back to school mobile banner
Tablets
Family & Parenting

The best tablet to buy for your kid

All of the fun stuff to get kids excited, all of the guard rails to help parents relax.
By Leah Stodart and Haley Henschel  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 9 Picks

Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (opens in a new tab)

Best combo of specs and kid content

Kids won't even notice the intuitive parental guardrails because there's *that* much content to explore.

The Good

  • So many kid-specific games and (actually fun) educational apps
  • Free year of Amazon Kids+
  • Two year worry-free guarantee
  • Web browser has built-in parenal controls
  • Great for parents who want their kids off YouTube

The Bad

  • Processor is barely powerful enough for Roblox
  • Amazon app store is missing some popular stuff

The Bottom Line

While the specs are identical to regular Fire tablets, content and control is rewired just for families.
Pros & Cons

Lenovo Chromebook Duet (opens in a new tab)

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook

A new era for Chromebooks was ushered in with the Duet, a rare Chrome OS hybrid that offers freedom and quality specs at a great price.

The Good

  • Chromebooks are super unlikely to get a virus
  • Vibrant, *almost* full HD display
  • Lots of internal storage for a Chromebook
  • Ultra thin and portable
  • 100GB of one-year free trial of Google One

The Bad

  • Cramped keyboard, but little hands won't notice
  • Only port is one USB-C
  • No content curated for kids

The Bottom Line

For the tasks a kid needs to do, this lightweight 2-in-1 is a champ that runs circles around other Chrome OS tablets.
Pros & Cons

Apple iPad (opens in a new tab)

Best for teens

Apple's newest base option has more power than many PCs and will likely last for your kid's whole school career.

The Good

  • New A13 Bioinic chip makes it faster than many PC computers
  • Apple Pencil compatibility
  • Augmented reality learning capabilities
  • Seamless wireless keyboard experience on iPadOS
  • Ultra-wide front camera

The Bad

  • No built-in parental controls or kids' content
  • Case and screen protectors sold separately

The Bottom Line

A fast, capable laptop replacement, the classic iPad looks cool and will be your kid's go-to for interactive learning.
Pros & Cons

Kindle Paperwhite Kids (opens in a new tab)

Best for little bookworms

Avoid screen time concerns with Amazon's latest kid-ified, distraction-free e-reader that packs thousands of titles into a case they'll dig.

The Good

  • Free year of Amazon Kids+
  • Worry-free guarantee
  • Waterproof
  • Case comes in fun colors and patterns
  • Can last up to 10 weeks on one charge
  • Reading tools like vocab flashcards and in-book definitions

The Bad

  • Crappy resolution
  • Can't take advantage of games, video, or apps on Amazon Kids+

The Bottom Line

The latest kid version of Amazon's e-reader can help young bookworms tackle lengthy reading lists without having to charge often.
Pros & Cons

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (opens in a new tab)

Best option with an included stylus

Little ones will love the creative leeway of the S Pen and parents will love having a totally separate interface.

The Good

  • Under $270 on sale
  • Switch from kid mode to parent mode with a PIN
  • S-Pen included
  • Built-in Notes app with handwriting recognition
  • Dual Dolby Atmos speakers

The Bad

  • No hardware keyboard attachment
  • Gaming is meh

The Bottom Line

The simplified version of Samsung's latest and greatest offers stylus support and smooth interface that's easy for families to share.
Pros & Cons

Apple iPad Air (opens in a new tab)

Best IOS tablet for families to share

The diet iPad Pro still offers the blistering-fast M1 chip and is Apple's best bang for your buck.

The Good

  • Same processor (M1 chip) as iPad Pro
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Amazing high-res display for the cost
  • Decent for heavy duty gaming
  • New 12MP front camera is great for FaceTime and Zoom

The Bad

  • Apple Pencil, keyboard, etc. sold separately
  • Battery life is fine

The Bottom Line

The latest version of Apple's middle child welcomes a serious processor upgrades while maintaining the portability and price it's known for.
Pros & Cons

Lenovo SmartTab M8 (opens in a new tab)

Best battery life

Kids can stream to their heart's content on this cool thin-bezeled tablet that can squeeze a ton of movies into one charge.

