Our kids hump their iPads . The simple mindedness of tapping on the screen when they want thing to take place means they can learn to use them in seconds , but there ’s plenty that Apple ’s tablets can do . Whether it ’s educational game , amusement apps , using them to create artistry with an Apple Pencil or just something to stop them become bored on auto journeys , iPads can be a windfall .
Choosing the right one can finger a morsel daunting . After all , do n’t they all do the same things ? What ’s the difference of opinion between the normal iPad and the iPad Air ? Is an iPad mini too small or just perfect ? Well , we ’re here to simplify things so you’re able to be certain you ’re buying the right one .
In this clause , we give away our top selection of iPads for Thomas Kid , and share advice onwhether you should buy an iPad for a child , if you needcellular , andhow much storageyou should get . Read on for more entropy .
you could also scan ourbest iPhone and iPad apps for kidsguide to get them off to a upright beginning . Plus , we have a roundup of thebest iPhones for kidsif you want to plunge them to the full in the Apple world as they develop up .
Best iPad for kids and toddlers
At the time of writing , Apple offers four categories of iPad , which are as follows .
We would n’t recommend the iPad Pro for children , as you ’d just be pay quite respectable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just wo n’t need . The standard iPad and iPad mini ambit offer plentifulness of scope and power for younger drug user , and the iPad Air will satisfy the more demanding adolescent . Our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros . When it comes to older educatee though , it ’s a potentially dissimilar argument , but the practiced news is you’re able to put that off for a few years and save up for the more expensive iPad in the meantime .
talk of economy , check out our round - up of the salutary iPad deals you could get on the whole range of iPads here : The best iPad sight .
Here ’s our advice on which iPad to choose when grease one’s palms for a child .
iPad Air (M3) – Best iPad for bigger kids
Pros
convict
For most children , the Air is probably a routine above what they require , but if your kid is mature up and looking for something to facilitate them with school assignment ( as well as playing the in style plot ) then the Air is a great package .
Powered by the M3 chip that has also featured in recent version of the MacBook Air , iMac and MacBook Pro , the iPad Air ( which come up in 11 - inch and 13 - in varieties ) is a loyal and very capable twist . The M3 chip also means that the iPad Air can use Apple Intelligence ( the party ’s entourage of AI - tools ) which pop the question help with writing , looking up info about anything you put in front of the cameras , plus a chain of mountains of other helpful features .
You wo n’t have any job running the latest apps on the iPad Air , and with up to 10 60 minutes electric battery life for watching picture on a single charge , foresightful trip should be a bit more passive .
At 460g/1.01lbs it ’s a spot heavier than the iPad miniskirt , but of course you get that larger display . If the 11 - inch fashion model is still too modest , then Apple also offers the iPad Air 13 - inch random variable . Both support the Apple Pencil ( USB - C ) and Apple Pencil Pro , making them great for note taking and esthetic endeavours ( see : Apple Pencils compare : Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad ? ) , plus there ’s also the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air which can become the equipment into a improvised laptop – great if your kids are arrest to the stage where they call for to work on task or essay .
The cameras are upstanding ( a 12Mp broad on the rear and 12Mp Centre Stage camera on the front ) and can record up 4 cat valium at 60fps for YouTube television or other content platforms on which your kid might want to build a political program .
Storage option are proficient , with the radix - level 128 GB probably being enough for most the States , but if you want to put in cargo of games , motion-picture show and euphony onboard then there are also 256 GB , 512 GB and 1 TB capacities available .
TheiPad Air 11 - inchis uncommitted in the following configurations :
If you want the largeriPad Air 13 - inch , then these are the models available :
Both size of it partake in the same choice of colors , which are Blue , Space Grey , Purple , and Starlight .
If those price seem a bit high , then it ’s worth remark thathigher education scholar get a bank discount , but not schooltime elderly tike . you’re able to see more about that and our current recommendation in ourBest iPads for Studentsroundup as well asbest iPad Air dealsto see if you’re able to find a bargain .
iPad mini (A17 Pro) – Best iPad for little hands
While the iPad miniskirt might be the smallest penis of the family , do n’t have that fool you , there ’s mass of power and features tamp down into the diminutive systema skeletale . The only negative is the Leontyne Price , which is a little high-pitched than the bigger iPad , so it ’s not quite as much of a bargain for kids .
The 8.3 - column inch Liquid Retina show is gorgeous . Like all the modernistic iPads , there is no Home button – Apple ditch that a propagation ago and or else put a Touch ID sensor in the Power button on the side .
Under the cowl , there ’s an A17 Pro drive thing , this processor is the lowest spec require to runApple Intelligence features . If you are opt between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are curious about Apple Intelligence , only the iPad mini , iPad Air and Pro will put up it .
Even if Apple Intelligence does n’t peek your interest , theA17 Prochip means there isno lack of index in this small iPad , ensuring the in vogue games and apps will absolutely fly on this gadget . It also has musical accompaniment for the Apple Pencil ( USB C ) or the Apple Pencil Pro , meaning your child can use if for doodle , creating art or note of hand - taking at school when they get a second old .
The heavyset dimensions of 195.4 millimeter x 134.8 mm 10 6.3 mm at 297 universal gravitational constant make it small and lightweight , which can be easier for little ones to hold . There are also four different gloss to select from , including soft shades of Purple and Blue .
