Whether it’s for work, education, or leisure, computers are an integral part of our daily lives. For kids, having their own computer is almost a basic need, if it isn’t already, especially in the digital age as they need to learn, do homework, and enjoy some entertainment.
If your child loves playing games and you want to get them off your devices for peace of mind, you can buy a gaming laptop that’s not only suitable for kids but that’s also multipurpose for their needs.
There’s a whole slew of gaming laptops out there, but not all of them are suitable for kids, especially tweens or younger children. For such an age group, you need to invest in something that doesn’t cost a lot and is still capable of handling their schoolwork.
If this sounds like you, here are the best gaming laptops for kids to give the young gamer in your family.
Best Gaming laptops for Kids
1. Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 is a budget-range gaming laptop that offers an excellent gaming experience. The laptop is sturdy and features a hard-edged futuristic design with sleek angles and lines, a plastic chassis with red accents, and the iron-red backlight for its keyboard to illuminate the keys.
Dual fan cooling is made possible via the Acer Coolboost technology with increased fan speeds and cooling ability. On top of that, you get a fast NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card that delivers lightning-fast graphics for great gaming and high-powered processing from its 7th gen Intel Core i5 processor.
You also get epic audio from Acer’s TrueHarmony and Dolby Audio Premium that catches every detail of the game and immerses you in pure sound.
The Nitro 5 is effortless to upgrade, and you can always add more RAM or storage based on your child’s needs to prolong the laptop’s life.
What makes this gaming laptop great for kids is that it’s sturdy, has a generous port selection, a great processor and graphics card for great gaming, and easy access RAM and storage upgrades.
You get a decent hard drive, average viewing angles, and maximum 60Hz refresh rate, but those won’t get in the way of keeping the young gamer happy when they’re done with their work.
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2. MSI GL65 Leopard
MSI is a world-leading gaming brand and the most trusted name in eSports and gaming. The MSI GL65 Leopard makes for a great gaming laptop to get for your kid thanks to its smooth 15.6-inch display with a high refresh rate for vibrant and smooth gameplay.
Under the hood is an Intel Core i5 processor for unparalleled gaming and a GTX 1660 Ti graphics card built on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture for supercharged graphics. You also get CPU and GPU cooling technology for maximum airflow and thermals for smooth performance and gaming in a compact chassis.
Most kids love fancy lighting and colors, which is why the MSI GL65 Leopard is an excellent choice as it comes with customizable lighting. You get to customize each key to your child’s liking and receive real-time in-game status updates.
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3. Microsoft Surface Go 2
The Surface Go line of laptops is not only good for work but also for play. The laptop comes with a premium design, affordable price, and a great processor.
The framerate is also steady and games will look great on their screen, which means your child can enjoy a fun and smooth experience.
Under the hood is an Intel Pentium Gold processor, Intel UHD graphics card, 4GB or 8GB RAM, and up to nine hours of battery life. The laptop is small, lightweight, and fits easily in a backpack with fantastic laptop performance and tablet portability.
Plus, it’s fast, efficient, and can run other day-to-day software and apps easily. Its design is sleek and slim with a stunning 10-inch PixelSense display for gaming, watching videos, browsing, or working.
Your child can also use it for their homework and other assignments as it works perfectly with all Microsoft Office apps including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
They can also use it for drawing thanks to its supported pen and touch display, but you’ll need to buy the keyboard because it’s not included with the laptop.
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4. Dell G5 15 SE (2020)
Dell has been in the laptop manufacturing industry for many years and it’s no surprise that it offers some of the best gaming laptops for kids too.
The Dell G5 15 SE is a great example that touts impressive specs, especially in the processor department, while maintaining performance and affordability.
This machine comes with wild CPU performance, seven hours of battery life, a bright display, and a healthy port offering. Plus, its AMD graphics card can hold its own even with resource-intensive or demanding gaming titles.
The keyboard is comfortable and the display is bright and vivid. With all these great features, your child will not only enjoy gaming with this laptop but also have fun while studying.
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5. MSI GF63
The MSI GF62 is a thin and light gaming laptop that offers strong gaming performance in a compact chassis. The machine is designed for entry-level players who want to game but don’t want to spend much on a gaming computer.
You get an Intel Core i7 processor with a 15.6-inch IPS-level display, multi-touch pad, USB connectivity, and an NVIDIA GeForce 1050 Ti graphics card that allows you to play most modern games at low settings.
The reasonably priced laptop also provides fast rendering and a thin bezel design for immersive visuals. Plus, it’s ideal if you favor portability and if you need more storage, you can do that via the multiple USB ports and connect external storage solutions.
Other integrated features include Bluetooth, WiFi, HDMI output, speakers, microphones, a webcam, and audio jacks.
