If you recently got or are considering buying an iPad for your kid and want to protect your investment from the rowdy challenges that a tablet faces with a child, you should certainly get a case for it. But not all cases are equal—some are built to withstand rough treatment from younger kids, while others are best suited to adapt to an older child’s needs.
Also: The best kids’ tablets of 2025: Parent recommended
As a parent of three kids under eight, I never give them a tablet without a case, whether an iPad, a Fire tablet, or a Kindle. I’ve seen firsthand the rough life a tablet endures with toddlers around, so I always keep a case on my own iPad. Whether your kids use their tablet for play or schoolwork, an iPad screen replacement costs upwards of $100, so a case is a sound investment.
What is the best iPad case for kids right now?
ZDNET’s top pick for the best iPad case for kids is the OtterBox Made for Kids case. It’s available for the iPad 10th Gen<!–> and the iPad Mini 6–>, both of which are popular iPad choices for kids. The OtterBox Made for Kids iPad case features an easy grip for small hands and is protective without being too chunky. It’s also easy to clean, capable of withstanding frequent use of disinfecting wipes, and even top-rack dishwasher safe.
The best iPad cases for kids of 2025
If protection is the name of the game, the OtterBox Made for Kids iPad case is a perfect choice for most ages. It’s thick enough to protect against the antics of young kids and sleek enough not to look too childish for older kids.
This iPad case is available for the iPad Mini 6th Gen and iPad 10th Gen, two popular iPad options for kids. The case makes the iPad easy to grab by the body but also features a handle that doubles as a stand. It’s easy to clean and can even go on the top rack of your dishwasher, though it is built to withstand constant cleaning with sanitizing wipes.
“The Otterbox is high quality and sturdy for lots of protection. The carrying arm works perfect as a stand in any direction. While this case is more expensive than many others out there, I feel like it’s an excellent choice to not only protect the iPad, but it will last a long time,” one buyer commented.
OtterBox Made for Kids iPad case features: Compatible with iPad mini 6, iPad 10th Gen | Easy-grip build, built-in handle | Top-rack dishwasher safe | $40+
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This is one of the most affordable cases for an iPad, though its $14 price is only available for older base-model iPads, including the 9th, 8th, and 7th generations. The is still available for sale and is a sought-after option for a kid’s iPad, thanks to its low price during sales events.
The Suplik Kids Case for iPad may be budget-friendly, but users still rate it high. Its shock-proof foam construction offers all-around protection for the iPad, including a built-in screen protector, and it’s available in nine colors.
Verified buyers concur, with one saying, “This iPad cover is perfect! It’s not big and bulky like other covers are. This one has the right amount of protection on it. Especially with a baby and toddler dropping it on the floor multiple times. It is sturdy and of good material and quality.”
Suplik iPad case features: Compatible with iPad 9th-, 8th-, 7th-Gen | Built-in handle | Screen protector | $14
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If you’ve decided to get your kid a 12.9-inch iPad Pro from 2018 through 2022, then you’d do well to protect your device with a good case. The Bam Bino Space Suit cloaks the 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-generation iPad Pro with shock-proof non-toxic foam. It includes a screen guard, shoulder strap, and even a pencil holder charger.
While the Bam Bino Space Suitcase is great for older kids, I wouldn’t recommend it for toddlers or kids who aren’t careful with their iPads. This case is protective, but it’s not as thick as other options on this list, so while it can withstand falls, it’s best suited for kids who have developed a sense of responsibility for their iPad.
“I had previously bought a different case for my very expensive iPad Pro and when it came, it was junky and I didn’t feel like it’d keep my iPad safe if it hit the ground and I found this case,” one buyer reviewed. “It has a great handle and a long strap that’s detachable. It’s super cushiony and the holes are in all the right places for my particular iPad, such as volume, etc… I totally feel like it’d do the job if I dropped it.”
Bam Bino Space Suit Case for iPad Pro features: Compatible with iPad Pro 3rd-, 4th-, 5th, 6th-generation | Easy-grip build, built-in handle | Shoulder strap included | $26
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If you need an iPad case that’ll grow with your kids, the Braecn Case is a great choice. It’s adorable yet durable, with handles on each side, a kickstand on the back, a 360-degree rotating hand strap, and even a pencil holder. This case features reinforced corners to protect your kids’ iPads against falls and bumps.
