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The Best Drawing Tablets for Kids
My picks
- 1Best first tablet with a computer
XPPen Deco 01 V3
- 10 x 6.25 in area
- 16,384 levels + tilt
- 8 keys
- Works with Chromebook
- 2
- 3Best first pen display
Huion Kamvas 13 (Gen 3)
- 13.3" 1080p
- 16,384 pressure levels
- Laminated etched glass
- Stand in the box
- 4
- 5Biggest screen for the money
Simbans PicassoTab X14
- 14.1" 1080p
- Pen + case + glove included
- Android 13
- microSD
First question: computer or no computer?
A drawing tablet or pen display plugs into a computer. It's cheaper and uses real art software. A standalone tablet needs no computer, which is easier for younger kids, but costs more and the cheapest ones have weaker pens.
What to look for
- A battery-free pen. Nothing to charge or lose power mid-drawing. Most pens here need no battery; the PicassoTab's does.
- A bigger area than you think. Kids draw with big arm moves. The Deco 01 V3's 10 x 6 inch area is great for that.
- A glove for tablets with touch. It stops palms from zooming and undoing by accident.
- Chromebook support if that's the school computer. The Deco 01 V3 and Wacom Intuos both work with ChromeOS.
My picks
With a computer: the XPPen Deco 01 V3 gives the most room for the money. The Huion H640P is the cheapest good option. For drawing on a screen, the Kamvas 13 (Gen 3) is the best first pen display.
No computer: the Galaxy Tab S10 FE includes the S Pen, is IP68-rated against spills, and gets years of updates. The PicassoTab X14 is bigger and comes with a case and glove, but its pen is weaker.
What to skip
Pricey pro screens. A kid will get more from a good first tablet and a free app like Krita or Ibis Paint than from a Cintiq.