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Learn more about our product testing
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My rough-and-tumble 5-year-old twins have iPads, and I've been very concerned about them getting broken—and the bill I'll be faced with if they do. That’s why I set out to find the best iPad case for kids: something that will protect the screen from dings, scratches, dents, and drops, is easy to carry around, and above all is kid friendly.
With all the available apps and online content, kids are more attached to their iPads and tablets than ever. And with that comes the potential for damage, whether it's simply a cracked screen or a totally dead device. There's no question that kids + delicate technology = expensive repair or replacement.
To find the the most resilient iPad cases we researched popular, well-reviewed cases, ultimately putting the best of the best through some intense testing involving some wince-inducing drops, scissors, and every parent’s nemesis: peanut butter.
After cleaning and using the cases, we found the OtterBox Kids' EasyGrip (available at Target for $59.99) to be the best iPad case for kids. It’s durable enough to stand up to the hardest use, and it has lots of features that make it ideal for kids on the go.
The OtterBox Kids' EasyGrip is especially durable.
Reliable and easy use of controls
Flaps to protect vulnerable ports
No handle for kids
Stand mechanism is difficult to open
Sleek, stylish design
Native compatibility with multiple accessories
Button controls are difficult and unreliable
Durable
Handle for easy carrying
Lower quality material
Case somewhat interferes with charging cable
Multiple carrying strap options
Quality construction
Screen protector is clunky to use
No handle for kids
My name is Jean Levasseur, and I’m a stay-at-home dad to my 5-year-old twin boys. When I’m not wrangling them, I teach writing part-time at a local university, and work as a freelance product reviewer for Reviewed focusing on tools and technology.
Our focus in the testing revolved around two questions: can my kids actually use the tablets in these cases, and how well will each of these cases stand up to everyday abuse?
We started by looking for some of the best-selling and best-rated cases online. Each one had greater than a four-star rating, nearly all of them with thousands of verified user reviews that we checked for authenticity. We also chose a blend of target ages to test in order to find out if the ones made for kids were really better for kids (spoiler alert: they were).
In our actual testing, we designed a series of tasks to mimic regular use. First, we had to actually install our iPad into each case, and made a note of how difficult that was to do. None of them were major feats, but a few certainly would have been beyond the capability of younger children.
Then we sat down and used the tablet in each case for a while. I played some games, browsed the internet, watched some videos on YouTube, and took some pictures. While I was using the tablet, I made sure to use all of the external buttons—power, volume, and home—as well as plugging in the charger, and took note of any cases that hindered any of those base functions.
Once I was comfortable with each case, I called my kids in and let them each play one of their games for 15 or 20 minutes. We also put the tablets into both theirs and my backpacks, and practiced carrying each one around the house.
After the core usage tests were done, we started on the “destructive” tests. First, I stabbed the protected areas of each case with a pair of scissors multiple times, looking to see if the scissors could penetrate any part of the case. From there, I smeared peanut butter on each one, waited a few minutes, and then tried to clean it off—because we all know there is no end to the stickiness that children can get into. Finally, I removed each tablet from the case, again making note of how difficult it was to actually get it out.
For the final round of testing, we selected our top two for the big one—the drop tests. The goal wasn’t to push the tablet until it broke, but to verify that a tablet would survive a typical fall unscathed. We performed multiple drops with each case from a height of about a foot, making sure that it landed both on the edge and flat on its back.
We evaluated iPad cases to find a supportive case that will stand up to everyday abuse.
Like everything else in parenting, no two iPad cases are alike. They all have their own features and focus areas, and you want to make sure that you know what you’re looking for before you buy.
First thing’s first: not all iPad cases fit all iPads. Make sure that the case you’re ordering is made for your iPad. There is a difference between an iPad Air, an iPad 7, and an iPad Mini, and the cases aren’t necessarily cross-compatible, even if the product listing says that it is.
It’s worth double- and triple-checking that you have the case you need before you click that buy button.
Though some people may not realize it, even the best iPad cases for kids might not come with integrated screen protection. There are a wide variety of screen protectors from first party sources like Otterbox as well as more budget priced brands like Ailun.
Unlike built in cases, aftermarket cases are usually replaceable. With built in cases, if they get damaged, you’ll usually need to replace the whole case.
That said, if you choose to go with a third-party screen protector, there may sometimes be a small gap where something damaging could still get to your iPad. They also may not work well together, and the case may cause the screen protector to peel up prematurely. So before you buy, make sure you have thought about whether you want an integrated screen protector or not.
For most adult users, handles aren’t terribly important—tablets fit easily in backpacks and larger purses, and aren’t that hard to carry around even without a bag. However, if you anticipate having to carry your iPad by hand for long periods of time, or you’re buying for a child who might be on the move with their tablet, a handle is something to seriously consider.
After testing, handles on my kids’ cases are a must-have, which I hadn’t thought would be the case beforehand.
We looked at cases with shoulder straps, hand straps, stylus holders, stands, and easy integration with other components like keyboards or covers. A lot of those features are cool, but you have to really consider whether they are actually worth paying extra for.
Do you actually ever use the Apple Pencil with your iPad? Are you planning to get a keyboard? Is a shoulder strap something you can ever imagine using? Having the right features can be invaluable—but paying extra for features you won’t ever use is just a waste.
If the iPad is being used solely by a young child, extra features are likely to be a waste of money. Consider your typical uses and pick up a case that matches that.
There’s something to be said for buying from an established manufacturer, like Otterbox, but big brands often charge a premium. There are loads of cheaper options made overseas for every device, including the iPad.
Often, these cheap "white label" products are made by a different company and then bought by the resellers you see on Amazon, which is why two seemingly different companies can sell you the exact same case.
Jean Levasseur
Contributor
Jean Levasseur became a professional writer over a decade-long career in marketing, public relations, and technical writing. After leaving that career to stay home to care for his twin boys, Jean has continued to write in a variety of freelance roles, as well as teaching academic writing at a local university. When he's not reviewing tools or chasing toddlers around the house, he's also an avid fiction writer and a growing woodworker.
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