The best smartwatches for kids should be durable enough to withstand bumps and scrapes, have fun features that keep your kids entertained, and give you peace of mind about their wellbeing.
They’re particularly useful if you want to give your kids a taste of independence without giving them a full-fledged smartphone.
In our list of the 10 best smartwatches for kids, we’ve included everything from basic exercise trackers to smartwatches with all the bells and whistles, including GPS, sports, and SIM connectivity. This selection should fit most budgets.
Let’s start with a list of things to think about before making a purchase…
Design
The right smartwatch for kids should be lightweight enough to sit on small wrists and appeal to their youthful tastes. Many of the models on our list of the best kids’ smartwatches come in various vibrant colors and designs that inspire your child to be creative. In addition to style, look for lightweight, durable models with an easy-to-clean band.
Features
The features you can look for when buying a smartwatch for kids are decided by your – or your child’s – requirements. Do you want to keep them entertained? Is it necessary for your children to use the computer for entertainment or learning?
What about using Bluetooth? This is used to make it easier for the user to sync with apps on smartphones. Furthermore, although Wi-Fi is available for certain internet functions, a cellular link is not.
Safety is paramount
Smartwatches could be your child’s first foray into technology and social media, so make it a positive one. On the best smartwatches for kids, parental controls from apps are available, allowing you to keep track of what your children are doing and who they are talking to. Some have GPS devices, which are helpful for activity tracking and giving you peace of mind about their whereabouts.
If you’re worried about their safety, consider purchasing a smartwatch with geofencing capabilities. When your child enters or leaves a protected area, it will warn you, and others will contact the authorities if necessary. Keep the device’s firmware, as well as the smartphone’s, up to date to keep it safe from security vulnerabilities.
Life of the battery
A system with a large number of sensors requires a lot of electricity. This drastically cuts battery life. Unfortunately, this is a reality of modern life. Still, you must determine whether you want to charge your smartphone every evening for a feature-rich device or whether you can sacrifice any features. At the very least, a smartwatch should last a whole school day.
Here are the top ten smartwatches for kids in 2021 so far.
1. Garmin Vivofit Jr 3
To change the look of the tracker, the Vivofit Jr 3 can be customized with a variety of bracelets and straps.
There has been a lot of discussion about monitoring children’s health. Adult concerns with implied body image implications include worrying about meeting health goals and measuring calories. This is not something children should be exposed to.
However, we’re pleased that Garmin has developed an activity tracker that prioritizes fun over exercise. The Vivofit Jr 3 is more concerned with getting kids moving than with helping them lose weight. The time and date are displayed, as well as a stage counter, an active minutes counter, and counters for chores, incentive coins, and prizes.
Design and build
The Vivofit Jr 3 outperforms most of the rivals on this list. You can adjust the strap, which is available in various styles based on your children’s favorite Disney characters.
Specifications
Furthermore, the straps contain various storylines on the Vivofit Jr app, which is where the real fun begins. Each plot is played out like a board game in the app’s “Adventure” mode.
The board game is successful because it rewards real-life action. If the watch records your child’s activity for 60 minutes, they can make one move on the board. (Because you can only travel once per day, don’t be alarmed if your children are jumping on their beds late at night to assist BB-8 on his quest). This should also ensure that the child takes their time finishing a game and claiming a new strap.
Away from the frivolity of the game, the Vivofit Jr excels at the fundamentals. The accompanying software is geared toward children and displays overall activity and sleep without focusing on calories or fitness goals. There’s also a challenge mode where kids can associate their steps with accepted peers and family members.
The majority of the app’s most appealing features have little to do with fitness. When their children complete tasks assigned to them by their parents, they will be rewarded with a certain amount of digital coins.
It’s an excellent way to teach the kids about capitalism while also motivating them to help around the house. Because you select the incentives and their associated costs, the feature is accessible to families of all income levels.
2. Fitbit Ace 3
The Fitbit Ace 3, which is an activity tracker and a smartwatch in one. It recognizes the children’s good health and encourages them to bond with their loved ones. They will also join tournaments for their classmates. A mobile app handles all parental controls, allowing you to keep track of what they’re doing and who they’re friends with.
The Fitbit Ace 3 has a slim silicone bracelet with an elastic string that comes in two colors. It’s OK to sleep in because of the silicone because you can keep track of how well your child is doing. Other key features include 8-day battery life, bedtime alarms, and ten customizable faces.
What’s more, it offers 50m water-resistance, on-screen celebrations for hitting goals, and kids can challenge family members to friendly activity competitions. With that and sleep tracking, this Fitbit encourages children to have a much healthier (and fun) lifestyle.
