I understand you need more protection with kids, what about this:
https://www.speckproducts.com/iguy-ipad-cover-blue.html
The toddlers would love that one but the older ones wouldn't be caught dead with it. If I insisted they'd probably put up with it but I'd rather get one they'd like. They've treated my original iPad very well. They have the added incentive of knowing that whenever Nanny gets a new one the old model will be passed down to one of them. The 1G has already been allocated.
They'd love it if Apple brought out a new model every 6 months.