A bath of Starbucks coffee didn't destroy the iPad, but a soap-and-water scrubbing "hosed" the touchscreen, as well as the home and power buttons.

In a series of drop tests--the sort of thing kids do with their toys every day--the iPad's glass display shattered quickly. In fact, three drops onto a carpeted floor damaged the tablet. "Honestly, it broke kind of easily...if you get an iPad, you're definitely going to want a protective case for it," Moynihan said.

And lest we forget, the iPad 2 is lighter and thinner than its predecessor.

Tablet Abuse

Of course, the age and maturity of the child will factor into the iPad 2's survival rate. But you've got to wonder how many parents will want to shell out $500 or more for a pricey and fragile kids' "toy."