The Good

  • Full Android suite works with Google apps
  • Dolby Atmos speakers
  • Thin bezels make incredible screen-to-body ratio
  • Great price
  • Control smart home from it

The Bad

  • Meh cameras
  • Bumper case sold separately

The Bottom Line

This under $100 tablet doubles as a smart home control center and has a vivid display that's great for streaming.
Pros & Cons

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition (opens in a new tab)

Safest for little hands

Lose the HD screen to snag Amazon's awesome content and parental controls kept safe in this iconic bumper case.

The Good

  • Storage capacity can be expanded with a microSD card (sold separately)
  • Expandable storage
  • Worry-free guarantee
  • Case has a built-in stand

The Bad

  • Battery dies quickly
  • Tiny, quiet speakers
  • YouTube is difficult to censor

The Bottom Line

Energetic kids are no match for the Fire 7's protective case and Amazon's worry-free guarantee.
Pros & Cons

LeapFrog LeapPad Academy (opens in a new tab)

Best for preschoolers

Large icons, specially curated-for-kids internet access, and a shatterproof screen make this a great option for just over $100.

The Good

  • Shatterproof screen
  • LeapFrog Academy with personalized learning
  • Kid-friendly web browser
  • Expandable memory
  • Durable rubber case with a kickstand

The Bad

  • Poor battery life
  • Less-than-stellar screen
  • Very little internal storage space

The Bottom Line

A bumper case, shatterproof screen, and internet access curated for kids make this a great intro tablet for kids ages 3 to 8.
Pros & Cons

Technology has changed a lot since you were small. Your kids have probably mastered the features on your iPhone better than you have. So it's fine to admit it: It'd be kinda sweet if they had something of their own so that your phone wasn't perpetually doused in mystery slime. But too many restrictions or a hard "no" to devices at all could do more harm than good.

Kids' tablets could be the healthy balance between giving your kids the access to tech that they want without turning them into the kid having a meltdown over Roblox in the grocery store.

What's going on in the world of screen time recommendations?

Kids' tablets go far past keeping them occupied during a long car ride or a boring family gathering.

Screen learning and screen time restrictions are increasingly popular points of study. Months and months of being penned up with little to do but stare at a screen hurled the issue to the forefront of parenting conversations. As it becomes clearer that remote learning and working aren't wearing off, screen time could become a daily hurdle for more parents than it was pre-pandemic.

Parents' questions often boil down to "how much is too much?" Though this is rarely met with a definitive answer, recent research can at least shine a light on best practices.

In April 2019, the World Health Organization issued much-anticipated guidelines(opens in a new tab) around screen time for preschool-aged kids: One hour a day is the recommended maximum for children under 5. These suggestions are based on the idea that healthy cognitive development of young kids is built through face-to-face interaction. This lines up with recent research done at Vanderbilt University that suggests toddlers probably won't learn much from a screen(opens in a new tab), anyway.

But that learning disconnect often fades by age three. Just as they're mastering talking, kids are also grasping that the character on the screen represents a real person — and that that person is teaching them something. Dr. Carolyn Jaynes, a learning designer at LeapFrog, explains in an Inc.com article(opens in a new tab): "This content often uses strategies such as repeating an idea, presenting images and sounds that capture attention, and using child rather than adult voices for the characters.”

Kids are grasping that the character on the screen represents a real person — and that that person is teaching them something.

One project(opens in a new tab) by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center (a non-profit run by the people behind Sesame Street) compared literary assessments of kindergarten through third-grade students who had used tablets at school. The students who used tablets saw higher test scores than those who didn't use tablets, and they were able to recognize 20% more vocabulary words due to an improved ability to recognize sounds and represent sounds as letters. A 2018 meta-analysis(opens in a new tab) published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal found that the touchscreen learning effect was particularly beneficial for STEM through the memorable real-life experiments that physical swiping can mimic.

