Amazon’s new Kids Tablets let parents manage access to the Google Play store

is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.

Alongside its new collection of Alexa Tablets that run Android with full access to the Google Play store, Amazon is introducing kid versions with similar functionality but the ability for parents to limit what software and content they have access to. The Amazon Kids Tablets also come with two different styles of colorful cases featuring characters from Paw Patrol, Barbie, and SpongeBob: a thicker more protective option for pre-kindergarten children, and a thinner one for kids aged six and up.

The Amazon Kids Tablets are available in two sizes that both feature lightweight aluminum designs and 8-core processors and seem identical to the smaller versions of the new Alexa Tablets, but with added software. The Kids Tablet 8.7-inch starts at $229.99 and comes with 64GB of storage and a battery good for up to 14 hours of video playback. The larger Amazon Kids Tablet 11-inch starts at $329.99 and features a better 2.5K display, 8GB of RAM for improved gaming experiences, and stylus support. Both will be available for preorder soon with shipping starting on October 14th in the US.

All versions of the Kids Tablet comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids Plus which includes a collection of ad-free content including books, TV shows, games, apps, and audiobooks from companies like Disney, Nickelodeon, and Lego. Amazon is also introducing a new feature to Kids Plus called Storybuilder that uses AI to generate picture books and comics from descriptions of characters, worlds, and plot twists provided by kids.

Amazon’s Parent Dashboard comes pre-installed on the new Kids Tablets allowing them to set screen-time limits, monitor usage, and set learning goals that prioritize educational apps and games over entertainment. All of the settings in Parent Dashboard can also be accessed remotely through iOS and Android apps, including approval for every download from the Google Play Store.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.