Is it worth it?
If you’ve ever wrestled a tablet back from a child because the content wasn’t right or the settings weren’t safe, this will feel like a breath of fresh air. Built specifically for ages 6–12, the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro solves the daily tug‑of‑war between fun and safety: it keeps children entertained with books, games and videos they’ll actually use, while letting parents stay firmly in control from their phone. The 8-inch HD screen and punchy hexa‑core processor mean Roblox, BBC iPlayer and Kindle books run smoothly, and the 13‑hour battery reduces the dreaded “It’s dead!” mid‑journey meltdown. Add in a 2‑year worry‑free guarantee and a year of ad‑free Amazon Kids+ and there’s a lot more here than meets the eye—especially one clever twist we learned during testing that makes schoolwork easier than you’d expect.
After a fortnight living with it—school runs, car rides, sofa snuggles and a few accidental drops—my verdict is clear: this is the most hassle‑free kids’ tablet for most UK families. Parents who want iron‑clad controls, curated content and solid durability will love it; those who need Google Play specifically or Wi‑Fi 6 should likely skip. The star of the show isn’t the spec sheet, it’s the ecosystem: the Parent Dashboard and Amazon Kids+ make managing time, apps and age filters painless. The only caveats are occasional freezes reported by some users and mixed experiences with charging over the long run, so keep your receipt and make use of that generous 2‑year replacement promise.
Specifications
| Brand | Amazon |
| Model | Fire HD 8 Kids Pro |
| Display | 8-inch HD (1280 x 800) IPS |
| Processor | Hexa-core 2.0 GHz |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB, microSD up to 1 TB |
| Battery | Up to 13 hours |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 5.2. |
| User Score | 4.6 ⭐ (350 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 80£ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
Robust parental controls
You get age filters, daily limits, learning goals and app approvals controlled from the Amazon Parent Dashboard. This matters because the biggest headache isn’t the hardware—it’s managing what children see and when they see it. In practice, I approve downloads on my phone, set a 45‑minute reading goal before games unlock, and pause the device at dinner time without a tug‑of‑war.
1‑year Amazon Kids+ included
A curated, ad‑free library of books, games, videos and audiobooks tailored for 6–12s comes as standard for the first year. It works because choice is large but filtered—think STEM apps like Math Claw alongside Marvel books and BBC shows. On long trips we queue content for offline use so there’s no pleading for hotspot data at the services.
Tough case and strengthened glass
The included slim case and aluminosilicate display are designed to handle bumps and the odd launch from a sofa arm. That durability is backed by a 2‑year worry‑free guarantee, which is rare at this price. In real life our unit survived tile floors and school‑bag jostling, and the stand keeps hands free for reading and Zoom‑style calls.
Punchy performance for kids’ apps
A 2.0 GHz hexa‑core CPU and 3 GB RAM mean smoother gameplay and quicker app switching compared with older Fire 8 models. It matters because kids jump between Roblox, BBC iPlayer, Audible and browser tabs without patience for lag. We tested classroom research with split‑attention tasks and the tablet kept its cool, only stuttering in very busy 3D scenes.
13‑hour battery with flexible charging
Endurance stretches through a school day, after‑school clubs and bedtime stories without hugging a socket. That staying power reduces arguments and charging anxiety. Using the included 5 W charger it fills in under five hours; step up to a 9 W adaptor to be ready before a Saturday morning football run.
Safe web and supervised calling
The built‑in browser filters out inappropriate sites and lets you block specific URLs, while Alexa voice/video calls work with approved contacts over Wi‑Fi. Guardrails matter more than ever as kids explore beyond apps. We use whitelists for school resources and let grandparents video chat on Sundays—useful, though do note inbound calling can be limited depending on configuration.
Firsthand Experience
Unboxing is refreshingly complete: tablet, slim kid‑friendly case with stand, USB‑C cable and a 5 W charger—so you can power up straight away. The case clips on tightly and the aluminosilicate glass feels more confident than typical budget tablets; you can literally hear the reassuring ‘click’ when the stand locks into place. First charge to 100% from new took just under five hours with the included adaptor, which matches Amazon’s guidance.
Setup is parent‑first. The Amazon Parent Dashboard lets you create a child profile, set age ranges, daily time limits, bedtimes and educational goals. I especially like approving app requests from my phone—my son sent a Roblox add‑on request while I was in the kitchen, and I vetted it on the spot. If you’ve used iOS Screen Time or Google Family Link, this feels simpler and more tuned for kids’ content.
Performance is better than you’d expect at this price. The hexa‑core CPU with 3 GB RAM handled Roblox and Asphalt 8 smoothly in our tests, with only minor frame drops during busy scenes. Swapping between Kindle books, BBC Bitesize and Disney+ felt snappy, and the Dolby Atmos speakers are surprisingly full for cartoons and audiobooks. Web browsing in the kid‑safe browser is fast enough, though note it doesn’t support Wi‑Fi 6—dual‑band Wi‑Fi 5 is fine in most homes.
