Should children be exposed to screens? Screen time restrictions and screen learning have been hot topics in the recent past, as parents try to find a healthy balance between giving their children digital access and setting boundaries. Even the World Health Organisation took note and issued guidelines in April 2019, recommending a maximum of one hour of screen time for children aged two to four.
In that hour, if children are able to engage in puzzles, games and e-books through a device that ensures their privacy and safety, there’s no better digital learning tool for them than a tablet. So, we researched the best tablets for children, assessing aspects like built-in parent accounts, privacy controls, timers and pre-selected websites or apps that are age-appropriate. You can purchase these tablets with Amazon Prime and get one as early as tomorrow!
1. Best Overall: HUAWEI MatePad T 10 Kids Edition, 32GB
Pros
- Educational games, apps and creative editing tool
- Eye protection with blue light filter
- Time and content management in parental controls
- Locks for safety when charging
- Silicone case with handle
- Comes with a drawing stylus
Cons
- Premium content is free for a year
- Only 2GB of RAM
- No front-facing camera
The Huawei MatePad T10 Kids Edition is a 9.7 inches tablet pre-loaded with educational games, apps and special safety features for your child. Its sturdy silicone case and handle will ensure the tablet will survive messy, clumsy little hands. The MatePad T10 Kids Edition gives you full access to the Huawei AppGallery and also comes with 12 months of free Azoomee content. An award-winning platform for curating the best of learning games, TV shows and puzzles for kids, Azoomee will open up a world of fun during the summer break. As the child is being entertained, the tablet reminds them to sit up straight to protect their eyesight, using posture alerts and its blue light filter. Parents can easily set up time, app and content management in the settings, and track their child's learning results. The best part is the tablet's digital playground, called the Kids Corner, where little ones can film the world around them through the rear five-megapixel camera, paint using the included stylus and record their voice.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh48.75 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh95, and a two-year damage protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh121.
2. Best Family Tablet: Lenovo Tab M8 (2nd Generation), 32 GB
Pros
- Comes with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity
- 18-hour battery life
- Blue light filter
- Front and rear camera
- Dedicated user profiles and a Kids Mode account
Cons
- Only 2GB of RAM
- Comes without a protective case
The Lenovo M8 is a smart choice if you want your household to have just one, shared tablet. Built for passing around from person to person, the Lenovo M8 identifies family members by their dedicated profiles. This version also comes with cellular connectivity and a SIM card slot for text messaging and phone calls. In the case of children, you can activate the tablet’s built-in Kid’s Mode 3.0 – an independent account that is a repository of rich, customised content for children under 12 years of age. The interface provides access to games, apps, videos, audio and books that offer educational content in 44 languages. The device’s eye-protection mode activates automatically to filter out blue light that strains the eyes. There are also parental controls that can help you limit your child’s time on the tablet. When schools resume again, the M8 can come in handy for online classes, since it has a 2MP front-facing camera, as well as a rear 5MP camera.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29, a one-year damage protection for Dh48, and a one-year extended warranty plus two years of damage protection for Dh61.
3. Best for School: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Pros
- Note-taking features on running videos
- Samsung Kids mode
- Comes with S Pen
- 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage
- 10.4-inch display
Cons
- Expensive
- Works well with the Samsung Anymode Kids Tablet Case (not included)
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S6 Lite should be your go-to device, if your child's school encourages tablets in classes. Superior for its note-taking capibilities and lightweight, portable body, the tablet comes with a large 10.4-inch display and Samsung's magnetic S Pen to go with it. Watch your children consolidate class material better by doodling and adding colours to their lecture notes. At home, they can watch recorded lectures and take down notes simultaneously on the screen using Samsung Notes. The tablet's 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera are also worth mentioning. Its large 64GB capacity makes way for more child-friendly content via the pre-loaded Samsung Kids mode, a kids-safe environment where parents can set limits on playtime and restrict certain access. Fun mascots will greet your little one, like Crocro the crocodile and Lisa the songbird, wherever they go on the tablet. Teach them basic math, science and critical thinking skills through gaming adventures with their new playmates.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh78.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57, a one-year damage protection for Dh95, and a one-year extended warranty plus two years of damage protection for Dh121.
4. Best for Games: G-TiDE Kids Tablet, Pink
Pros
- Large 10-inch display
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
- 5MP front camera and 8MP rear camera
- Klap app includes pre-loaded games library and parental controls
- Protective case with stand
Cons
- Battery can drain fast, according to reviews
G-Tide's kids tablet has a large 10.1-inch screen, an Android 11 Go quad-core processor and an extensive library of age-appropriate apps to keep the young ones busy. The 2GB RAM and 32GB storage allow just enough space for running pre-loaded games in the Klap app without a hitch. The learning app offers content that's engaging and educational at the same time, from painting to arithmetic-based games. Here, parents can also create and customise profiles for their children's accounts, select child-friendly content and control screen time. You can fire up the Google Play Store for more options, when your child outgrows the pre-installed library. Take this device along to grocery runs or long drives because the battery can stretch to 12 hours, depending on usage, and charges fairly quickly with a Type-C cable. The device comes in a thick protective case with an adjustable 270-degree stand to safeguard it from butter fingers and accidental falls.
5. Best Budget: G-Tab Q5 Kids Tablet, Green
Pros
- Adorable shell that is drop-proof
- Flat base for a hands-free experience
- Targets early education via learning apps
- Fun karaoke feature
- Value for money
Cons
- Only 1GB of RAM
- 0.3MP camera
If you are thinking of giving your child, niece or nephew a tablet as a gift, consider the unique appeal of the G-Tab. It’s likely to win points with children because it looks like a cartoon character or a miniature robot. There are no silicone cases needed. The G-Tab is specially designed with a drop-proof protective shell, allowing it to maintain its aesthetic charm. The standing base design frees up children’s hands and allows multiple people to engage with its apps at the same time. Designed for early education, the tablet has a variety of apps with frequent recommendations that are tailored to your child’s usage history. It also features a karaoke-style microphone that will have your child singing endlessly. Parental controls allow you to limit screen time and select age-appropriate content. There’s also a child dashboard where young ones can only access content permitted for them by their parents. The device is available in four colours.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
