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Key takeaways
- Best for ages 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids. Kid-proof case, 2-year worry-free guarantee and parental controls in the box, per the listing.
- Best for older children: a Fire HD 8 Kids Pro, which Amazon aims at older kids. Check the age range on the listing.
- Best if you want Android apps and Google Play: Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ with Samsung Kids mode and Google Family Link. You buy the case separately.
- Best if your family is on Apple: iPad (11-inch) with Screen Time and Family Sharing. Apple's warranty covers faults, not drops. Budget for a case.
- What matters most: the guarantee against breakage and whether the apps your child wants run on that tablet. Both are easy to check before buying.
Which tablet should you buy for a child? Under about seven, the Fire HD 10 Kids: case, guarantee and parental controls come with it, per Amazon's listing. For a family that uses Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+. For a family on iPhones, the iPad 11-inch. In every case, buy a case and read how the guarantee treats a dropped screen.
Specs here come from Amazon's, Samsung's and Apple's own listings. We haven't tested these tablets, so there are no impressions, only things you can check.
TL;DR
- Ages 3 to 7: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids. Case and 2-year guarantee included. £199.99
- Older children on Fire: a Fire HD 8 Kids Pro. Check the age range on the listing.
- Android family: Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+. Samsung Kids mode plus Family Link. £189.00
- Apple family: iPad 11-inch (A16). Screen Time and Family Sharing. £409.97
- Small first tablet: Fire 7 plus a separate kid-proof case. Oldest hardware of the five. £74.99
Comparison table
| Tablet | Screen | Storage | Case in the box | Breakage cover on listing | Parental controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire HD 10 Kids (2023) | 10.1", 1080p | 32 GB | Kid-proof case | 2-year worry-free guarantee | Amazon, managed from your phone |
| Fire 7 (2022) | 7" | 16 GB or 32 GB, microSD | No | None listed | Amazon Kids |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ | 11", 90Hz | 128 GB | No | One listing shows 3-year warranty (faults) | Samsung Kids mode, Google Family Link |
| iPad 11-inch (A16) | 11", Liquid Retina | 128 GB and up | No | One-year limited warranty (faults) | Screen Time, Family Sharing |
How to choose
Start with the apps, not the hardware. A tablet is only as good as the three or four apps your child asks for. Fire tablets use the Amazon Appstore, and Amazon's own listing says Google Play isn't supported. An iPad and the Samsung run the App Store and Google Play. If your child's school or club uses a particular app, check it first.
Then the parental controls. Amazon's controls on the Fire HD 10 Kids are run from your phone: screen-time limits, pausing the device, and approving app-store requests. On the Samsung, Samsung Kids mode sits behind a PIN, and Google's Family Link works on any Android tablet. On the iPad, Screen Time and Ask to Buy come through Family Sharing. All three work. All three fail the same way: if your child can open an adult profile or knows the passcode.
Then breakage. The Fire Kids model is the only one here whose listing includes a replacement guarantee. For the others, a kid-proof case for the Samsung or a rugged iPad case is the real protection. A tempered-glass screen protector helps with scratches.
Things the marketing doesn't tell you
- The "Kids" label is a bundle. You get a case, a guarantee and a year of the Kids+ subscription. It is a Fire tablet underneath, so judge the screen, storage and speed as you would any Fire.
- Kids+ renews. The listing says the subscription renews monthly after the first year unless you cancel in the Parent Dashboard. Put a reminder in your phone.
- 32 GB fills. Games and downloaded videos take most of it. The Fire 7 has a microSD slot for more; the Fire HD 10 Kids listing says 32 GB.
- A guarantee isn't accidental-damage cover everywhere. Read what "worry-free" counts as. Most manufacturer warranties, Samsung's and Apple's included, cover faults, not drops.
- A bigger tablet is heavier. An 11" tablet is more screen than a six-year-old can hold comfortably for a long time. The 7" and 8" ones fit small hands better.
- Time limits depend on you. No tablet decides for you how long is enough.
Verdict
For under-sevens, the Fire HD 10 Kids is the easy answer because the protection is in the box. For older children, choose by ecosystem: iPad if you use iPhones, Galaxy Tab if you use Android. If you aren't sure a tablet is right, try screen-free first: see our board games for 3-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds and 8-12 year olds.
Our picks
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet
Amazon
10.1" 1080p screen, 32 GB, kid-proof case, 2-year worry-free guarantee and parental controls managed from your phone. Includes a year of Amazon Kids+.
£199.99 Retrieved on 04/11/2026 · prices subject to change
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro
Amazon
Smaller 8" Fire for older kids. Not catalogued here, so no price on this page. Confirm the age range and what the guarantee covers on the listing.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+
Samsung
11" 90Hz screen, 128 GB, built-in Samsung Kids mode, works with Google Family Link. One listing advertises a 3-year warranty; check the one you buy.
£189.00 Retrieved on 03/11/2026 · prices subject to change
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
Apple
11" Liquid Retina screen, A16 chip, 128 GB. Screen Time and Ask to Buy through Family Sharing. Apple's listing shows a one-year limited warranty.
£409.97 Retrieved on 03/11/2026 · prices subject to change
Amazon Fire 7 tablet
Amazon
7" screen, 16 or 32 GB, microSD slot, parental controls through Amazon Kids. 2022 hardware, the oldest here. Add a separate kid-proof case.
£74.99 Retrieved on 03/11/2026 · prices subject to change
On ThePriceMonkey
Products from this guide in our catalogue — current price, specs and availability on each page.
- Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet · Amazon
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ · Samsung
- Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) · Apple
- Amazon Fire 7 tablet · Amazon
FAQ
What age is a kids' tablet for?
Amazon labels the Fire HD 10 Kids for ages 3 to 7 on its listing. Older children usually move to the Pro models or to a normal tablet with parental controls switched on. The age on the box matters less than whether the content filters follow your child up: Fire, Samsung and Apple all let you change the age settings later.
Is a normal tablet with parental controls better than a kids' tablet?
For under-sevens, the kids' version is simpler: the case and guarantee come with it and the child's profile opens straight into curated content. For eight and over, a normal tablet with controls usually lasts longer, because it isn't limited to a kids' app store and the child won't outgrow it. The catch is that parental controls only work while the child uses their own profile and you keep the PIN or passcode private.
Does the warranty cover a cracked screen?
Not on most tablets. Statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act cover faults, not damage. Amazon's Fire Kids tablets are the exception here because the listing includes a 2-year worry-free guarantee that replaces a broken tablet, so read its exact terms. On Samsung and Apple, accidental damage needs a case, a separate protection plan, or your home insurance. Check your home policy before paying for cover you already have.
Can my child use YouTube Kids or other Google apps on a Fire tablet?
Amazon's own Fire listings say Google Play isn't supported on Fire tablets and some apps may not be available. Fire tablets use the Amazon Appstore. List the three or four apps your child will actually use and check each one before you buy. If a Google or Apple-only app matters, pick a Samsung or an iPad.
Do I need a screen protector and a case?
A case, yes, on anything not sold with one. The Fire Kids model includes one. A tempered-glass screen protector is cheap and helps with scratches; it doesn't make a cracked screen impossible. Cases and protectors are specific to the exact model and generation, so match the model year before you buy.