Considering the speed with which technology has developed in the past few years it should not come a surprise that not only adults, but also children and adolescents have become frequent tablet and smart-phone users. As a matter of fact, recent studies  have shown that the percentage of children using tablets is steadily increasing. This can only mean that parents have to start thinking of purchasing affordable kids’ tablets.

For example 44% of 8-11 year old kids own a tablet. They probably use them for games, videos and interactive apps. Furthermore, children between 12-15 are more likely to be interested in smart-phones, because of their needs and behavioral shift, yet they still have a high interest in tablets.

So what have developers understood from these numbers? Tablets are extremely popular, and they will continue to grow in popularity for the simple fact that, as handheld devices, they are more convenient, more effective, and more reasonably priced. If you are parent you probably already know that it is impossible to raise your children without exposing them to technology, especially considering that e-learning has been adopted by most schools, so instead of worrying about a correct posture in front of a PC, a device that is also expensive, you can purchase a nifty slate for your little one.

Earlier this month we talked about the Top 10 best Smartphones of 2013, but why leave out the little ones? Here are the top ten tablets, which we have chosen according to performance, and price. Without any further ado, here are the top 10 Tablets for Kids:

1. The Samsung Tab 3 for Kids

Samsung is a leading expert in the field of smart-phones and tablets. They have always managed to find an opportunity, seize it, and create something amazing. After the incredible success of their Android flagships, the Galaxy S2 and the Galaxy S4, especially, they have turned their attention to the infinite potential that can be found in the world of kid’s tablets. More and more parents are letting their kids play with tablets either to help educate, entertain or simply pacify them, and it seems that children are more than eager to swipe and tab these little miracles. The Samsung Tab 3 for Kids has many great features that will enable parents to control their children.

For example, they can choose a period of time in which the kid can play with the device, before a password protect code appears. Furthermore, the app store for children is teeming with experts who are working really hard to create new and exciting apps, and parents are more than willing to pay money for high quality tools. Another plus of the Samsung Tab 3 is its chunky and colorful design, that will definitely attract little ones. It is powered by a 1.2GHZ dual processor with 1GB RAM a front and rear camera and Wi-Fi options make it an awesome and affordable kid’s tablet with great features.

Here are the most important specifications:

Maximum Resolution: 1024 x 600
Processor Type: NVIDIA Tegra 3
Processor: Dual core, 1200 MHz
System RAM: 1024 MB RAM, DDr3
Camera: Back camera 3MP, Front camera 1.3 MP
Maximum RAM Supported: 1 GB
Data Storage Capacity: 8GB Inbuilt Hard Drive Capacity Wireless Technology: Wi-Fi Enabled
Built-In Card Reader Type: MicroSD Card Reader
Output Type: HDMI Audio Features: Built-In Speakers and Ear piece
Battery: Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Includes: AC Power Adapter, Quick Start Guide, USB Cable

2. Fuhu Nabi 2

Have you ever feared of sharing your tablet with your kids? Have you ever thought why developers have created a special app market for children? The reasons are simple: you won’t have to worry that they will empty your wallet, bump into inappropriate sites or break them. An entire market of kid-friendly Android tablets has emerged, and most of them have access to the children app database. The Fuhu Nabi 2 is one of these tablets, that will definitely provide with everything that your kid will ever want.

It may not look very appealing to an adult, but the colorful edges (which also protect it against damage), are very good-looking in the eyes of a kid.The Fuhu Nabi 2 works with the help of a powerful NVidia Tegra 3 graphic card, and a Super 4-plus-1 quad-core CPU. It is also equipped with a front camera, the latest Ice Cream Sandwich Android OS and over 500 apps that await discovery. It also includes an entire set of learning systems from Fooz Kids University that will make decision making easier. There is also an option for TV and videos if youd decide to subscribe to Spinlets TV.

