Our kids love their iPads. The simplicity of tapping on the screen when they want things to happen means they can learn to use them in seconds, but there’s plenty that Apple’s tablets can do. Whether it’s educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil, or just something to stop them getting bored on car journeys, iPads can be a godsend.
Choosing the right one can feel a bit daunting. After all, don’t they all do the same things? What’s the difference 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 can be sure you’re buying the right one.
In this article, we reveal our top choices of iPads for kids, and share advice on whether you should buy an iPad for a child, if you need cellular, and how much storage you should get. Read on for more information.
We also have a roundup of the best iPhones for kids if you want to immerse them fully in the Apple world as they grow up.
Best iPad for kids and toddlers
At the time of writing, Apple offers four categories of iPad, the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro.
We wouldn’t recommend the iPad Pro for children, as you’d just be paying quite sizeable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just won’t need. The standard iPad and iPad mini range offer plenty of scope and power for younger users, and the iPad Air will satisfy the more demanding teen. Our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros. When it comes to older students though, it’s a potentially different argument, but the good news is you can put that off for a few years and save up for the more expensive iPad in the meantime.
Speaking of savings, check out our round-up of the best iPad deals you can get on the whole range of iPads here: The best iPad deals.
Here’s our advice on which iPad to choose when buying for a child.
iPad Air (M3) – Best iPad for teens and tweens
Pros
- Powerful
- Apple Intelligence
- Apple Pencil Pro Support
- Magic Keyboard accessory
Cons
- Not cheap
- Might be overkill for smaller kids
Why the iPad Air is a good choice: If your child is growing up and looking for something to help them with schoolwork (as well as playing the latest games) then the Air is a great package.
Powered by the M3 chip that has also featured in recent versions of the MacBook Air, iMac and MacBook Pro, the iPad Air (which comes in 11-inch and 13-inch varieties) is a fast and very capable device. The M3 chip also means that the iPad Air can use Apple Intelligence (the company’s suite of AI-tools) which offers help with writing, looking up information about anything you put in front of the cameras, plus a range of other helpful features.
You won’t have any problems running the latest apps on the iPad Air, and with up to 10 hours battery life for watching video on a single charge, long trips should be a bit more peaceful.
At 460g/1.01lbs it’s a bit heavier than the iPad mini, but you get that large display. If the 11-inch model is still too small, then Apple also offers an iPad Air with a 13-inch screen. Both support the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro, making them great for note taking and artistic endeavours (see: Apple Pencils compared: Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad?). Plus there’s also the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air which can turn the device into a makeshift laptop – great if your kids are getting to the stage where they need to work on projects or essays.
The cameras are solid (a 12MP wide on the rear and 12MP Centre Stage camera on the front) and can record up 4K at 60fps if you have an aspiring YouTube or TikTok star.
Storage options are good, with the base-level 128GB possibly enough for most uses, but if you want to store loads of games, movies and music onboard then we recommend the 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities.
The iPad Air comes in Blue, Space Grey, Purple, and Starlight.
Read our full Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 2025) review
iPad mini (A17 Pro) – Best iPad for toddlers
Pros
- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Apple Pencil Pro support
Cons
- Smaller doesn’t mean cheaper
Why the iPad mini is a good choice: There’s plenty of power and features packed into a diminutive frame that is perfect for small hands.
Under the hood, there’s an A17 Pro driving things, this processor is the lowest spec required to run Apple Intelligence features. If you are choosing between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are curious about Apple Intelligence, only the iPad mini, iPad Air and Pro will support it.
Even if Apple Intelligence doesn’t peek your interest, the A17 Pro chip means there is no lack of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device. It also has support for the Apple Pencil (USB C) or the Apple Pencil Pro, meaning your child can use if for doodling, creating art or note-taking at school when they get a bit older.
The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm at 297g make it small and lightweight, which can be easier for little ones to hold. There are also four different colors to choose from, including soft shades of Purple and Blue.
While the iPad mini might be the smallest member of the family, with a 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, don’t let that fool you. There’s plenty of power and features packed into the diminutive frame. The only negative is the price, which is a little higher than the bigger iPad, so it’s not quite as much of a bargain for kids.
