Now that we're in holiday break territory, kids are getting new tablets (hopefully one of our picks for the best tablets), but there's chance that new gadget might break once it goes outside the house. Our best advice is to get a protective case that shields it from the drops that it will inevitably take, so its screen doesn't smash against the floor, creating trouble for everyone.
Already bought one of Amazon Fire tablets? Your choice is pretty easy, as they slide right into the FreeTime Kid-Proof Case. Opted for a pricier Apple tablet? We've found plenty of cases to guard Apple's latest iPad, which we can understand wanting to protect (its $329 starting price is steep!).
Looking for a new (but still affordable) tablet? We've got an Amazon Fire 7 vs Walmart Onn face-off that decides the king of the low-end tablet market. If you're more about iOS, our iPad Air vs iPad mini face-off is a battle that's won by a tiny margin.
Oh, and one last tip: pick a case that matches your kid's personality, so you'll be less likely to find the case lying on the floor after your child decided it wasn't necessary.
1. Amazon Kid-Proof Case for Fire 7 tablet (9th. Gen 2019)
If you decided to buy the $50 Fire 7 tablet instead of the Kids Edition model, you can still get a case made just for your new slate. As its name implies, Amazon's own FreeTime Kid-Proof Case is designed with little hands in mind, made of a durable silicone for protection from bumps and bruises. This 2019 edition of the case offers a long-needed improvement: a stand on the back for watching shows hands-free.If you bought your Fire tablet before June 2019, you should buy the matching case for your7th (2017), 6th (2016) or 5th (2015) generation Fire. Amazon also sells a Kid-Proof Case ($29) for its HD 8 Fire tablet.
2. Fintie 9.7-inch iPad Case
One way to make it a little easier for your child to hold on to a tablet is to invest in a case with a handle. The Fintie Case comes with just that — an easy-to-grab handle — and the Fintie can also be used as a stand. This cover is composed of a heavy-duty EVA foam to endure wear and tear over time. It fits Apple's most recent $329 iPad, as well asthe 2017 9.7-inch iPad, the iPad Air 2 and iPad Air.
3. Speck Products iGuy
While we wait to find out more about the Speck Case-E, it's iGuy iPad case is still in stock at Amazon. Fitting theiPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, and original iPad, this tried and true case stands upright for kids who don't want to hold it while they watch shows, and is made of a soft foam that's great for gripping.
4. Speck Case-E (9.7-inch)
Speck's Case-E tablet case isthe most inventive take on the kids tablet case we've seen in a while. Fitting most 9.7-inch iPads (including the iPad, iPad Pro and iPad Air), this tablet has two extendable arms that you can use to wrap it around a car seat's neck, and prop it up as a stand.
5. TFY Kids Car Headrest Mount Holder
If your kid keeps throwing or dropping their tablet in the car, you'll probably see this headrest-mountedtablet holder and wonder "where thisbeen all my life?" It's also useful if you've got more than one tyke in the backseat, because now they can't argue over who gets to use it, and they'll just have to watch the same show together. Holds most 9.7-inch tablets, including the iPad 2, 3, and 4.
6. NuPro Zipper Sleeve for Fire Kids Tablets
But what ifyour kid already has a tablet case, or — just as likely — doesn't want one.This soft tablet sleeve, built for Amazon's Fire Kids 7and Fire Kids HD 8 tablets,is roomy for a slate clad with a protective bumper. Available in purple with pink or navy with blue.
7. CHINFAI iPad mini Case for Kids for Apple iPad mini to iPad mini 4
We don't knowwhose idea it was to make an iPad mini case that looks like the Android mascot ate an iPad, but we love it. Its blocky feet allow it to stand outright, without using an easel-leg to prop it up. Made of a soft silicon that will make itgreat to grip and easy to care for.
8. Okstation EVA Drop-Proof iPad Mini Case for Baby
Amazon's Fire 7 cases are nice, but we like the look of this honeycomb-patterned case from Fintie. It offers a little extra visual flair vs the Amazon case, and is $15 less expensive, at $9.99. Your kid can find one the precise color of their preference, as it's sold in 12 colors, including two shades of pink, two shades of blue, two yellows, black and green.
9. TopEsct iPad Mini Case for Kids
The iPad Mini tabletbecomes both easier to hold and mount in a car with this case. Available in blue, green, blue and pink, it's got three handles, so it can be held for landscape-mode content viewing and also carried in one hand like a tiny briefcase.
10. Logitech Big Bang
Cute cases are great, but you also need protection. The Big Bang case from Logitech maintains a kid-friendly weight and a slim design but still offers impact protection for falls from up to 4.6 feet. That's thanks to the shock-absorbent material that lines the edges and the screen cover. It's helpful that the liner, which activates the iPad Air's sleep/wake function, is wipeable for the inevitable spill.