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Here are the full specifications:

Maximum Resolution: 1024 x 600, size: 220.8 x 153.7 x 29.08 mm
Processor Type: NVIDIA Tegra 3
System Bus Speed: Up to 1.3 GHz
System RAM: 1 GB
Memory RAM Type: DDR3
Maximum RAM Supported: 1 GB
Data Storage Capacity: 8GB Hard Drive Capacity
Wireless Technology: Wi-Fi Enabled
Built-In Card Reader Type: MicroSD Card Reader
Output Type: HDMI
Audio Features: MP3, AAC
Video Features: MPEG-4, H.263, H.264
Webcam Features: Built-In Webcam
Battery Charge Life: Up to 5 Hours
Includes: AC Power Adapter, Quick Start Guide, USB Cable

3. LeapPad Ultra

The upgrade from the original LeapPad to the LeapPad 2 has brought with it many great changes, but it was the LeapPad Ultra that managed to level the play field with other competitors in the niche. Unlike its predecessors, it has a larger 7-inch swipe screen, peer-to-peer gaming and Wi-Fi options. In addition to this, you will never have to worry about what your kid might find online ever again, because this nifty gadget has child-safe web-browsing options.

The LeapPad Ultra was tested on several children before it was released, and the little ones simply loved it. It is fast, efficient and attractive. Manufacturers have worked really hard to upgrade the processor, double the storage, and improving the inbuilt battery. As we said in the beginning on the article, our top 10 has taken into consideration to major aspects: performance and price. You may be tempted to think that 149.99$ is quite a lot for a tablet, and this example doesn’t mix well with the affordable kids’ tablets category, but its educational and entertainment capabilities are definitely worth the price. The tablet is not so easily outgrown, and it can provide with tons of useful info. So if you want to rest assured that your kid isn’t stumbling on anything inappropriate, or that he is making the most out of his technological adventure, you will definitely consider the LeapPad Ultra tablet.

Here are the most important specifications:

Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 6.1 x 9 inches ; 2.2 pounds
Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
Touch Screen: 1024×600, 7-inch backlit: Resistive touch screen
Wi-FI: Enabled, with Kid-Safe Protection
On-board Memory: 8 GB
Camera: Back camera 2M, 480p video recording
Other features: inbuilt MP3 player, an eleven apps.
AC Adapter: included Manufacturer recommended age: 4 – 9 years
Batteries: Lithium Ion battery – 9 hours battery life
Includes: AC Power Adapter, Quick Start Guide, USB Cable

4. VTech InnoTab 3 and 3S

Yet another great example of kid’s tablets (with an appearance that I do not particularly like) which is also more reasonably priced (it costs approximately 69.00 dollars), is the VTech InnoTab 3S*. Yes, the tablet also comes in pink, for all the princesses out there. But leaving the appearance aside (which is most definitely extremely attractive to children), this tablet has some interesting features. First of all, the most important thing that developers took into consideration was to create a useful tablet with a highly educational purpose. As opposed to the LeapPad, the InnoTab is smaller (it has a 5” inch screen), and like the LeapPad Ultra, it has kid-friendly website browsing system that will save you from dark thoughts.

*Note: The link in the Heading is for the Innotab 3, and the one in the paragraph, for the InnoTab 3S

Please keep in mind, that the InnoTab is a learning tab, and this means that it has a myriad of drawing, video, educational and entertainment features, but it will definitely be appealing for Mom and Dad. They are lighter, easier to use, but they must be plugged into an electrical socket to work. Last but not least, it is usually suitable for younger kids, who might outgrow them faster than a normal tablet.

