Drawing Tablets for Kids and Hobby Artists
Last verified: August 2026
Digital drawing is a joy for kids and hobbyists alike, but the choices are confusing. Here's the plain difference between the types, what an iPad with Procreate really costs, and where to start.
About drawing tablets
“Drawing tablet” covers a few very different things, and picking the wrong type leads to disappointment. A pen tablet (Wacom Intuos is the classic, around $60–90) is a flat pad with no screen — you draw on the pad while watching your computer's monitor, which takes a little getting used to but is affordable and durable. A screen tablet lets you draw directly on a display, which feels natural but costs more. And an iPad with an Apple Pencil is the all-in-one favorite: you draw right on the iPad's screen, and it's also a normal tablet.
For the iPad path, the beloved app is Procreate, and here's the good news — it's a one-time $12.99, not a subscription. The cheapest current iPad works with a Pencil and runs around $329; nicer iPads cost more but aren't needed to start. Add it up and Procreate plus a basic iPad is a complete, no-monthly-fee art studio.
For young children, don't overthink it: a simple LCD “doodle pad” costs a few dollars and gives endless scribbling fun with no setup. When they're ready for real digital art, step up to a pen tablet or an iPad. Names to know include Wacom, Huion, XP-Pen, and Apple.
When to skip the DIY and just call: Choosing the right type of tablet for the artist · Getting the app and pen set up · Learning the first few steps so it doesn't gather dust.
Common Questions
1 Which type of drawing tablet is right?
- Pen tablet (no screen): most affordable; you draw on a pad and watch the monitor.
- Screen tablet: you draw right on a display — natural feel, higher price.
- iPad + Apple Pencil: all-in-one, draw on the screen, doubles as a normal tablet.
- For a curious beginner on a budget, a Wacom pen tablet is a great start.
- For the most enjoyable, portable experience, an iPad with Procreate is hard to beat.
2 What does an iPad art setup really cost?
- Procreate is a one-time $12.99 — no monthly subscription.
- The most affordable current iPad is around $329 and works with an Apple Pencil.
- The Apple Pencil is a separate purchase; check which one your iPad model needs.
- Nicer iPads cost more but aren't required to start.
- All told, a basic iPad plus Procreate is a full studio with no ongoing fees.
3 What's best for young kids?
- For little ones, a simple LCD doodle pad is cheap, sturdy, and needs no setup.
- For school-age kids ready for real art, a basic pen tablet on the family computer works well.
- Free apps like Krita (computer) give plenty to explore without spending on software.
- Supervise online features and accounts on any tablet a child uses.
- Keep it fun — no pressure — and let them explore.
4 How do I get started once it arrives?
- For a pen tablet, install the maker's driver so the computer recognizes the pen.
- For an iPad, pair and charge the Apple Pencil and install your drawing app.
- Open the app and try the basic brushes, undo, and layers.
- Watch one short beginner video for your app — it saves a lot of fumbling.
- Want help choosing one and getting it set up and ready to draw? That's an easy $99 visit.
Want a Real Person?
Sometimes the fix takes five minutes — and sometimes you'd rather just have someone come fix it. Either way, I'm a call away. Flat $99 first visit, 30-day follow-up included. No surprises.
This guide is yours, free.
No sign-up, no email, no catch — it's free the way it looks free. Print it, save it, or share it with family. And if you'd rather hand the job off, Bill's two choices are right above: a $99 flat in-home visit or $49 remote help, often same day.