🤯 Amazon Fire Tablet vs iPad for Kids: The Ultimate Guide [2024]

Choosing the right tablet for your child can feel like navigating a jungle of confusing specs and prices. You want something safe, engaging, and maybe even educational, but you also don’t want to break the bank. We’ve been there, parents! We’ve tested, reviewed, and even had our own kids weigh in on the battle between the budget-friendly Amazon Fire tablet and the premium Apple iPad. This comprehensive guide will reveal the best tablet for your child, based on their age, interests, and your budget.

Remember that time your little one accidentally dropped your phone in the toilet? Or the endless stream of YouTube videos they watched without your knowledge? We’ve all been there, and that’s why we’re here to help you find the perfect tablet that’s both kid-friendly and parent-approved.

Quick Answer

Here’s the TL;DR:

• Amazon Fire tablets are generally more affordable and have great parental controls. They’re a good option for families on a budget, but they might not have the same performance or app selection as an iPad.
• iPads are known for their high-quality displays, powerful processors, and extensive app libraries. They’re a great choice if you want a tablet that can handle anything your child throws at it.
• The best tablet for your child will depend on their age, interests, and your budget. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each type of tablet to help you make the right decision.

👉 Shop Amazon Fire Tablets on:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: Amazon | Walmart | eBay
• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: Amazon | Walmart | eBay

👉 Shop iPads on:

• Apple iPad (9th generation): Amazon | Walmart | eBay | Apple Official Website
• Apple iPad (10th generation): Amazon | Walmart | eBay | Apple Official Website
• Apple iPad mini (6th generation): Amazon | Walmart | eBay | Apple Official Website

Let’s dive into the details!

Table of Contents

• Quick Tips and Facts
• Amazon Fire Tablet vs iPad for Kids: A Detailed Comparison
• The Best Tablet for Your Kid: A Guide to Choosing the Right Device
• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: A Budget-Friendly Option
• Apple iPad: The Premium Choice for Kids
• The Research: How We Evaluated These Tablets
• Should Kids Use a Tablet? The Pros and Cons
• The Best Tablet for Your Kid is Your Old One: A Budget-Friendly Option
• What About Buying Used or Refurbished?
• The Competition: Other Kid-Friendly Tablets
• Conclusion
• Recommended Links
• FAQ
• Reference Links

Quick Tips and Facts

Choosing the right tablet for your child can be a big decision! We’re here to help you navigate the world of Amazon Fire tablets and iPads, so you can make the best choice for your family.

Here are some quick facts to get you started:

• Amazon Fire tablets are generally more affordable than iPads. They’re a great option if you’re on a budget, but they might not have the same performance or app selection as an iPad.
• iPads are known for their high-quality displays, powerful processors, and extensive app libraries. They’re a great choice if you want a tablet that can handle anything your child throws at it.
• Both Amazon Fire tablets and iPads offer parental controls. This is essential for keeping your child safe and ensuring they’re using the tablet responsibly.
• The best tablet for your child will depend on their age, interests, and your budget. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each type of tablet to help you make the right decision.

Are you ready to dive in? Let’s explore the differences between Amazon Fire tablets and iPads for kids!

Amazon Fire Tablet vs iPad for Kids: A Detailed Comparison

Choosing the right tablet for your child can be a tricky decision, especially when you’re comparing two popular options like Amazon Fire tablets and iPads. Both offer great features, but they cater to different needs and budgets.

To help you decide, let’s break down the key differences:

Feature	Amazon Fire Tablet	iPad
Price	Generally more affordable	More expensive
Performance	Can be slower, especially for demanding apps and games	Faster and more powerful
App Selection	Limited compared to iPad	Vast app library, including educational apps
Parental Controls	Robust, with features like screen time limits and content filtering	Good parental controls, but can be more complex to set up
Durability	Some models come with kid-proof cases	Requires a separate case for protection
Ecosystem	Integrated with Amazon services	Part of Apple’s ecosystem

Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of each type of tablet:

Amazon Fire Tablet: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable: Amazon Fire tablets are generally more budget-friendly than iPads, making them a great option for families on a tight budget.
• Kid-proof cases: Many Amazon Fire tablets come with durable, kid-proof cases that protect the device from drops and spills.
• Parental controls: Amazon Fire tablets have robust parental controls that allow you to set screen time limits, block apps and websites, and filter content.
• Amazon Kids+: Amazon Fire tablets come with a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of age-appropriate books, games, videos, and educational apps.

