A lot of people have been asking me this holiday season about kids tablets, and what kinds of tablets are appropriate for what age group.

With my own kid Christopher (check out the pic of him to the right!) I kept him on kids tablets & his Nintendo DS until he was 8, and then moved him up to an iPad. Just because he was wearing suits didn’t mean he was ready for the real deal right away! But more than anything else, this decision depends on your own child’s maturity level. If your children are comfortable using your iPad or Kindle already, then that’s a good sign they could handle a “real” tablet on their own. Generally, I’d recommend kids tablets for 3-8, and anything older than that I’d recommend you start looking at fully-featured tablets.

But keep in mind that the Kindle, NOOK and iPad will require you to carefully set-up and manage parental controls! For the most worry-free tablets for kids, with strong, built-in parental control options, check out the top three models I’m recommending below:

Nabi 2 ($199.99 at Walmart and other retailers)

My #1 rec for an Android tablet for kids. Keep in mind, this tab is truly designed for the younger kids. It has features like a curated app store that is approved by moms. This is definitely a fantastic starter tablet.

· Super fast

· Integrated learning system called Fooz Kids University

· Unlimited streaming for $2.99 a month of the Best of Cookie Jar Kids Shows.

· Nabi Sync allows the child to sync up with the family PC or Mac to download music, photos and more.

LeapFrog LeapPad 2 ($99 and up, Walmart and Online)

While not a general-purpose tablet like the other models I’m recommending (this runs its own software, not Google’s Android), I like the LeapPad2 because it’s specifically designed around learning, not entertainment. While the learning games come at a somewhat steep cost compared to many iPad and Android apps (expect to pay around $20 for a learning game based on, say, Dora the Explorer or Cars 2), these games are designed by educators specifically to help kids learn while they play.

– No worries with Parental Controls! The LeapFrog LeapPad2 is a kids-only tablet. The only content available is kid-safe, no need to worry about your kids getting onto the unfiltered web

– Features front and back cameras to allow your kids to become lil’ filmmakers!

– Kid-friendly, durable design

Kurio World Tablet ($144.00 at Walmart and other retailers)

For a slightly cheaper option, check out this Android 4 tablet for kids. It has all the things you would expect in a tablet like, music and video players, front and rear facing cameras, e-reader, educational entertainment and gets has access to apps and games like Angry Birds, Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja and more!

· Parental Controls are huge! Parents can define what type of internet access is available to their child.

· Parents can control how much time their child is allowed to use the device.

· Parents can manage what apps are available.

Snowflake Wrapping Paper image by =Tom= used under a Creative Commons license.