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The Best Drawing Tablets and Apps for Teens

Allison Scovell  |  January 16, 2024

girl with a drawing tablet and illustrated emojis

One of the best things about technology is the art we can make with it! If your child is creatively inclined, it wouldn’t be surprising if they had an itch to explore the world of digital art. Digital art allows you to create anything you can think of without having to find the time, money, and storage for in-real-life art supplies. 

The two things your child will need for digital art are a drawing tablet and a quality design app. There are lots of options to choose from, so we rounded up the top three tablets and top three apps for teens ready to take their virtual drawing skills to the next level. And who knows? This could be the next step towards your child’s future career as an animator for Pixar or a graphic designer for a multi-million dollar company! 

Top 3 Drawing Tablets for Kids and Teens

iPad Pro 

If there’s one drawing tablet that seems to be the most highly recommended for the average digital artist, it’s the iPad Pro (specifically using Procreate, see below for more on that app). From its high-resolution display to its accuracy and responsiveness with Apple Pencil, your teen is sure to find their art groove with the iPad Pro. 

Wacom One 

Wacom is a well-known and highly reputable brand for its drawing tablets. The Wacom One is user-friendly and offers tons of different options to create any piece of art your child desires. It’s also one of Wacom’s more affordable options, which is great for beginners. Parents should know that it requires a home computer to connect to, but fortunately it’s compatible with Mac, PC, Chromebook, as well as certain Android smartphones and tablets. 

Huion Inspiroy 2 m 

Another top dog in the digital art space is Huion Inspiroy. This model is aptly named, as it will surely inspire great works from your teen! Unlike the iPad and Wacom One, this Huion tablet doesn’t have a display, it connects to your computer, phone, or tablet where the image will appear. It’s a little different to get used to, but rest assured artists can pick it up quickly. The Inspiroy’s look and feel is all your kid needs to feel like a professional.

Top Three Drawing Apps for Kids and Teens

Procreate 

As mentioned before, Procreate is a highly recommended drawing program, but it’s only available on iOS products. So keep in mind you’ll need an iPad as well as an Apple pencil for this app. For some artists, the iOS requirement is well worth the complete package of intuitive creative tools that Procreate comes with. With all the available options, it can be a learning curve to take advantage of everything it has to offer. But Procreate can certainly help your child’s art dreams come to life! 

Adobe Fresco 

Adobe Fresco is another loved drawing program that has the features any aspiring artist needs for their digital masterpieces. Both professionals and amateurs alike have utilized Adobe Fresco for their projects. Not to mention it’s compatible with both Apple and Windows drawing tablets. Whether your child is honing their skills in realistic portraits or Bob Ross-like landscapes, Adobe Fresco is a great sidekick to their art adventures! 

Sketchbook

Sketchbook is a perfect fit for true beginners. Its interface is simple and tools are easy to grasp no matter what ideas you bring to the platform. One cool feature it has is the drawing aids and stabilizers that help young artists get those smooth and steady lines. Sketchbook is compatible with Windows, Apple, and Android products. 

How Bark Can Help

Even if your child is using their tech time to enhance their art skills, it’s always good to have balance around screen time. And Bark can help you structure your teen’s screen time in a way that’s the most beneficial for them! With the Bark Home, you can create schedules for any internet-connected device in the home and have it shut off when it’s time for a screen break. So whether it’s your child’s iPad Pro or their Chromebook connected to their Wacom tablet, you can be sure your teen is following a healthy tech routine! Learn more about the Bark Home and order one today.

Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.

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