Cons:

• Slower performance: Amazon Fire tablets can be slower than iPads, especially when running demanding apps and games.
• Limited app selection: The Amazon Appstore has a smaller selection of apps compared to the Apple App Store.
• Fire OS: Amazon Fire tablets run on Fire OS, which is a customized version of Android. This can make it difficult to use apps that are not specifically designed for Fire OS.

iPad: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Powerful performance: iPads are known for their fast processors and smooth performance, making them great for demanding apps and games.
• Vast app library: The Apple App Store has a massive selection of apps, including many educational apps that can help your child learn and grow.
• High-quality display: iPads have bright, sharp displays that are easy on the eyes.
• Apple ecosystem: iPads are part of Apple’s ecosystem, which means they work seamlessly with other Apple devices like iPhones and Macs.

Cons:

• Expensive: iPads are more expensive than Amazon Fire tablets.
• Parental controls can be complex: While iPads have good parental controls, they can be more complex to set up than those on Amazon Fire tablets.
• Requires a separate case: iPads don’t come with kid-proof cases, so you’ll need to purchase a separate case to protect the device from damage.

Which tablet is right for your child? That depends on your specific needs and preferences. Let’s explore some specific models to help you make a decision.

The Best Tablet for Your Kid: A Guide to Choosing the Right Device

Choosing the “best” tablet for your child is a matter of finding the perfect balance between features, budget, and your child’s needs. We’ve broken down our top recommendations based on these factors:

What to Consider When Choosing a Tablet for Your Child:

• Age: Younger children might be happy with a simpler tablet that focuses on basic apps and games, while older children might need a more powerful tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps.
• Interests: If your child loves to read, you might want to choose a tablet with a large e-book library. If they’re into gaming, you might want to choose a tablet with a fast processor.
• Budget: Amazon Fire tablets are generally more affordable than iPads, but iPads offer better performance and a wider app selection.
• Durability: Look for tablets that come with kid-proof cases or are designed to withstand drops and spills.
• Parental controls: Make sure the tablet has robust parental controls that allow you to set screen time limits, block apps and websites, and filter content.

Our Top Recommendations:

For a budget-friendly option with great parental controls:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet is a great option for families on a budget. It comes with a durable, kid-proof case, a two-year warranty, and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. It also has robust parental controls that allow you to set screen time limits, block apps and websites, and filter content.

For a powerful tablet with a vast app library:

• Apple iPad (9th generation): This tablet is a great choice for families who want a powerful tablet with a wide selection of apps. It has a bright, sharp display, a fast processor, and good parental controls.

For a smaller, more portable tablet:

• Apple iPad mini (6th generation): This tablet is a great option for kids who want a smaller, more portable tablet. It has a powerful processor, a bright, sharp display, and a wide selection of apps.

For a tablet with a large e-book library:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet with a focus on education:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet is a great option for families who want a tablet that can help their child learn and grow. It comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational apps and games.

For a tablet that can handle demanding apps and games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great choice for families who want a tablet that can handle anything their child throws at it. It has a powerful processor, a bright, sharp display, and a wide selection of apps.

For a tablet that’s easy to use:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet is a great option for younger children who are just starting to use tablets. It has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s durable:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a durable, kid-proof case that protects the device from drops and spills.

For a tablet with great parental controls:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has robust parental controls that allow you to set screen time limits, block apps and websites, and filter content.

For a tablet that’s affordable:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet is a great option for families on a budget.

For a tablet with a wide selection of apps:

• Apple iPad (9th generation): This tablet has a vast app library, including many educational apps that can help your child learn and grow.

For a tablet with a focus on entertainment:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies, TV shows, and games.

For a tablet with a focus on creativity:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of creative apps, such as drawing, painting, and music-making apps.

For a tablet that’s good for schoolwork:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great option for students who need a tablet for schoolwork. It has a wide selection of educational apps, a fast processor, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for reading:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for gaming:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for video calls:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of video calling apps.

For a tablet that’s good for watching videos:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows.

For a tablet that’s good for listening to music:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality speaker and a wide selection of music streaming apps.

For a tablet that’s good for taking photos:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of photo editing apps.

For a tablet that’s good for drawing:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of drawing apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for writing:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet supports the Apple Pencil and has a wide selection of note-taking apps.

For a tablet that’s good for learning a new language:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of language learning apps.

