The 5 best tablet options for kids

With the number of new tablet computers hitting store shelves on an almost daily basis, parents can be forgiven for feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choices for themselves, much less for their children. After all, you may have heard about the variety of educational apps that, say, the Apple iPad has to offer — but is all of that functionality the right fit if you have a pre-K child who just wants to learn how to write the alphabet while mastering Cut the Rope?

The iPad, of course, is the dominant player in the tablet category — it's thin, fast, and performs a multitude of functions with style — but it's also one of the priciest options (starting at $499). If you're considering a tablet for the little ones, here are a few other factors you can weigh, based on big concerns for tech-friendly parents: price, durability, parental controls, functionality, and just plain looks. Luckily, we can suggest several tablets to choose from. Here's our breakdown of the digital playground.

1. LeapFrog LeapPad
Price: $99

Billed as a learning tablet for kids ages 4 to 9, the LeapFrog LeapPad is a stylish computer that offers children the ability to practice critical reading skills while also inspiring their creativity. With a 5" screen that responds to an attached stylus as well as little fingers, the LeapPad is accessible and easy to use. Its 2GB of memory offer a fair bit of storage, should you end up purchasing additional apps to complement the four that come with the device. The built-in camera and video recorder don't hurt, either.

Parents also won't have to worry about their youngsters going online without supervision, as the LeapPad does not have an internet connection. The sturdy construction, as well as the $99 price tag, make the LeapPad an excellent wish-list item. The only drawback is that the apps themselves can get a little expensive, with some hitting the $25 mark.

2. Vtech InnoTab
Price: $79.99

Another entry in the early elementary set is the Vtech InnoTab, which offers many of the same features as the LeapPad for nearly $20 less. The InnoTab, also geared toward kids ages 4 to 9, sports a durable body style, as well as a 5" touchscreen and intuitive design.

Kids can practice reading as well as create art and play motion-based games. And what the InnoTab lacks in camera and video-recording capabilities, it makes up for by having an MP3 player. This device is also unable to connect to the web but can download reasonably priced apps from another computer. One big limitation, though, is that the system only has 64MB of storage (just enough to hold a single album's worth of MP3 music).

3. Nabi
Price: $200

As tablets go up in price, they definitely get more sophisticated — at least with all the options they offer kids. The Nabi, an Android-based tablet from FUHU, boasts a larger screen (7") and 4GB of storage space. In addition to the standard educational apps, the Nabi also serves as a mini-movie theater and a game console.

But, as Time magazine has reported, the Nabi could use better parental controls. For instance, Netflix is one of the included apps (in addition to games such as Angry Birds), but parental supervision isn't required to get into the app — meaning kids could conceivably watch movies that are beyond G or PG. The sturdy, wrap-around case is another way for kids to show off their creativity, as they can choose from cases with a variety of characters such as bears, tigers, and dinosaurs.

4. Nook Tablet
Price: $249

Another Android-based option, Barnes & Noble's Nook tablet is better suited for older kids. Geared toward avid readers, the Nook offers access to a vast library of books, magazines, comics, and children's literature. And for early readers, Barnes & Noble does offer a wide variety of interactive children's books.

Kids can also access music, get online, and check email via built-in wifi, tap into Netflix, and access a wide variety of Nook apps. With its 16GB of storage (up to 10,000 books), families can use this instead of a sea of bookshelves at home. Perhaps the best feature is a microphone that allows parents (and kids) to record themselves reading a story to be played back later.

Even though it's not specifically aimed at kids, the Nook Tablet offers some parental controls — certainly more than its nearest competitor, the Kindle Fire. Parents can keep kids from browsing the web, making purchases, or using sharing features. 

5. iPad 2
Price: Starting at $499

And, of course, there's the iPad 2. Schools around the country are bringing this device into classrooms, which adds a lot of credibility to the tablet's educational capabilities. Weighing just over 1 lb., the iPad 2 holds textbooks, regular books, music, movies, and a multitude of apps (many of them free), all while offering a simple yet sleek design. The 9.7" screen is easy on the eyes as far as reading and watching movies go, and the front and back cameras give kids the opportunity to communicate and create their own media. The device is definitely a kid-magnet — for kids of all ages.

iOS 5, the latest version of the iPad's software, has parental controls that let you restrict kids' access on an app-by-app basis.

Choosing for your family
No matter which tablet you decide to get, you and your youngsters will be in for hours of entertainment and learning. Make sure to take time to learn and play together. If you do choose one of the devices with online capabilities, talk to your kids about what is and isn't okay. No matter how cool a tablet is, it doesn't replace your supervision when it comes to parenting.

[Image credit: aperturismo]

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