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6. ASUS TUF Gaming FX705
ASUS is another established electronics brand renowned for its powerful computers. The ASUS TUF Gaming FX705 laptop delivers strong performance and vivid display all at a great price.
It’s a great choice for kids or anyone else who wants a midrange but large yet affordable machine. Inside is a 144-Hz display that’s vivid and detailed, a GTX 1060 GPU graphics card, and a Core i7 CPU for excellent all-around performance.
You also get a comfortable keyboard with customizable lighting, more than four hours of battery life, plenty of ports, and smooth frames for playing games and watching movies.
Strong performance, vivid display, reasonable price, and great specs make the ASUS TUF a solid mid-level gaming laptop you can get for your child.
7. CUK GE66 Raider
This is another MSI gaming laptop that comes at a higher price but with more benefits and options. You get an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD for ample storage and rapid start-ups.
The laptop also comes with Windows 10, a 15.6-inch full HD display with 240Hz, energy-efficient LED backlight, impressive color, and clarity.
With such great specs, you can not only run numerous programs and tabs at once but also run graphics-heavy laptop games smoothly thanks to the high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM.
The CUK G66 Raider is thin and lightweight for better portability. You also get a built-in HD webcam with a microphone, which is good for online class meetings, a mini DisplayPort, headphone/microphone combo jack, and Thunderbolt port for connecting external drives and advanced monitors.
While this is a high-end machine, it’s backed by the great reputation of MSI, which is a solid brand in its league, especially for gaming laptops. You may want to get this for an older child, probably a teenager, who can better manage the machine without damaging it much.
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8. Lenovo Legion 5i
Lenovo is another renowned brand in the computer space and the Legion 5i doesn’t disappoint.
This gaming laptop is a good option if you have the budget for it, as it comes with better specs compared to the budget options we’ve mentioned above. You get Windows 10 Home, 16GB RAM, a 15.6-inch display, 1TB SSD, and 6.8 hours of battery life.
The laptop delivers a gaming experience like never before thanks to its Intel Dynamic Tuning, Intel Thermal Velocity Boost, and Intel WiFi 6. Also included is the Coldfront 2.0 system that cools and dissipates heat while gaming, and an NVIDIA Turing GPU architecture with the RTX 2060 for fast yet quiet performance.
The Legion 5i also has multiple ports and slots including a USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, microphone or headphone combo, and a Kensington lock slot.
Your child will enjoy the fastest possible refresh rate as the Legion 5i provides 240Hz refresh rates and 1ms response times. This coupled with the Harman Kardon speaker system and Dolby Atmos Headphone support provides great audio from any direction while they play their favorite games.
9. Dell G3 Gaming Laptop
The Dell G3 is a nice gaming laptop on a budget that’s worth considering. The laptop gives you value for money thanks to its respectable specs that include a powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card with 4GB GDDR5 graphics memory.
Your child can play games with crystal-clear detail, at higher settings, and with smooth, realistic gameplay for an immersive on-screen experience. Plus, the gameplay is sharp from each angle of this 15-inch screen laptop, with in-plane switching, a wide-viewing angle, and FHD anti-glare display.
There are two front-firing speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Pro for an immersive and superior sound during gaming. The 8th Gen Intel quad-core processor offers powerful yet responsive performance whether your child is watching videos, gaming, or working on their projects.
On top of that, the laptop comes with dual fans that ensure your child experiences uninterrupted gaming while the laptop stays cool under pressure. A 256GB SSD is included for faster performance and reliability, an Ethernet port for quick performance, improved WiFi connectivity, and a 56 WHr battery.
To make gaming even more exciting, the WASD backlit keyboard lights up your child’s games so they can game clearly in low-light settings. For connectivity, there are multiple ports and slots including HDMI, two-in-one SD/MicroMedia card, USB ports, headphone, and microphone ports.
10. Asus VivoBook Gaming Laptop
This gaming laptop sports a frameless NanoEdge display with an ultra-slim bezel, a powerful AMD Radeon RX Vega 10, and an AMD Ryzen 7 3700U 2.30 GHz Quad-Core processor.
The machine has a nice-looking modern style case, plenty of ports including USB-A and USB-C, HDMI, and a MicroSD card reader slot. You also get an HD camera at the top of the bezel, a full HD display with 1920×1080 resolution for clear visuals, and 512GB, which is ample high-speed storage for your child’s games.
The keyboard is an illuminated chiclet type, which is perfect for working in dim environments. Plus, it’s sturdy, ergonomically designed, and offers a comfortable typing experience when your child is doing their schoolwork.
Underneath the keyboard is a metal support brace for a more stable platform when your child is using the touchpad or typing. The brace also protects internal components and strengthens the hinge joint.
11. Dell Inspiron 15 7567
If your child loves to game on the go, the Dell Inspiron 15 7567 is a great option no matter where they’re headed. The machine has a reliable Intel Core i5 quad-core processor that ensures they can play even action-heavy titles, while the NVIDIA graphics card keeps them immersed in the game’s visual aspects.
