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Amazon's popular Fire TV Kids tablet is $55 — that's 40% off — for Labor Day
When it comes to entertaining kids, it's hard to beat a tablet. They're great for videos, music, educational games, interactive books and so much more. Before you plunk down $500 or more on an iPad Mini, let me make the case for Amazon's Fire 7 Kids tablet — especially while it's on sale for Labor Day for just $55. That's $40 off the regular price and a tie for the record low. (In your face, Black Friday!) But, wait, at one-tenth the price of an iPad, it can't possibly be as good, can it? Actually, in some respects, it's even better. Read on.
An amazingly good deal on a tablet that's not only kid-friendly, but also kid-proof: Amazon backs it with a two-year worry-free warranty. Do your worst, grandkids!
Why is this a good deal? 💰
You've already seen the math, and a 42% discount is noteworthy on any product, let alone one that can do as much as the Fire 7 Kids. Amazon frequently discounts this tablet, but the last time was two months ago — and it might be "Prime Day 2" (likely coming this October) before we see this deal again.
Read more:
Why do I need this? 🤔
This may be Amazon's entry-level tablet, but it can easily handle the needs — and abuse — of a youngster. (This model is recommended for kids ages 3-7.) To that end, Amazon packs it in a rugged (but colorful) case that has a combination carrying handle/tabletop stand. Whether Junior drops it, throws it or dunks it in the bathtub, it'll either survive or get replaced: This tablet includes a two-year worry-free guarantee, which you absolutely will not get from Apple.
You also get a free six-month Amazon Kids+ subscription, which affords access to thousands of ad-free books, games, videos and more. There's even an Alexa benefit: Kids+ includes Alexa "skills" from brands like Disney, Nickelodeon and PBS Kids. And Amazon's parental controls can help keep kids away from inappropriate content and set time limits on usage. (Learn more here: How to use parental controls on your Fire tablet.)
On the hardware front, this isn't what I'd call a powerhouse, but it's faster than the previous-generation Fire 7 Kids and can run up to 10 hours on a charge. Plus, unlike all iPads, it has expandable storage: Just pop in an inexpensive microSD card to make extra room for games, videos and the like.
Any caveats? 😐
The only real downside to this and other Amazon Fire tablets is Amazon's Appstore. Make no mistake, it's huge, but it doesn't have the same volume or variety of apps as the Google Play Store. (The Fire 7 runs a specialized version of the Android operating system, but you can't access the Google Play Store from it.)
For example, there's no YouTube app for Fire tablets. The workaround is to access the service in a browser, but that could prove a little tricky for young kids. Thankfully, most of the other "important" video apps are available, including Disney Plus.
Those are hardly deal-breakers. A mere $55 for a tablet that's packed with educational and entertainment value for your little ones? Grab it while you can.
This is the purple case; you can also get the Fire 7 Kids tablet with a red or blue case. All three employ the same super-rugged design and clever integrated carrying handle/tabletop stand.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
