From gaming to getting to grips with homework, we’ve broken down the most popular laptops and tablets in the market and how you can use them safely.
Explore our expert tips on buying the right laptop or tablet for your child.
Deciding between a tablet or a laptop for a child is a bit like deciding between a bike and a tricycle – it depends on their age and what your child needs.
For younger children, a tablet has everything you need. It’s perfect for catching up on shows, playing skill-building games and even, on some devices, FaceTiming family. They’re easy to carry around and are often far cheaper than a laptop.
A laptop, on the other hand, is more of an investment. Laptops are perfect for catching up on homework, due to their built-in keyboard. They also last longer than a tablet and offer your child a more mature computing experience.
The OS (operating system) of a computer or tablet is the software that manages all the services that your tech offers. There are a few options to choose from:
Whether you’re looking for a refurbished device or you’ve been offered a hand-me-down, check out our dedicated guide to second-hand tech.
Looking for an alternative to tablets or laptops? Check out eBook readers. They’re like digital books, made just for reading. eBook readers use e-paper screens, so they won’t glare at you like a tablet or computer. From the Amazon Kindle to Nook or Kobo, you’ve got options for e-readers that will encourage your child to read.
However, there aren’t age ratings on eBooks as you’d normally see with other media. But, you can set up parental controls, such as a password for the Kindle Store to ensure that you can keep an eye on the content your child is exploring.
Get personalised safety guidance for all their devices.
GET YOUR TOOLKITIt’s tough: You can pair it up with a sturdy case to protect it from those inevitable bumps and drops, which are pretty common in the world of kids.
Easy-to-read screen: The screen is not your run-of-the-mill display; it’s super high-res with more pixels than your regular HD screen. Making it perfect to watch your little one’s favourite show (for the hundredth time) or play games.
Impressive camera: With an intuitive autofocus, the Samsung Tab A takes some pretty impressive photos and videos. Combined with the screen and processing power, it’s ready for all sorts of creative stuff like writing, drawing, coding, and even video editing.
TV streaming: It’s got Wi-Fi direct, so you can easily share your favourite content right onto the family TV.
Kids Mode: Also known as Kid’s Home, you can monitor screen time, set play time limits, control permissions and add apps. You’ve also got access to the Samsung Kid’s App Store, which is packed full of educational games.
The Samsung Tab A is a really great all-rounder, with the specs to back it up.
Prices start at £179 for the 10-inch version, and there’s an 8-inch one available for £139.
Built for Schoolwork: This tablet comes preloaded with essential tools like a word processor, presentation software, and spreadsheets. It’s fully compatible with Microsoft and Google Docs, which means your child can tackle homework with ease. You’ll also find a detachable keyboard and a magnetic protective case.
Serious Parental Control: With built-in Kurio Genius Parental Controls software, you can set screen time limits, decide which apps your child can use, and even flick on a ‘blue light filter’ to protect those young eyes. It also filters and monitors over 32 billion websites to make sure your child only sees age-appropriate stuff.
Prices start at £159
Meet the Kurio Tab Connect, an affordable starter tablet for younger children.
Pre-loaded with games: Jam-packed with pre-loaded games like their popular ‘Instant Tennis’. It’s ready to play from the second you’ve taken it out of the box.
Built to last: Made with sticky fingers in mind, it’s got a protective shell and a fingerprint-resistant coating to keep it looking fresh.
Family-friendly: With support for up to 8 personalised profiles, the tablet can be shared among the whole family.
Serious parental controls: With built-in Kurio Genius Parental Controls software, you can set screen time limits, decide which apps your child can use, and even flick on a ‘blue light filter’ to protect those young eyes. It also filters and monitors over 32 billion websites to make sure your child only sees age-appropriate stuff.
Prices start at £119.
Apple Pencil Support: The Apple Pencil compatibility (sold separately from £129) is a game-changer. It allows kids to get creative with drawing, note-taking, and other interactive learning activities.
Ease of use: Apple devices are known for their user-friendly interfaces, making it easy for kids to navigate and use the iPad Mini independently.
Long-term investment: The iPad Mini 6 isn’t the cheapest option on the market. But, it’s built to last, which means it can grow with your child.
Parental controls:Apple offers robust parental control features, including Screen Time, which allows you to set restrictions on app usage and screen time limits. You can also restrict access to age-inappropriate content and set bedtime limits to ensure your child is using the tablet responsibly.
