Whether they’re tracking your child’s whereabouts or encouraging a more active lifestyle, smartwatches for kids are just as relevant as they are for adults.
The best youth smartwatches include geofencing, educational games, long battery life, and a comfortable design for all-day use. These days, you’ll even find smartwatches that include multiple cameras, so young ones capture selfies or daily moments — all without requiring a smartphone. And these devices are typically built to withstand not-so-gentle handling, unlike some adult versions.
Start them young with these smartwatches
Best overall
Garmin Bounce
A full-featured smartwatch for kids
$150 $160 Save $10
The Garmin Bounce is the obvious choice for parents attempting to get their children into fitness. The watch’s full-fledged sports tracking is rounded off with essential monitoring features like location tracking, geofencing, two-way communication (thanks to built-in LTE), and monitored contact access. You’ll get all the smartwatch smarts at half the price of most wearables.
- Full-fledged waterproof activity tracker
- Two-way communication over LTE
- Two-day battery life
- No voice call support
- Reflective screen can be hard to read
- Chunky bezels
One of the most full-featured smartwatches on our list, the Garmin Bounce even resembles a full-sized fitness tracker. Garmin’s pedigree includes building some of the best fitness trackers, which is evidenced here, thanks to a built-in sports app that uses GPS to track runs, walks, and bike activities. It’ll even handle swimming workouts and display lap counts on the bright and colorful display.
The Bounce also doubles as a learning tool with multiple games like a slider puzzle, math flash games, and utilities like a stopwatch and alarm clock.
Of course, parental controls are the biggest reason to get a watch like this. The built-in LTE connectivity lets you track your child’s location in real-time, and geofencing controls are included, notifying parents anytime their child steps out of a designated zone. Parents can even add up to 20 contacts who can be called or texted. In case of an emergency, the assistance mode will automatically beam a message to all family contacts alongside a live tracking link.
The large 1.3-inch screen with reinforced glass makes it easy for children to pick up and use. You’ll even get two days of use on a single charge, making it the perfect full-featured choice as a smartwatch for kids.
Premium pick
Fitbit Ace LTE
Feature-rich
The Fitbit Ace LTE excels at making exercise fun for kids and is a wonderful standalone smartwatch. Its mini-games encourage movement, and kids earn points to customize cute characters called eejies. It’s built for everyday wear with a durable screen and water-resistant casing. The Ace LTE also provides reliable 4G LTE connectivity and GPS tracking for a reasonable monthly subscription.
- Encourages kids to move through games and other fun incentives
- Excellent app for parents
- Durable screen and water resistance
The Fitbit’s Ace LTE is more than a smartwatch. Sure, it features all the things you’d expect on a premium pick, like 4G LTE connectivity and location sharing (for a monthly subscription); in fact, we’d argue that GPS tracking is top-notch for kids, thanks to the user-friendly Fitbit app.
The parental controls for communication, which only allow approved contacts to call or text, offer peace of mind as well. But what we really like about the Ace LTE is how this smartwatch turns exercise into an activity rather than a chore.
The device offers several mini-games and daily quests that motivate your kids to move. And these aren’t lame games that your kid will only play occasionally. They’re quite engaging, but not too engaging. Kids are allotted about 5 minutes per gaming session, then they’re prompted to get some movement in before they can return to the game.
There’s even a customizable Noodle graphic that helps track movement goals based on World Health Organization recommendations. There’s something about the slithering graphic that makes exercise more fun.
Kids also earn points for their movement, which are used to customize in-game characters called eejies. These human-ish characters live in Bit Valley, where kids can buy them clothes, furniture, and all sorts of accessories to personalize their digital home.
The durability of the Ace LTE is another bonus, with its Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen and water resistance up to 50 meters. There are also several bands to choose from, each with its own eejie theme.
Our biggest caveat lies in the battery life. While Fitbit advertises that the Ace LTE will last 16 (or more) hours, we found it’s much less in the real world, especially with moderate use. After about 10 hours, you’ll likely notice the smartwatch sputtering by 10%. And while that’s a definite negative, there’s still a lot to love.
Best value
VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2
Top-tier parental controls without breaking the bank
The VTech Kidizoom DX2, a completely stand-alone smartwatch, is designed from the ground up to encourage activity and play. With over 55 watch faces and multiple preloaded games, your child is bound to find one to suit their taste. The two built-in cameras let kids capture special moments or kick back and catch monsters, thanks to the included AR game.
- Very affordable
- AR games offer an engaging experience
- Responsive display
- Mediocre camera quality
- Bulky design
- No cellular connectivity
The VTech Kidizoom DX2 is the perfect beginner smartwatch with its standalone functionality and fun, learning-oriented features. The attractive design and colorful screen are sure to appeal to younger children. Additionally, the watch comes preloaded with dozens of watch faces, a motion sensor for challenge-based activities, a pedometer for step counting, and free games.