Can we blame them? Interacting with content makes for a richer and more memorable experience. It just feels more like playing, and it's not surprising that kids may be more willing to learn when it doesn't feel forced. Besides, playing and imagination are the building blocks for creativity and empathy(opens in a new tab) — so playing Toca Boca instead of doing multiplication is still building real-world skills.

Dr. Michael Levine, founder of the Cooney Center, put some perspective on the difference between "learning time" and "mindless time:(opens in a new tab)"

"The idea is not to have parents simply hand these devices over to their kids. Instead, the games and ebooks provide examples of hands-on activities that parents can do with their preschoolers in their kitchens and backyards to promote vocabulary and content knowledge in both languages, which helps build a solid foundation for life-long learning. ...Instead of pushing screens away, it’s time to put them to use in a thoroughly modern way.

So yes, tablets are a great learning tool as long as they're not a kid's main source of learning. Kids will always need to be comfortable reading print books and doing math by hand. No arguing there. But tablets provide some real opportunities for self-sufficient, interactive learning that kids will definitely utilize in the future of education revolving around laptops.

And sorry, kid-less people on Twitter who vow to never give their future kid a tablet — we can't hear you over the sound of our uninterrupted Zoom meeting.

Rethink the whole "gaming turns kids into zombies" mindset

There is even less official screen time guidance for adolescents. But one prominent area of interest is socialization.

Your kid who constantly wants to FaceTime a friend or squad up on multiplayer Fortnite might be onto something: A 2021 analysis(opens in a new tab) by researchers at The University of Colorado Boulder uncovered some revealing relationships between social screen time and stronger peer relationships for kids between 9 and 10.

The ability to hold hangout sessions virtually became blindingly crucial in the era of social distancing — but with or without the possibility of meeting up in real life, different types of gaming and online hangouts (from the typical console or computer gaming, to live streams on Twitch, to VR) are essentially cemented as part of the modern growing up experience. And when not relied on as the only means of bonding, they can be legitimate socialization tools.

Video games, texting, and social media haven't shaken the negative side effects that quickly come to mind. But the analysis mentions that these loose correlations aren't necessarily causal, and that this study's findings in particular don't send a red flag that screen time effects are important at a clinical level.

How to choose the right tablet for your kid

Most tablets made specifically for kids will already be equipped with built-in parent accounts, timers, and pre-selected websites or apps that fall under appropriate age groups. Easy enough.

General-purpose tablets aren't a bad choice at all — many sites name the iPad as one of the best tablets for kids even though it's technically for everyone. You'll need to get creative to build a similar guidance net to the built-in parental controls that tablets specifically for kids bank on. Apple and Android have settings that can filter content or prevent purchases, but play-by-play supervision can be better achieved through a legit parental control app for iPads or Android tablets.

Osmo(opens in a new tab) is a neat iPad and Fire Tablet snap-on that can make the family tablet more kid-friendly. Moving a piece in real life moves it on screen, creating a cool mashup of your typical tablet game, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving. Subjects include numbers, words, tangram, and art, plus extra packs for stuff like STEM or business-related math through a subject everyone cares about: pizza.

Child using tablet and playing with game pieces
Credit: osmo

Things to consider when shopping for a kids' tablet:

  • Screen resolution: Deciding whether HD, HD, or FHD will suffice depends on the number of movies they'll watch or games they'll play. 4K is probably unnecessary fluff.

  • Storage: They'll probably have more apps than you do, and may need space for downloads like offline Disney+ movies, music, or some books for school.

  • The intensity of parental controls: It's less panic-inducing to send your kid off with a tablet when you don't have to guess what content they're absorbing.

  • Rugged-ness: Because kids are as destructive as they are adorable and you'll definitely feel better with a case that can handle some abuse.