While this can also be a great case for younger kids, it’s also available in 18 different themes and colors suitable for older kids, too.
This case is also among the highest-rated available, with one reviewer saying “It’s been 2.5 years and this case is still great. My daughter uses her tablet daily for educational games, TV shows, coloring, photo taking, etc., and this case has held up through vacations, outside use, everyday use, and more. The stand works as good as it always has.”
Braecn Case for iPad features: Compatible with iPad 9th-, 8th-, 7th-generation | Pencil Holder | Rotating handle | Shoulder strap included | $27+
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This Typecase Folio keyboard case is built for the 2022 10th-generation iPad and is perfect for older kids who use it for schoolwork. When looking for keyboard cases, the folio types with soft support are better than rigid cases, which aren’t shock-proof and can crack the tablet’s screen.
A folio case like this Typecase is perfect to go from entertainment to light work without paying top dollar.
Buyers agree, with one remarking, “I love that the keyboard lights up and then discovered that it lights up with different colors. I can change with the season or my mood. The keyboard is magnetic, so you can move it out of the way to just have the iPad lay flat, or the different notches let you adjust the tilt of the screen while you type.”
Typecase Folio keyboard iPad case features: Compatible with iPad 10th-Gen | Backlit keyboard | Pencil holder | $34
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Many iPad cases are being touted as offering the best protection for Apple’s tablet. But when choosing one for your kids, it’s important to read reviews and recommendations from users who have had good and bad experiences with a case.
ZDNET’s pick for the best iPad case for kids is the OtterBox Made for Kids, a strong iPad case that protects your tablet and is easy to clean. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for all buyers. Other options are available, depending on your needs, budget, and preferences.
| Best iPad cases for kids | Price | Compatibility | Built-in handle | Keyboard |
| OtterBox Made for kids | $40+ | iPad mini 6, iPad 10th Gen | ✔ | – |
| Suplik | $14 | iPad 7th, 8th, and 9th Gen | ✔ | – |
| Bam Bino Space Suit | $26 | iPad Pro 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th Gen | ✔ | – |
| Braecn | $27 | iPad 7th, 8th, and 9th Gen | ✔ | – |
| Typecase | $34 | iPad 10th Gen | – | ✔ |
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There are different great options for kids’ iPad cases, depending on the iPad model, your kids’ ages, their use case, and your budget.
Here’s how we break down how to choose the right iPad case for you out of this list:
| Buy this iPad case for kids | If you want |
| OtterBox Made for kids | An easy to clean case that’ll protect your kids’ iPad from falls and bumps |
| Suplik | To save some money but not compromise on protection with an all-around case |
| Bam Bino Space Suit | A sturdy case to protect your investment on an iPad Pro with a built-in pencil holder |
| Braecn | An iPad case that’ll grow with your kids and features a hand-strap that can spin |
| Typecase | A keyboard case for an older kid that needs to go from play to schoolwork |
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My kids have had tablets for five years now, at a time when my kids have grown from immobile newborns to adorable babies to rowdy toddlers. I’ve seen my younger kids walk on their tablets multiple times, throw them in a fit, drop them down the stairs, and more.
Here are some things to consider when choosing the best iPad cases for kids:
- Compatibility: This is important when choosing an iPad case for your kids. Not all cases are compatible with different generations of iPads, and not all iPads are popular for kids.
- Fit: Fit not only means putting the compatible case for the right iPad model but also making sure that the tablet fits snugly in the case and that the buttons and ports are accessible when needed.
- Protection: I also considered how much protection each case offers the iPads and whether the material is shockproof.
- Price: The different cases on this list feature a good range of prices, from $14 to just over $50, giving all budgets a wide range of choices.
Aside from testing tablet cases, ZDNET reviewers also test tablets regularly, and you can learn about our tablet testing methodology here.
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After a bad experience with a hard case for my iPad, I always opt and recommend soft cases. I had a hard keyboard case on my iPad for a few months before the screen cracked without ever dropping it, simply because of the grip the case had on the front of the iPad and the fact that it was so rigid.
There are many great hard cases available, like the Logitech Combo keyboard case, but the difference is that the part of the case that holds the iPad is flexible.
A soft case, like a chunky foam case for a kid’s iPad, can typically absorb shock better than rigid, inflexible plastic, often making it better for protection.
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There are some great alternative iPad cases for kids not featured in this list that still make a great choice for a purchase.
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