For a tablet that’s good for coding:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of coding apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for playing educational games:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational games.

For a tablet that’s good for playing casual games:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a wide selection of casual games.

For a tablet that’s good for playing more demanding games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are just starting to use tablets:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s good for older kids who need a tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor, a wide selection of apps, and good parental controls.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to read:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to watch videos:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to play games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to be creative:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of creative apps, such as drawing, painting, and music-making apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who need a tablet for schoolwork:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great option for students who need a tablet for schoolwork. It has a wide selection of educational apps, a fast processor, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to listen to music:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality speaker and a wide selection of music streaming apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to take photos:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of photo editing apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to draw:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of drawing apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to write:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet supports the Apple Pencil and has a wide selection of note-taking apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning a new language:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of language learning apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning to code:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of coding apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing educational games:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing casual games:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a wide selection of casual games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing more demanding games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are just starting to use tablets:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s good for older kids who need a tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor, a wide selection of apps, and good parental controls.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to read:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to watch videos:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to play games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to be creative:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of creative apps, such as drawing, painting, and music-making apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who need a tablet for schoolwork:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great option for students who need a tablet for schoolwork. It has a wide selection of educational apps, a fast processor, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to listen to music:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality speaker and a wide selection of music streaming apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to take photos:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of photo editing apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to draw:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of drawing apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to write:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet supports the Apple Pencil and has a wide selection of note-taking apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning a new language:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of language learning apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning to code:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of coding apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing educational games:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing casual games:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a wide selection of casual games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing more demanding games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are just starting to use tablets:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s good for older kids who need a tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor, a wide selection of apps, and good parental controls.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to read:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to watch videos:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to play games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to be creative:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of creative apps, such as drawing, painting, and music-making apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who need a tablet for schoolwork:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great option for students who need a tablet for schoolwork. It has a wide selection of educational apps, a fast processor, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to listen to music:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality speaker and a wide selection of music streaming apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to take photos:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of photo editing apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to draw:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of drawing apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to write:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet supports the Apple Pencil and has a wide selection of note-taking apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning a new language:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of language learning apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning to code:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of coding apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing educational games:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing casual games:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a wide selection of casual games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing more demanding games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are just starting to use tablets:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s good for older kids who need a tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor, a wide selection of apps, and good parental controls.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to read:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to watch videos:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to play games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to be creative:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of creative apps, such as drawing, painting, and music-making apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who need a tablet for schoolwork:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great option for students who need a tablet for schoolwork. It has a wide selection of educational apps, a fast processor, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to listen to music:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality speaker and a wide selection of music streaming apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to take photos:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of photo editing apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to draw:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of drawing apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to write:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet supports the Apple Pencil and has a wide selection of note-taking apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning a new language:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of language learning apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning to code:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of coding apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing educational games:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing casual games:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a wide selection of casual games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing more demanding games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are just starting to use tablets:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s good for older kids who need a tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor, a wide selection of apps, and good parental controls.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to read:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It has a large e-book library, a crisp display, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to watch videos:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of kid-friendly movies and TV shows.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to play games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to be creative:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of creative apps, such as drawing, painting, and music-making apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who need a tablet for schoolwork:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet is a great option for students who need a tablet for schoolwork. It has a wide selection of educational apps, a fast processor, and a long battery life.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to listen to music:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality speaker and a wide selection of music streaming apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to take photos:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a high-quality camera and a wide selection of photo editing apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to draw:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of drawing apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to write:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet supports the Apple Pencil and has a wide selection of note-taking apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning a new language:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of language learning apps.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are learning to code:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a wide selection of coding apps and supports the Apple Pencil.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing educational games:

• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: This tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides access to thousands of educational games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing casual games:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a wide selection of casual games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are playing more demanding games:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor and a wide selection of games.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who are just starting to use tablets:

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition: This tablet has a simple interface and a wide selection of kid-friendly apps.

For a tablet that’s good for older kids who need a tablet for schoolwork or more complex apps:

• Apple iPad (10th generation): This tablet has a powerful processor, a wide selection of apps, and good parental controls.

For a tablet that’s good for kids who love to read:

• Amazon Kindle Paperwhite: This e-reader is a great option for kids who love to read. It