3. Xplora X5 Play
The Xplora X5 Play has a built-in 2MP camera, GPS, and the ability to send and receive text and voice messages, as well as make calls to up to fifty pre-approved contacts, all from the smartwatch itself.
These items are needed for concerned parents who wish to keep an eye on their younger children who may be nearing the age of driving themselves to school.
The companion software is very informative and is available for Android and iOS. You will even display a map of your child’s present position. A SIM card with data and minutes is needed for both call and phone features.
There is nothing for kids to do here. The basics, on the other hand, are shielded. The interface is large but manageable on the forearm. The 1.4-inch display, which has a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels, is bright and sensitive. There are a variety of watch faces to pick from and movement warnings that reward coins for taking action.
These coins can also be exchanged for objects in the Xplora GoPlay store, making them an extra opportunity to walkabout.
4. Vodafone Neo
The Vodafone Neo is the best-looking kids smartwatch we’ve seen in a long time, thanks to its chunky, colorful design. Additionally, kids can customize the 1.3-inch, 240 x 240 display with a variety of Disney characters.
Almost every single one of your children’s favorite characters is available. They’ll also like the sound effects that are caused by motion.
Parents would appreciate being able to monitor their children’s whereabouts and communicate with them using the watch’s call and text features. But there is no real-time surveillance; you might ask for your child’s location. The watch can also be used to make phone calls, send texts, and set calendar reminders.
In fact, it functions more like a tracker than a smartwatch. This isn’t the most “smart” of smartwatches, but it’s still a technological marvel.
Design and build
There is no touch screen on the machine itself, no built-in play, and no other distractions. To begin, this is a watch with a soft rubbery band reminiscent of vintage Casio watches.
The unit is controlled by three buttons on the right and two on the left. Long and short presses open the settings, including sending voice notes, calling a pre-approved number list (set by parents in the corresponding app), and activating an SOS function that alerts the parent.
You must unbox and set it up before giving it to your son. We all know how much children despise waiting, and this one will require some time to set up.
The ability to communicate
Because the entire system is based on cell data, you’ll need to select a service package. First, to be contacted in an emergency, download the companion app for your watch, then enter your watch’s phone number (provided when you purchase a plan) and the parent’s phone number.
Nothing here is particularly difficult or complicated; it simply entails some email tinkering, waiting for acceptance codes, and so on.
Because of the connection with a smartphone, you will see the watch no matter where it is. The monitoring is excellent, and setting up safe zones is simple. Simply draw a circle on the map and set a radius of 200 to 2000 meters.
You will be notified if the watch (which your child is supposed to be wearing) is removed. Last but not least, in the event of an emergency, there is the SOS button. Three taps on the right button trigger the SOS, which dials the parent’s phone number and sends location data to the smartphone.
Overall, the Gator Watch is a fantastic piece of technology for parents who want to keep an eye on their children, and hopefully, the rough edges will be smoothed out in a future upgrade.
5. TickTalk 4
This watch was designed in mind for kids 5-12 giving them slightly more freedom to call home or their friends while keeping all the safety features firmly in place. The TickTalk 4 is both affordable and made hardy because they understand kids like to play.
Let’s dive into what this watch can offer your kid!
Applications
The most noticeable thing about this watch is that there is no internet, social media, or games. It is new and modern yet takes the focus back to what a watch should do, tell time and now be a way of communication. It’s not a boring watch for your kid either! There are tons of fun things to do on this watch.
Streaming music is one of them. With free streaming music, it puts the watch on par with some of the best adult smartwatches out there. And while they are jamming out to some tunes they can be working on a number of exercise goals and activity tracking including step count. This is great to keep kids softly aware of their exercise.
It also has a video camera to take pictures and record video. Because of this parents can also expect two-way video and voice calling. To keep things, even more, safe the watch features and app for in-group messaging as well as three-way location sharing.
6. Vodafone V-Kids watch
The practice of helicopter parenting is becoming more prevalent. And the device’s primary goal here seems to be to keep a constant eye on your baby.
The watch has a soft silicone wristband and a plastic watch face suitable for children. It should be able to handle whatever your sprog throws at it.
GPS
This is significant because the product was created with children’s safety in mind. A Vodafone SIM card is housed in the body and regularly sends your child’s GPS location info to your smartphone. On the left, there is also an SOS button. If the child holds it down for five seconds, it will send a message to all family members’ phones with location updates.
You’ll still have to pay a monthly fee for the tracking service.
Smart features
The watch itself has a few smart features. Your child will be able to see what time it is, how hot it is, and what reminders you have set for them. You can also use the calculator and an absurd voice changer, as well as play a game. The latter three features can be disabled in the corresponding apps to help them concentrate at school.
Chat
There’s also a basic chat function where your child can send and receive 30-second voice notes from friends and family, as well as communicate using a collection of kid-friendly emojis.
