Best first phones for kids

It can be tough to decide which phone is best for your kids. Nowadays, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a mobile phone handset, but as a parent you have to factor in which model is a good fit for your child, especially since you don’t want their first phone to be a super flashy one, but still want it to offer great apps and handy features.

That’s why we’ve rounded up five of the best first phones for kids, taking price, usability, security and simplicity into consideration. So, here are our top picks:

1. Moto G Play

Keeping kids safe online is always the number-one priority for parents, so a phone like the Motorola Moto G Play is the perfect first phone. It runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, where parental controls can be activated, restricting access to inappropriate online apps available in Google Play store and controlling what children are using their phones for.

A microSD card can also be inserted into the device, which is really handy for parents who want to control what is stored on the device.

2. Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017)

Kids love taking photos and videos of anything and everything around them, making the [Samsung Galaxy A3] (https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/samsung/samsung-galaxy-a3-2017/phone-details) a great choice as a first phone, since it has a front and rear camera, offers fun instant filters and even a floating camera button.

The handset’s curved back is also great for kids, sitting comfortably in the palm of their hand when they’re taking those all-important selfies. The Samsung Galaxy A3 is also waterproof, which is a fantastic feature for kids, especially when they’re tapping away on their phones in the rain, or leaving it in the bathroom by mistake!

3.         Nokia 3310 (3G)

The trusty [Nokia 3310] (https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/nokia/nokia-3310-3g/phone-details?ggCampaign=PS_G_Nokia-3310_Brand_Handset_New_Exact&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1rjizNqF3QIV0xXTCh1ZwQaSEAAYASAAEgLecfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) has been revived since its original release, offering high-tech features but still providing a classic game of snake – a feature that this phone is most commonly known for.

This handset offers everything a child needs out of a phone and comes in a variety of colours, including blue, grey, red and yellow. Even better, it has a 25-day standby battery life and provides 22 hours talk time on a single charge, which ensures parents can keep in touch and not worry about decreasing battery life when kids are on the move.

4.         IMO Q2

The IMO Q2 is a great budget phone that still offers great features of some of the more expensive models out there. It has a classic look and feel, Android Lollipop operating system and up to six hours of talk time. For its price, it allows kids great access to a diverse range of apps; just enough to keep them entertained, but not glued to their phones from morning until night.

5.         Sony Xperia XA

The [Sony Xperia XA] (https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/sony/sony-xperia-xa1-ultra/phone-details) is the perfect beginner’s phone for young children. Its smooth, wide screen is perfect for playing videos, plus the phone’s size is big enough to make use of videos and games, but is comfortable enough to carry without risk of dropping it. This handset is sleek in appearance but also has an affordable price tag, which exactly what you need from a first phone.

As a parent, the introduction of a mobile phone can be a big deal but it also helps us educate our children about responsible use as well as introduce them to budgeting.  But there’s always the fear of that high phone bill, particularly with so many connected apps, so why not bag yourself a giffgaff sim only deal - you pay upfront for your usage so no scary phone bill moments.