Read our full Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) review
iPad (A16, 11th Gen) – The iPad for under tens
Pros
- Modern design
- 11-inch Liquid Retina Display
- USB-C for charging
- Vibrant colors
Cons
- Display isn’t as good as on other models
- A16 processor doesn’t work with Apple Intelligence
Why the iPad is a good choice: It’s offers a good size screen with good-enough performance for gaming, video and apps, but the best thing about the iPad A16 is its low price.
Apple fits the 11th-gen iPad with an A16 processor, which is the same tech that powered the iPhone 14 Pro models as well as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. While it’s a capable bit of silicon, it doesn’t meet the requirements to support Apple Intelligence. So if Apple’s new AI-tools are something you really want — or think you may want in the future — then this isn’t the model for you.
That being said, the A16 chip will still provide decent performance for playing games, streaming video content, and running educational apps.
If you want more of a laptop experience, you can use the iPad with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio case. You can also pair it with a third-party Bluetooth keyboard and mouse if you don’t fancy Apple’s premium pricing. Check out our roundup of the Best iPad Keyboards for some excellent options.
As with the previous standard iPad models, the 11-inch display isn’t laminated, meaning there is a slight air gap between the glass and the display beneath. This is a minor thing and probably won’t even be something you notice, unless you use an Apple Pencil often, in which case you’ll probably experience a very slight lag as you write. This model doesn’t support the Apple Pencil Pro, so if you want to doodle and draw then the best option is the 1st generation Apple Pencil (which is pressure sensitive). The Apple Pencil USB C isn’t pressure sensitive) so it’s better suited to handwriting practice.
The iPad comes in four bright, bold colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your child can pick one that reflects their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most.
Read our full Apple iPad (A16) review
Why you should get an iPad for your child
There’s been lots of research published about how much screen time our kids should be allowed. Some might argue that kids shouldn’t be exposed to screens at such a young age. We would suggest that while sticking them in front of an iPad rather than interacting with them probably isn’t great, and that Disney+ shouldn’t really be babysitting your kids for hours on end, if it allows you a few minutes of peace to make dinner then fair enough.
Of course, we all know that once a child has an iPad it can be hard to stop them watching YouTube video or playing Geometry Dash, but that is where Apple’s Parental Controls come in, with tools for Screen Time Management and allowing you to approve downloads.
These concerns aside, there are many reasons why you should be confident about getting an iPad for your kids to use. There are, after all, many other tablets 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 option for your child, here are a few compelling reasons:
Educational Opportunities: Apple’s App Store is full of high-quality educational apps and games designed for toddlers, school-aged children, and teens. These apps can support your child’s homework and aid their creativity and learning. Another bonus is that your iPhone apps will be available on your iPad too and vice versa.
Creative Fuel: If your child loves art, an Apple Pencil can turn their iPad into a digital art studio. Fanatical about photography and video? Watch while your child becomes the next Spielberg recording and editing video on the iPad.
Digital Natives: In a world where everything is dominated by technology we think that we owe it to our kids to make sure they are comfortable in that environment, hence the introduction of an iPad is good for their education.
Ease of use: An iPad and the iPadOS software is easy to use, especially if your child is familiar with your iPhone. Navigation is via the touch screen, which feels intuitive. For really young children, who might find the controls difficult to use, there is a guided access option that you can set up.
FAQ
Do kids need a cellular iPad?
You can get an iPad that is capable of connecting to the internet when you aren’t near Wi-Fi via its own SIM card. That may sound like something that would be useful when on a long car journey, but it’s really not necessary as you can easily Hotspot from your iPhone to share your internet connection to the iPad.
A cellular capable iPad not only costs more (an extra $150/£150), it will also have additional monthly contract costs associated with it. We’d suggest that money was better spent on upgrading the storage, or getting a better iPad.
Even if you can’t share the connection from your iPhone the iPad will still function perfectly well away from the internet, with most apps working offline, plus you can download movies to the device when heading on a long trip.
How much storage do kids need? Is 128GB enough?
Until the launch of the 2025 iPad Apple still sold a 64GB model, which we felt wasn’t an adequate amount of storage so our advice was to get an iPad with more storage. The good news is that when Apple updated the iPad in 2025 It removed the 64GB model from the line up and now all all of the iPads mentioned above offer a 128GB SSD or more.
