Why We’re Getting Our Kids Kindles (and Why I Love Mine!)
If you’ve ever wondered whether a Kindle is worth it—for you or your kids—this post is for you. I resisted e-readers for years, but once I finally gave one a chance, my reading life changed for the better! And this Christmas, we’re getting Kindles for two of our kids.
Here’s the full story.
I’m thrilled to tell you that our three oldest children (ages 13, 10, and 8) are voracious readers. Truly, I’m having a hard time keeping up with borrowing and buying books for them. That’s what led me to consider buying Kindles as Christmas presents this year for our middle two (ages 8 and 10).
My Kindle Story
For years, I resisted purchasing a Kindle for myself. I’m an avid reader, but I’ve always loved the feel and smell of a real book. And if I’m not reading a physical copy, I’m listening to audiobooks through the Libby library app or Everand (formerly Scribd) app.
But back in January, I looked at my upcoming travel schedule and realized I would be spending a lot of time on planes and in hotel rooms in 2025. And I wanted to pack more books than I could fit in my suitcase. So I finally invested in a Kindle. (Side note: I’d had a Kindle in the past but hardly used it, so I passed it on to our oldest son, who uses it sometimes.)
At first, I bought the basic Kindle. But when it arrived, it felt small… almost like I was reading on my phone. So I exchanged it for the Kindle Paperwhite, and it felt like the perfect fit. I added a beautiful cover from Etsy and haven’t looked back.
Today, I probably read 50/50 physical books and Kindle books. For non-fiction, I prefer a physical copy so I can underline and take notes. For fiction, I rarely need a physical copy (and I don’t take notes), so I read it on my Kindle. I don’t enjoy reading on my phone at all—simply too many distractions. A Kindle, though, is a dedicated reader. No buzzing. No apps. No doomscrolling.
And it has changed my reading life.
A Few Things I Love About the Kindle
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Incredible battery life. My Kindle lasts over six weeks on a single charge.
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Travel-friendly. I can bring 50+ books on one device. It fits in my purse. I’m never without something to read, whether I’m sitting at basketball practice, on a plane, or in a hotel room.
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Easy reading at night. I love turning out the lights, letting my husband drift to sleep, and reading in dark mode (black background, white text) for a few minutes.
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I’m reading more than ever. I keep my phone out of our bedroom (it lives in the living room plugged into its charger). Instead, my Kindle stays on my nightstand. With this simple boundary, I’m reading more than ever. If you’d like to see my list from this year, here’s the link to my Goodreads account.
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Adjustable font sizes. This is amazing for dyslexic readers or anyone who prefers a larger print.
Why I’m Buying Our Kids Their Own Kindles
First, you should know that a Kindle is not a tablet. It’s a dedicated, black-and-white e-reader. The kind I’m buying for the kids has no color display, no internet browser, no apps or games, very minimal blue light, parental controls, and no ads.
I’m buying it for them because I believe it will help them read more wherever we are.
Kindle Paperwhite vs. Basic Kindle
Honestly, you can’t go wrong between these two (whether for adults or kids). It may come down to budget, and either is a great choice. Here are the basic differences:
The basic Kindle has a 6” screen, a great price point, and a 6-week battery life.
The Kindle Paperwhite has a 7” screen, is waterproof (if you like to read in the bath or at the pool), has warm-light options for nighttime reading (I love this feature!), a 6-week battery life, and 20% faster page turning.
Which Kindle Should You Buy?
If you’re deciding between models, here’s a basic breakdown:
- On a budget? Get the Basic Kindle (6”). It’s affordable, lightweight, and excellent for kids.
- Frequent nighttime readers? Get the Kindle Paperwhite (7”). It has a larger screen, warm light, is waterproof, and a longer battery life.
- Kids ages 7-12? Get the Kids Kindle bundle. It has the same hardware as the adult version, but with better pricing, no ads, and a two-year warranty.
But keep reading, because after the research I've done, I think even adults should consider buying a Kids Kindle!
What about the Kindle Colorsoft?
The Kindle Colorsoft does offer color, but unless your child reads a lot of graphic novels or digital magazines, it’s not necessary. It’s also significantly more expensive. For basic reading, the black-and-white Kindles are ideal.
Buying a Kids Kindle vs. Adult Kindle
Here’s what you should know: The kids’ and adult Kindles are the exact same hardware, but the kids’ Kindles have lots of advantages. (And if you have an adult Kindle that you’re wanting to give to your child? You can still lock it down!)
Here are a few of the advantages of buying a Kids Kindle, whether you're a kid or an adult:
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They’re cheaper! Yes, the exact same machine with a 2-year warranty, a case, and no ads is actually cheaper.
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Parental controls. Kids Kindles have excellent built-in parental settings where you can approve which books are available to them, limit any browsing, set reading goals, and disable purchasing.
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Two-year warranty. If you buy the Kids Kindle, Amazon includes a two-year worry-free guarantee: if it breaks, they replace it. No questions asked. It’s one of the best things about the Kids version!
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No ads. This is huge. Kids Kindle devices automatically come without ads. Adult Kindles can be bought without ads on the lockscreen, but it costs extra. (You can also pay to remove the ads if you bought one with ads.)
Simply because of the size, we opted to get our kids Kids Kindle Paperwhites. I also love that they're waterproof!
Kindle Covers
Kids’ Kindles come with covers, which is convenient to start with, but the designs aren’t my favorite. Fortunately, all Kindle cases snap on and off easily. When you take the cover off, the Kids Kindle is identical to the adult version, so any standard case will fit. Just make sure you’re selecting the right size when you purchase a case. You can shop on Amazon or Etsy for adorable, durable covers. Here are some of our favorites:
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The cover I bought for my daughter (so many beautiful options!)
Can You Use Audible Books with a Kindle?
Yes! Kindles support Audible books by using Bluetooth headphones. You cannot use Libby or Hoopla for audiobooks on a Kindle, but Audible works seamlessly.
How to Borrow Books
If your library uses the Libby app, you can borrow e-books and send them straight to your Kindle. However, Hoopla, Everand (formerly Scribd), and some other apps are not compatible with Kindle e-readers.
Pro tip: Once the book downloads to your Kindle, put your Kindle in airplane mode. This keeps the book on your device until you decide to reconnect. You’re not hurting your library by doing this. They account for this.
Trade-In Deals
If you have an older Kindle, Amazon offers 20% off a new Kindle when you trade it in. The process is simple and worth checking out.
Will They Still Read Real Books?
If their experience is anything like mine, absolutely! Kindles don’t replace physical books. They simply offer another option, especially when traveling, at bedtime, and for kids who devour books faster than the library hold list can deliver. They’re still keeping (and reading) shelves of beloved books. This just expands their reading world.
