If you have a kid who loves to read or one you wish would read more, you may have thought about buying a Kindle. They’re handy and portable and can store a ton of books, helping to minimize piles of kids books taking over your house. With Amazon’s line of Kindle Kids devices that cost a bit more than the base Kindle for adults, you may be asking yourself: Is a Kindle Kids really worth it?
Since I just bought my second Kindle Kids this week for my 10 year old (my 12 year old has the other one), I definitely think they’re great, but they might not be great for everyone.
Here’s my review of the Kindle Kids including what it is, what sets it apart from the adult version, and who it’s best suited for. I’ll also cover some of its downsides and who I think would not benefit from it.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
What is a Kindle Kids?
I’m sure most of you know what a Kindle is. If you’re not familiar with them, though, a Kindle is Amazon’s e-reader that can store hundreds of books and audiobooks.
The Kindle Kids is a line of Kindles made specifically with kids in mind. What sets it apart from the adult version?
First, the Kindle Kids is really the same as a basic adult Kindle with a few added (and valuable!) perks, which I’ll get into later.
They’ve also just come out with a Kindle Paperwhite Kids that has the same perks as the Kindle Kids but the crisper resolution of the adult Paperwhite edition plus a slightly larger screen.
The kids line also has a simpler, pared down interface that is much easier for kids to navigate.
The big thing for me that sets the Kindle Kids apart is that there are no ads, whereas the adult version has ads on the Lock Screen (you can pay to have these removed, but I love that they aren’t there at all for the kids edition).
Pros
There are many! Here is a rundown of what I think makes Kindle Kids worth buying:
Cute & kid-proof covers
The covers come in a range of colors and designs and are included in the price. They are definitely kid-proof, as well.
My daughter has had hers for over a year now, and even though it has been tossed into her backpack, dropped a thousand times, and been taken everywhere, it looks new. They’re easily wiped clean and really don’t scratch or show wear.
2 Year Warranty
If the cover somehow doesn’t protect the Kindle or there is any kind of issue, the extended warranty will take care of it.
I love that because kids can be tough on their things- especially electronics. We haven’t had any issues with breaking or software glitches, but it’s good to know that we have that in case anything happens.
Amazon Kids+
Okay, this part really sealed the deal for me. Whenever you buy a Kindle Kids, Amazon throws in a free year of Amazon Kids+.
This subscription service can be used across multiple devices and includes access to free kids movies, books, audiobooks, apps, educational games, and ad-free kids radio.
It’s great because it has parental controls to allow parents to set screen time limits, reading goals, and filter content for specific ages.
Even though it doesn’t have every kids book you would find at a bookstore, it does have thousands to choose from, including favorites like the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series as well as a lot of books that are required reading for most grade levels.
For a free bonus, it really makes Kindle Kids a great deal in my opinion.
>>>Pssst! If you’re not sure Amazon Kids+ is right for your kids, sign up for a free 30 day trial before committing. That way, you can see everything it has to offer without being out any money!<<<
Reading Awards
Another great thing about it is that parents (or kids!) can set reading goals.
For example, you could set a goal for 30 minutes of reading per day. A reward is given if that goal is reached for the day. If your child reads for 30 minutes for seven consecutive days, another reward is given. There are also rewards for hitting milestone page numbers, like reading 1000 pages.
This is a great way to keep kids motivated to read and to help them track their reading accomplishments.
Additional Features
These devices come with a built in dictionary, which I think is awesome for kids to quickly look up a word they’re struggling with. Not only that, they can highlight the work they’ve just learned and add it to their vocabulary list. There is a page that creates flash cards, so kids can easily build their vocabulary based on what they’re reading.
Another great addition is the tracking feature that allows kids to bookmark their page, know the percent remaining of the book they’re on, and know their reading speed.
For example, my kids know how long it takes them on average to read one page. It also tells them how far into a book they are (eg: 51% completed), and how many minutes they need to complete a chapter.
The Little Things
I’ve already mentioned that Amazon decided to make the Kindle Kids devices 100% ad free, which is wonderful.
Also, the fact that this doesn’t have any other distractions like apps, games, etc. is a huge plus. It’s really just like a book that holds thousands of books in it.
You can’t really review an electronic device without talking about battery life and interface, so here is what I’ve found:
The battery lasts forever compared to tablets and phone. Seriously. My kids use theirs for an hour or two a day and find they have to charge them maybe once a week.
The interface is seriously kid friendly. It’s simple and straightforward. The top of the home page has the book that is currently being read along with other books that have recently been downloaded. Below are lists of popular books and books they might like based on what they have downloaded so far.
It’s also perfect for traveling (from car trips to long vacations), since it’s small, doesn’t need to be charged all the time, and can be loaded up with all the books needed to last the trip.
Cons
Nothing is perfect, and there are a few downsides to the Kindle Kids.
Color and Display
First, the devices are black and white, so if you’re wanting picture books or graphic novels, this can be an issue.
For what it’s worth, my kids have enjoyed reading graphic novels on theirs, but it definitely is not as great as a full color, high definition physical copy.
Response Time
Being used to lightening fast tablets and phones has spoiled me (and all of us) a little.
Kindle Kids are a little slower to respond which can take some getting used to. This isn’t an issue while reading a book, but looking through the book choices to download can be a little slow.
So Is a Kindle Kids Really Worth It?
If you have a child who is already reading independently, this is a really great buy. My two oldest have it, and I’ll definitely buy ones for my younger two when they’re a little older.
For the price of about a dozen books, I feel a Kindle Kids and everything that comes with it is a great deal.
But do I think a Kindle Kids is right for everyone? No.
I wouldn’t recommend one for kids who aren’t already reading independently.
There are a ton of picture books and stories for kids Kindergarten age and younger, but I really think that at that age kids need physical books. They need to be able to turn the pages and see the pictures in color.
So overall, if your kids are independent readers, you really can’t go wrong getting them a Kindle Kids. If they’re still learning to read, I would hold off until they’re able to read on their own.
Side Note
If your child already has an iPad or other type of tablet and you don’t want to add another device into the mix, a really great other option is subscribing to Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited.
This will give you all of the perks of a Kindle without having to buy a Kindle. It has unlimited reading of over a million ebooks, unlimited access to audiobooks, and it works on any device.
For my family, I prefer the Kindle since I don’t want my kids to have the distraction of games and internet that comes with a tablet, but for someone whose kids have an iPad, this is a fantastic option.
>>>Looking for other ways to encourage your kids to read? Check out my posts Easy Ways to Inspire a Love of Books and How to Help Your Reluctant Reader Become a Bookworm<<<