Here are the best tablets to get for your kids in 2023:

Best combo of specs and kid content
Credit: amazon / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,200
  • Storage: 32GB (expandable up to 1TB)
  • Battery life: 12 hours

Read our full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet.

Amazon's kid-friendly tablets are more than a regular Fire tablet costumed in a cutesy case. The new HD 10 Kids Pro is the ultimate model to consider.

 Kid stuff: A year-long Amazon Kids+ subscription comes free, and it's what makes the Fire experience so spot-on. School-aged kids will have a field day with the library of over 20,000 books, games, and educational apps from favorites Nat like Geo, plus access to apps like Disney+ if a parent gives the greenlight. The Youtube app is not available.

Parent stuff: Parents don't have to jump through hoops to set boundaries on their kid's Fire Tablet. Amazon has baked its intuitive parental controls right into the system, making screen time limits, age filters, limited access to specific apps, and schedules easy to find and customize. Amazon knows 12-year-olds don't want to see the baby stuff, and that 3-year-olds don't want to see the reading stuff. 

Durability and specs: The rubbery cases (slimmer and cooler for older kids on the 10 Pro) were made to withstand drops, spills, or sharing turned tugging. If a boo-boo does happen within the first two years, Amazon will send a new one without being nosey. A 12-hour battery, HD display, and Dolby Atmos speakers allow for multiple learning, playing, and streaming sessions without being tethered to the wall.

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
Credit: lenovo / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1200
  • Battery life: 13 hours
  • Storage: 128GB

Read our full review of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet.

There are a ton of affordable, reliable Chromebooks out there. But tech brands have been less successful at harnessing the Chromebook way of life into tablet form — at a price point that works for people on a budget, at least. Lenovo's release of the convertible Chromebook Duet saved a lot of those people from having to choose between Chrome OS and tablet convenience.

Kid stuff: Leveling up a grade at school typically means more schoolwork online — and more lugging around a personal computer. (In a non-pandemic world, at least.) The Duet's ability to act as a truly portable laptop replacement really expands its shelf life for those older students. A thin-and-light design is also a must for little hands and little backpacks to carry comfortably. The Duet weighs less than a pound to about two pounds (depending on whether the keyboard is attached). Connecting the keyboard is as easy as matching up a few magnets.

Parent stuff: As long as Kids Mode is on, parents can comfortably cut kids loose to play and learn without worry of them landing on something less-than-appropriate. Each kid gets their own profile, which parents can customize by choosing which apps and websites are allowed, blocking the concerning ones, and setting time limits.

Given the internet security and simple OS that Chromebook laptops offer, it's easy to see why parents would want such kid-friendly measures in tablet form. Every web page or Chrome app runs its own sandbox, essentially ensuring that other parts of the device won't be compromised even if that page gets hacked. Most malware is designed for Windows or Mac, so Chromebooks rarely get viruses, anyway.

Durability and specs:  Barring picks like the Google Pixelbook, Chromebooks aren't exactly known for their power. However, the Duet holds its own with anything an elementary, middle, or high school student might need to do. The octa-core processor handles word processing and video calls like a pro, and shouldn't flinch at streaming apps. The The 1920 x 1200 display is surprisingly crisp for the price if you don't want to bump up to the $399 Duet with an OLED screen.

Best for teens
Credit: apple / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 2160 x 1620
  • Storage: 64GB, 256GB
  • Battery life: 10 hours

Older kids need a tablet that can keep up with schoolwork, double as a laptop, and entertain past educational games. The newest version of Apple's most affordable iPad(opens in a new tab) is that reliable powerhouse with a cool factor. There's obviously no kid stuff pre-installed, but Apple has multiple kid-proofing settings that can be lifted as they're grown out of. 

Educational stuff: General purpose tablets leave downloaded content up to the user, but the App Store has every educational alley a kid may need to take. Find apps for core skills like math, reading, and science, or hone in on more specific interests with apps for biology, language learning, or test prep. Kids will be psyched about the iPad's augmented reality capabilities, allowing them to immerse themselves in the world (or solar system) around them.

