Kindles for Kids: The Essential Travel Companion and finding Free Ebooks
By now, you’ve probably heard all about e-readers, but when it comes to travel essentials for kids, Kindles easily sits at the top of our list.
After two years on the road, I can confidently say that nothing has beaten the Kindle for both its usefulness and value.
It’s been an absolute lifesaver for worldschooling and has turned our two into voracious readers!
Now, I’m all about travelling light and everything having its use and Kindles for kids ticks all those boxes. It’s a must-have! Let me tell you why.
Why you would want an E-Reader?
I hear you. I am a book person, without doubt, I would choose a physical book over digital. But alas, travelling does not make real books the best option.
So three reasons why you should give an e-reader a try.
- We can carry hundreds of books with us and it takes up a teeny amount of space and weight.
- You can change the font or font size.
- You have access to endless new books which often are cheaper.
Why an Amazon Kids Kindle?
I’ve owned three Kindles myself, and I’m a big fan, but the Kids Kindle brings something a little extra.
Kids Kindle vs. Regular Kindle
If you were to look at the Kindle and Kids Kindle, it would look exactly the same.
We did a side-by-side comparison of the Kids Kindle vs. the Regular Kindle and here’s why the kids’ version came out on top:
- Included Accessories: The Kids Kindle comes with a colourful case (a lifesaver when it’s dropped or stuffed into a backpack) and a two-year warranty.
- Free Books– The free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ adds even more value. After a year, the price is £4.99 ($5.99)
- No Ads: The regular Kindle costs around £70 ($90) with ads or £85 ($110) without. For the same price, you get a Kids Kindle with no ads, a protective case, and the subscription—a total bargain in my book.
- Built for Reading: The e-ink technology is easy on eyes, much better than a standard tablet. This designed for reading and only reading
- Parental Controls: With the kids kindle you can set reading goals, manage content, and keep tabs on how much time they spend reading.
- 2-Year Worry-Free Guarantee: Let’s face it—kids can be rough with their stuff. Amazon’s no-questions-asked replacement policy is peace of mind that’s worth every penny.
Why did we choose the Amazon Kids Kindle?
For us, it came down to the price. With the case and year subscription, it worked out better value. S
Kids Kindle or Kindle Fire
The Kindle Fire is a tablet with all the apps and extras you’d expect, while the Kindle e-reader is all about reading—no apps, no distractions, and no blue light. Just a straightforward, digital reading experience. It comes with 3 months free Kindle unlimited.
Using the Kindle app on your device
Sure, the Kindle app on your tablet or phone is a solid option, and plenty of people use it. But if you want a battery that lasts for weeks, less blue light messing with your eyes, and a screen that’s easier to read, the Kindle e-reader wins. Plus, it’s just you and your book—no interruptions, no distractions.
Which Kindle to buy?
Kindle Basic
Exactly what is says! It’s the most budget-friendly option (especially if you choose an older model) with no frills, but it gets the job done perfectly.
If you go for the Kids Edition, it’s the same device, but it comes with a cover, a two-year worry-free warranty, and no ads.
Kindle Paperwhite
The Paperwhite has a slightly bigger screen (6.8″ vs. 6.0″) and is waterproof.
The battery lasts up to 10 weeks instead of the 6 weeks you get with the Basic Kindle. The page turns are also 20% faster.
The Kids Edition of the Paperwhite includes a case, a two-year warranty, and no ads.
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition
This is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite with some extra perks like wireless charging, an auto-adjusting front light, and 32 GB of storage.
Kindle Scribe
The most expensive Kindle on the list, the Scribe comes with a pen that lets you write directly on the screen.
If you’re into taking notes, this could be your ideal choice. Plus, it boasts a 10.2″ screen, offering a larger reading area. This one is on my birthday list!
Kids Kindle vs. Regular Kindle
Before purchasing, we were curious about the differences between the kids Kindle and the regular Kindle. It turns out that the kids Kindle comes with a case, has a 2-year warranty, comes with one year of Amazon Kids+ (FreeTime Unlimited), and has no ads. In comparison, the regular Kindle typically costs $89.99 with ads or $109.99 without ads.
Although the no-ad price is the same as the kids Kindle price, the kid’s version comes with the case, the warranty, and the free one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription. We definitely didn’t want our kids seeing ads while reading, and a case felt like a must-have, so we opted for the kids’ version.
How To Get Free Books for the Kids
Now, let’s get to the good stuff—filling those Kindles for Kids with books without blowing the budget. Here are my favourite spots for finding free ebooks for kids:
Project Gutenburg is one of the oldest and most famous sources for free ebooks on the internet. It has more than 60,000 free ebooks in its digital library.
You can browse Project Gutenberg’s catalog by author, title, or subject. There is also has a section specifically dedicated to children’s literature, which includes classic stories and fairy tales.
This can be a great resource for families looking for free, quality ebooks to read to their children or for older children to read on their own.
Open Library, run by the nonprofit organization Internet Archive, offers a vast collection of over two million free ebooks.
Among its impressive selection are children’s books, which include both classic and contemporary titles. With Open Library, kids can easily find and borrow or download ebooks in various formats.
ManyBooks is a website that has been around for quite some time and offers over 50,000 free ebooks in various genres and formats, including ebooks for kids. Parents can browse the website to find age-appropriate titles for their children, and kids can easily access the site to find ebooks that they will enjoy.
The Amazon Kindle Store offers thousands of ebooks, including many free ones, for kids of all ages. Parents can browse the Kindle Store’s homepage and find the “Bestsellers” tab to locate free ebooks.
By selecting “Paid & Free” from the drop-down menu, you can find both paid and free ebooks, making it a great resource for families on a budget. Plus, if you have a Kindle or the free Kindle app, you can easily download and access these ebooks on your device.
