Apple’s cheapest iPad received a significant upgrade in 2021, with a powerful A13 Bionic chip (the same as in the iPhone 11 range), and a new front-facing camera that supports cool features such as Centre-Stage, which keep you in the middle of the screen on video-calls even if you move around.

This makes it the easy choice for those who want to introduce their progeny to an iPad for the first time. It’s got plenty of power for games, streaming, capturing photos and videos, not to mention pretty much any app you want to throw at it. The, admittedly, older design has useful bezels that make it easy for small hands to hold onto without accidentally triggering things on the screen, plus the 10.2in size also makes it an ideal screen for watching on long car journeys. Support for Apple Pencil (1st Gen) also means your junior Picasso can create their masterpieces without leaving smudges on the furniture.  

Yes, you don’t get the fancier Liquid Retina Displays like on the iPad mini or the recently introduced iPad 10.9-inch (10th-gen), but we can’t see many kids complaining about the panel in the iPad as it’s bright, colorful, and pleasant to use.

One thing to note, it’s now the only current iPad that features a headphone jack. So, if you don’t want to be driven insane by the high-pitched noises that often explode from child-focused content, this alone might make it worth the purchase. 

It’s true that Apple has released a newer iPad, in the form of the iPad 10.9-inch (10th-gen), but the higher price of that (especially outside the US) means that the 9th-Gen remains our top pick for little ones.

Read our roundup of the best iPad 10.2 deals.

While the iPad mini (2021) might be the smallest member of the family, don’t let that fool you, there’s plenty of power and features packed into the diminutive frame. In fact, the previous generation mini used to top this list, but when Apple gave its little tablet a serious makeover in 2021, not only did the specs and capabilities increase but also the price. It’s still brilliant, but not quite as much of a bargain for kids as its bigger brother. 

The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is gorgeous and the surrounding bezels are now quite small as Apple has removed the Home button and instead put a Touch ID  sensor in the Power button on the side. 

Under the hood, there’s an A15 Bionic driving things, so there’s no lack of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device. It also has support for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, meaning your child can use if for doodling, creating art or note-taking at school when they get a bit older. 

The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm; 297g make it small and lightweight, which can be easier for little ones to hold. There’s 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:

• iPad mini (2021, Wi-Fi) 64GB: $499/£569
• iPad mini (2021, Wi-Fi) 256GB: $649/£749

Check our guide to the best iPad mini deals to see if you can get one for a lower price. 

Apple has recently given its standard iPad a makeover, replacing the classic Home button design with the mini/Air approach of gesture-based controls. There is still Touch ID available, but now you’ll find the sensor embedded in the power button on the top edge. This means there’s more space for the display, which increases from the 10.2-inch panel in the 9th generation iPad to 10.9-inch in this 10th generation model.

As with the previous standard iPad models, the display isn’t laminated, meaning there is a slight air gap between the glass and the display beneath. This is a minor thing and probably won’t even be something you notice, unless you use an Apple Pencil often, in which case you’ll probably experience a slight lag as you write. It’s all good though, and after no time at all, you’ll be able to incorporate that into your technique and scribble away with the best of them. One thing to note (pardon the pun), is that this model only supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil and requires a $9/£9 adapter to recharge it, unless you buy a brand new one (as Apple includes the adapter in the box).

Apple fits the new iPad with an A14 Bionic processor, which is the same tech that powers the iPhone 12 range (including the Pros), so there’s plenty of performance on tap for playing games, streaming content, and running educational apps. Another notable feature is the inclusion of a USB-C port rather than Lightning. This opens up a world of peripherals that you can use with the iPad, and you can even connect it to a compatible monitor if your child needs a desktop-style experience.

Of course, you can always pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to create the perfect, compact laptop for homework and any creative endeavors your child wants to try.

The only reason that we haven’t put this top of the list is the price rise that Apple applied when updating from the 9th Generation iPad, which is presumably why it left the older model in its catalog.

As with the other iPads on this list, you might want to consider opting for the 256GB storage variants, as 64GB can fill up pretty quickly if you’re downloading games, large apps, or TV/movie content. Apple also offers a bespoke two-part keyboard case called the Magic Keyboard Folio, which is nice but costs a whopping $249/£279, so we’d advise looking for cheaper (and often just as good) third-party products instead.

The iPad comes in four lovely colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your child can pick one that reflects their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most.

Check our guide to the best iPad 10th gen deals to see if you can get one for a lower price. 

Launched in March 2022, the iPad Air features a fantastic design, with a 10.9in Liquid Retina display, several color options for the chassis, and a hugely powerful M1 chip at its heart. 

In many ways, this is the iPad Pro for normal people, and as such it’s probably too much for a child, but if your young one is starting secondary school and needs a computer for homework, and you don’t want to buy an iPad as well, then this could probably act as both without any issues. Of course, you’d need to buy a Bluetooth keyboard for the full laptop transition, but as the the Air supports pretty much all of them, you won’t need to spend the pricey $299/£319 that Apple demands 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 the support for Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) opens up further creative possibilities. 

It might have the biggest display, but with its 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm frame, it’s shorter and thinner than the standard iPads, plus it also tips the scales at 462g, making it a fair bit lighter too. 

Be sure to read our roundup of the best iPad Air deals too, so you don’t miss out on any great offers.