Our advice still remains the same. If you are considering a used iPad, or a refurbished model, or you see one of the older models still on sale do not be tempted by a 64GB model. For long trips, you might want to download lots of movies, TV shows, or games to entertain the kids in the car or on the plane. If you do this the storage will quickly fill up, so more storage is better.
Our advice is get as much storage as you can, 128GB may be sufficient if you also pay monthly for the iCloud family plan (2TB a month can be shared between the family for $9.99/£8.99 a month). See iCloud prices.
What age is an iPad appropriate
It’s less about the iPad and more about what’s on it. There is a reason why some apps have age restrictions, abide by them. Set up an iPad with parental controls and with care to note what your child does with it. Obviously, avoid any apps where they may come in to contact with people who aren’t who they say they are, and take measures to avoid any chance of cyber bullying. All of these things are likely to be concerns, along with whether you think that your child can manage their time on the device.
There is, therefore, on correct answer to this question. It depends not just on their age, but their level of maturity. As a guide, we think that the following benefits can outweigh some of the concerns.
Toddlers and pre school children: While we understand the attractiveness of having Bluey on demand, there are apps designed for interactive learning rather than passive consumption. Just keep in mind that before the age of two children benefit most from social interaction.
Under ten: The combination of educational apps, access to coding tools like Scratch, and the ability to create digital art makes the iPad a useful tool for learning and creativity.
Tweens and teens: The iPad will support your child with school projects and content creation.
How much screen time is safe
Up until the age of five it is best to limit iPad use to an hour or less a day, and you should try to engage with what they are watching.
Up until the age of 12 around two hours a day is probably a good limit, but it is likely that this will stretch to more if they have home work.
The thing to watch for with teens is if they are spending much more time in front of the screen and less time offline doing ‘real world’ activities. If they are showing signs of addition to the screen, their behaviour is being affected by over use of the device, or it is disrupting their sleep, put restrictions on it.
The important thing is that watching an iPad should not be affecting your child’s quality and quantity of sleep. If they are staying up past bedtime watching an iPad that is less than ideal.
What is achieved during the time spent on the device matters too, one hour watching YouTube gamers is not equivalent to an hour learning French with Duolingo.
Which iPad is most durable/kid-proof
iPads can get broken, even the toughened glass on the screen can smash. To mitigate this we suggest putting the iPad in a case – you can get durable cases designed with kids in mind. We also recommend buying a cheaper iPad so that it is easier to replace down the road if it does get broken.
That said, iPads are pretty hardy. They do have good build quality and you can get the screen repaired if it does get broken (at a cost).
How much does the iPad cost
The iPad Air 11-inch is available in the following configurations:
- 128GB – $599/£599
- 256GB – $699/£699
- 512GB – $899/£899
- 1TB – $1,099/£1,099
If you want the larger iPad Air 13-inch, then these are the models available:
- 128GB – $799/£799
- 256GB – $899/£899
- 512GB – $1,099/£1,099
- 1TB – $1,299/£1,299
The iPad mini is available in these configurations:
- 128GB – $499/£499
- 256GB – $599/£599
- 512GB – $799/£799
The standard iPad is the cheapest iPad available and starts at:
- 128GB – $349/£329
- 256GB – $449/£429
- 512GB – $649/£629
The cellular models of each iPad cost $150/£150 more than the non-cellular versions.
Is there education pricing for iPads?
If those prices seem a bit high, then it’s worth noting that higher education students get a discount, but not school aged children. You can see more about that and our current recommendations in our Best iPads for Students roundup as well as best iPad deals to see if you can find a bargain.
Should I buy a refurbished iPad?
If you don’t mind dipping into the second-hand or refurbished market, then you can get some great deals on older models. Apple has it’s own refurbished store on which you can find recent models available for around 15% off their retail price. These all come with the same 1-year warranty as brand-new items, but without the hefty cost. Over the years we’ve bought several refurbished models from Apple and all have been as good as new.
You can also look to third-party vendors, most of which have the same warranties and money-back guarantees so you don’t feel like you’re taking a risk on a pre-owned device. For more information regarding buying a used or refurbished iPad read: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you.
A refurbished model could be a great and cost-effective way to start your little ones out on their technological adventures.
If you have older children, then take a look at our guide to the best iPads for students.