Here are the full specifications:

– Quality and age-appropriate content
– Wide variety of subjects and curriculum
– Video recording and editing studio
– 180-degree, 2.0MP rotating camera/video recorder with enhanced photo features
– D-Pad and microphone for more ways to create and play
– Kid-safe browser
– Stylus and AC adapter
– 5″ color touch screen
– Expandable up to 32GB with micro SD card
– Requires 4 AA batteries (not included)

5. Polaroid’s 7.0″ Kid’s Tablet

Polaroid’s latest kid’s tablet is truly a magical device. Elegant, and useful, this device has everything it needs in order to entice young children and adolescents: it is secure, durable, highly educational and fun. In addition to this, it will provide parents with much needed peace of mind at night. As a matter of fact, this device has been so well received by the public, that it also became a CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree. What is truly interesting about it, is that it will provide with a great experience for kids, while also promoting a safe environment.

As a parent, you will also not have to worry about it being broken, because it is equipped with side and rear bumpers that will protect it from unfortunate accidents. The app store is also filled with great kid-friendly apps. The device has a few features like Kids Cam, Draw and DJ Studio preinstalled, but they can find even more in the app store. One of the main concerns of developers was to make it reading friendly, and to promote interactive learning. This is why it includes award-winning Simthsonian and Dr. Seuss interactive books.

Here are kid-friendly features:

– Simple parental controls & safe web browser.
– Includes 10 Dr. Seuss and Smithsonian interactive books.
– Preloaded w/over 35 premium apps (full versions).
– Appshop for kids (safely download kid-safe content).
– Camera & music player specially designed for kids.
– Kid-safe video player (streams safe, pre-screened videos).
– Game Arcade (includes 16 games featuring Doodle Jump).
– Large buttons/rugged, child-friendly design.
– Integrated side & rear rubber bumpers.
– Display lock (disables the touch display & buttons).
– Includes tablet stand.
– Download PDF Brochure.

6. Ematic Fun Tab 7” (4GB memory)

The Ematic Tablet may not be your run of the mill kid’s tablet. As a matter of fact it is a superb device that can also be suitable for adults. We recommend it to older children for two reasons. The first one is the price. At only 59.99 dollars (price that is justified by the fairly small System ram and processor power), this tablet will provide your kid with everything he needs in order to keep in touch with his friends, complete school tasks, watch videos, or have fun.Secondly, it has many functions, and an interesting design.

It provides with a more intuitive experience when browsing the web and the app store, and the 7 inch display is more than enough to enjoy high-quality movies or videos. Furthermore, it is only 9mm thick, which makes it ideal for smaller hands, or people on the go. It may not be the first choice for some, but I believe that its specifications and price justify a place in our top 10.

Here are the full specifications:

Screen Size: 7 inches
Screen Resolution: 800 x 480
Processor: 1.2 GHz Intel Core Duo
RAM : one GB DDR3
Hard Drive: 8 GB
Wireless Type: 802.11bgn
Number of USB 2.0 Ports: 1
Brand Name: Ematic
Series: FTABU
Operating System: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Item Weight: 13.1 ounces
Item Dimensions: 8.22 x 1.48 x 5.36 inches
Rear Webcam Resolution: 1.9 MP
Computer Memory Type: DDR3 SDRAM
Battery Type: Lithium Polymer (LiPo)
Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)

7. LeapPad2 Explorer

We have mentioned the LeapPad Ultra earlier in our top ten, and for good reason: it is obviously better than the LeapPad2. However, the LeapPad2 is still better than most children’s tablets at the moment, and it also comes at a decent price (119.99 pounds for some pretty amazing features). It is actually considered the number one Kid’s Learning Tablet, and for good reason.

It makes education interesting for children between 3-9 years. However, don’t expect this device to be successful with older children, because they will quickly outgrow it. It comes equipped with many educator-approved tools, apps, games, eBooks, videos and many more. Everything is held together by a compact casing that is durable and vividly colored. Here are the full specs:

Here are the most important specifications:

Learning Platform: LeapFrog LeapPad2
Primary Color: Green and Pink
Screen Type: Capacitive Touch Display
Battery Type: no battery
Shipping Weight (in pounds): 1.73
Product in Inches (L x W x H): 11.5 x 10.5 x 2.5

8. Kindle Fire

If I had a child, I would definitely buy this tablet for him (or her). It’s beautiful, elegant, and I might actually be tempted to use it myself. It would also offer me the peace of mind that I won’t find my credit cards empty by the time the sun rises again, because it is equipped with a Kindle FreeTime software that lets admin users control access to Amazon’s content and so on. Besides the brilliant Amazon locked-down ecosystem hardware, there is also a healthy distribution of useful apps for children, and other great features. The device itself is pretty durable, and its round edges make it comfortable to use.

