Gone are the days of single-computer households. With the current demand for every member of the family to have his or her own access to the internet, one computer is nowhere near enough. So thank goodness for the birth of the tablet, which has revolutionised home life. But with it comes the problem of sticky little fingers. Every inch of your beautiful and expensive iPad becoming smothered in jammy smears was probably not what you had in mind.
But can’t you just take it away from the kids? Of course not. The reality is endless hours of whinging, whining and pleading to the point you are so worn down you hand over the tablet with an exasperated humph. If this rings true, it’s time to invest in a tablet that is just for the kids. Advances in technology have made devices cheaper and thus there is a greater range available. Click here for more information about which tablet may suit your family’s needs.
The quandary when looking for a suitable tablet is this: do you buy a device that is designed especially for children or do you buy a mainstream android? The trouble with sturdier designs is that they tend to be aimed at the younger user, and are not really suitable for older kids. But we know a ten-year-old can very easily drop an iPad on the floor and leave the most laid-back of parents rocking on hands and knees in floods of tears.
If you do opt for a general-purpose android tablet, make sure you also invest in a robust protective case. PC advisor has a review of the top ten kids tablets, including the ones targeted at younger kids as well as the more general options.
Sturdy and safe
Leapad Ultra is a sturdy tablet that is definitely for the younger user. Having said that, it does have access to safe web browsing so older children could certainly get use out of it if you need one to share.
A popular choice
The Nabi 2 is one of the most popular tablets on the market. It is super-robust (apparently the silicone bumper it comes with protects it even when dropped on concrete). It has also recently been certified by Google so now has the added bonus of Google Play and apps.
Sleek and bright
Samsung has recently released a child’s version of its Galaxy 3 tablet. This manages to look sleek (albeit bright yellow) but offers a decent amount of protection with bumper cases and case/stands available to protect it.
Budget tablets
Children don’t need stacks of memory on their tablet, so there’s no need to spend hundreds of pounds unnecessarily. The Tesco Hudl has a sturdier appearance and promises to withstand a considerable amount of ‘kid time’.
Good all-rounder
The Kindle Fire HD has been designed to include some great features for kids. There is a time limiter and the options for parental controls are vast. Its design is reasonably sturdy and it is definitely popular with older children as it looks (as it is) much more sophisticated than the more ‘kiddie’ devices.
Whichever tablet you choose, supervising your child and educating him or her about keeping safe on the internet is essential. Don't let kids spend hours glued to a device and make sure your parental settings are all activated. PBS has some really good guidelines on how to introduce your child to his or her new tablet and tips on keeping them safe.
This article was written by Amanda Walters, an experienced freelance writer and regular contributor to Huffington Post. Follow her here: @Amanda_W84
