Smartwatches are not just about adults. With the new Garmin Vivofit Junior 3, your little ones can feel part of fitness tracking too! It is a fully rebooted piece of kit that aims to get kids to engage more in being active. The great news is that it will hit the shelves in time for Christmas 2020. Furthermore, it’s a great way to end a year that has left kids wanting to explore more than ever. Take a look at our review before you make your purchase.
How Well Is the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 Designed?
When it comes to kids smartwatches, the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 offers a device that is built to last. It will keep going for even the most active users and offers connectivity through Bluetooth. The band is made from silicone and is adjustable as well as robust. The watch face is embedded in silicone to protect it from trips and falls. Furthermore, it can be taken in the water up to 50m deep. Meaning your child can splash, swim, and shower without having to part with it!
The Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 is suitable for children over the age of four. The wrist strap measures up to 175mm, so it will grow with your child, allowing them to get the best use out of it. It is also incredibly lightweight at 25. Those little wrists won’t get tired from wearing it all day and night, meaning fewer arguments for you when it is time to go to bed!
The screen is square and measures 14.11mm each way. This makes it clear for your child to read without having to squint. The display is color, so even in bright sunlight, the display will be easy to read.
It is also important to note that Garmin has installed an ICE screen onto the watch. This means you can put emergency contact details directly on the display for times when they need you the most. It is easy to access and means that you can feel less worried when they pop out with their friends, when they are at school or other activities that don’t include you.
How Good Is the Battery Life On the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3
Rather than offer a device that needs regular charging, Garmin went for a single cell coin battery that should last up to a year! This removes the need for additional wires and stops the frustration of having a watch run out when your child is mid-way through their day.
The only downside to this battery choice is that it will need to be replaced when it runs out. Resulting in a trip to the shops for you! However, single-cell coin batteries are cheap and easy to get hold of. Furthermore, once it is changed, you can look forward to another year of use before needing to replace it again.
Activity Tracking and Functions
With seven different activities to track, this smartwatch will keep an eye on your child’s movement and activity. Feeding back to them on how well they are doing. It tracks their steps, their activity, and even their sleep. This gives them a chance to begin understanding the impact of all three things on their life and wellbeing.
To keep your child interested, there are goals they can work towards by being active. When they hit their 60-minute target, they will be rewarded with an adventure trail that they can enjoy while using the watch to learn new and fun facts.
One great new addition is that the Vivofit Jr 3 tracks the distance your child travels every day and reports back to them on their efforts. Sadly, the ‘move’ screen has disappeared with this upgrade, meaning that your child will not be prompted to get up and go when they have been relaxing for too long.
If you are keen to get your child helping out around the house, then the companion Garmin app is a great way to organize the chores they need to and provide them with rewards when they do them. The chores you input into the app will appear on the watch face as a reminder for your child, and when they have completed them, you can issue them with virtual coins that they will save for real-world prizes you organize.
Pros and Cons Of the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3
When it comes to making an expensive purchase, it is wise to measure the pros and cons first. We have listed the main ones here so that you can make an informed decision:
Pros
- Clear ICE contact display on the watch face.
- Seven different designs to fit your child’s interests.
- One-year battery life so they will not need to waste time charging.
- Excellent price point.
- The Bluetooth connection is simple to use.
- There is a range of activities that can be tracked.
- 14 days of data available to view, allowing your child to note their progress.
Cons
- The battery is not rechargeable and will need to be replaced when it runs out.
- The functions have not changed dramatically from the Jr 2 versions.
- The ‘move’ screen has been removed so your child won’t be prompted to get up and go when they’ve been sat around for too long.
Should I Buy My Child a Garmin Vivofit Jr 3?
If you want to help your child to get fit, give them a wearable that looks great, and allows them to join in with the world of fitness tracking, then this smartwatch offers it all. It also offers excellent safety features, providing their ICE contact on the display so that you never need to worry about being contacted when they need you the most. If you treat your child to this watch for Christmas, we are sure they will be impressed!
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Last Updated on February 3, 2022
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