Surprisingly, in school mode, you can disable the friends’ chat but not the family chat.
It’s well-designed and kid-friendly, the location tracking is precise, and the school mode is useful for keeping kids focused on their studies.
7. ProGrace Kids Smartwatch
This Prograce watch is an excellent choice for active children. It’s an excellent watch with a range of designs and functions. It is suitable for children aged 4 to 12.
This timepiece has a lot of potential. Sports, a rotatable camera, and even a flashlight are included. With a big touch screen and a brightly colored band that stands out, the style is striking.
Tracker for Exercise
The built-in motion sensors will enable you and your child to monitor steps and calories. It’s perfect for those who want to develop healthier behaviors.
Camera
The device’s front-facing camera rotates 90 degrees, allowing users to take selfies or pictures from the device’s front. Adjustment is easy, but you’ll need a micro SD card to save the photos if you don’t already have one.
Four Exciting Action Games
Your child will be amused for hours with the four games that come pre-installed. Since the watch has a touch screen, it is easy to view and enjoy the games.
Music
After inserting a memory card, you can upload your child’s favorite songs. Thanks to the earphone port, they can listen without distracting you. Headphones are also included, which is a nice extra.
Time
The watch will only display 24-hour time, not the 12-hour time that most people in the United States are used to. It isn’t a big deal for older children, but it may be difficult for younger children.
8. Karaforna Smartwatch for Children
This little beauty from Karaforna is suitable for children aged 4 to 10.
With a total of nine apps and features, this watch is a powerhouse. You can contact your child at any time, thanks to the two-way call feature. Your child can even take pictures and record voice for fun or study.
The watch comes with a memory card that can be used to upload music. Educational games and other useful features can help the user become more self-reliant.
Messages
You can connect with your child at any time, thanks to the two-way call function. The kid can easily accept and make calls from up to ten different individuals. You won’t be able to change the names; instead, “Contact 1,” “Contact 2,” and so on will be used.
In an emergency, click the power button twice to send an SOS call. Until anyone responds, the watch will call the pre-programmed emergency numbers in sequence.
Features
The child can use the watch to keep track of their everyday activities. It has a camera and an audio recorder, so you can take selfies or record personal messages. All is saved since the smartwatch comes with a 1GB Micro SD memory card.
It also has an MP3 player built-in. Your child can use their screen to download music to their memory card. The sound quality is outstanding for a smartwatch, and the volume can be changed.
The smartwatch comes with seven learning games pre-installed. They’re easy to use and promote critical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and fast responses thanks to the touch screen.
The watch includes an alarm clock as well as a calculator.
Operation is easy
The watch is effortless to use. The strap is completely customizable, and the kit includes a 1GB micro SD card, a user manual, and a USB charging cable.
Keep in mind that only the parents should be able to identify and save contacts. As a result, the child would have an easier time deciding who they should contact.
9. Cosmo JrTrack Kids
We’re heading to the end of the list with a couple of budget-friendly watches. Here, you can now text your whole family, even your seven-year-old! Cosmo understands that your child may not yet be ready for a smartphone, but with JrTrack, they are still available on speed dial.
Data Plan & SIM Card
The JrTrack runs on Cosmo’s family-friendly network, which T-Mobile operates. The data plans are adaptable and cost-effective. So you can sign up without a contract and cancel whenever you want.
Features
- 4G Nationwide Network (assuming US-based purchase)
- SOS Alert Mode with Real-Time GPS Tracking
- WiFi Enabled
- Geofencing
- Water-resistant
- Internet lockdown option to keep them safe online
- Stay in control with the Mission Control Parent App
- Set a homework schedule, so they never get in trouble at school
- Set timers
- After school or clubs, use the GPS tracker chart to locate them, so they get home safely
10. Mi Band 7
The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is predicted to be just around the corner. That’s why we had to add this to our list because it is likely to be worth the wait. The Mi Band 7 got several updates including a better notification system. You don’t have to worry about missed calls, texts, etc., because this update gives you alerts.
Interestingly enough yet not surprising kids are just as obsessed with touch screens as adults are. And it is said that there will be a more convenient and sleeker all-around touch screen with the new band.
Battery life has yet to be commented on but there is a high expectation that new sports modes will be added to the already 30 sports! This is a huge win for active kiddos and why it makes the cut.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve realized what features are important to you regarding your child’s first or next smartwatch! Once you’ve got them set up with their new gadget, why not check out our fitness ideas for kids…
If you’re specifically a fan of Fitbit, have a look at our best Fitbit watches for kids or if having GPS on your child watch is important to you, then check out these 5 awesome GPS watches for kids.
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Last Updated on December 12, 2022
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