for the Samsung Kids+ service that includes unlimited access to curated, kid-friendly content for a flat monthly fee that's designed to teach subjects like reading, science and math. This is a great first tablet for a young person. It can easily be monitored using an Android smartphone.

$270 at Samsung

Best premium iPad for teens: Apple iPad Pro 11" (256GB)

The Apple iPad Pro is a full-featured tablet designed for anyone over 12. Throw in an an optional Apple Pencil Pro stylus and Apple Magic Keyboard, and your kid may find that this iPad can replace their laptop.

Not only is the iPad Pro lightweight and a mere 5.1 millimeters thick, it features Apple's latest M4 processor, which gives it tremendous processing power. The tablet also comes with a generous collection of apps, but if you head to the the App Store, you can find plenty more.

You should also know that Apple is planning a major update to its OS this fall. Look for AI-powered features that will make the tablet even smarter.

Yes, there are less expensive iPads, but for high school or college students, this is the model that's best, thanks to its advanced processor, better performance and absolutely beautiful Ultra Retina XDR display that makes photos, videos and graphics look amazing.

If you're providing your teenager or college student with an iPad Pro, be sure to check out our coverage of the 12 best Apple iPad accessories to make their experience using the tablet as productive as possible. We've also done a hands-on review of the iPad Pro that can help you decide whether this tablet is best.

$949 at Best Buy

Best premium Android tablet for teens: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

If you're buying the Galaxy Tab S9 for a younger person, there are limited parental controls built in, but you can easily add more robust tools using optional apps. However for a pre-teen or teen, the Galaxy Tab S9 is a versatile and powerful tablet that can easily multitask. The tablet recently got an AI-fueled upgrade, so users get access to powerful artificial intelligence baked into the operating system and many of its apps.

For schoolwork, the tablet supports a wide range of productivity tools, including all of the Google Workspace apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chrome and more). With a subscription, the tablet will also run the Microsoft 365 apps. One of the standout features of the Tab S9 is that it's waterproof, which is not something any Apple iPad offers. And when you use the tablet with an S Pen stylus, you can handwrite, draw or annotate documents right on the screen. This makes it a powerful note-taking tool.

Using the power of Galaxy AI, a student can record classes and have the AI create a transcript, as well as a bulleted summary. The AI can help with advanced research, composing text, scheduling and more. And when the school day is done, the Tab S9 is a terrific entertainment device for streaming TV shows, movies, YouTube videos and music, or playing games.

$700 and up at Samsung

Why we recommend the Amazon Fire tablets for kids

While any tablet can be used by a child, Amazon Fire for kids tablets are designed specifically for little ones. They come with a durable case, a two-year warranty and a one year subscription to Amazon Kids+. Similar features on other tablets would cost a lot extra. The Amazon Fire tablets for kids also have integrated security tools (again, something many other tablets charge extra for).

We also appreciate the powerful parental controls. They can easily be managed using a parent or guardian's smartphone and do not require an extra subscription. We don't recommend these tablets for anyone over the age of 12, but for younger people, they provide the functionality, security, battery life and durability that parents will appreciate, along with content a child will enjoy. Keep in mind, the Amazon Fire tablets for kids are not toys. They're functional tablets that offer a wide range of optional apps and functionality.

Like any tech equipment you give to your child, especially equipment that connects to the internet, we can't stress strongly enough the importance parental controls. Don't simply hand over a tablet to a child without setting ground rules and making sure the parental controls are adjusted to a level you're comfortable with.

We believe the Amazon Fire tablets for kids (not to be confused with the regular Amazon Fire tablets) offer the best balance of security, privacy and parental control features, along with quality content available through Amazon Kids+.

Amazon
Apple

Jason R. Rich

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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