Our Experts Tested and Rated the Best Kids' Tablets of 2023

We updated this guide in October 2022 to ensure we were recommending the latest versions of each device, as reviewed by the Good Housekeeping Institute's Media & Tech Lab.

It's no surprise that kids are always begging to play with parents' tablets or cell phones — adults are so often on their screens that kids want a piece of the action. That's why tablets for kids exist. With one of them, you don't have to worry about handing kids your precious iPad, only to get it back with dents, scratches or sticky fingerprints. These kid-friendly tablets are fairly similar to regular adult versions, except they're often more durable, offer parental controls for content and screen time and come with educational apps for kids.

"At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we appreciate children's tablets because they are designed specifically for smaller hands and frequent drops," says Olivia Lipski, the Good Housekeeping Institute's media and tech reviews analyst. "As for the available child-friendly content, which is often preloaded, we want to ensure that it's vibrant and varied enough to keep kids entertained and educated."

Our Lab experts regularly test all kinds of tech and children's products from baby monitors to convertible car seats. And many of our engineers are parents themselves, so you can trust that our recommendations take into account the reality of everyday life. Our pros appreciate kids' tech that doesn't cost a fortune and isn't going to be outdated in a year.

Our top picks:

After our picks, read on to learn more about how we chose the best tablet for your child's age as well as what you should keep in mind when shopping for a kids' tablet.