Parental controls: Nothing is built-in, so you'll have to get hands-on with the kid-proofing(opens in a new tab). In your iPad's settings in the Restrictions tab, you can put a virtual lock on any app or make functions off-limits (Safari, iMessage, and Facebook are a few you may consider hiding). The "Allowed Content" tab has options for movies or websites, where you can disable specific URLs or allow only G-rated movies to play. Installing parental control software like Kaspersky Safe Kids(opens in a new tab) or Qustodio(opens in a new tab) is a quick fix for an extra pair of eyes.

Durability and specs: Basically a mini computer, Apple manages to pack more and more technical details into each entry-level iPad without raising the price. Upgrades from the previous model include a zippy A13 Bionic Chip and crispier graphics. Artistic kids or habitual pencil-and-paper notetakers will appreciate that the first-gen Apple Pencil is also supported.

Best for little bookworms
Credit: amazon / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 1236 x 1648
  • Storage: 8 GB
  • Battery life: Up to 10 weeks

Read our full review of the Kindle Paperwhite Kids.

In fall 2021, Amazon announced the release of its second kid-ified e-reader: its crowd-favorite Paperwhite, but in a super cute case. It's the easy choice for a young bookworm over the older Kindle Kids Edition, featuring much-needed spec upgrades that'll make tackling a reading list all the more immersive.

Education stuff: The Kindle Paperwhite Kids comes with a year's worth of Amazon Kids+, which includes tons of popular books and Audible titles for kids — everything from new favorites, to history lessons made fun, to classics like the entire Harry Potter series. They'll also get access to two valuable reading tools: "Vocabulary Builder" creates flashcards out of any words they look up in the device's built-in dictionary, and "Word Wise" puts simple definitions above tricky words to keep them chugging along.

Parental controls: This Paperwhite comes pre-loaded with a huge library of age-appropriate books, but parents can add or delete titles depending on their kid's interests. They can also hit up the Parent Dashboard to set a bedtime, check reading progress, or adjust age filters to prevent them from seeing anything they shouldn't. (Not that there's much to see to begin with — it can't access games, apps, videos, or an internet browser.)

Durability and specs: Compared to the older, Kindle Kids (which is still available for as low as $64.99 on sale), the 6.8-inch Paperwhite is waterproof and sharpens screen resolution from 167 ppi to 300 ppi. (That difference will really be seen on larger type of books' cover images.) The glare-free, e-ink display sports quadruple the number of LEDs in the backlight as the older kids' Kindle, plus an adjustable warm light. Up to 10 weeks' worth of books can be read before needing to charge the battery again. Also, it's waterproof!

Best option with an included stylus
Credit: samsung / mashable photo composite/samsung
Specs
  • Resolution: 2000 x 1200
  • Storage: 64GB, 128GB
  • Battery life: 7 hours

The purchase becomes infinitely more justifiable if it's a tablet the whole family will use, but that means landing specs up to par for adults without surpassing ease of use for a kid. The lite version of one of Samsung's premium tablets works for everyone in your Android household.

Educational stuff: The Samsung Kids interface is designed specifically to morph fun and learning while easing kids into computer literacy and the habit of using a touchscreen. Kids can peruse trustworthy games, books, and TV shows while getting to know Croco, Cooki, Lisa, and Bobby — the adorable cartoon animals they'll be playing with. A subscription to Samsung Kids+ opens up even more parent-approved games like Toca Boca and TV Shows like Lego Batman. Kids who like to draw or take notes by hand will dig the S-Pen, which is included.

Parent stuff: A simple PIN saves parents from having to use a tablet loaded with kid controls. In Parental Control Mode, parents can set limits on their child's usage and customize the content they see. Of course, parent mode has a completely different interface (the default one for all Galaxy tablets). Different family members can add profiles and have their own ~adult~ account.

