Cool smartwatches for kids have many of the same features as adult smartwatches but with kid-centric designs and durability. Parents often use smartwatches to keep track of their kids when they're at school or friends’ houses. They're a great option for children who are too young for a cell phone, too.
However, many of these watches include more than a good GPS for tracking. Some are also fitness trackers or include games and learning activities. They make great gifts for kids, but you need to decide what kind of features you want and need.
Features like automatic answering, video calls, and texting let parents communicate with their children in multiple ways. Other smartwatches send notifications when children move out of a certain area. Some that are on the border of kid/adult in features let kids answer and send calls and dictate texts, making them a great smartwatch with texting for kids. We’ve included the best smartwatches for kids, including basic and advanced models to meet a wide range of needs.
— Best Overall: TickTalk 4
— Best for Fitness Tracking: Fitbit Ace 3
— Best for Young Kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch
— Best Waterproof: XPlora X5 Play
— Best Budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2
How We Picked the Best Smartwatches for Kids
Smartwatches for kids need durability and features that support the kids’ and parents’ desired purpose for the watch. With that in mind, we evaluated the following:
Durability: A kid’s watch needs to withstand rough use. Silicone or rubber wristbands and protective face cases were our priority.
Tracking and Communication Features: Many parents want a way to keep tabs on their child when they’re away from home. Smartwatches with accurate GPS features and call and text messaging let kids and parents stay in touch.
Parental Controls: Smartwatches with apps that let parents turn off access to games or monitor when and what kids are doing help parents stay on top of usage. Some models also allow parents to see a history of the child’s location or notifications when the child moves out of a certain zone.
Games: Some parents are okay with games and others aren’t. We evaluated how many and what types of the games the watch offered, such as learning games or games designed to motivate movement.
Fitness Tracking: Some watches monitor steps and other activities, which can motivate them to be more active.
Best Smartwatches for Kids: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: TickTalk 4
Why It Made The Cut: The TickTalk 4 is the complete package with GPS tracking, fitness tracking, and plenty of parental controls to make it the best smartwatch for kids.
Specs:
— GPS Tracking: Yes
— Fitness Tracker: Yes
— Calling and Text: Both
Pros:
— Responsive, easy-to-use touchscreen
— Can call and text message (talk-to-text)
— Supports camera and video calling
— Free streaming music
Cons:
— Can have connectivity issues
— Spotty GPS at times
— Large face
The TickTalk 4 is a solid children’s smartwatch that provides a robust set of features, including over 20 parental controls. The bright, responsive touch screen makes it easy for kids to use features like talk-to-text and the two 5MP cameras. As an added safety measure, this model does have access to the internet or social media.
The GPS feature includes history tracking so parents can see not only where their child is but also where they have been. However, the GPS can be spotty. It doesn’t always show an accurate location, with differences of a thousand feet to several miles in cases where it has a hard time getting a connection. The more reliable the signal, the more reliable the location tends to be. Kids can use the watch to video call, text, or standard calls, as well as send emergency messages or SOS.
The watch tracks steps and activities and can be set to give reminders. This model is the overall kids’ smartwatch powerhouse. It skips games in exchange for tracking, safety, and durability. However, keep in mind that all those features require a large watch face that some kids might find too bulky. For other ideas, check out the best gifts for kids.
Best for Fitness Tracking: Fitbit Ace 3
Why It Made The Cut: The Fitbit Ace 3 helps kids develop healthy habits with a fun changing face, competitions, and challenges that make it the best activity tracker smartwatch for kids.
Specs:
— GPS Tracking: No
— Fitness Tracker: Yes
— Calling and Text: No
Pros:
— Excellent step and activity tracker
— Offers motivation through a changing clock face and optional challenges
— Includes a sleep tracker
— Waterproof up to 50 meters
Cons:
— No GPS tracking
If you (and your kid) want a way to track steps and activity, the Fitbit Ace 3 is the best option on the market. It tracks steps, activity, and connects to an Android or iOS device so parents can monitor activity levels through the Fitbit app. For kids who need a little help, it offers motivation with a watch face that changes as kids get closer to meeting their step goal for the day, and they can compete with family members in friendly competitions.
Parents will especially like that kids can wear this model in the pool, with waterproofing up to 50 meters. The sleep tracker also lets you keep tabs on your kid’s sleep habits. However, if you’re looking for tracking or communication, this isn’t the model for you. For more options, here's our guide to the best fitness trackers.
Best for Young Kids: Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch
Why It Made The Cut: This Little Tikes watch teaches kids how to tell time, tracks steps, and keeps little ones entertained.
Specs:
— GPS Tracking: No
— Fitness Tracker: Yes
— Calling and Text: No
Pros:
— Includes over 100 watch faces
— Easy-to-use touchscreen
— Has pre-installed activity games to increase movement
— Camera and video
Cons:
— Lacks more advanced features
The Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch is the best smartwatch for young kids because it introduces them to concepts of time and fitness in fun ways. They can pick from over 100 watch faces and access games. However, these aren’t your typical zone-out type of games. They’re designed to get kids up and moving.
