Keeping your children occupied can be one of the toughest tasks as a parent, which is why a tablet might be a great idea. You wouldn’t just be throwing a screen in front of them either since there are a variety of tablets available from Walmart that will help teach your children and keep them entertained. One such option is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition, which includes a suite of apps for kids, along with protective case for when those accidents happen.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition
Samsung offers a tablet for just about everyone, and the same can be said when trying to find a tablet for your children. The Galaxy Tab A Kids is perfect for children with its 8-inch display, the included durable bumper case, and expandable storage. Additionally, the Tab A Kids gives users up to nine hours of battery life with its 5,100mAh battery.
If you want to keep your kids off of YouTube and get them learning, the Tab A Kids not only includes Samsung Kids for three months, but also supports STEM Curriculums. For the unaware, Samsung Kids is a subscription that gives your children access to a personalized learning service with games, apps, and videos. As for STEM Curriculums, this is a series of lessons with a focus in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You can even save videos for offline viewing with the included microSD card slot.
While the Tab A Kids is great in a lot of ways, we would have like to see a device that launched in 2019 to feature USB-C. Instead, Samsung opted to stick with microUSB, and we hope to see that change with the next iteration. For those who like to video chat with their children, Samsung could have bumped up the front-facing camera which only sports a 2MP lens.
Pros:
- Included durable bumper case
- STEM Curriculum support
- Expandable storage
- Samsung Kids included for three months
- Huge battery
Cons:
- Micro-USB Charging
- Only 2MP front-facing camera
Best Overall
Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition
- $150 from Walmart
Perfect to keep your kids occupied in the right ways.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids is a fantastic tablet thanks to Samsung Kids being included. Just don’t expect much from video chat quality.
Best for Educational Games: PBS KIDS Playtime Pad
The PBS Kids Playtime Pad is great option for the little ones thanks to the educational games and content that are already pre-loaded. This, combined with the 7-inch display, make it easy to load up in your travel bag and have ready for the kids on the car ride.
This tablet also includes a silicone case, so you won’t have to worry about the eventual accidental drops damaging the Playtime Pad. Along with the educational games and content being pre-loaded, the Playtime Pad has parental controls built-in so that you can ensure that your children are focusing on what’s important. This pre-loaded content all comes from PBSD with KIDS games, KIDS videos, and more educational content with characters from PBS KIDS shows.
On the other side, you may be disappointed with the fact that the tablet ships with just 16GB of storage, which can get filled up pretty quickly. Additionally, there is only 1GB of RAM, which may not matter too much, but could end up causing some bottle necking when switching around. The battery life also may be a cause for concern, as it’s only rated for lasting up to 6.5 hours.
Pros:
- Educational games and movies pre-loaded
- Parental controls built-in
- Silicone case included
Cons:
- 1GB of RAM
- Just 16GB of storage
- 6.5 hours of battery life
Best for Educational Games
PBS KIDS Playtime Pad
- $75 from Walmart
Keep the children learning instead of goofing off
The PBS Kids Playtime Pad is a great pick with the included protective case, preloaded apps and content, along with the exhaustive parental controls.
Best for Multiple Children: Kurio Xtreme Next
As is the case with many kids tablets, the Kurio Xtreme Next does not run the version of Android you may be accustomed to seeing. Instead, Kurio has included a modified version, which includes features such as customized time limits and app management.
The Xtreme Next has a leg up on the competition in a rather important facet if you have more than one child — multiple profiles. With the Xtreme Next, you can create up to eight different profiles, which will all have their own apps and files available for use. Kurio also includes its “Genius” system, which provides website filters, along with the ability to customize which apps can be installed and set time limits on the tablet.
Unfortunately, this feature can cause storage issues as you can only expand the storage to 32GB with the microSD card slot. There also may be some performance problems when switching between profiles due to the inclusion of just 1GB of RAM. Finally, you may want to keep a portable charger handy, as the Xtreme Next will only last around five hours before needing some juice.
