Reviews

The Best iPhone Cases to Buy for your Kids

The Best iPhone Cases to Buy for your Kids

Kids break stuff. But that doesn’t mean you need to wrap their iPhone in bubble wrap. These affordable cases provide protection and style that’ll make you and your kid happy.

Ah, the classic “kids will be kids” mantra. It’s all fun and games until you’re gazing down at your once-glorious iPhone, now sporting a new spider web design courtesy of a Fruit Ninja session gone rogue. Handing over your shiny iPhone to a mini human is like entrusting a bull with a china shop. Whether it’s your prized possession or an older model you’ve bravely sacrificed, you’re gonna need some serious armor for that phone.

Let’s face it: kids are adorable little agents of chaos. They mean well, but sometimes their hands seem to be coated in butter. To save your phone from becoming an accidental abstract art piece, we’ve scoured the earth for the most kid-proof iPhone cases. These cases are so tough, that they could probably survive a journey to the center of a toy box or a dive into a cereal bowl. Protect your phone from tiny, unpredictable hands with these superhero cases, because screen time shouldn’t turn into scream time!

For the sake of this article, I’m focusing on cases for the iPhone 13 mini or the standard iPhone 13 or 14. After all, you likely won’t be handing over a brand new flagship iPhone 15 Pro to your 5-year-old. Unless you’ve just got money to burn, that is, since even the most protective case won’t offer 100% assurance against breakage.

OtterBox iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini Symmetry Series...
Spigen Tough Armor [Extreme Protection Tech] Designed for...
RAPTIC Shield Case Compatible with iPhone 13 Mini Series,...
Incipio Duo Case Compatible with Apple iPhone 13 Mini [3.6 m...
OtterBox iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini Symmetry Series...
Spigen Tough Armor [Extreme Protection Tech] Designed for...
RAPTIC Shield Case Compatible with iPhone 13 Mini Series,...
Incipio Duo Case Compatible with Apple iPhone 13 Mini [3.6 m...
$21.55
$17.99
$29.99
$5.99
OtterBox iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini Symmetry Series...
OtterBox iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini Symmetry Series...
$21.55
Spigen Tough Armor [Extreme Protection Tech] Designed for...
Spigen Tough Armor [Extreme Protection Tech] Designed for...
$17.99
RAPTIC Shield Case Compatible with iPhone 13 Mini Series,...
RAPTIC Shield Case Compatible with iPhone 13 Mini Series,...
$29.99
Incipio Duo Case Compatible with Apple iPhone 13 Mini [3.6 m...
Incipio Duo Case Compatible with Apple iPhone 13 Mini [3.6 m...
$5.99

Amazon.com Price updated on 2024-01-18 - We may earn a commission for purchases using our links: more info

OtterBox Symmetry Series Case ~ $25

The OtterBox Symmetry Series for you is like the fashionista of phone cases, offering a chic range of plain colors. Choose from “I-can-see-it-from-space” pink, more neutral black or gray, or even a transparent option. Priced at less than $30 on Amazon, it’s like getting a luxury car for the price of a scooter.

This case is a bit thicker than most, which might make it feel like you’re holding a brick. That extra bulk is like a superhero’s armor, ready to save your phone from those heart-stopping sidewalk plummets. The case’s design is clever, too, sticking out at the front just a smidge. This lip acts like a tiny bumper for your screen.

Now, the downside. While the SIM tray and volume buttons are sealed tighter than a jar of pickles, the other ports are still open season for water and moisture. The OtterBox Symmetry Series is your go-to if you’re more concerned about accidental skydiving lessons (for your phone) than it taking a dip in the pool.

OtterBox Meets PopSocket

There’s even a model that’s a phone case and a magic trick rolled into one with its built-in PopSocket wizardry. Kids will go bananas over the ability to switch out PopGrips faster than a chameleon changes colors. This ingenious combo of style and functionality means your phone not only looks fabulous but also gets an extra grip. It’s perfect for those moments when your hands are as slippery as a bar of soap.

