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The best tablets for kids (2015)

Looking for the best tablet for your kids? Here’s our selection of the finest children’s tablets, including rugged Android devices for younger kids boasting full parental controls.

Amazon Fire HD 6 Kids Edition

Amazon has repackaged last year’s 6-inch Fire HD tablet with a spongy, colourful protective case and called it the Kids Edition, and the result is actually fantastic value. The tablet itself is already dinky and light enough for younger users, not to mention pretty damn rugged. But that all-new cover means you can basically smash the thing off tables and wooden flooring and it’ll survive no problem. But even if it does somehow break, you get a no-questions-asked two-year guarantee from Amazon. Nice.

Amazon Fire HD 6 Kids Edition - a fantastic value, rugged tablet for kids.

Amazon’s tablet comes with full parental controls, so you can set exactly what times little Jimmy or Jane can use the tablet. But best of all, your kid has access to Amazon’s Fire for Kids service, free of charge for a full year. That gives them thousands of books, educational apps and cartoons to enjoy over and over, including plenty of classics.

Read our full Amazon Fire HD 6 Kids Edition review

Tesco Hudl 2

Another tablet that’s priced at just over £100, the Tesco Hudl 2 doesn’t come with a bundled case but it’s still rugged enough to take a pounding. The larger 8.3-inch high-def screen makes it a solid choice if you have a couple of kids cramming their heads together to see. However, that extra bulk also means it’s a little heavier than Amazon’s tablet.

Tesco Hudl 2 - at just over £100 with a high definition screen, the Hudl 2 is great value.

Once again you get full parental controls, complete with timers and even web browsing restrictions. Sadly there are no free videos, apps and other goodies bundled, so you’ll need to get on Google Play and load up yourself.

Check out our full Tesco Hudl 2 review

Apple iPad Mini

If your kid’s a bit older and can be trusted with some more expensive – and more fragile – tech, then the iPad Mini really is a great device to stump up for. It’s compact and light, the screen is sharp and colourful, and there’s one seriously killer feature – Apple’s App Store.

Apple iPad Mini - for older kids the iPad mini is a great device to pick up.

The App Store is rammed full of educational apps, interactive books, exclusive games and other bits that are ideal for kids of any age. However, unlike Amazon’s subscription-based service, you’ll need to fork out a bit of cash on each thing you download – unless you stick to freebies.

And if you are worried about the Mini getting smashed up, there are plenty of kid-proof cases you can bag for the full range, including this Encase effort which protects the tablet against serious knocks and bumps.

As for which Mini to go for, we reckon save your cash and go for the iPad Mini 2. The third Mini tablet offers very few extra features and it’s 80 quid more expensive. Here’s our complete iPad Mini 1 vs 2 vs 3 guide.

Read next: the best apps for kids

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