I knew the Toy Story 5 Lilypad iPad case was a hit when my teen daughter wanted it

If there were ever a perfect movie tie-in product, it might be the Toy Story 5 Lilypad iPad case from Belkin. The case wraps around a 10th or 11th-generation iPad and looks just like the character in the movie, minus the ability to talk.

Even before the latest Disney Pixar movie is in theaters on June 19, your kids, or you, can turn a compatible iPad into a friendlier companion. And once the movie is out, it might hold even more meaning. Because as much as technology is positioned as the antagonist in the trailer, I have a feeling Lilypad won’t actually end up being the villain.

Hands-on with the Toy Story 5 Lilypad iPad case

Maybe it’s not surprising given Belkin and Disney’s co-work on this iPad case, but it feels like a premium product. The design is spot-on to the Lilypad character we see in the movie. But even more impressive is that the case feels good to hold and use.

The case is made out of thick, firm foam. If you press hard, you can feel it give just a little. There’s enough flex to it so that it can bend around the iPad to secure it. Just enough to be, as Belkin puts it, “shock absorbing.” The company also calls it “kid-proof.” 

Since I have kids, I think calling anything kid-proof is tempting fate, but the case does feel as secure and protective as any other case like this.

On the back, at the top, is a small cutout for a handle. At the bottom is a folding stand that looks like a lilypad.

Be aware that the Toy Story 5 Lilypad case only works for 11th-gen (2025) and 10th-gen (2022) iPads. That makes sense because those are the lowest-priced iPads, which a lot of kids might have.

But it means that if you passed along an old iPad Air or iPad Pro to a child in the home, this case won’t work. It also means there’s a chance a new, redesigned iPad comes out this year that won’t work with this case.

I guess, if the case is a hit, there might be a new version in the future. Otherwise, this is the time to get it.

Is the Belkin Lilypad Toy Story 5 iPad case worth buying?

The cost of iPad cases ranges from super cheap to slightly outrageous. Considering Apple’s own Smart Folio for iPad costs $79, the $50 Lilypad iPad case from Belkin isn’t out of reach. Most bulky generic “kids” iPad cases average about $25 for that extra protection.

The Lilypad one is certainly built to be tossed around. It feels rugged, without looking utilitarian or boring. And that’s the main point of this case: it’s fun. There’s that familiarity with the movie.

 It's available exclusively through Walmart until June 1st, then it will be in other stores, including Amazon.