CES 2016 showcased a lot of tech geared towards kids, but with so many options available, it can be daunting for parents to figure out which gadgets will be helpful to their children's development and education, and which ones will just be money thrown into a hole in the ocean.

Whether you agree with the notion or not, parents are buying expensive tablets and iPads for their kids at an increasing rate. Some hail the benefit of tablets as a tool for education while others think that giving a child a so-called surrogate or digital babysitter is just lazy parenting. However, if parents took the time to assess their child's learning styles and did their research, the right tablets can indeed be beneficial to their children and don't necessarily have to cost a small fortune.

Some tech companies, such as Microsoft and Intel, are coming up with interactive tools to help parents navigate the world of technology to find the best gadgets for their kids. In Australia, the website devicesforschool.com.au aims to guide parents find the specific device that is best suited for a particular child's learning style.

According to research conducted by Microsoft Australia, the top learning styles exhibited by children are Analytical Problem Solver, Creative and Visual, and Literary and Gamer. It is important for parents and educators to identify each child's learning style properly to get them a device that will help their growth and development rather than hinder them.

There's more to the tablet world than the iPad so instead of buying the priciest tablets and gadgets available thinking that they must be the best since they're expensive, go into gadget-buying as a long-term investment into your child's intellectual and creative development.

"The wrong device has the potential to hinder a student's growth and development. There is no 'one size fits all' school device as every individual has their own needs, and it's important to take this into account when shopping for a device," said Pip Cleaves, the head teacher and Senior Education Consultant at Design, Learn, Empower, and also a parent herself.

Parents are encouraged to take the time to assess their children honestly and determine the best tablet for them based on user reviews on forums, and even specialty groups to help find tablets designed for kids with learning disabilities.

A little more time and effort put into buying a new tablet can go a long way if done right.

Photo: Tim McCune | Flickr