The laptop has a large 15.6-inch anti-glare, widescreen LED-backlit display for comfortable gaming, 256GB SSD similar to those found on high-end units, a built-in media reader, and Bluetooth.
Plus, it’s powerful enough for your child to enjoy playing most modern games smoothly and is styled better than other gaming-focused laptops.
The laptop also comes with Windows 10 Home so they can do their work or assignments, multiple USB ports, an HDMI port, and a Kensington Security slot.
It’s a great first gaming laptop for your child, and you can easily upgrade the RAM or hard drive or snap-in new components by yourself. While it’s a bit heavier than other gaming laptops for kids, it’s a solid choice if you just want a basic gaming laptop.
12. MSI GE75 Raider 2020
This MSI gaming laptop is designed to deliver a powerful gaming experience. It is packed with great features such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card, a dedicated 6GB GDDR6, and a 17.3-inch full HD IPS-level display with thin bezels.
For faster gaming, the MSI GE75 Raider gaming laptop comes with an i7 Intel Core processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, and 32GB RAM so your kids can conquer any latest game without lagging.
On top of that, the gaming laptop has a solid build quality so your child won’t damage or destroy it anytime soon, especially when disappointed after losing a game. Plus, you get Windows 10 Home, Bluetooth, giant speakers, Micro SD card slot, media card reader, and multiple USB ports.
It’s a great investment and powerful gaming laptop with a stunning design, solid construction that’s lightweight enough for your child to carry around, long battery life, and crisp, clear images.
13. Razer Blade Stealth 13 Ultrabook
For older kids, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 Ultrabook is a great choice. The ultralight and ultrathin gaming laptop is designed for mobility and durability thanks to its aluminum frame and sturdy body.
Its specs are built to deliver great performance and an immersive gaming experience. Among these great features include an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card so you can blaze through games, 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and super-fast 120Hz Full HD display for smooth visuals in games.
Plus, it comes with a Razer Chroma keyboard, precision glass touchpad, and multiple ports for complete connectivity including USB-A, USB-C, and Thunderbolt ports, HD webcam, and 4-array mics.
The laptop also packs seven full hours of long battery life, which is great for gaming, and your child can enjoy the crisp sound, vivid images, and portability for gaming on the go.
14. Acer Predator Helios 300
The Acer Predator Helios 300 drops your child into the game with everything they need. The gaming laptop is armed with a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card, 144Hz IPS panel and 3ms Overdrive response time, and a 10thGen Intel Core i7 processor.
This way, your child can enjoy clear, crisp, and high-octane gameplay whether playing alone, with friends, or with you during family game night.
While its six-hour battery life isn’t the best compared to other gaming laptops on this list, this midrange-priced gaming laptop is still among the best for kids, especially older boys.
The design is a lot cooler in comparison than previous Predator Helios gaming laptops, and you get powerful hardware with 1080p gaming and super-fast performance in maximum settings.
Plus, your child can use it for schoolwork, streaming music or videos, and browsing the web when they’re not gaming. The machine is capable of handling 20 browser tabs simultaneously without lagging.
The cooling system is just okay as the machine can stay relatively cool while gaming, but for long-term use, you may want to limit your child’s gaming time to get the best performance.
What To Look For In A Gaming Laptop For Kids
With a whole slew of gaming laptops to choose from, it can be daunting trying to find one specifically for your child, regardless of their age. Here are some factors to consider.
Budget
There are budget gaming laptops and high-end but costlier options. If you’re low on cash, you can go with the more affordable options on our list though they may not offer the best specs for gaming.
However, if you have younger kids, you can go for low-cost or midrange options but with sturdier builds that are easier to use and navigate.
If you have the budget, you can find value-focused gaming laptops or luxury ones especially for older kids who can take good care of their laptop.
Graphics Card and Processor
A gaming laptop must be able to handle the games your child will play. For this reason, the GPU and processor should be powerful enough to enable them to play light or resource-heavy games.
Check for entry-level graphics cards like the GTX 1050 or higher, and AMD or next-gen Intel Core i5 or higher processors.
Storage
Games tend to take up a significant amount of space on gaming laptops, which is why you should find options with at least 8GB to 16GB for light and resource-heavy games. If you get one with HDD and SSD, you have ample storage to play any game.
Screen
The size of the screen may not be an issue as such, but at least 15 inches is satisfactory for most gamers. You can get a 13 or 14-inch option for your child because of portability, but it may not offer a great experience as larger screens would.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re buying a gaming laptop for your child’s birthday or for schoolwork, playing games is part of the package.
Any of these 14 gaming laptops for kids will ensure they play games without struggle and have an exciting experience while they’re at it.
