Yes, sadly Apple isn’t putting colourful clown faces on the back of its tablets just yet. This was our April Fool joke for 2014…

Like many parents, we share our iPads with our children, but have been wondering whether Apple would ever launch a tablet specifically for kids. This morning, the company answered that question in the affirmative.

Apple has announced plans to launch the iPad Kid tablet later this month. It’ll feature the same specs as the latest iPad mini, but with a rounded design more like older models, designed to stand up to rough treatment from small hands.

The new device will support multiple user profiles, so each child in a family can log in to see their favourite apps, with parents able to block access to email, Facebook and the Talking Angela app’s hidden stalker mode from the Settings menu.

iPad Kid also ships with a loud buzzer built in, alerting parents whenever a child tries to spend money on in-app purchases without their permission. An optional WiredCover accessory will deliver a gentle electric shock, forcing children to drop the device, if they persist.

“iPad has been a revolution in digital entertainment for children of all ages, delivering a tremendous advancement in mobile computing entertainment, creativity and education,” said Jim Looflirpa, Apple’s senior vice president of marketing for junior accessibility.

“iPad Kid with its dramatically-enhanced parental controls and the incredible WiredCover offers a stunning new way for children to play, read and learn, drawing on the revolutionary App Store, with its comprehensive collection of digital books, artistic apps and educational tools.”

The device joins Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 3 Kids and DreamWorks’ DreamTab as a child-focused tablet, with more device makers expected to join the battle in the coming months.

Pricing for the new device will be confirmed nearer the release date, but Apple’s teaser video for the iPad Kid suggests it may have parents queuing round the block outside the company’s stores come launch.