The Best Tablets for Toddlers to Keep Kiddos Engaged and Entertained

These days, kids are growing up as mini digital geniuses. After all, toddlers often have a better understanding of how to tap and swipe than most grandparents. And while limiting children’s screen time is crucial for healthy development, a toddler tablet can certainly come in clutch—especially when it’s crucial that your little one be entertained for a little while. Suffice it to say, a toddler tablet can help you maximize that time so your little one is not only entertained, but also learning in the process. “These devices enable participation in interactive active learning environments, which is different from passively watching TV,” says Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra, DO, the founder and president of the interdisciplinary research organization Children and Screens.

That said, tablets for toddlers aren’t toys, and you’ll want to make sure that whatever device you offer your child is safe, sturdy and loaded with age-appropriate apps. Here’s what to consider when shopping for the best tablet for toddlers, plus our top product picks to suit your family’s needs.

Benefits of a Toddler Tablet

A toddler tablet can offer some great learning opportunities. Some of the best tablets for toddlers come with educational apps that teach little ones how to read, write, do math and even learn a new language. “When kids use these for fun, the programs can help them learn a lot,” says Meg Meeker, MD, a pediatrician and creator of the “Parenting Great Kids” podcast.

Plus, whether they’ve earned a treat or you just need a few minutes to yourself, there are times when you’d like to let your toddler watch a fun movie or listen to songs—and having a kid-friendly tablet at the ready beats having to hand your own device over to your tot.

Another big benefit to buying a toddler tablet instead of giving your kid a standard tablet to use (aside from the inevitable destruction) is that tablets designed specifically for young kids come with features to ensure they’re protected from unwanted content that’s not age-appropriate.

A toddler tablet can also be useful for video chatting with faraway family and friends. “Positive uses enable social connections and act as a prompt to promote deeper engagement,” says Hurst-Della Pietra. “Emerging evidence suggests that at 24 months of age, children can learn words from live video chatting with a responsive adult.”

Still, she cautions that screen time can never replace the role of parents and caregivers in kids’ social, emotional and cognitive development—after all, toddlers learn best from engaging with people. It’s up to you as a parent to establish digital media guidelines to encourage healthy screen use. What’s more, Meeker emphasizes that having access to a tablet is a privilege, not a right for little ones. “The child needs to understand that parents make the rules around device usage,” she adds.

What to Look for in a Toddler Tablet

There are a number of things to consider when searching for the best tablet for toddlers. For starters, you’ll want to make sure it lives up the rigors of life with a little one. Here’s are some other factors to take into account:

• Price. You probably don’t want to sink a ton of money into a tablet for your child. As Meeker points out, not only are toddlers apt to be rough with the device, but it’s also the first of many tablets or laptops they’ll have over their lifetime.
• Durability. Expect your kiddo’s toddler tablet to be dropped, thrown and spilled on, so look for a screen that won’t crack easily with a protective case around the edge and a warranty.
• Parental controls. This is a must to keep your kiddo safe. Some tablets come with a daily or weekly report of use and how much time is spent on each app, which can be useful for parents of older children.
• Portability. Consider how easily the tablet can be held or carried by little hands.

Best Toddler Tablets

Ready to start shopping? Here are some of the best tablets for toddlers on the market today.

How We Chose the Best Toddler Tablets

Shopping for a tablet for your toddler can often be a challenging and frustrating decision. On one hand, you want to introduce them to technology in a way that’s educational and safe, providing them with tools for learning and entertainment. On the other hand, you’re constantly bombarded with an overwhelming array of options, each boasting different features, apps and price points. Striking the right balance between affordability and quality can feel like navigating a maze of conflicting information. Moreover, concerns about screen time and the need to ensure age-appropriate content make the decision even more complex. Finding a tablet that aligns with your child’s developmental needs while also fitting your budget and values can be a daunting task, making this seemingly simple purchase a challenging and emotionally charged process for many parents.

Our goal is to do the bulk of the research, so you don’t have to spend hours searching for the best toddler tablets on your own tablet. We do this by considering a list of criteria such as screen size, durability, processing speed, educational features, ease for little fingers to select and swipe, battery life on a full charge and of course, value. We also read user reviews, thoroughly analyzed each tablet to find out how they worked for this set of tiny-tech wizards and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

When Can Toddlers Use a Tablet?

At the end of the day, keeping toddlers occupied (and freeing up some time for moms and dads) is important, but screen-time etiquette and parameters need not be overlooked. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 18 months of age should avoid screen time, unless it’s for video chatting (with long-distance or out-of-town family members or friends). Face-to-face interaction and play should be prioritized, foremost, during this crucial developmental stage. For children aged 18 to 24 months, once screen media is introduced, it should consist of high-quality, educational content and parents should watch it with their child to help them understand and process what they’re seeing. Additionally, the AAP advises limiting screen time for children aged 2 to 5 to one hour per day of high-quality programming, with parental co-viewing and discussion of the content, following each session, to enhance the educational value of the broadcast. These guidelines aim to support healthy child development, encourage social interaction and give precedence to activities that are more beneficial for children’s cognitive and social growth.

It’s also up to us, as parents, to set positive examples of responsible media use for our children! But for any parent who’s ever had to buy a toy phone or computer to placate their increasingly-curious one-and-under kiddo, we hear you and we’ve been there, too! Here’s a cute option that can help.

Plus, more from The Bump:

13 Unique Musical Toys That Hit the Right Note

21 Best STEM Toys for Toddlers

The Top Airplane and Car Toys for Toddlers on the Go