International Children’s Digital Library
The International Children’s Digital Library is a project of the University of Maryland’s Human-Computer Interaction Lab. It offers over 5,000 free ebooks for kids in multiple languages. You can browse by title, author, or subject, and the user-friendly interface makes it easy for even young children to find the books they want.
Lots of books and they promise something for everyone in their growing collection.
StoryJumper for Kids
StoryJumper is a website that allows anyone to create and share their picture books, making it perfect for kids who are just learning to read or wanting to practice their writing skills. The books can be read online or downloaded as PDFs (which can be read on a kindle.
Another way to get free e books for kids is through the library through the Overdrive or Libby app. It’s a great way to get free ebooks for children if you have a local library card. If you are based in the UK, check out the steps below.
Kindle Unlimited for Kids
If you want even more variety, Kindle Unlimited is worth considering.
For £9.49 ($11.99) a month, your kids can access over 1 million books.
It’s especially handy for families on the move, with choices ranging from picture books to chapter books.
And if you’re thinking about trying it out, and if you haven’t signed up before, there’s a 30-day free trial
Using a Kindle with your library
If you are in the US, you can borrow books from your library through a digital service called OverDrive. Just like a real library, they’re available for a set period.
Check if your local library participates and offers Kindle books.
Here’s how to get started:
- Get yourself a library card and PIN from your local library.
- Visit your library’s website and search for “Kindle books” or “eBooks.”
- When checking out, sign in to your Amazon account and choose the device you want to send the book to.
- Connect your device to Wi-Fi and download the book from Archived Items or Cloud.
Note: Some titles may require a USB transfer from your computer to your Kindle.
Alternatively, you can use the Libby App. This is not available out of the US…but not on a Kindle!
Libby is a free app where you can stream or download ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your public library. All you need to get started is a library card.
Check to see if your library is signed up to an online service and which it uses – see Gov.uk to find your library’s website and it should tell you on there.
The next step is to download the free app of the service your library uses. Once you’ve opened the app, search for your library and register – you’ll need your library membership info for this.
You can then search for titles or browse, and start borrowing
Why the Amazon Kids Kindle is Perfect for Travel
- Portability and Convenience
Let’s be real—lugging a stack of books around isn’t practical when you’re travelling, especially when space is tight.
Kindles for Kids solves that problem. It’s lightweight, compact, and can hold thousands of books, all accessible with a tap.
Perfect for long flights, road trips, or just some quiet time in the hotel. It’s the ultimate travel essential for kids.
- Keeping Kids Entertained on the Go
The Kids Kindle is a lifesaver during those inevitable travel delays. The battery seems to last for ages, kids can read for hours without needing a charge.
A big things for us is that it’s built purely for reading, we don’t have to worry about them getting distracted by videos or games that comes with a standard tablet.
- Audio books
If you have a subscription to Audible, you can listen to ebooks on the Kindle. Strangely, there is no audio jack though so you will need wireless headphones.
We use these headphones and they have been great.
The Downsides of a Kids Kindle
- Limitations with Graphic Novels
Here’s where the Kids Kindle falls short—graphic novels.
Our kids love them, but the black-and-white e-ink display just doesn’t do the artwork justice. If your child is really into graphic novels, they might find this a bit disappointing.
- Trapped in Amazon
While the Kids Kindle is fantastic, it’s firmly rooted in Amazon’s ecosystem. This means you’re somewhat limited in where you can get content from.
Formats like ePub aren’t supported unless you convert them, which can be a hassle (but is possible).
But if you’re sticking mainly to Amazon’s store or the free resources mentioned above, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
How to Customise and Optimise Your Kids’ Kindle
Managing Parental Controls
Setting up parental controls on the Kids Kindle is straightforward. You can limit access to certain books, set daily reading goals, and monitor what your kids are reading.
Removing Ads and Special Offers
Although the Kids Kindle comes ad-free, if you’re using a regular Kindle, you might want to ditch the ads. You can pay an extra fee, or if you’re feeling savvy, a quick call to Amazon’s customer service might just do the trick—no guarantees, but worth a shot!
What to Know Before Buying a Kindle for Your Child
Price Comparison: Kids Kindle vs. Regular Kindle
The Kids Kindle is priced at £85 (or $95 in the US), the same as a regular Kindle without ads. But with the added case, two-year warranty, and Amazon Kids+ subscription, it’s a no-brainer for parents wanting more value.
Is the Kindle Kids Worth It?
In short, yes.
The Kids Kindle is a solid investment for families looking to encourage reading without the distractions of other devices.
It’s portable, durable, and packed with features that make it perfect for both everyday reading and travel.
If your child is more into graphic novels or physical books, it might not be the best fit, but for most readers, it’s fantastic.
Why the Kids Kindle is the first thing in the backpack
The Kids Kindle has become a staple in our travel essentials for kids.
It’s saved us from many a meltdown, kept the kids entertained on long journeys, and encouraged a love of reading.
Whether you’re gearing up for a big trip or just need a reliable way to keep your kids reading, the Kids Kindle is a travel companion you won’t want to leave behind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kindles for Kids
Can I use a regular Kindle for my child?
Yes, but the Kids Kindle offers extra benefits like parental controls, a two-year warranty, and no ads, making it a better choice for young readers.
What happens if my child’s Kindle breaks?
The Kids Kindle comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee, meaning Amazon will replace it if it breaks. It’s a great feature for peace of mind
Are there educational books available on Kindle for kids?
Absolutely! The Kindle store and Kindle Unlimited offer a wide range of educational books for all ages, covering everything from basic reading to advanced topics.
Does a Kindle give off blue light?
It does give off a little, but nothing compared to what a tablet or phone does.
