
Keeping kids away from screens is a never-ending battle. But with learning becoming increasingly digitalised, tablets can come in handy when used appropriately. Whether your child loves educational games, watching cartoons, or reading, finding the right tablet can keep them entertained, safe, and learning. But with the market cluttered with a million choices, it can be difficult to know which one is age-appropriate, and more importantly, worth your money!
In this updated guide, we compare the top tablets for every age group — from toddlers to teens — based on durability, price, parental controls, and performance.
Not all kids need the same kind of tablet; what works for a toddler might not suit a teenager. To help you choose the right one, we’ve broken down our top picks by age group, so you can find the best match for your child’s needs.
✅ From £120
✅ Screen Size: 8.7”
✅ Storage: 32GB (expandable)
✅ Battery: 5100mAh
✅ Parental Controls: via Samsung Kids Mode
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a compact, budget-friendly tablet perfect for toddlers and young children. It’s lightweight and easy for small hands to hold. With its 8.7-inch screen and simple interface, it’s ideal for watching videos or playing early learning games. While the storage is modest, it’s expandable via microSD, making it suitable for growing needs.
✅ From £199
✅ Screen Size: 10.1”
✅ Storage: 32GB (expandable)
✅ Battery: 6,300mAh
✅ Parental Controls: Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard
The Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is Amazon’s top-tier option for younger children. With its rugged, kid-proof case, 2-year worry-free warranty, and built-in Amazon Kids+ subscription, this tablet is designed for safety and fun. It comes with preloaded educational apps, books, and games — all curated by age. The parent dashboard allows you to control screen time and content access.
✅ From £239
✅ Screen Size: 11”
✅ Storage: 64GB
✅ Battery: 7,040mAh
✅ Parental Controls: Samsung Kids and Google’s Family Link App
A great choice for kids transitioning to more advanced features. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ offers a larger screen, slim profile, and powerful performance with an octa-core processor. It’s great for interactive homework, eBooks, and gaming. Samsung Kids Mode allows you to restrict apps, websites, and screen time.
✅ From £300
✅ Screen Size: 10.9”
✅ Storage: 64GB
✅ Battery: 7,606mAh
✅ Parental Controls: Apple Screen Time
Although pricier, the Apple iPad (2022) is ideal for older children and teens who need a reliable device for both school and entertainment. For a more budget-friendly option, consider purchasing a refurbished iPad, which can offer the same performance at a lower cost. With Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, this tablet handles multitasking, video editing, and high-performance games with ease. Parents can monitor screen time and content through iOS family sharing and restrictions.
Finding the best tablet for kids means looking beyond just screen size or storage; it’s about safety, usability, and supporting your child’s development at every stage. At Compare and Recycle, our recommendations are based on a mix of real-world parenting experience, expert insight, and market feedback to ensure every device we feature is age-appropriate, reliable, and built for learning.
As a team that includes parents ourselves, we understand what truly matters when choosing a tablet for children. From ease of use and durability to built-in safety settings, our selections reflect the kinds of features parents look for because we’ve looked for them too.
In developing this guide, we considered the latestinsights on how screen time affects learning and development. Our recent internal research, carried out in collaboration with child development specialists, highlighted the importance of age-appropriate content, screen time limits, and interactive learning tools. We’ve prioritised tablets that help support healthy tech habits right from the start.
We also considered broader consumer sentiment — from product reviews to brand reliability — to better understand which tablets consistently deliver in real-life situations. The devices on this list have a solid track record when it comes to performance, safety features, and overall value for families.
Choosing the best tablet for your child comes down to understanding their age, interests, and how they’ll use the device — whether it’s for learning, creativity, or just watching their favourite shows. From toddler-friendly tablets to powerful options for teens, there’s something on this list for every age.
All the tablets we’ve featured are picked with kids in mind — offering the right balance of performance, safety, and value. Whichever one you choose, you’ll be giving your child a smart, age-appropriate tech experience that supports both fun and learning.
These tablets all have something to offer for children of all ages, based on price point, capabilities as well as size. Depending on the age of your child, they may want to use their tablet for different purposes. For younger children, it may be that all they need is a light, easy-to-use device that allows them to play games or watch their favourite shows, whereas an older child may want to use it for taking pictures and videos. Keep reading to see which tablet has features best suited for your child.


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