I’ve spent most of my kids’ early years keeping them off devices, but eventually the pros of being connected start to outweigh the cons. As they grow up, having a way to communicate gives them freedom and gives me peace of mind.
Smartphones, though, come with a lot of baggage: distractions, endless group chats and social drama. For me, smartwatches are the perfect middle ground. They give kids a direct line to me without the investment (or distractions) of a full phone, making them an ideal first step into that kind of tech.
Having a watch strapped to their wrist is also a bonus, considering how many water bottles and sweatshirts end up in the lost and found on a regular basis. It could also motivate them to stay active, offering a gamified experience through step tracking and fitness challenges.
The term “smartwatch” is often used loosely when referring to kids. A quick Google or Amazon search will yield a wide range of results, from a $25 digital watch with a few games to a $250 Apple Watch that can track vitals and call 911 in an emergency.
For this guide, we’re focusing primarily on smartwatches that help parents stay connected with their kids, rather than toy-like watches designed for entertainment or dedicated fitness bands that lack two-way communication. The latter are much simpler in terms of functionality and tend to be less expensive, making the decision process more straightforward than choosing among feature-rich GPS smartwatches that require greater parental involvement and even a separate cellular plan.
Kids’ smartwatch vs. regular smartwatch
Though both may share many of the same functions, kids’ smartwatches typically have fewer features than full-fledged smartwatches designed for adults. A child may not need an electrocardiogram feature, for instance, but GPS tracking and access to emergency contacts are essential. Kids’ watches also come with built-in guardrails that parents can customize through a companion app on their phones.
Kids’ smartwatches are also designed with their needs and interests in mind. Physically, they tend to be larger, more colorful and feature bigger buttons and screens for easier navigation. Even traditional smartwatch functions, such as fitness tracking, are adapted for children, with more attainable step goals and activity options that align with a child’s lifestyle, making exercise tracking more engaging.
Real-time GPS tracking and two-way communication with parents are key features we look for in a smartwatch for kids.
Things to consider
Age range
This is one of the most important factors in choosing a smartwatch, because it determines the type of features your child will need. Watches designed for kids ages 5 and under typically have physical buttons, simple icons and minimal screens to navigate, making them easy to use without requiring reading or complex swiping. This ensures that kids can’t accidentally text a stranger or call 911 while attempting to play Snake. An example of a simple device with limited functionality is the Gabb Watch 3E.
Older kids may benefit from more advanced features, such as two-way calling, texting, more robust fitness tracking, and even mobile payments. Options like the Apple Watch SE 3 or Fitbit Ace provide more functionality while still offering parental controls to manage and monitor usage.
GPS
If you’re looking to track your kid accurately and in real time, we recommend a kids’ smartwatch with GPS. For me, it’s a nonnegotiable feature when shopping for a kids’ watch. Some popular brands, like VTech and Garmin, offer non-GPS versions of their kids’ smartwatches that are designed for entertainment or fitness tracking. So make sure the model you’re considering specifically calls out GPS tracking.
Real-time location tracking is particularly useful if you want to keep an eye on your kid’s walk home from school. It also allows you to set up geofencing alerts, which notify you if your child strays beyond an approved path or location. Just keep in mind that GPS tracking typically requires a cellular connection and comes with an additional monthly fee from your wireless provider.
Parents can use geofencing to get an alert when their child leaves a designated location.
Connectivity
Cellular service is a must, not only for GPS tracking but also for making calls and texts to emergency contacts and services. You’ll need to decide whether the watch lets you add on the monthly fee to your existing phone plan or whether you need to go with another carrier altogether. This could rule out carrier-specific devices like the Gizmo Watch 3, which is exclusive to Verizon.
Then there are watches like the Gabb Watch 3e, which are completely carrier-agnostic and offer their own cellular plans that you can purchase monthly, or under a one- or two-year contract.
Budget
Make sure to factor all the extras into your budget, including the monthly service fee and any activation fees. You can expect to pay between $100 and $300 for the device itself, plus an additional $10 to $20 per month for the cellular service.
If you’re on a tight budget and all you really need out of a kids’ smartwatch is the GPS tracking, consider a dedicated tracker like Apple’s AirTag. At around $25, it offers a yearlong battery life, and you can buy an accessory to let your child wear it on their wrist. However, the AirTag only works for location tracking if there’s a nearby iPhone or Find My device, and it doesn’t replace traditional GPS tracking. Apple designed the AirTag to track objects, not people, so it has a number of alerts and systems to prevent unwanted tracking.
The Fitbit Ace LTE is a great alternative for kids.
Brands
A brand-name device is another consideration when you’re looking at your budget. Though there are plenty of cheap options from lesser-known companies that may offer similar functionality, it’s important to proceed with caution because these may not be as secure in terms of privacy for your child. These affordable devices might even feature built-in cameras, which could present additional concerns if misused.
A safer bet would be to stick with established brands like Garmin, Apple, Fitbit or models that’ve been reviewed and vetted by reputable sources, such as the TickTalk, Bark Watch or Gabb Watch. Apple for example has a wide range of parental controls and child-geared guardrails for all of its devices, including the Apple Watch, that parents can manage remotely from their personal phone.
Entertainment
Your child might get excited about playing games on their watch, but you might be less than thrilled when your kid is glued to the device at all hours. To avoid yet another screen-time struggle, we recommend opting for a watch with as few “entertainment” features as possible, especially when it comes to social media.
If the watch has games or extra features like a built-in camera, make sure there are parental controls that can limit usage time, so you’re not sending your kid to school with a permanent distraction strapped to their wrist. Though the novelty may wear off, expecting your kid not to play games during school hours is unrealistic. In fact, some schools actually ban these devices for this very reason.
A game of Kaiju Golf on the Fitbit Ace.
Screen protectors
Though most of these watches are designed with kids in mind, not all of them have a built-in screen protector or thick cover. It’s worth investing in some kind of protection to increase the chances of a smartwatch surviving the wear and tear of childhood.
Bottom line
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing a smartwatch for your child, but you can significantly narrow down your options by understanding which features meet your needs. Ultimately, you should select a smartwatch that provides the functionality you, as a parent, need to stay connected, while also offering something that motivates your child. With the right watch, you may even be able to delay the smartphone conversation for a few more years.