Pros:
- Advanced parental controls
- Free lifetime subscription to Kurio Genius system
- Create up to eight different user profiles
Cons:
- 1GB of RAM
- Expandable storage limited to 32GB
- MicroUSB charging
- Poor battery life
Best for Multiple Children
Kurio Xtreme Next
- $79 from Walmart
More than just one account
The Kurio Xtreme Next has a slew of features and apps built-in to keep your children occupied, along with the ability to add multiple user accounts.
Best Value: RCA Voyager 7″
There are times where you don’t want all of the extra frills and benefits offered by other “kid-centric” tablets. That’s where something like the RCA Voyager comes into play with its 7-inch display for great portability.
Another added benefit is that since there are no extra frills. You’re getting a near-stock Android experience with very little bloatware installed. This can make your life easier as there will be few hiccups, and it makes for a great YouTube device. In the event that there is no Wi-Fi available, the Voyager 7 also sports a microSD card slot so you can load up some videos when you’re on the go.
Sticking with the software, the RCA Voyager is likely to disappoint a bit, as it only ships with Android Marshmallow. This, combined with the included 1GB of RAM, could end up being troublesome if your children get frustrated with something not reacting immediately. Battery life is a bit abysmal, as the Voyager is only rated for up to four hours before you’ll be needing to reach for a charger.
Pros:
- Quad-core processor
- Near-stock Android
- Expandable storage
Cons:
- MicroUSB charging
- Ships with Android Marshmallow
- 1GB of RAM
- 3-4 hours of battery life
Best Value
RCA Voyager 7″
- $35 from Walmart
Great, no frills tablet to take everywhere
The RCA Voyager 7 doesn’t have hardly any extra features, but it does provide a near-stock Android experience in a portable package.
Best for the Apple Home: Apple iPad Mini
Apple makes some of the best tablets on the market, and that rings true for the iPad Mini. This 7.9-inch display is a bit larger than similar models, but it gives users access to some of the best apps via the App Store.
The update to iOS 12 also added Screen Time which will give parents more control over what applications their children use and for how long. On the battery life side of things, the iPad Mini is rated to last up to 10 hours, which will get you through the day and then some. Plus, the stereo speakers will make it easy for your children to hear everything that they are playing on the tablet.
When it comes to a device that is as polished as the iPad Mini, you have to be ready to pay the piper. The good ol’ “Apple Tax” is here, and that may drive some folks away. Plus, you are going to be limited to whatever storage model you get, as there is no way to add more after the fact. We also would recommend snagging a case if your kids will be using this tablet.
Pros:
- Stereo speakers
- 10 hours of battery life
- iOS-enabled parental controls
Cons:
- More expensive
- Not the greatest for small children
- No expandable storage
Best for the Apple Home
Apple iPad Mini
- $379 from Walmart
Perfect for kids in an Apple-centric home
The iPad Mini is an extremely popular tablet due to its portability and easy access to the millions of great apps.
Best for School: LeapFrog LeapPad Academy
Chances are you’ve already heard about LeapFrog in terms of providing educational tools and toys for children. The company has moved into the tablet world with the help of the LeapPad Academy tablet. This is based on Android, with a heavily-customized UI to keep your kids inside the gated confines of LeapFrog’s interface.
There are the obvious built-in parental controls such as time limits, but LeapFrog includes a three-month trial to its Academy. This provides you and your children access to more than 2,000 different games and activities to expand their knowledge and keep them hungry to learn. On top of the fun and customizable home screen, the Academy allows parents to set up to 24 “activities” that can be used if the tablet does not have a network connection.
While the LeapPad Academy sports 32GB of onboard storage and a microSD card slot, you are only able to add an additional 32GB of storage. This can end up being problematic, especially if you sign up for the LeapFrog Academy and want to save content to the tablet. Plus, the 7-hour battery leaves a bit to be desired with similar options lasting beyond that.