Specs and durability: The price hike from Samsung's bottom-line budget tablets (the A and A7) can mostly be attributed to the addition of stylus support and inclusion of the S-Pen with purchase. But, as the "lite" version of the regular S6, it still sees a lot of nice specs for the price of the most basic iPad. The 2000 x 1200 display dazzles, the Dolby Atmos stereo speakers boom, and the processor handles Adobe and Microsoft OneNote with ease.

Best IOS tablet for families to share
Credit: Apple / Mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 2224 x 1668
  • Storage: 64 GB, 256 GB
  • Battery life: 10 hours

Read our full review of the 2022 iPad Air.

The iPad Air sits between the entry-level iPad and the big, bad iPad Pros, but "middle child syndrome" isn't in its vocabulary. The home button-less design and lightning fast M1 chip make the Air way more pro than it lets on. Even older kids won't feel lame having to share this with their parents.

Kid stuff: All iPads are general purpose, so parents (or kids, if they're old enough) will choose which apps to download. Conveniently, the App Store(opens in a new tab) is home to thousands of education-related apps for all age groups and interests, from simple math and reading to biology with augmented reality or college test prep. FaceTime calls with friends and family or video lessons on Zoom are as close to real life as possible on the new 12MP UltraWide front camera.

Parent stuff: Apple doesn't offer an official all-encompassing "kid mode," but its Family Sharing feature allows parents to remotely manage screen time (probably major for a tablet with so many time-sucking entertainment possibilities), share iCloud photo libraries, or turn on Ask to Buy. A third-party parental control software can obviously also be installed.

Durability and specs: Schoolwork may actually be enjoyable with these crisp visuals and no-lag screen. The 2022 Air's rapid responsiveness is significantly faster now that it's powered by the M1 chip: the same processor as the Pro. Hold it up to the traditional iPad or a Fire HD tablet and see the difference in visuals on the Liquid Retina display.

Best battery life
Credit: lenovo / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 1280 x 800
  • Storage: 32GB
  • Battery life: Up to 20 hours

Middle schoolers are at a crossroads between a dinky kid-centric tablet and a premium laptop rival like an iPad. Something like the streaming-centric Lenovo Tab M8 is right up a tween's alley. The price tag won't have parents paranoid about the tablet being carried like a third limb.

Kid stuff: Toggling between regular mode for parents and Kid's Mode 3.0 is quick and easy. Kid's Mode is an independent account that, like most other child-friendly suites, puts the blinders on and pulls out kid-specific content like games, apps, videos, and audio. Eye protection mode is automatically turned on to combat light sensitivity.

Parent stuff: Parents can also set time limits with the Kid's Mode parental controls. If kids over 12 don't want to be locked into kids' content, parents can opt for parental controls elsewhere (Google Family Link is a good one). Unlike Fire tablets, Lenovo tablets offer a true Android experience that won't put you through side loading for random Google apps.

Durability and specs: The screen on an 8-inch tablet looks a lot bigger with an impressive 83% screen-to-body ratio — sleekness that can be attributed to thin bezels. A resolution of 1280 x 800 is bright enough, and the Dolby Atmos speakers make up for any entertainment related slack. These specs mix together in just the right way to conserve a single battery charge for up to 20 hours.

Safest for little hands
Credit: amazon / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 1024 x 600
  • Storage: 16 GB
  • Battery life: 7 hours

Nobody does kids' tablets as well as Amazon does, and 2019's Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet(opens in a new tab) is just an extension of that expertise. 

Kid stuff: As we wrote earlier, Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is Amazon's subscription service made specifically for kids ages 3-12. Over 20,000 kid-appropriate apps with characters from Disney, Nickelodeon (to feed the Peppa Pig obsession, of course), and more are at your fingertips — saving parents from having to comb through an entire App Store. The first year is free; after that, you'll pay $2.99 a month if you're an Amazon Prime member, or $4.99 a month as a non-member.