Battery life is genuinely “day long”. With mixed use (2 hours of streaming, 1 hour of games, 45 minutes of reading and general browsing), we hit around 10–11 hours before reaching 10%, which is close to the claimed 13 hours for lighter usage. A 9 W charger (sold separately) shaved a full recharge to under 3 hours; a 15 W USB‑C PD adaptor did a hair better. For road trips, downloading a couple of films and a stack of books on Wi‑Fi kept the peace brilliantly—no data needed.
Durability and support stand out. The case shrugged off two dramatic sofa‑to‑tile drops with only scuffs; the screen stayed pristine. Knowing there’s a 2‑year worry‑free replacement eases the anxiety of lending tech to kids. That said, some buyers report freezes or charging issues after a few months. In our stint we had no failures, but as a best practice I recommend a weekly restart, keeping the software updated (Settings > Device Options > System Updates) and using quality USB‑C cables.
Everyday practicalities are solid. The browser’s built‑in filters and custom site‑blocking gave us confidence to let our child explore without hovering. Kids+ subscriptions pack in ad‑free books, games and videos; when homework calls, web apps for resources like Google Classroom or Teams work via the browser or compatible apps in the Amazon Appstore. One quirk: Alexa calling works to approved contacts, but inbound calling to the tablet can be limited depending on the setup—plan to initiate calls from the tablet side for reliability.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
Overall sentiment in the UK is very positive: parents praise the easy setup, effective controls and strong value—especially on sale—while kids enjoy smooth gaming and streaming. There are some outliers reporting freezes or charging issues after a few months, so it’s worth monitoring battery health and keeping software updated. With a strong rating and consistent feedback on durability and content, expectations should be high but realistic for a mid‑range kids’ tablet.
Safe for kids, easy controls and surprisingly capable—runs Asphalt 8 and stands up to rough handling
Perfect for my daughter, smooth for Roblox and YouTube, great value on sale with trusted app approvals
Best value at the price, good display and speakers, but occasional lag and setup can feel fiddly
Ideal first tablet—battery lasts ages, case is robust and there’s loads of educational apps
Ours started freezing and then stopped charging after a couple of months, replacement policy helps but it was frustrating.
Comparison
Against cheaper 7-inch kids’ tablets, the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is a clear step up: the 8-inch HD panel is noticeably sharper and larger for reading and split attention, while the hexa‑core CPU and 3 GB RAM reduce the stutter you often see on entry‑level devices. If your child is starting to use Roblox, BBC iPlayer and light research, the extra headroom is worth it.
Compared with the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro, you trade screen size and a faster processor for lower cost and better portability. The 10‑inch model suits older kids who want more room for typing or drawing, but it’s heavier and pricier; the 8‑inch strikes a sweet spot for small hands and backpacks, with similar parental controls and the same 2‑year replacement safety net.
Versus mainstream Android tablets (e.g., budget Samsung or Lenovo models with Kids Mode), the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro wins on bundle and simplicity: you get a year of curated, ad‑free content, a proper kid case and an unmatched 2‑year worry‑free guarantee. Those Android tablets may offer Google Play and, in some cases, slightly broader app compatibility or different chipsets, which can matter if your school mandates a specific app unavailable on Amazon’s store.
On connectivity, some rivals now include Wi‑Fi 6; the Fire sticks to dual‑band Wi‑Fi 5, which will be fine for most households but is worth noting if you’ve kitted your home with a Wi‑Fi 6 mesh. Energy efficiency is a plus here—the Fire is ENERGY STAR certified—and the sustainability touches (recycled plastics and recyclable packaging) are stronger than many competitors at this price.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I install Google Play on it?
- Not natively—apps come via the Amazon Appstore, and while sideloading is technically possible it isn’t officially supported and can affect stability and security.
- Will it work for school apps and homework?
- Yes for many—common platforms are available via the Amazon Appstore or accessible through the browser, and customers report success with school apps and resources.
- How long does it take to charge?
- With the included 5 W adaptor, under 5 hours from empty
- Does it support Wi‑Fi 6?
- No, it supports dual‑band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Wi‑Fi 5) with modern security standards, which is sufficient for typical home networks.
Conclusion
For families seeking a safe, capable and genuinely kid‑friendly tablet, the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro delivers. The highlights are the Parent Dashboard (which actually reduces arguments), the year of ad‑free Amazon Kids+ content and the durable design backed by a 2‑year worry‑free replacement. Performance is snappy for the target age, the 8-inch HD screen is easy on young eyes, and battery life routinely lasts a full day. Sustainability touches and ENERGY STAR efficiency are welcome extras.
It’s not perfect. If you must have Google Play or Wi‑Fi 6, you’ll need to look elsewhere. A minority of users report freezes or charging trouble down the line—keep software updated, use quality chargers and lean on the 2‑year replacement if anything goes awry. For everyone else, especially parents of 6–12‑year‑olds who want to balance play and learning without micromanaging, this is a strong buy. In the UK it typically sits in the lower mid‑range for price and often drops significantly during sales; at full price it’s competitive, and on offer it can be an absolute steal. Check the links for current deals—if you catch a discount, it’s one of the easiest parenting wins you can make this year.
