Kids' Tablets Over the Holidays: How to Protect Them (and Fix Them)

Why the holidays are hard on kids' tablets

Between new tablets coming out of wrapping paper, long drives to see family, sleepovers at grandparents' houses and extra screen time over the break, December is a busy month for kids' devices. More use, more travel and more excitement all mean more drops, spills and tugged cables.

A little setup before the big day, plus a few house rules, goes a long way. And if something does break, most tablet damage can be repaired.

Step 1: Start with a rugged case

For younger kids, a chunky, kid-proof case is the single best protection you can buy. Look for:

• Thick foam or rubber all around, especially at the corners, where most drops land.
• A raised edge around the screen so it doesn't hit the floor face-down.
• A built-in handle or stand, which makes it easier for small hands to carry and doubles as a stand for movies in the car.
• Covered ports and buttons that still let you charge without removing the case.

For older kids who want something slimmer, choose a folio or shell with reinforced corners. Make sure it fits the exact model, since tablets in the same family come in different sizes.

Step 2: Add a screen protector

A tempered glass protector takes scratches and some impacts so the real screen doesn't have to. If your child draws with a stylus or Apple Pencil, a matte "paper-feel" protector reduces glare and gives a little more grip. Some rugged kids' cases come with a built-in screen cover, which is handy for toddlers.

Step 3: Set up parental controls before they unwrap it

It's much easier to set limits from day one than to add them later. Each platform has its own tools:

iPad

Set up a child account through Family Sharing, then use Settings › Screen Time to add downtime, app limits and content restrictions. Turn on Ask to Buy so purchases need your approval. For young children, Guided Access (under Settings › Accessibility) locks the iPad into a single app.

Amazon Fire tablets

Use the Amazon Kids profile and manage it from the Parent Dashboard, where you can set time limits, approve content and choose bedtime hours.

Samsung Galaxy Tab and other Android tablets

Google's Family Link lets you supervise a child's Google account, approve apps and set screen time. Galaxy Tabs also include Samsung Kids, a simpler, contained space for younger children.

Step 4: Build good charging habits

Charging problems are one of the most common tablet repairs, and many come from everyday habits:

• Charge in a common area, like the kitchen, rather than in bed. It keeps tablets off soft bedding where they can overheat, and helps with bedtime limits too.
• Don't let kids use the tablet while it's tethered to a short cable on the couch. Yanked cables bend charging ports.
• Unplug by the plug, not the cord.
• Use a good-quality charger that suits the tablet, rather than any random adapter.
• Don't leave tablets in a cold or hot car between visits. Bring them inside.

Step 5: A few holiday house rules

• No tablets at the table during holiday meals. Drinks and gravy are hard on screens.
• Tablets get put down, not tossed, on beds and couches.
• Pack tablets in a padded bag for car trips, not loose on the seat.
• Back up regularly, so drawings, game progress and photos aren't lost if something happens.

If the screen cracks: your options

Start by covering any shattered glass with clear tape and keeping the tablet away from small children until it's repaired. Then find the exact model. On iPad, it's in Settings › General › About. On Android tablets, look for About tablet in Settings.

iPad

On the standard iPad, the touch glass and the display underneath are separate layers. If only the glass is cracked and the picture looks fine, the glass can often be replaced on its own. On laminated models like iPad Air, iPad mini and iPad Pro, the glass and display are one piece, so they're replaced together. See iPad screen repair and our post on whether iPad screen repair is worth it.

Amazon Fire Kids tablets

Kids editions of Fire tablets have typically come with a replacement promise from Amazon, so check what yours includes before paying for anything. For other Fire models, repair depends on the model and part availability, so ask for a quote.

Samsung Galaxy Tab

Galaxy Tab A models and the higher-end Tab S range can usually be repaired. Tab S models have more advanced screens, so mention the exact model when you ask for a quote.

Need a hand?

If a holiday tumble leaves a tablet cracked or not charging, Woman Wireless On The Go handles tablet repair at your home, so there's no need to pack up kids and head out during a busy break. We cover Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, Mississauga, Brampton and Toronto; see our service area. You'll get a free quote before any work starts. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, or book online.

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