Here are a few kid-centric tablets options to consider:
1. CLICKN KIDS, CNK, $100
Pro: Economical, long battery life, parental controls, phonics program Con: Dark screen, hard to find controls A low-priced, entry-level family Android tablet comes with preloaded 30 apps, including Looney Tunes Phonics series (which normally costs an additional $30). The company is revamping its design to make this easier to use. It also has a pack of parental controls, comprising app approval, content filters, usage controls and activity monitoring. But it will require some time and patience to really take advantage of all these features.
2. LeapPad Ultra, Leap Frog, $145
Pro: Parental control, Child-safe web browser, Built-in Wi-Fi to download games Con: Slow Performance The LeapPad Ultra is a 7-inch tablet suitable for 4-9 year olds that has built-in Wi-Fi to access a child-safe browser and download apps. It is sturdily engineered with an elevated bezel to protect the screen and solid buttons making it ideal for smaller hands. There are already 11 apps pre-installed and above access to 800 pre-installed apps, games, e-books and video that range from $5 to $30. Parents have control on what content can be downloaded and the web browser is a closed environment so there’s no chance of wandering onto a bad website. On the other hand, the performance of the tablet is a little slow, but you can safely give it to a child unsupervised.
3. Tesco Hudl, Tesco, $190
Pro:Useful start-up guide, External Micro SD card support, 3-megapixel main camera Con: No child-safe environment Tesco Hudl is a really affordable 7-inch Android tablet giving your child access to Google Play and a host of suitable Android apps and games like Angry Birds. The Hudl is meant to be a tablet for the complete family and therefore the matte rubber back and 9.85mm thickness makes it ideally fitted for smaller hands to grip it with. The Hudl does not offer any software or applications to make this a child-safe environment. Instead, Hudl advise you on the suitable parental control apps to download from Google Play, setting content filters on YouTube videos and inspecting maturity ratings on film and TV content. There’s an extremely clear and compact guide to assist you to get started thus if you’re on a budget and searching for an extremely easy to use Android tablet, the Hudl may be a smart choice.
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook & Note 3 Kids Edition, Samsung, $199
Pro: Great battery life, beautiful high-end tablet Con: Expensive, fewer parental controls Like the other kid-friendly tablets, the Galaxy Tab 3 also easily switches between adults and children. Overall, it is one of the best and easiest to use kid-specific devices around. In Kids Mode, children can use pre-loaded apps and games; also there is an option to add more from apps from the Kids Store and the Google Play Store. The Nook Galaxy Tab also gives Parents the choice to approve apps and set time limits on the device use. The Nook tablet comes with a bumper or a case, which additionally doubles its protection. With nine hours of battery life, this tablet can survive on a single charge. When it comes to web surfing and overall Internet security this tablet has nothing to handle this issue. Parents can’t really observe or limit which websites or categories kids can visit.
Pro: Fast, fashionable, Kindle FreeTime Con: fewer parental controls Kindle FreeTime Unlimited also gives you access to kid-friendly games, e-books, learning apps, movies and TV shows with set time limits for usage. Overall the Kindle Fire HD is the best tablet you can buy for kids of all ages. Featured photo credit: Eric Peacock via flickr.com
