iPads are great, especially for kids, because they’re not only lightweight and easy to use, but there are a number of apps available that make them incredibly versatile. Whether it’s educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil, or just something to keep you from getting bored on road trips, iPads can be a boon.
However, choosing the right one is a somewhat daunting task for parents, since there are many models and configurations in the current catalog. Fear not, we’re here to help clear things up with a quick guide to the best iPad types for younger users.
Also be sure to read our guide to the best parental control apps for iPhone and iPad, something highly recommended if your son or daughter is going to be using an iPad.
Is an iPad a good tablet for a girl or a boy?
A lot of research has been published on how much screen time our kids should be getting. “Perfect” moms and dads may claim their kids weren’t exposed to screens until they were 10 or whatever, but frankly, in a world where everything is dominated by technology, we think that We owe it to It’s up to us sons and daughters to make sure they feel comfortable in this world, which is why the introduction of an iPad is good for their upbringing.
That said, putting them in front of an iPad instead of interacting with them probably isn’t the best: the YouTube Kids version of YouTube shouldn’t keep your kids entertained for hours, but if it lets you a few minutes of peace to prepare dinner, then that’s fair.
That being clarified, there are plenty of reasons why you should be sure to get an iPad that your kids can use. After all, there are plenty of other tablets on the market, many of which are cheaper than the iPad. So, if you’re looking for peace of mind about whether the iPad is the best option for your child, here are some compelling reasons:
- The App Store is full of great apps designed specifically for boys and girls.
- Many of these apps will be great for school-aged boys and girls, or even little girls.
- There’s an ecosystem of great accessories designed to work with the iPad.
- Apple’s iOS is more stable and easier to use, especially if you already have an iPhone. And the advantage is that the applications on your iPhone will also be available on your iPad and vice versa.
If you have older sons or daughters, check out our guide to the best student iPads for inspiration.
What iPads are there to choose from?
At present, Apple offers four categories of iPad, which are as follows:
- iPad
- ipad mini
- ipad air
- iPadPro
Every iPad comes with multiple storage options, and iPad Pro comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch. Honestly, we wouldn’t recommend iPad Pros to boys or girls because you’d be paying big bucks for features and compatibility they don’t need.
The Non-Pro range already offers plenty of headroom and power for younger users, so our advice is to stick with them and ignore the Pros for now. But when it comes to students, things change. But the good news is that you can leave that for a few years and save for the iPad Pro in the meantime.
Speaking of savings, check out our roundup of the best iPad deals you can get across the entire iPad lineup here: The best iPad deals.
Here are our tips on which iPad to choose when choosing an iPad for your son or daughter.
iPad 10.2 inch (2021) – The best model
- Advantages
- Economic
- Apple Pencil (1st generation)
- A13 Bionic processor
- Versus
- Lower quality screen than other models
- older design
Apple’s cheapest iPad received a major update in 2021, with a powerful A13 Bionic chip (the same as in the iPhone 11 lineup) and a new front camera that supports such cool features as Center -Stage, which keeps you in the center of the screen in video calls even if you move.
This makes it the easiest option for those looking to introduce their offspring to an iPad for the first time. It has a lot of power for games, diffusioncapturing photos and videos, not to mention any apps you want to throw at it.
The admittedly vintage design has handy bezels that make it easy for little hands to grasp without accidentally activating things on the screen, and the 10.2-inch size also makes it an ideal screen to gaze at on long car journeys. Apple Pencil (1st Generation) compatibility also means your young Picasso can create their masterpieces without leaving stains on furniture.
Yes, it doesn’t have the fancier Liquid Retina displays like on the iPad mini or iPad Air, but we don’t think many kids will complain about the iPad screen because it’s bright, colorful and fun to use.
It’s worth remembering that this is now the only current iPad with a headphone jack. So if you don’t want to be driven crazy by the high-pitched noises that child-focused content often exploits, that alone might be worth the purchase.
The iPad is available in these storage options, at the following price:
If you want to add cellular capabilities, i.e. data to be able to connect without Wi-Fi (paying a corresponding fee), the prices are as follows:
For more, read our full iPad 2021 review. To see what kinds of deals are currently available, read our roundup of the best iPad 10.2 deals.
Read our full 10.2-inch Apple iPad (2021) review
iPad mini (2021) – The most compact model
- Advantages
- Light
- Powerful
- Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- Versus
- More expensive than the previous iPad Mini
- Not compatible with smart keyboard
Although the iPad mini (2021) is the smallest model, make no mistake, it packs a lot of power and features into its small frame. In fact, the previous generation of the mini topped the list, but when Apple gave its little tablet a serious makeover last year, not only did the specs and capabilities go up, but so did the price. He’s still brilliant, but that’s not good business for kids like his big brother.
The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is gorgeous, and the bezels around it are now quite small, as Apple removed the home button and placed a Touch ID sensor in the power button on the side.
Under the hood is a running A15 Bionic, so there’s no shortage of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device.
It’s also compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, meaning your child can use it to doodle, create art, or take notes for school when they’re a little older.
The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm and 297g make it small and lightweight, which may be easier for toddlers to hold. There are also four different colors to choose from, including purple and pink. Oh, and there are 5G versions if you want to add a fast data connection for streaming and messaging on the go.
The iPad mini (2021) is available in these configurations:
For more, read our full review of the 2021 iPad mini. Check out our guide to the best iPad mini deals to see if you can get one for less.
Read our full review of the Apple iPad mini (2021)
iPad Air (2022) – The best model for older kids
- Advantages
- Big screen
- fast performance
- Modern design
- Various colors
- Versus
- cheap
- Doesn’t have a headphone jack
The last iPad on this list is also Apple’s most expensive model (excluding the Pro model). Released in March 2022, the updated iPad Air has a fantastic design, with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, multiple color options for the chassis, and an extremely powerful M1 chip inside.
In many ways it’s the iPad Pro for normal people, and as such it’s probably too much for a kid, but if your youngster is starting high school and needs a computer for homework, but you don’t want to buy an iPad too, so it could probably act like both without any problems.
Of course, you’ll need to buy a Bluetooth keyboard for the full transition to a laptop, but since the Air is compatible with almost anyone, you won’t need to spend the $300 Apple is asking for its own Magic Keyboard.
The iPad Air (2022) comes with decent cameras that can be used for video projects or keeping in touch with friends online, plus support for Apple Pencil (2nd gen) that opens up more creative possibilities.
It might have the biggest screen, but at 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm it’s shorter and thinner than the standard iPad, plus it weighs 462g. which makes it a bit lighter.
iPad Air can be purchased in the following configurations:
Also, be sure to read our roundup of the best iPad Air deals so you don’t miss out on any deals.
Read our full review of the Apple iPad Air (2022)
iPad Pro – Better performance
No, we would never recommend buying an iPad Pro for a child. Although they are an excellent tablet that also offers one of the best powers of an iPad, they are in themselves an overkill device also for adults.
Starting at $879 for the 11-inch 64GB model and going up, these are true premium devices aimed more at those looking to replace their laptop with an iPad.
iPad Pros are great, but they’re probably best reserved for pleasing yourself and not your child.
For more, read our full reviews of the 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and check out our pick of the best iPad Pro deals.
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