AIBU to ask what to do with a very old iPad?

[Slovenia12]

iPad air purchased for son about 10 + years ago. He doesn't remember passcode or Apple ID he used for it. As a result we can't get into it. Son hasn't used it for many years.

I have spoken to Apple and we would need proof of purchase for them to help us get the iPad back into use. As it is so long ago, I won't be able to provide this.

I am proposing to format the iPad to get rid of my son's data on it and hand it into our local Apple shop for them to recycle. Does this seem like the best plan of action to you lot? It seems a waste to leave the device sitting here unused. As I can't get it unlocked, it wouldn't be of any use to a charity.

Smash it and bin. Do you know what iOS it’s running?

I wish I did! Unfortunately, we bought it so long ago, I just don't know.

Give it to your local nursery for role play activities in the home corner. They're really grateful for real life items.

ditto remote controls old phones

I'd take it to a wee computer shop tbh. Try and get them to unlock it before just smashing it. Best scenario you get it unlocked, wipe it and take it cex or cash converters and get a few quid for it.

This is a nice idea, unless they won’t like it as kids can smash / crack it and then there’s a risk of shards of glass everywhere.

Nobody can unlock it without a receipt, so getting rid of it is the only thing you can do with it and recycling in an electronics shop is better than landfill.

It is unlikely to support many apps anyway so i’d factory reset it and give to Apple for recycling if they take them.

Thanks to all of you who have posted. The good news is that I have now tracked down the Apple ID, so should now be able to get it unlocked.
It's probably valueless anyway, so I still might just hand it over to Apple for recycling after the factory reset.

I have a 12 year old ipad that is ready for recycling too. But I won it in a competition so no proof of purchase, what would happen in this scenario?

Same problem!
The most expensive useless piece of tech ever!.
My son bought his with his savings, so cash purchase and 5 years later we changed internet providers and he forgot his ID and password.
Apple didn’t want to know!..
Without proof of purchase.
Not impressed, I bet they have made a small fortune, out of people forgetting log in details and long forgotten receipts, over the years!.

I had an old iPad mini which wouldn’t load apps anymore, I put my books on it and used it as an e-reader, the screen was much brighter and bigger than a kindle.