The iPad Mini 6 is a versatile tablet, ideal for tweens and younger kids. With the opportunity to grow with your child and even help with fine motor skills, the iPad Mini 6 is an all-rounder.
Prices start from £569
A top-tier tablet with a focus on education and creativity
Dedicated educational apps:Apple is actively developing education apps for the iPad. Designed to assist teachers in shaping the digital curriculum, these can be a valuable resource for students of all ages.
Larger screen: With a 10.2-inch display, the iPad is ideal for catching up on Netflix or playing games.
Apple Pencil Support: The Apple Pencil compatibility (sold separately from £129) is a game-changer. It allows kids to get creative with drawing, note-taking, and other interactive learning activities.
Parental control features: With the latest iOS 15, the parental control settings are easy to navigate. You can set age-specific restrictions on features, manage screen time, set bedtime limits, and control access to apps.
The 9th Generation of Apple’s iPad is a great option for kids, with Apple’s standard easy-to-use interface and super-fast processor. Additionally, older iPad models, going back to the 5th generation, are still supported and compatible with iOS 15, providing more budget-friendly options.
Prices start from £319
A high-end tablet that delivers a laptop-like experience
Keyboard and Apple Pencil Support: The standout feature of the iPad Air is the compatibility with a physical keyboard and integrated support for the Apple Pencil. When paired with the Apple Magic Keyboard, it transforms into a device that can effectively replace a laptop. Perfect for revising and Roblox.
Larger screen and faster processor: With a 10.9-inch screen and a speedy processor, the iPad Air offers a crystal-clear screen and super-responsive display.
Parental control features: With iOS 15, parental control settings are easy to configure. You can set age-specific restrictions, manage screen time and set bedtime limits – perfect for ending the ‘just one more game’ conversations.
Starting at £579, the iPad Air isn’t the cheapest option in the market, however, it’s perfect for tweens and teens who want a laptop-like experience with the portability of a tablet.
Prices start from £579
Packed with kid-friendly features: Lightweight and user-friendly, the ASUS Chromebook is designed specifically with children in mind. With two grips made for small hands to hold, it also has an impressive 10-hour battery life, making it suitable for on-the-go activities.
Easy to share: With a built-in HDMI output, you can take YouTube from tablet to TV. Plus, there’s an 11.6-inch anti-glare screen for on-the-go.
Durable design: The ASUS Chromebook is built to withstand the daily wear and tear of teen and tween life. With a spill-resistant keyboard, 180-degree hinge, and reinforced rubber-wrapped frames, it’s perfect for the on-the-go family.
Online safety: With a built-in Google Family Link you can monitor children’s usage, set limits on a school night and which apps your child is spending the most time on. Perfect for promoting healthy tech habits.
Starting from £129
Larger screen and more storage: With a 10.1-inch full HD display (1920 x 1200 pixels), it’s perfect for watching movies, reading, browsing the web, and playing games. You can choose between 32GB or 64GB of storage, so there’s plenty of space for videos, games and apps.
Made to travel: While the exact battery life may vary depending on usage, you’ll discover hours of use from a single charge.
Alexa integration: The Fire HD 10 has built-in Alexa support, allowing you to use voice commands to control the tablet, get information, set reminders, and perform tasks, hands-free.
With a built-in Parent Dashboard, you can manage screen time, set educational goals, and restrict access to specific content or features. As well as adjust settings when needed.
Prices start from £179.99
A child-friendly tablet designed with educational content and parental controls in mind
Pre-loaded content: Jam-packed with age-appropriate content for kids, including books, videos, educational apps, and games, you also get a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ with every purchase.
Designed for life: With its 10.1-inch screen, durable design and sturdy case, the Fire Kids PRO 10 is made for a family on the go.
Made for all the family: You can create personalised profiles for all the family, each with their own access to age-appropriate content.
Connects to the rest of your home: Supported by Alexa, you can use voice commands to activate features across the Fire range.
With a built-in Parent Dashboard, you can manage screen time, set educational goals, and restrict access to specific content or features. As well as adjust settings when needed.
Prices start from £179.99
Champions a love of reading: The Amazon Kindle is a lightweight device with a 6-inch black and white screen, which replicates the experience of reading a physical book.
Kindle for Kids feature: The Kindle for Kids feature allows you to create personalised profiles for children, set reading goals, and award achievement badges. It also provides insights such as the total time spent reading and the number of words looked up, making it an interactive and educational tool for young readers.
Digital control: Book downloads are locked to your Amazon account, giving you control over the content your child can access.
Prices start from £79.99
