What to look for when buying the best kids’ iPad?
While your overall decision may come down to how much you’re prepared to spend, here are some other factors to consider when picking the best iPad for your child.
Portability - How big is the iPad? If your child is going to be taking their iPad outside the home, it's important to consider the weight and dimensions and whether it's light enough so they don’t feel weighed down during their commute. Will it comfortably fit inside their school bag or rucksack?
Screen size - Which screen size is best for their needs? Larger screens tend to be better suited to creative tasks such as writing and drawing, streaming videos or gaming. The size of the screen ranges between 8 inches (iPad Mini) and 13 inches (iPad Air and Pro)
Intended use - The best iPad for your child will depend upon how they intend to use it. For example, for reading before bed, the iPad Mini is easy and lightweight to hold. For creative tasks such as drawing or photo editing, larger screens are better, especially those with a higher resolution or anti-glare display.
Storage size - Just like your mobile phone, the storage size of the iPad will determine not only how many apps they can download, but how much memory the tablet has to hold videos, photos and music. The smallest iPad capacity starts at 64GB which should be plenty for everyday use. You pay more the larger the memory, with iPad Pro models offering up to 2TB for those who really intend to use the iPad as their main device. In most cases - 64GB - 256GB should be plenty for even older children and teens.
Processor - Newer models have more powerful processors (for example the M1 or M2 chips in iPad Air and iPad Pro). The latest iPad Pro (2024) is equipped with the M4 chip, making it significantly more powerful and ideal for intensive tasks like 4K video editing, 3D modelling, and complex graphic design. Not only can these processors make the iPad faster, but it also makes it more responsive when switching between tasks - great when your child is using their iPad for homework or productive tasks.
Compatibility with accessories - If your child intends to use the iPad for work or study, you may want to consider models that are compatible with the most recent Apple pencil (2nd generation) or Magic Keyboard. While they don’t come cheap and add even more expense to an already costly purchase, they may prevent the need for a separate laptop altogether.
What is a good age for a child to get an iPad?
While screen time should be limited and carefully managed via parental controls, iPads can be useful for children from as early as the preschool years when supervised - focusing on educational apps, games and of course, age-appropriate content.
For older children, particularly once they’ve started school, you may wish to use an iPad to support your child’s reading, homework, learning and entertainment. We recommend you set clear rules and time limits to ensure an appropriate amount of screen time.
Read next: Screen time for children: how to manage and limit screen time
What is the best iPad for kids?
A great all-rounder for kids of all ages and one of the more affordable options for children, the iPad Mini is perfectly sized for small hands, with a lightweight and portable design that's ideal for reading, apps and entertainment.
As your child grows, however, you may find they start to want a larger screen and more processing power, with each of the iPad models offering unique features depending on your child’s preferences.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
With two young children aged 11 and 7 and strongly in the Apple camp, Lucy has personal experience of several iPads including the iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad 2022. Lucy’s eldest daughter also owns an Apple Pencil and loves to get creative using Procreate.
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