The face isn’t overly large, and the touchscreen is calibrated to respond to tiny fingers. Overall, it’s great for little kids because it helps them develop healthy habits for a lifetime.
Best Waterproof: XPlora X5 Play
Why It Made The Cut: The XPlora is waterproof up to 1.5 meters and includes GPS tracking, fitness tracking, and set safety zones.
Specs:
— GPS Tracking: Yes
— Fitness Tracker: Yes
— Calling and Text: Yes
Pros:
— IP68 waterproof rating up to 1.5 meters
— GPS tracking
— Receives and sends calls and text messages
— Robust parental controls
— Allow parents to set safety zones
Cons:
— Not compatible with all mobile data plans
— Some users have app issues
The XPlora X5 Play is among the best smartwatches for kids, but it stands out as the best waterproof smartwatches for kids thanks to the IP68 (waterproof) rating. It can go under up to 1.5 meters. However, this watch comes with a lot more than just waterproofing.
It’s fully loaded with GPS tracking that includes the ability to set up safety zones. Parents can set zones around their house or a school. If the child passes out of the zone, the parent gets a notification. The X5 can also receive calls and texts from approved numbers and do video calling using the built-in camera.
The app includes fairly robust parental includes. For example, parents can turn off calls and texts during school hours or block phone numbers.
The downside is that the X5 requires attachment to a data plan, but it only connects with a limited number of providers. Additionally, some users have issues with the app, which can limit functionality.
Best Budget: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2
Why It Made The Cut: This cute smartwatch comes in fun colors, offers entertaining games, and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Specs:
— GPS Tracking: No
— Fitness Tracker: Yes
— Calling and Text: No
Pros:
— Pro-loaded games to teach time and encourage movement
— Two onboard cameras
— Comes in five colors
— Easy-to-use touchscreen
Cons:
— More of an entertainment piece than a timepiece
If you’re looking for a way for kids to learn how to tell time and stay entertained, the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 will definitely make the best cheap smartwatch for kids. It has pre-loaded games that teach kids how to tell time and get up and get moving.
Two built-in cameras let kids take selfies. Any pictures can then be downloaded to a device using a USB cord. All of the controls use the easy-to-use touchscreen. It’s on the large side but is easy for little fingers to use. It also comes in five fun colors. The downside is that this watch is more for entertainment than telling time.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Smartwatch for a Kid
Features
Some smartwatch features are fairly universal, like time, date, alarms, and timers. Other features like calling and voice-to-text messages aren't included on every model. Before you invest in an expensive watch for a six-year-old, take the time to determine what you need the watch to do.
Do you need to track your child while he plays at friends’ houses? Or do you want him to be able to text or video call? Is it a tool to improve movement and fitness motivation? Do you want him to be able to play games when he gets bored? The answers to these questions can help you narrow down features that are most important to you.
You may want to spend a little more if GPS tracking and bio measurements like heart rate and body temperature are important. If not, you can save a few dollars by purchasing a basic watch that tracks movement and steps and includes an SOS (emergency signal).
Durability
Kids, even kids who are trying to be careful, can be hard on gadgets. Kids’ smartwatches should have strong but flexible wristbands made of rubber or silicone that can take some wear and tear.
A watch face that's encased in a protective cover or can be fitted with a screen protector can also prolong the life of the watch. Water-resistant or waterproof smartwatches for kids can also let you breathe a sigh of relief when the watch accidentally falls in the bathtub or toilet. Models with an IP67 or IP68 rating offer the best water protection. If you're looking to upgrade, find out how to recycle electronics.
Size
Adult smartwatches can have enormous faces that dwarf even a large person's wrist. Kids’ smartwatches can fall into this trap too. Keep in mind that smartwatches are larger than a standard watch because they have more technology in the face. However, you can look for models that are thin and lightweight, so they're less likely to interfere with your child's play or bump into walls and other objects.
FAQs
Q: How much do smartwatches for kids cost?
Smartwatches for kids generally cost between $50 to $200. You can find a few models above and below that range, but those are definitely the outliers. Advanced features like GPS tracking and talk-to-text increase the price, while basic models that do little more than tell the time and track steps are at the bottom.
Q: What age is a child smartwatch for?
Children’s smartwatches are designed for ages four and up. However, check the age range for each model, as some aren’t meant for children under the age of six.
Q: Do you need a phone for a smartwatch?
You need some kind of device like a laptop, phone, or tablet to connect to the smartwatch so you can access all of the features and download photos if the watch has a camera. From the app, parents can set the parental controls, check activity levels, or download pictures and videos.
Q: Do smartwatches emit radiation?
Smartwatches emit EMF radiation. However, this type of radiation is long wave and isn’t considered dangerous. Keep in mind that smartwatches are a relatively new addition to society. There’s no conclusive evidence that smartwatch EMF radiation does or does not cause damage.
Final Thoughts
The TickTalk 4 gets the top spot for the best overall smartwatch for kids thanks to its GPS tracking, call and text messaging, camera, and overall durability. It’s on the pricey side, but parents can keep tabs on their kids while kids get a watch that offers them fun features. If you’re on a tighter budget, the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 is loaded with games, including those that teach kids how to tell time. It also has dual cameras so kids can document their fun.
This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.
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