The iPad mini is useable in these configurations :
Check our pathfinder to thebest iPad mini dealsto see if you’re able to get one for a down in the mouth price .
iPad (A16, 11th Gen) – A good budget iPad
Apple revamped its received iPad back in 2022 and the plan continue the same for the 2025 version , in fact very piffling has changed aside from the updated A16 chip at its heart .
Like with the other models on this list there is a Touch ID sensing element embedded in the major power button on the top sharpness . This means there ’s plenty of space for the 11 - inch Liquid Retina Display . As with the former standard iPad example , the show is n’t laminated , meaning there is a fragile air gap between the glass and the presentation beneath . This is a minor thing and belike wo n’t even be something you detect , unless you use an Apple Pencil often , in which casing you ’ll in all likelihood experience a very fragile lag as you compose . It ’s all undecomposed though , and after no time at all , you ’ll be able to contain that into your technique and scribble away with the in force of them . This role model supports the first generation Apple Pencil ( which is pressure level sensible ) or the Apple Pencil USB C ( which is n’t pressure sensitive ) .
Apple fits the 11th - gen iPad with an A16 central processor , which is the same tech that powered theiPhone 14 Promodels as well as theiPhone 15 and 15 Plus . While it ’s a up to bit of silicon , it does n’t meet the requirements to underpin Apple Intelligence . So if Apple ’s new AI - putz are something you really want — or think you may need in the future tense — then this is n’t the model for you .
That being said , the A16 splintering will still provide decent performance for play games , rain cats and dogs video substance , and running educational apps . As with all new Apple devices ( thanks to EU law ) the charging port is USB - C port rather than Lightning . This opens up a humankind of peripheral equipment that you could utilize with the iPad , and you could even link it to a compatible monitor lizard if your baby needs a background - style experience . There ’s also the choice of using the iPad with Apple ’s Magic Keyboard Folio case to turn it into an iPad flavor laptop . Of of course , you may pair it with a third - party Bluetooth keyboard and mouse if you do n’t fancy Apple ’s bounty pricing . Check out our roundup of theBest iPad Keyboardsfor some excellent choice .
The iPad comes in four brilliant , bold colour ( Blue , Pink , Yellow , and Silver ) , so your child can pick one that excogitate their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most .
One of the well feature article of the iPad ( A16 ) is its low cost . you’re able to cull them up for the abide by terms :
find out our template to thebest iPad A16 dealsto see if you may get one for a dispirited price .
Should I get an iPad for my child?
There ’s been lots of research put out about how much screen sentence our kids should be allow . Some parent might argue that kids should n’t be debunk to screen at such a untested age , but candidly , in a cosmos where everything is command by applied science we recall that we owe it to our kid to make trusted they are prosperous in that environment , hence the instauration of an iPad is estimable for their educational activity .
That said , just beat them in front of an iPad rather than interact with them belike is n’t expectant : Disney+ should n’t really be babysitting your shaver for hours on end , but if it allows you a few moment of peace to make dinner then fair enough .
With that out of the elbow room , there are many reason why you should be confident about get under one’s skin an iPad for your tyke to practice . There are , after all , many other lozenge on the market , most of which are cheaper than the iPad . So , if you are looking for some reassurance on is whether the iPad is the best alternative for your child , here are a few compelling reasons :
Do I need cellular?
in all probability not . It add $ 150/£150 to the price of the iPad and we ’d suggest that money was better spent on upgrading the storehouse , or getting a better modeling . If you want to add cellular capabilities to your kids ’ iPad , we recommend that when you are outside the house youhotspot from your own iPhonerather than pass money on a contract bridge for your child . That said , most apps will work offline and you may download movies to the machine when head on a long trip .
Is 64GB enough?
Until the launch of the 2025 iPad Apple still sold a 64 GB framework , which we matte was n’t an fair to middling amount of storage so our advice was to get an iPad with more storage . The unspoilt news is that when Apple updated the iPad in 2025 It removed the 64 GB model from the dividing line up and now all all of the iPads note above declare oneself a 128 GB SSD or more .
Our advice still remains the same . If you are look at a used iPad , or a refurbished exemplar , or you see one of the older models still on cut-rate sale do not be tempted by a 64 GB mannikin . For long trips , you might desire to download flock of movies , TV show , or games to entertain the kids in the car or on the planing machine . If you do this the store will apace fill up , so more store is better .
Our advice is get as much storage as you could , 128 GB may be sufficient if you also pay monthly for the iCloud syndicate plan ( 2 TB a month can be shared between the family for $ 9.99/£8.99 a month ) . SeeiCloud prices .
Should I buy a refurbished iPad?
If you do n’t heed dim into the 2nd - deal or refurbished grocery store , then you could get some great deals on older models . Apple has it ’s ownrefurbished storeon which you may determine late models useable for around 15 % off their retail price . These all come with the same 1 - year guarantee as brand - young items , but without the hefty price . Over the geezerhood we ’ve bought several freshen up models from Apple and all have been as good as new .
you’re able to also look to third - party vendors , most of which have the same warrant and money - back guarantees so you do n’t palpate like you ’re fill a risk on a pre - have equipment . For more entropy regarding buying a used or renovate iPad read : Why a freshen up iPad could be the in effect tablet for you .
A renovate model could be a great and toll - effective way to start your little ones out on their technical adventures .
If you have older children , then take a feeling at our guide to thebest iPads for student .
