No matter how old your child is, Apple’s selection of iPads is great for kids. Thanks to the iPad’s beefed-up security, ease of use, and powerful processors, an iPad is a reliable and safe choice for kids of all ages. Finding the perfect tablet for your child shouldn’t be a decision made lightly, but with so many models to choose from, we’re confident you’ll find the right choice for your family.
TL;DR – The Best iPads for Kids in 2024:
- iPad Air 11-Inch (6th Generation) – Best Overall
- iPad (10th Generation) – Best for eLearning
- iPad Mini (6th Generation) – Best for Small Kids & Bookworms
- iPad Pro 11-Inch (7th Generation) – Best for Teens
- iPad (9th Generation) – Best Budget Pick
Sure, an iPad isn’t the cheapest tablet for kids, but there are many reasons why we recommend an iPad over other alternative tablets. And if you’re worried about the longevity of your iPad, there are plenty of great iPad accessories you can invest in, like protective iPad cases, Apple’s Magic Keyboard, and so on.
1. iPad Air 11-Inch (6th Gen)
The best iPad for kids
The Apple iPad Air 11-inch is a fantastic tablet for kids, offering a perfect blend of performance, durability, and user-friendly features. Thanks to its M2 chip, kids (and adults) will be able to enjoy apps, games, and videos without any lag, making it ideal for educational purposes and entertainment. The improved graphics capabilities are also a big plus, allowing kids to enjoy gaming and creative activities like drawing and video editing with ease.
But choosing the best tablet for kids isn’t just about functionality. The iPad Air is designed with kids in mind; it is lightweight and portable, weighing just over a pound, which makes it easy for children to carry around, whether they are at home or on the go. And the inclusion of Touch ID adds a layer of security while being simple enough for kids to use.
The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which is perfect for drawing, taking notes, and engaging in creative projects. This feature encourages creativity and learning in a fun and interactive way. But, as fun as the iPad Air is to use, safety shouldn’t be ignored. The iPad Air addresses this with robust parental controls. The Screen Time feature allows parents to set limits on how long their children can use the device, promoting a healthy balance between learning and play. Additionally, content restrictions can be easily set up to filter out inappropriate material, giving parents peace of mind.
2. iPad (10th Gen)
Best iPad for eLearning
With a freshly repositioned 12-megapixel front-facing camera, the new mainline iPad was designed with video chatting, and keyboard attachments in mind.
With just as many bells and whistles as the other models, what makes the redesigned 10th-Generation iPad stick out from the crowd is its repositioned front camera, which is now centered when the tablet is in landscape mode, rather than portrait mode. Now, when combined with the compatible Magic Keyboard Folio, we have an iPad that bridges the gap between tablet and laptop like never before; Making the 10th Generation iPad our top choice when it comes to eLearning and online tutoring.
This isn’t the only upgrade from last year's 9th Generation iPad – Throw in the A14 Bionic chip, a sharper than ever 12-megapixel rear camera with 4K video, USB-C charging port , and a wholly redesigned case: You have an exceptional tablet for fun and school.
While the iPad Air comes highly recommended for its M1 chip, this iPad will save $150 over the iPad Air, while sacrificing little processing power.
3. iPad Mini (6th Generation)
Best iPad for small kids & bookworms
The smallest iPad available with a compact screen size of 8.3”, iPad Mini is the most comfortable fit for little hands and the most portable.
While we love the large eye-catching displays of every other iPad, they can be a bit unwieldy for children, especially young kids who might struggle to keep a grip on them. The iPad Mini is here to offer the natural solution with the most compact tablet Apple makes.
Closer in size to an eReader while still sporting all the familiar features you’d expect, the iPad Mini is the perfect handheld tablet for kids on the go and young readers alike. With 64gb and 256gb storage options, your kids will have the freedom to load this tablet with all the reading apps they love and have plenty of room left over for games or shooting photos and videos with one of its two 12MP cameras. With that said, the impressive A15 Bionic chip and compatibility with Apple Pencil assures this iPad is still powerful and versatile, despite its size.
4. iPad Pro 11-Inch (7th Gen)
Best iPad for teens
The Apple iPad Pro is our recommendation for older kids and teens. Equipped with the powerful M4 chip, the iPad Pro ensures a seamless and fast user experience, even when running demanding apps, games, and videos. This high level of performance is particularly beneficial for educational purposes, enabling kids to use resource-intensive learning apps without any lag.