Editor’s note: I’ve seen an OtterBox-encased phone go spinning off the top of a Jeep going around a bend and hit the road. Not a scratch on the phone.
Sale
OtterBox iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini Symmetry Series...
OtterBox iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini Symmetry Series...
Compatible with iPhone 13 mini & iPhone 12 mini; Includes OtterBox limited lifetime warranty (see website for details)
$49.95 −$28.40 $21.55 Amazon Prime

Amazon.com Price updated on 2024-01-18 - We may earn a commission for purchases using our links: more info

Spigen Tough Armor with Extreme Protection Tech ~ $18

Spigen’s Tough Armor Series is like the no-nonsense bodyguard of phone cases. It skips the fluff and frills and gets straight down to business — protecting your phone like it’s guarding a treasure chest. It may not be the most eye-catching, available in only dark colors as of this writing. But,  it’s a beast meant to safeguard that investment from the chaos of a kid’s life.

Where it truly flexes its muscles is in the build. This case is like a fortress with its multi-layer impact protection, now featuring all-new foam tech. It’s like having a shock-absorbent bubble wrap suit for your phone. Sure, it’s a bit on the chunky side, but it still fits into small hands like a glove. Think of it as a little extra workout for your fingers. And the built-in kickstand? It’s a game-changer. It turns your phone into a mini TV, perfect for binge-watching Disney+ during those “I need five minutes of peace” moments.

Transitioning from adult to child use is like passing down a family heirloom, only cooler. Spigen, the veteran casemaker, has got options for everyone, from the iPhone SE users who reminisce about the good old days to the iPhone 15 owners living in the future. So, if you’re on the hunt for a case that’s as reliable as your morning coffee, Spigen’s Tough Armor Series might just be your knight in shining armor!

Sale
Spigen Tough Armor [Extreme Protection Tech] Designed for...
Spigen Tough Armor [Extreme Protection Tech] Designed for...
All-new foam technology for an extra layer of shock resistance; Combination of TPU and Polycarbonate for dual protection from drops and scratches
$39.99 −$22.00 $17.99 Amazon Prime

Amazon.com Price updated on 2024-01-18 - We may earn a commission for purchases using our links: more info

The RAPTIC Shield Case ~ $30

From the sunny shores of California comes a superhero of a phone case, the RAPTIC Shield by X-Doria. This case isn’t just a pretty face with its rainbow stripes that could make a unicorn jealous. It’s like a phone fortress, claiming to laugh in the face of a 10-foot drop. “Is that all you got?” it seems to say.

But wait, there’s more! The RAPTIC Shield’s secret weapon isn’t just its rainbow belt of bravery. It’s made of machined metal, tougher than a superhero’s shield, and doesn’t chip or fade like those villainous cheap plastic cases. Inside, there’s a polycarbonate layer that’s basically like a fluffy pillow for your iPhone, ready to absorb the shock of any unexpected plot twists. This case isn’t just for the kiddos; it’s for anyone whose heart still does a little flip at the sight of a rainbow. It’s the phone case equivalent of a superhero cape for your iPhone!

Amazon.com Price updated on 2024-01-18 - We may earn a commission for purchases using our links: more info

Incipio Duo Case ~ $6

As a palate cleanser to the more expensive cases you can buy for a child, Incipio’s Duo case provides an impressive level of protection at a surprisingly low price.

Its simple design features black or navy options in a single-color base. Prices vary by color, ranging between $6 and $15. Even at its highest price point, this case is still an attractive option to consider. The case is designed for maximum protection from drops and hits. But like the more expensive OtterBox, this case only offers basic water resistance around the volume buttons, which is about par for the course for a case under $20.

The Incipio Duo is clearly not the best of the best. But in terms of bang for the buck, it’s a strong contender.

Incipio Duo Case Compatible with Apple iPhone 13 Mini [3.6 m...
Incipio Duo Case Compatible with Apple iPhone 13 Mini [3.6 m...
Compatible with iPhone 13 mini; 12 Ft. Drop protection; Impact Strut protection tech reduces impact force
$5.99 Amazon Prime

Amazon.com Price updated on 2024-01-18 - We may earn a commission for purchases using our links: more info

Verdict

This small collection of cases is only a taste of what products you can find to protect your child’s new iPhone. Luckily, the market for Apple accessories is huge, and you can find thousands of solutions. What iPhone case works best for you? Tell us in the comments.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

 

To Top