Buying a first tablet for a child doesn’t need to cost a fortune. The best budget tablets for kids survive drops, keep little ones safe online and run their favourite apps and videos without frustrating lag. As repair technicians, we also see which tablets come back to us with cracked screens and worn-out charging ports, so this guide covers how well they last as well as how well they work.
Here are our picks for the best budget tablets for kids in the UK, with links to each one on Amazon.
Budget tablets for kids at a glance
| Tablet | Best for | Ages | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids | Best overall | 3–7 | 8″ |
| Amazon Fire 7 Kids | Lowest cost | 3–7 | 7″ |
| Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro | Older children | 6–12 | 10.1″ |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 | Full Android & Google Play | 6+ | 8.7″ |
| Renewed Apple iPad | Apple families | 6+ | 10.2″+ |
1. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids: best overall
For most families with younger children, the Fire HD 8 Kids gets the balance right. The 8-inch screen is big enough for videos and games but still easy for small hands to hold, and the chunky, kid-proof case does a great job of absorbing knocks.
- Why we like it: a year of Amazon Kids+ included, with thousands of age-appropriate books, games and videos, plus easy parental controls and time limits.
- Built to last: Amazon’s two-year worry-free guarantee replaces the tablet if it breaks.
- Bear in mind: it uses Amazon’s own app store, so some apps found on Google Play, such as certain school apps, may not be available.
View the Fire HD 8 Kids on Amazon UK ↗
2. Amazon Fire 7 Kids: lowest cost
If you want the cheapest tablet from a big-name brand, or you’re buying for a toddler, the Fire 7 Kids is hard to beat. It has the same protective case, Amazon Kids+ subscription and two-year guarantee as its bigger brother, in a smaller, lighter package.
- Why we like it: light, compact and very affordable, especially during Amazon sales.
- Bear in mind: the 7-inch screen is lower resolution and it’s slower than the HD 8, so children may outgrow it sooner.
View the Fire 7 Kids on Amazon UK ↗
3. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro: best for older children
The Kids Pro range is designed for children aged 6 to 12 who want something that looks and feels more grown-up. The 10.1-inch Full HD screen is great for films and homework, and the slimmer case has a built-in stand.
- Why we like it: a parent-controlled web browser, the option for children to request apps for you to approve, and the larger screen that older kids want.
- Built to last: also comes with Amazon Kids+ and the two-year worry-free guarantee.
- Bear in mind: it costs more than the other Fire tablets, and it uses Amazon’s app store too.
View the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro on Amazon UK ↗
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab A11: best for full Android
If your child needs apps from the Google Play Store, a standard Android tablet is the better choice. Samsung’s compact Galaxy Tab A11 has an 8.7-inch screen and comes with Samsung Kids, a built-in child mode with its own PIN-protected parental controls, screen time limits and approved apps.
- Why we like it: full access to Google Play and Google Family Link, and Samsung promises security updates until September 2032, so it will stay safe to use for years.
- Bear in mind: it doesn’t come with a protective case, so budget for a sturdy kids case and screen protector.
View the Galaxy Tab A11 on Amazon UK ↗ · Kids cases for the Tab A11 ↗
5. Renewed Apple iPad: best for Apple families
New iPads aren’t usually budget buys, but a renewed (professionally refurbished) iPad can be surprisingly good value. If the family already uses iPhones, Apple’s Screen Time and Family Sharing make it easy to manage apps, purchases and time limits from your own phone.
- Why we like it: excellent build quality, a huge range of educational apps and long software support.
- Bear in mind: choose a 9th-generation model or newer so it keeps getting updates, check the warranty offered by the seller, and add a protective case.
View renewed iPads on Amazon UK ↗
What to look for in budget tablets for kids
- A proper protective case. Drops are the number one cause of the cracked tablet screens we repair. A thick, rubbery case with raised edges makes a huge difference.
- Parental controls. Look for time limits, app approval and content filters that are easy to set up and hard for children to get around.
- The right app store. Amazon Fire tablets use Amazon’s Appstore. If your child’s school recommends particular apps, check they’re available before you buy.
- Enough storage. Downloaded games and videos fill space quickly. 32GB is a sensible minimum, and a microSD card slot is a bonus.
- Software updates. A tablet that still receives security updates is safer online. Check how long the manufacturer supports it.
- A guarantee. Accidental damage cover, like Amazon’s two-year guarantee on its Kids tablets, is worth a lot with younger children.
Our tips to make a kids tablet last
- Fit a tempered glass screen protector as well as a case. It’s much cheaper to replace than a screen.
- Teach children to pull the plug, not the cable, to avoid damaging the charging port.
- Keep drinks away from the tablet, and if it does get wet, turn it off straight away and don’t charge it.
- Avoid leaving it charging overnight on beds or sofas, where it can overheat.
Tablet already broken?
Before you replace it, it may be worth repairing. We fix cracked screens, worn charging ports and tired batteries on Amazon Fire, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Apple iPad tablets, and our mobile repair unit can come to your home across Preston and up to around 25 miles away. Every repair comes with our 6-month warranty.
Get an instant tablet repair quote ↗ · See all our repairs ↗
Prices and availability on Amazon change often, so check the latest details before you buy. Preston Tech Repair isn’t affiliated with Amazon, Apple or Samsung.
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