6 Best Beginner Drawing Tablets For Art Class That Art Teachers Recommend

Your child comes home from school buzzing with excitement about a new digital art class. Or maybe their sketchbook is suddenly filled with characters inspired by their favorite animated shows, and they’ve started asking for a "drawing tablet." As a parent, you want to nurture that creative spark, but stepping into the world of tech gadgets can feel overwhelming and expensive. The real question isn’t just "which tablet to buy," but "which tool is the right investment for my child’s current age, interest, and skill level?"

Screen vs. Screenless Tablets for Young Artists

The first and most important decision you’ll make is whether to get a tablet with a built-in screen or one without. A screenless tablet is a pressure-sensitive pad that you draw on with a stylus, but the image appears on your computer monitor. This requires a bit of hand-eye coordination that can be a hurdle for younger artists, typically those under 10. It takes practice to look at the screen while your hand draws somewhere else.

A tablet with a screen, like an iPad or a dedicated drawing monitor, is much more intuitive. You draw directly on the image, just like with paper. This is far easier for a beginner to grasp, especially for kids in the 7-10 age range who are still developing fine motor control. The trade-off is significant: screen tablets are substantially more expensive and often more delicate.

For most beginner art classes, especially for middle schoolers, art teachers recommend starting with a screenless tablet. It builds foundational digital art skills and is a much smaller financial commitment if your child’s interest wanes. Think of it like learning to drive a manual car before an automatic—it teaches a core skill that makes them a more adaptable artist later on.

Wacom Intuos S: The Reliable Art Class Standard

If your child’s art teacher gave you a list, a Wacom tablet was probably on it. For decades, Wacom has been the industry standard, and the Intuos S is the model we see most often in classrooms and after-school programs. It’s the definition of a reliable, no-fuss tool built to last.

The Intuos S is a fantastic choice for the 10-14 age range. It’s durable enough to be tossed in a backpack, the setup is straightforward, and the pen feels great to use. This is the "buy it right, buy it once" option for a screenless beginner tablet. It provides a professional-level experience at a beginner’s price point, ensuring the hardware will never be what holds your child’s skills back. It’s a safe, solid investment in their creative development.

XP-Pen Deco 01 V2: More Space for Creativity

Does your child love to make big, sweeping arm movements when they draw? Some young artists feel constrained by the smaller active areas on entry-level tablets. The XP-Pen Deco 01 V2 is a fantastic alternative that offers a significantly larger drawing surface for a very similar price to the standard Wacom Intuos.

This extra space can be a game-changer for kids who are transitioning from large sketchbooks to a digital medium. It allows for more freedom of movement and can feel less restrictive, which is crucial for maintaining creative flow. XP-Pen has become a trusted name among artists, and this model is frequently recommended by teachers looking for a high-value alternative to the bigger brands. It’s a perfect fit for a budding artist who needs a little more room to grow.

Huion Inspiroy H640P: Top Value for Beginners

You see the spark in your child’s eye, but you’ve also seen a guitar gather dust in the corner and soccer cleats worn only twice. If you’re looking to support a new interest without a major financial outlay, the Huion Inspiroy H640P is an excellent choice. It delivers a surprisingly solid drawing experience at a price point that makes it easy to say "yes" to a new hobby.

This tablet is a top pick for parents who are "testing the waters." It has all the core features a beginner needs—pressure sensitivity, a battery-free pen, and programmable shortcut keys—without the higher price tag. It’s a fantastic way to gauge your child’s commitment level. If they use it consistently for six months and are asking for more, you can feel confident about upgrading later. If not, you’ve provided a quality tool without breaking the bank.

Apple iPad & Pencil: All-in-One Digital Canvas

Let’s address the big one. The iPad is an incredible creative tool, and for good reason. The experience of drawing directly on the screen with an Apple Pencil is intuitive, satisfying, and portable. If your family already owns a compatible iPad, purchasing an Apple Pencil is often the most logical and effective entry into digital art.

However, buying an iPad specifically for art class is a much larger conversation. Its high cost makes it a significant investment, best suited for older teens (14+) who have demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to art. The iPad’s versatility is its greatest strength; it can be used for schoolwork, photo editing, and animation, making it a multi-purpose device. If you do invest in an iPad, you’re investing in a powerful tool for a highly dedicated young artist, not just a beginner’s drawing tablet.

Gaomon S620: A Compact Tablet for Small Desks

Remember that a drawing tablet has to live somewhere. For many kids, that "somewhere" is a bedroom desk already crowded with homework, books, and LEGO creations. The Gaomon S620 is a wonderful, compact option that delivers a great drawing experience without demanding a lot of physical space.

Its smaller footprint makes it easy to tuck away when not in use, a practical feature that parents often overlook. Despite its size, it packs all the necessary specs for a beginner, making it a favorite for online art classes where desk space is at a premium. This is a perfect example of matching the gear not just to the child, but to the reality of your home environment.

One by Wacom: The Simplest First Digital Pen

Is your child easily overwhelmed by new technology? Some beginner tablets come with a row of shortcut buttons that, while useful, can be confusing for a true novice. The One by Wacom strips all of that away, offering the purest, simplest introduction to digital drawing available.

There are no buttons on the tablet itself. It’s just a surface and a pen. This allows a child, especially in the 8-10 age range, to focus entirely on learning the hand-eye coordination of drawing on the tablet while looking at the screen. It removes a layer of complexity, making the transition from paper to pixel as smooth as possible. It’s an affordable, focused tool designed to build one skill, and it does it exceptionally well.

Choosing Software for Your Child’s New Tablet

The tablet is only half of the equation. It’s the hardware, but the software is the studio—it’s the canvas, brushes, and paint. Many parents buy a tablet and then realize they don’t have a program to use with it. Before you buy anything, check with the art teacher to see what software the class will be using.

Fortunately, there are incredible free programs that are perfect for beginners. Krita and Medibang Paint are powerful, popular, and cost nothing to download. They are more than capable for any beginner or intermediate artist. Starting with free software is a smart way to keep initial costs low while your child explores their new tool.

As their skills grow, they may ask about paid, industry-standard software like Clip Studio Paint (for illustration and comics) or Procreate (an iPad-only favorite). These are fantastic programs, but they represent the next step. Let your child master the basics on a free program first. When they start hitting the limits of what the free software can do, that’s the right time to consider investing in a professional-grade application.

Ultimately, the best tablet is the one that gets your child excited to create art. Don’t get caught up in having the most expensive or professional gear from day one. The goal is to provide a reliable tool that matches their current enthusiasm and your family’s budget. By focusing on their developmental stage and practical needs, you can make a smart choice that nurtures their passion and gives them the right canvas to bring their imagination to life.