MENU

Which laptop or tablet is right for your child?

Discover the best laptops for kids, according to tech experts and parents

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.  

A father and child use laptop tech together.

4 things to consider before you buy a laptop or tablet

Explore our expert tips on buying the right laptop or tablet for your child.

Should I buy a tablet or a laptop?

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.

What operating system should I look for in children’s tech?

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: 

Laptop operating systems

  • Windows: These laptops are like the all-rounders. They generally run on Windows 10 
  • macOS: Apple’s MacBooks have macOS and are known for their quality and user-friendliness.
  • ChromeOS: Chromebooks are budget-friendly and perfect for surfing the web. 

Tablet operating systems

  • iOS: iPads are the Apple version of tablets. They run on iOS, have tons of apps, and are really user-friendly.
  • Android: Android tablets come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ve got lots of choices. Pick a well-known brand with a recent version of Android.
  • Fire OS: Amazon Fire tablets run on a special version of Android called Fire OS. They’re budget-friendly and great for watching shows and playing games.

Should I buy a new or second-hand device?

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.

What about an e-reader?

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.

Supporting resources and guides

Setting up your child's first device?

Get personalised safety guidance for all their devices.

GET YOUR TOOLKIT

The most popular tablets and laptops for kids

Explore 2024’s most popular children’s tech with expert advice, safety tips and prices.

Samsung Tab A

With a dedicated Kid’s Mode, The Samsung Tab A is perfect for budding tech enthusiasts.

Why it’s great for kids:

It’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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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.  


Back to top

Kurio Smart Tablet

Meet the Kurio Smart Tablet, tailor-made for kids and tweens.

Display video transcript
Intro
0:00
hi my name's Adele and this is my son
0:02
Jacob hi we've teamed up with curio and
0:06
Internet matters to talk to you today
0:08
about the kurios smart turn one tablet
0:11
it comes with a keyboard on it right hey
Keyboard
0:15
comes with a keyboard which is
0:17
absolutely brilliant you've also got
0:19
this protective case you can put the
0:21
keyboard on and then and then you pop
0:24
your tablet in here and then you've gone
0:26
Android computer you have got a little
0:28
computer that you can take about with
0:30
you as a parent it can be quite worrying
Kurio Genius
0:36
knowing what your child's getting up to
0:37
while they're online you set up a
0:39
profile for the parent you then set up a
0:42
profile for your child and you put your
0:44
child's date of birth in the parents
0:46
side of it is called the curio genius
0:48
and you actually set different types of
0:51
restrictions which is great you've got
0:52
so much control app management
0:55
pre-loaded ones for their age will come
0:57
up then you can decide as the parent
1:00
which apps you would like them to see or
1:02
that you don't want them to see going
Time controls
1:04
again to your curio genius part and you
1:07
can say different times every day or you
1:11
can actually have the same amount of
1:13
time every day or obviously at weekends
1:16
you might want to let them have a little
1:17
bit more time on their tablet time
1:19
controls bakiyev you can access millions
1:22
of apps on the Google Play Store another
Child safe browsing
1:25
feature is it's got child safe browsing
1:27
so when they are actually online this
1:30
tablet actually filters out over 32
1:33
billion web pages and that is a lot it's
1:37
easier what I like about it I can change
1:39
my avatar and my wallpaper like this one
1:44
to cat
1:49
you got YouTube kids yes you've got
1:52
instant tennis like really funky
1:59
it's great and easy-to-use it's got a
Conclusion
2:01
nice big screen all the games really fun
2:06
it actually comes with office apps as
2:08
well so as they get older and they do
2:10
you know they've got homework to do and
2:12
schoolwork they can actually do them on
2:14
here because you've got you know
2:16
spreadsheets you've got documents you
2:18
can do lots of things on this tablet
2:20
great with the keyboard so you've got
2:22
like a little portable computer if you
2:24
need it you know to do homework
2:25
schoolwork things like that
2:27
or you know just having fun the tablet
2:30
you know on its own it's just so much
2:32
fun
2:33
there's lots to do on there you know
2:35
it's great for kids it keeps the parents
2:37
happy because there's you know parental
2:39
controls on there you can set these
2:41
restrictions so that gives you peace of
2:42
mind and they get to have fun so I think
2:45
it's a win-win I think everybody's happy
2:47
there hope you enjoyed this video for
2:51
more help and information go to Kiera
2:53
worldcom and internet matters dot org
2:57
thanks for watching bye
2:59
`{`Laughter`}`

Why it’s great for kids:

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. 

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

Kurio Tab Connect

Meet the Kurio Tab Connect, an affordable starter tablet for younger children.

Display video transcript
Intro
0:00
hi my name's Adelle and this is my son
0:02
Jacob hi we are from our family life
0:05
code at UK and we've teamed up with
0:07
curio and Internet matters to talk to
0:10
you about the key area I tap connect
0:14
it's a 7-inch Android tablet it's got
Features
0:17
this protective bumper its splash proof
0:20
it's got Wi-Fi bluetooth it's absolutely
0:24
brilliant one thing I really like about
0:26
it is that it's actually got curio
0:29
genius on it you set up a parent profile
0:32
account you set up your profile for your
Parental Controls
0:35
child and then when you put their date
0:37
of birth in it actually gives you age
0:39
appropriate apps in that curio genius is
0:42
where all the parental controls are so
0:45
you can actually decide which apps they
0:47
are allowed to look at there's also time
Time Management
0:50
management so you can actually manage
0:52
their screen time and you could decide
0:55
how many hours a day that they are
0:57
allowed to play on it you don't have
0:59
permission to use apps right now I'll
1:02
try again later if you've got a phone
Kurio Connect
1:04
you can actually download the curio
1:06
connect app once you're connected you
1:09
can actually send them pictures you can
1:11
send the messages you can send emojis do
1:22
all the things that you can do on there
1:24
is you can actually turn the volume down
1:26
of this tablet from this phone
1:29
brilliant brilliant and the other thing
1:33
which I really like is you can actually
1:36
remotely turn it off this is an Android
Apps
1:39
tablet so it already comes with lots of
1:42
apps pre-loaded through the Google Play
1:44
Store millions of apps to choose from
1:46
there's also a kiddo store all aimed at
1:49
kids you know educational fun games it
1:52
also has child safe browsing this
1:54
actually filters out over 32 billion web
1:58
pages that is a lot that is a lot so
Conclusion
2:01
what I like about this curio tell
2:04
connectors they've got lots of games
2:05
like instantaneous subway surfers
2:10
and YouTube kids and other crazy games
2:14
like that what I like about it is I can
2:16
change my avatar and my wallpaper we
2:20
hope you enjoyed this video for more
2:22
help and information go to curate well
2:25
calm and internet matters dot all thanks
2:28
for watching bye

Why it’s great for kids:

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. 

Why it’s great for parents:

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.

Back to top

Apple iPad mini 6

The iPad Mini 6 from Apple, is designed to adapt and grow with your child’s needs.

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

Apple iPad (9th Generation)

A top-tier tablet with a focus on education and creativity

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

Apple iPad Air

A high-end tablet that delivers a laptop-like experience

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

ASUS Chromebook C202 SA

A budget-friendly first laptop for teens, tweens and everyone in between.

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

Amazon Fire HD 10

A well-rounded tablet packed with easy-to-use features

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

Amazon Fire PRO KIDS 10

A child-friendly tablet designed with educational content and parental controls in mind

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents:

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

Back to top

Amazon Kindle

Make books a more engaging experience for young readers

Why it’s great for kids:

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.

Why it’s great for parents: 

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

Back to top

Was this useful?
Tell us how we can improve it