Apple’s selection of iPads is great for kids of a certain age (see more on that below). Thanks to the iPad’s beefed-up security, ease of use, and powerful processors, an iPad is a reliable and safe choice. Finding the best tablet for your child shouldn’t be a decision made lightly, but with so many models to choose from, we’re happy to help you find the right choice for your family. Plus, Apple is adding even more tablets to its lineup. New iPad and iPad Air models have recently been released, offering updated processors and a few other changes, which makes the decision even harder.
TL;DR – The Best iPads for Kids in 2025:
An iPad isn’t the cheapest tablet for kids, but there are many reasons why we recommend an iPad over other alternative tablets. 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.
Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Georgie Peru
1. iPad Air 11-Inch (6th Gen)
The Best iPad for Kids
Apple iPad Air 11-Inch (6th Generation)
0
Apple’s 6th-Gen iPad Air boasts an M2 chip, offering better performance, and plenty of configuration options
Screen size
11” Liquid Retina
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Cameras
12-megapixel Wide rear (4K video), Panorama (up to 63MP)
Colors
Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray
Lacks compatibility with Apple Pencil 2
The Apple iPad Air 11-inch is a fantastic tablet for kids, offering an ideal blend of performance, durability, and user-friendliness. With 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.
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.
The iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), which is great for drawing, taking notes, and engaging in creative projects. As fun as the iPad Air is to use, parents should be mindful of implementing safety features, and te 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, and content restrictions can be easily set up to filter out inappropriate material.
Looking to grab the latest generation of this tablet? New models of the iPad Air offering an M3 chip for a boost to perfromance are now available.
2. iPad (10th Gen)
Best iPad for eLearning
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
0
A repositioned 12-megapixel front-facing camera, upgraded design, a faster A14 Bionic processor, and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display make this iPad a standout.
Screen size
10.9” Liquid Retina
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
Cameras
12-megapixel Wide rear (4K video), 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide landscape front-facing
Colors
Silver, pink, blue, yellow
Redesigned landscape front-facing camera
Sharp upgrade from 9th Generation iPad
More expensive than 9th Generation iPad
With a freshly repositioned 12-megapixel front-facing camera, the 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 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 the 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 and you have an exceptional tablet for fun and school.
While the iPad Air comes highly recommended for its M-series chips, the 10th Gen iPad will save you major dough. We also finally got an update to the iPad, and when IGN’s experts get their hands on the device, it may end up taking its predecessor’s spot. The 11th-generation iPad offers an A16 processor and doubles the starting storage of previous iPad models, and it’s available now.
3. iPad Mini (2024)
Best iPad for Small Kids and Bookworms
Apple iPad Mini (2024)
0
Compact iPad weighing just over half a pound and offering an 8.3-inch display, making it a solid handheld option.
Screen size
8.3” Liquid Retina
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Cameras
12-megapixel Wide rear, 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide front-facing
Colors
Blue, purple, space gray, starlight
All the power of a mainline iPad in a smaller package
More expensive than larger iPad 10th Generation
Bigger doesn’t always mean better, especially for avid readers and those with smaller hands. While we love the large eye-catching displays of other iPads, they can be a bit unwieldy for children. That’s where the iPad mini shines. It still offers a stunning Liquid Retina display but drops its size down to 8.3 inches, making it far more manageable for little hands and one-handed holding.
While the iPad mini is closer in size to an e-reader – which is why it’s one of our favorite reading tablets – it’s still full of all the functionality expected from an Apple tablet. The A17 Pro chip in this seventh-generation model might not have the performance prowess of Apple’s M-series silicon but with the tablet’s compact size and 8GB of RAM, it’s still ready to chew through all the best children’s reading apps and can even take on games.
Storage shouldn’t be a major issue with the updated iPad mini, as the baseline has doubled from its predecessor. With a 128GB starting storage, it’s ready to be packed with downloaded books, videos, games, and more for plenty of entertainment on road trips or long travel days. Plus, plenty of room should still be left over for shooting photos and videos on the iPad mini’s two decently crisp 12-megapixel cameras. Support for Apple’s Pencil (USB-C) and Pencil Pro also means kids can color in some mess-free masterpieces.
4. iPad Pro 11-Inch (7th Gen)
Best iPad for Teens
Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch (7th Generation)
0
Featuring Apple’s M4 chip, the iPad Pro is the best iPad available, with increased performance and a stunning Ultra Retina XDR display
Screen size
11” Ultra Retina XDR
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Cameras
12-megapixel Wide rear (4K video), Panorama (up to 63MP)
Colors
Silver, Space Black
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 and notetaking 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. 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.
After purchasing such a high-powered device, a pair of great wireless earbuds can go a long way. The speakers are top-notch on the iPad Pro, but who wants to listen to their kids blaring music and videos all day? IGN expert Nick Woodard reviewed the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, giving the earbuds high praise and putting them close to the level of the pricer AirPods Pro 2. However, we recommend only grabbing them for older, more responsible kids.
5. iPad (9th Generation)
Best Budget iPad for Kids
Apple iPad (9th Generation)
0
Spend less with this budget tablet that still delivers a solid performance and a crisp 10.2-inch Retina display.
Screen size
10.2” Retina
Battery life
Up to 10 hours
Cameras
8-megapixel Wide rear (1080p video), 12-megapixel Ultra-Wide front-facing
Still currently supported by Apple with updated OS
Camera somewhat lacking compared to newer models
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. 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. At under $300 brand new, the price alone makes this an easy option for a lot of folks.
Sure, the 9th-Generation iPad doesn’t have all the same features and updated designs of the newer model – but it’s still a functional 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, 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 draining your wallet.
Upcoming iPads
Apple’s releases for 2025 include new iPad Air models now running an M3 chip and the 11th-gen iPad with a A16 processor.
In May 2024, Apple released iPad Air and iPad Pro models, both offering 11-inch and 13-inch versions. Later that year, the 7th generation iPad mini came out offering an A17 Pro processor for better performance and Apple Intelligence support.
How to Pick the Best iPad for Kids
When it comes to choosing a premium product for a kid, finding the balance between budget and features is what matters most. You’ll need to consider your child’s individual needs and what they will be using their iPad for. After all, what would a 5 year old do with over 500GB of storage?
This is why we recommend the more premium models, such as the iPad Pro, to parents of teenagers and college-aged students with specialized interests that will make use of premium specs and features. We also recommend smaller display sizes for smaller hands.
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 10 year old, but in a few short years that same kid could be making even greater use of their iPad Air as their tech skills and education advance. Best to make sure it hangs in there for the long run with an iPad case to minimize any potential risk of damage.
iPads for Kids FAQ
At what age should you get your kid their own iPad?
Before deciding to get your kid their own iPad, note that the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests no screen time or devices for children younger than 2 years old in general. A study from 2019 linked early and excessive screentime for children from ages 3 to 5 to struggles with expressive langauge processing later. In a PC Mag survey from the same year, 26% of parents thought that getting kids 6-8 years old a tablet was fine, with 27% responding 9-11 years old, and 23% said 12-15. 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:
ProCase Kids Case
3
Kids are prone to accidents, so this case that’s thick and lightweight with a handle is ideal for keeping the iPad safe.
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 children are using their devices for the appropriate amount of time and not granted unfettered access to the internet.
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.
