The Best E-Reader for Kids (Any Age)

Best E-Reader for Kids = Screen Time Without the Guilt Trip

As a parent or guardian, you’ve likely already navigated a lot of resources or opinions on screentime. However, e-readers can occupy this nice middle that may deserve another look, especially in the case of colour e-readers.

Whether at home or away, most children interact with screens one way or another, whether with an iPad, a TV, a gaming console or a computer. If you’ve ever wished for them to be reading instead, for learning or for fun, as an alternative to other screens or as an after-activity, a Kobo may be worth considering.

To kids, a Kobo will look and feel like a tablet, only they are a fun way to be presented a story, via audio or the written word. Plus, it will improve their attention span with the lack of notifications and app switching.

This will help kids to read more books, whether to improve their skill, build their vocabulary or to simply guide them see the fun and magic in reading outside of it being a school assignment.

Why Colour E-Readers Make the Difference

While a majority of e-readers have historically been produced in grayscale, releases like the Kobo Libra Colour have a full-colour e-ink display that’s easier on the eyes (no harsh blue lights like with tablets) and bring picture books, comics and illustrated chapter books to life, the way they should look.

Plus, if your child is outside, or anywhere with sun exposure like the car, e-ink displays don’t have glare like shiny tablets do.

For younger readers especially, colour isn’t just about looks but engagement, as bright, colourful illustrations help keep their attention and make reading feel more fun than being just something they’re “supposed to do” or doing “because ____ told me to.”

E-Reader Features Parents Care About

Sometimes kids aren’t the most gentle with their belongings, electronic devices included. Also, physical books (as much as we love them and could never completely replace them) can take up a lot of space.

An e-reader is a solution to both of these challenges.

Kobo Libra Colours, for example, can hold up to 24,000 books in their 32GB of storage, more than Belle and Beast’s castle library! It also weighs less than your common paperback novel and is waterproof, which is clutch if kids ever want to read in the bath, on the beach, near a pool or wandering home from school in the rain.

A major selling point you might appreciate is three words: Public Library Integration

If your local library utilizes Libby or Overdrive, you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for you and your kids directly from your local library to read on your Kobo.

No need to buy new books every time your child is done or bored with theirs, no need to drive anywhere, no late fees; just tap to borrow and read (and authors are still supported!)

I like to include audiobooks in talks about Kobos and e-readers because for kids, audiobooks can feel like the equivalent of being read a story by a family member, teacher or school reading buddy, but on their own time.

E-Readers for Kids at Different Ages and Reading Stages

One thing I think you’ll really love about a Kobo Libra Colour is how it could grow with your child(ren).

For early elementary school children, it’ll make their countless picture books and chapter books feel special. Plus, the font size is fully adjustable, so you can make text bigger for kids who are just learning to read, then adjust as they get more confident or based on their optical needs.

Kobos also have physical page-turn buttons on the side, perfect for little hands that might not like swiping or tapping on the right places on screens.

For older kids, tweens and teens, Kobo Libra Colours are beautiful options for reading graphic novels, comics and illustrated non-fiction. Young adults and adults of all ages will also simply enjoy seeing the cover of the book they’re reading in full colour.

And I can’t reiterate enough the reduction of blue light exposure, thanks to a feature called ComfortLight Pro, which means use of this screen won’t mess with sleep or strain eyes like a phone or tablet would.

The “It Looks Like a Tablet Factor”

Whether we like it, encourage it, or don’t always, kids today are drawn to screens and often associate tablets and phones with fun, games, entertainment or distractions in general. They’re their anti-“I’m bored” solution.

An e-reader takes advantage of that association in a good way. It looks like a tablet. It feels modern and cool like a tablet. But it’s entirely focused on reading or being read to.

For children who are used to having a device handed to them when they’re bored or restless, swapping in an e-reader wouldn’t be a huge adjustment. It’s still a screen. It’s still portable. But instead of passively watching videos, they’re actively engaging with stories of their choosing and never running out of choices.

There’s no moral superiority or shame or judgment here, just a practical observation. If a device that looks like an iPad or tablet makes a child more willing or excited to read, that’s a win for everyone.

A Bonus for Parents

Once you get kids an e-reader, you’re might want to use it too. And you easily can!

They go for weeks on a charge, which means no daily plugging in or carrying a charger everywhere you or they go.

Whether you just want to sneaking it back for some reading time (guilty), or go further and use stylus’ like the Kobo Stylus 2 to annotate or highlight books, an e-reader will be fun for you too.

And honestly? Modeling reading habits is one of the best ways to encourage kids to read. If they see you curled up with a book (or the e-reader), they’re more likely to want to do the same.

Is an E-Reader Right for Your Child?

I don’t want to sound like I’m telling anyone that every kid needs an e-reader or that physical books aren’t good enough to accomplish the same goals. But if you’re looking for a way to encourage reading that meets children where they are, and feels as fun as what screens they might see their friends using, an e-reader is worth considering.

The Kobo Libra Colour checks a lot of boxes: it’s colourful, durable, easy to use, and connects to your local library for free books. It’s designed to last and even repairable (which is rare these days). It also just genuinely makes reading feel accessible and fun, no matter the family reading budget.

Plus, when winter hits like it has recently and everyone’s stuck inside for the 5th -20 snow day in a row, having a portable library that doesn’t require a trip anywhere might just save your sanity.

And if your child gets hooked on reading? Even better.