Parent stuff: Everything mentioned about parental controls and Amazon Free Time with the aforementioned Fire HD 8 is the same with the Fire 7 — same age filters and time restrictions, same optional blocking of apps like YouTube or Minecraft, and same easy switch between kids' profiles. However, we'll always reiterate how seriously amazing and intuitive FreeTime is. It keeps an eye on your kids' usage so you don't have to, and the kid content is so genius that kids don't even realize they're learning or being monitored.

Durability and specs: The Fire 7 sees a slightly lower resolution than the Fire HD 8 and doesn't have Dolby Atmos speakers. It does, however, offer expandable storage up to 512 GB and the ability to use Alexa with parental controls on.

Best for preschoolers
Credit: leapfrog / mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Resolution: 1024 x 600
  • Storage: 16 GB
  • Battery life: 7 hours

Designed for children ages 3-8, the LeapFrog LeapPad Academy is a great starter tablet for little ones who aren't yet accustomed to mobile device life.

Educational stuff: The LeapPad Academy comes pre-loaded with over 20 educator-approved apps that will hone your kiddo's math, reading, writing, coding, problem-solving, and creativity skills, as well as access to the LeapFrog App Center and its 750-plus learning games, eBooks, and videos (each sold separately). It also includes a free three-month trial of the LeapFrog Academy(opens in a new tab) subscription service (normally $7.99 a month or $39.99 a year), which features some neat "just-for-me" technology: It follows your child's process and automatically adapts its games to match his or her skill set and learning speed. (There isn't access to video content like Youtube or Netflix.)

Parental controls: LeapFrog has pretty much thought of everything with this one, so parents can sit back — but there is a password-protected parental control feature where parents can customize kids' experiences and set time limits for playing (and for how long they have to wait between playing). LeapSearch, its kid-friendly web browser, can only go to specific websites that were pre-selected by the learning experts at LeapFrog, and parents in the reviews love that they can feel safe letting their kid play without constant supervision.

Durability and specs: The LeapPad Academy comes with front and rear-facing cameras, 480p video recording, a seven-hour rechargeable battery, a stylus, and a shatter-proof touchscreen.

Leah is a shopping reporter at Mashable, where she covers shopping trends, gift ideas, and products that make life easier. She graduated from Penn State University in 2012 and is watching horror movies or "The Office" when she’s not shopping online herself. You can follow her on Twitter at @notleah(opens in a new tab).


More from Back to School
The best portable Bluetooth speakers that can go literally anywhere
By Jennifer Allen and Dylan Haas

The best wireless earbuds: Our top picks for the best sound on the go
By Haley Henschel and Miller Kern

Best laptops for students: See where the MacBook falls on our list
By Miller Kern and Leah Stodart

The best 2-in-1 laptops for enjoying the best of both worlds
By Simone Scully

The best headphones for 2023 (and why they've made our list)
By Bethany Allard and Jennifer Allen

Recommended For You

Rutgers University strike brings education to the picket line

Is the Peloton App worth it if you don't own the bike? We tested it to find out.

16 of the best Squarespace templates for blogs, portfolios, stores, and beyond

The Lomi countertop composter makes recycling food scraps as easy as loading the dishwasher

More in Tech
How to watch sports live without cable (or even a TV)

Best streaming services: We compare Disney+, Sling TV, HBO Max, Paramount+, and more
By Leah Stodart, Dylan Haas, and Haley Henschel

Looking to stream anime? These 7 services are the best places to start.
By Carlos Cadoringa and Ashley Keegan

Best places to watch cartoons online: Why we love Boomerang, Crunchyroll, and more

Book of the Month has changed my reading habits for the better

Trending on Mashable

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for April 21

Dril and other Twitter power users begin campaign to 'Block the Blue' paid checkmarks

How to remove Snapchat's My AI from your Chat feed

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
By signing up to the Mashable newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from Mashable that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!