Pros:
- Built-in parental controls
- 20 educational apps pre-installed
- Set specific “activities” to be used when offline
- Built-in kickstand
Cons:
- Only up to 7 hours of battery life
- microSD card expansion limited to 32GB
Best for School
LeapFrog LeapPad Academy
- $119 from Walmart
Keep your children hungry to learn
The LeapFrog LeapPad Academy packs a great punch for parents wanting to teach their children to keep their young minds sharp.
Best for Android Go: HighQ Learning Tab Jr
The HighQ Learning Tab Jr is a unique Android tablet that features a heavily-edited custom UI. This is to be expected for a tablet aimed at kids since you don’t want your little ones roaming into areas of the internet that they don’t need to be in.
Perhaps the most intriguing feature, though, is how the Tab Jr is based on Android 8.1 Go, which is a welcome addition. The decision to feature Android Go is fantastic since Go apps are traditionally much smaller in nature, and don’t require as much processing power. EPIK Learning also includes a gel case with its tablet so that your children don’t accidentally drop and break this when you turn away for a moment. And with Kidomi, you’ll have access to a slew of activities including STEM, along with the parental controls you would expect to see.
With Go apps and the custom UI, you shouldn’t run out of storage immediately, but it won’t take long considering the Tab Jr is only equipped with 8GB. Another area to keep an eye on is the battery life thanks to the surprisingly small 3,000mAh cell that’s packed in. While the company claims you can get up to 6 hours of battery, we wouldn’t expect that on a regular basis.
Pros:
- Powered by Android Go
- Kidomi trial included for more activities and apps
- Gel Case included
- Parental Controls are standard
Cons:
- 8GB of storage
- 1GB of RAM
- Only a 3,000mAh battery
Best for Android Go
HighQ Learning Tab Jr
- $50 from Walmart
This is almost a home run
The HighQ Learning Tab Jr could have blown the competition away with Android Go if it weren’t for subpar specs and questionable battery life.
Best Tablet Bundle: Linsay Kids Tablet and Smartwatch
With a snazzy new tablet and a cool-looking smartwatch, your kids will hopefully stop trying to play with your devices. This package from Linsay includes a modest 10-inch tablet based on Android 9.0 Pie with the companies customer UI overlay. Between the built-in quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of expandable storage, your children should be able to stay occupied for quite some time.
As for that smartwatch, this is really nothing more than a toy, but it actually includes a camera at the top, which can rotate up to 90 degrees. There are different custom watch faces to help your children learn how to keep track of time, and includes an alarm, stopwatch, and more. Linsay even included three educational games to help your kids pass the time.
When it comes to getting a tablet that measures in at around 10 inches, you would expect at least decent battery life. Unfortunately, Linsay’s 10-inch Kids Tablet falls short in this regard, as the tablet will only last around 5 hours before you’ll need to find a charger. And while we like the inclusion of 16GB of onboard storage, limiting the microSD card slot to 64GB just doesn’t make much sense if you plan to load videos onto the tablet.
Pros:
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB of expandable storage
- Android 9.0 Pie
- Package includes a kids smartwatch
Cons:
- Just 5 hours of battery life
- Front-facing camera is only 0.3MP
- MicroSD card expansion limited to 64GB
Best Tablet Bundle
Linsay Kids Tablet and Smartwatch
- $100 from Walmart
Give your kids a tablet and smartwatch of their own
Linsay’s Kids Tablet and Smartwatch lets your children feel like they’re just like their parents but be ready to find a charger for the tablet.
Bottom line
While there are a lot of different tablets available that are directly geared for kids, the best pick in our eyes is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A Kids Edition. This tablet includes a suite of educational content, including support for the STEM Curriculum if you want your child to learn about the technology they are using.
In addition to being ultra-portable with its 8-inch display, the Tab A Kids Edition also has a protective case to keep it safe from drops or anything else. Samsung also includes its a variety of parental controls and a microSD card slot for when you aren’t connected to WiFi.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, @andymyrick.