The iPad Pro is built with premium materials, ensuring durability that can withstand everyday use and the occasional drop or bump, which is useful if your child is in high school or college. The 11-inch Liquid Retina Display delivers an exceptional visual experience with sharp, vibrant, and clear images. The ProMotion technology and P3 Wide Color make the display easy on the eyes, reducing strain during extended use. The iPad Pro also boasts impressive battery life, providing up to 10 hours of usage, so teens can enjoy their tablet throughout the day without frequent recharging.
As is the case with other iPad models, the iPad Pro features robust parental controls, allowing you to set limits on device usage and content restrictions. If you’re looking for the best iPad for teens, the iPad Pro is a great choice, and something they can hang on to and make use of for years to come.
5. iPad (9th Generation)
Best budget iPad for kids
Not the newest or the top of the line, but at only a few years old, this tablet still has a lot to offer for families on a budget.
- Also see at Best Buy
The previous generation of iPad is still a popular choice if you want the reliability and power of a modern tablet device without breaking the bank. For a lot of folks the price alone makes this an easy option, at only $329 brand new.
Sure, the 9th-Generation iPad doesn’t have all the same features and updated designs of the newer model – but it’s still an iPad. The A13 Bionic chip is a high performer with fast processing speeds; backed up by long battery life, Apple Pencil compatibility, Smart Keyboard, and the same familiar storage options.
The 9th Generation iPad is still supported by Apple and runs on the current iPadOS 17 operating system, making it far from out-of-date and a viable tablet to hang on to for a few years with little need to upgrade. So whether it’s for your little ones streaming and entertainment needs, or your school-age kids reading and studying, this budget friendly iPad will provide all the same essentials you expect from an iPad without emptying your wallet.
Upcoming iPads
The latest iPad Air and iPad Pro models released in May 2024, both offering 11-inch and 13-inch versions.
The redesigned iPad Air is now powered by Apple's M2 chip, which is substantially more powerful than its previous version. The new landscape front camera and support for Apple Pencil Pro are also notable.
The latest iPad Pro skipped the M3 chip, and instead comes equipped with Apple's incredible M4 chip. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch models boast a stunning Ultra Retina XDR display.
How to Pick the Best iPad for Kids
iPads are widely considered to be premium in the tablet market. When it comes to choosing a premium product for a youngster, finding the balance between budget and features is what matters most. Then, you’ll need to consider your kid as an individual and what they will be using their iPad for. After all, what would a five year old do with over 500-gigabytes of storage? That’s more educational apps and books than an adult could manage without getting a headache!
This is why we recommend the more premium models, such as iPad Pro, to parents of teenagers with specialized interests that will make use of premium specs and features. We also recommend smaller display sizes for smaller hands to grip them, while cases are always a necessity when it comes to giving a kid a tablet you may want to simply minimize the risk for drops and screen cracking.
An iPad can be seen as more of an investment for the price, a device that is meant to last years and stay current with your child's evolving needs and interests. The iPad Air, for instance, may seem a little too techy for a ten year old, but in a few short years your ten year old could be making even greater use of their iPad Air as their tech skills and education advance.
FAQs
At what age should I get my kid their own iPad?
Considering that the iPad is a premium tablet, we recommend waiting it out until your kid is at least three or four years old before making the investment in a tablet typically marketed to adults and teenagers. Note that the American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests no screen time or devices for children younger than two years old in general. No matter when the time is right for you as a parent, you'll want to customize the iPad for your kid(s) and set boundaries with Screen Time, get Guided Access, and set up more helpful settings right away.
What is the best iPad case for kids?
In order to keep your iPad safe from inevitable accidents, you'll want a heavy-duty case to protect it. Here's our recommended iPad case for kids right now, from Zagg:
What are the advantages of an iPad for kids?
With access to countless books and educational apps, the advantages to giving your child an iPad can be obvious. Many schools around the world have even introduced them into classrooms as supplemental learning tools, with apps like ABC Mouse and iReady. iPads are also compatible with Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, which can enable creativity in young artists and writers.
What are the disadvantages of an iPad for kids?
The main risk is overexposure to screens and access to the internet. Parents and grandparents should be fluent in internet safety and make sure to dig into iPadOS’s ScreenTime and Parental Control settings, to assure their little ones are using their devices for the appropriate amount of time and not granted unfettered access to the internet.
Also be sure to browse the current iPad deals and find out what sales to expect on Black Friday for even more discounts on tablets and more tech this year.
Elayna Willoughby is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering tech and gadgets. She has a lifelong love of gear from gaming consoles to smart phones and keyboards.