The 1.2 GHz is more than your little one could ever hope for in a device. It comes equpped with a Prime Instant Video tool, that will enable you to stream popular videos and movies. Also, the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library has thousands of books for borrow (and all for free), so your kid will find more than enough information on it. The KindleFree Time feature offers a personalized experience just for kids. In other words, you can set daily screen limits and give access only to age appropriate content.

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Here are the full specifications:

Platform: Android OS, v2.3 (customized)
Primary Color: Black CPU: Dual-core 1,2 GHz OMA 4430, Ti OMAP 4430
System Ram: 512 MB
Screen Type: Capacitive
Touch Display: 600 x 1024 pixels, 7.0 inches (~170 ppi pixel density)
Battery Type: Non-removable Li-Ion 4400 mAh battery
Network Connection: Wireless Shipping Weight: 413 g
Product in Inches (L x W x H): 190 x 120 x 11.4 mm (7.48 x 4.72 x 0.45 in)

9. Kurio 7

I am not the biggest Kurio 7 fan. As durable as the casing seems, I honestly consider it quite ugly. However, the Kurio is a decent device for your kid to have. it has a 7′ display, and Android operating system, which means that it has access to the myriad of apps available on the kid’s market. One field in which the Kurio excels, is parent control. It can offer complete control over everything from internet access, time spent on the device, and comprehensive web filtering with customizable settings.

This means that you will be able to let your kid play without worrying that he is overusing the tablet. It is basically a generic Chinese Android tablet with a 1GHz processor, and 4GB of storage which will make multi-tasking possible. Some have said that the chunky anti-shock cover is actually what you are paying for, but the Kurio7 has proven quite effective and popular with kids.

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Here are the full specifications:

Screen Size: 7” inches
OS: Android v4.0
Touch Screen: Capacitive
Display: LCD
Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Bluetooth: 4.0
Ram: 1 GB
Processor: 1.2 Ghz
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Camera: 2 MP
Memory: 4 GB

10. RK2928 8GB Android Tablet

Chances are that you have never heard of this tablet before, but it is a viable option that is both affordable and well specced. It works with Android 4.1, and it has an inbuilt 8GB memory capacity. In addition to this, you can add 32GB additional storage, if needed. To be honest, I was enchanted with the color and overall appearance. It is elegant, slim, with round corners, and a beautiful green lemon color. Test it yourself, or check some reviews for more information.

Here are the full specifications:

CPU : Rockchip RK2928, 1GHz, Cortex A9; GPU: Mali-400
Operation: System Android 4.1.1
RAM: 512MB
Memory: 8GB Nand Flash
Shell Material: Plastic
Screen Size: 7 Inch, Capacitive Screen
Display: TFT
Resolution: 1024 x 600px
Extend Card Support TF card up to 32GB extended
Camera Front camera is 0.3 megapixels
Video: 1080P, AVI/MOV/MP4/RMVB/FLV/MKV…
Ebook: UMD, TXT, PDF, HTML, RTF, FB2…
WIFI: Yes, 802.11 b/g/n
Battery Life: Up to 3-4 hours
Battery: 2500mAh
Product Size: 191 x 116 x 10mm

What do you think about these tablets? Would you purchase one for your child to help with learning, or simply to entertain him? Please leave your comments in the box below!

Image Credits: Android Central,LinusTechTips, OneClickRoot, Amazon.com, BloomBerg.