The VTech Kidizoom stands out for its included cameras. The cameras at the top and front can capture daily moments or selfies. However, the watch lacks connectivity to keep data secure, and all images need to be transferred via micro-USB. You can even install new games using the micro-USB connection. Battery life isn’t the greatest, offering just one day, but it can be stretched to two with limited camera use.
Location tracking on a budget
JrTrack 3
Surprisingly affordable
The JrTrack 3 is an affordable smartwatch with a long battery life and IP68 water resistance. It offers a wide range of practical features, such as GPS tracking, texting, voice and video calls, and family-safe group messaging. And considering the subscription for all these only costs $9.99 a month, it’s a minimal investment.
- A wealth of features for the price
- Affordable monthly subscription
- Durable and water resistant
- Not the coolest looking smartwatch
It’s safe to say that the JrTrack 3 offers quite a lot for its affordable price, and that should make parents happy. This watch is designed for kids ages 6+, and while we appreciate the practical stuff, like its long battery life and IP68 water resistance, we wish the watch had more flare. That said, you can purchase more colorful bands to give this JrTrack 3 a personal touch. Besides, you’re probably buying this JrTrack for its GPS and calling and texting capabilities.
Speaking of texting, the JrTrack3 sports a few features our premium pick lacks — picture and video sharing. What’s more, this smartwatch allows for family-safe group messaging (via JrTrack’s Mission Control app), ensuring kids can only communicate with people you approve.
Of course, all this access isn’t free, but it is affordable. For $9.99 a month, you get unlimited calling and texting, including voice and video messaging — yes, this smartwatch has a camera.
Beyond communication and GPS tracking, the JrTrack 3 prioritizes safety with custom SafeZones, emergency calls, and an SOS alert feature. But there are all the day-to-day features as well, like daily task reminders, activity tracking, and a School Mode to keep your kid focused during the day. However, our favorite perk is that JrTrack 3 has zero access to social media.
Built to withstand kids’ active lifestyles, JrTrack 3 boasts IP68 water resistance and includes essentials like activity tracking, a front-facing camera, reminders, and School Mode to minimize distractions. Best of all, no access to social media or the open internet makes this smartwatch a secure and fun option for kids.
For older kids
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
An ideal watch if you own a smartphone
With its sleek AMOLED display and advanced features, the Galaxy Watch FE is perfect for older kids who want a more grown-up feel. Still, parents should rest assured that the smartwatch is both scratch and water-resistant. Health sensors like heart rate monitoring and Samsung’s Advanced Sleep Coach are especially handy tools for active teens. As long as your kid owns a Samsung or Android smartphone, they’ll dig this watch.
- Excellent health tracking features for older kids
- Decent price and usually on sale
- Durable but stylish
- You need a smartphone for this watch to work as intended
- Charge time is slow
For $200 (or less), there’s a lot to like about the Galaxy Watch FE. First off, older kids will appreciate the look of this smartwatch. Everything from the nice-looking AMOLED display to its more advanced features, your kid is going to feel like a grown-up.
On the durability front, the FE is scratch and water-resistant. There are three color options too, all of them tasteful. And feel free to upgrade your bands — Samsung offers quite a few, and you’re sure to find some third-party options on Amazon.
You won’t find any kid-specific features here, but the pedometer, and a range of health sensors, such as heart rate monitoring and bioelectrical impedance analysis, are great for active tweens and teens. Another handy feature is Samsung’s Advance Sleep Coach, courtesy of Galaxy AI. It tracks your sleep quality and collects useful data to improve your 40 winks.
Overall, it’s a great smartwatch, but we do have a couple of demerits. The battery life should last you all day with moderate use. However, the two-hour charge time is inconvenient, especially if your kid uses the watch at night, so you’ll want to charge the FE beforehand.
Another point worth noting — you need a smartphone connected to the FE if you want calls and GPS tracking. For parents who aren’t ready to take the smartphone plunge, you’ll want to stick with our other standalone smartwatch picks.
Connectivity galore
Xplora XGO 3
Stay connected every which way
The Xplora XGO 3 delivers essential safety features like GPS tracking, Safety Zones, and an SOS function. But there are also fun (and practical) perks like a built-in photo-sharing camera. Parents stay in control with pre-approved contacts and School Mode to limit distractions. Given the budget-minded price point, the required $9.99 monthly subscription for full access is easier to swallow.
- Fun camera for kids to snap and share photos
- School Mode to minimize distractions
- 2-day battery life (or longer)
- Image quality isn’t the best
The Xplora XGO 3 is a colorful, sporty smartwatch that’s perfect for kids from preschool to 6th grade. It’s waterproof, durable enough for daily dings, and sports a 2-day battery life — or longer, depending on usage.
To access XGO 3’s best features, you’ll need to pay $9.99 a month, but it’s a fair trade for what you’re getting. The XGO 3 keeps parents in control with its GPS Tracking, Safety Zones, and SOS function. And like most other kid-focused smartwatches, there’s a School Mode which limits certain features, save for location tracking and SOS.
Kids make and receive calls through pre-approved contacts and can send and receive voice messages, images, and emojis. They can even snap and share photos with the watch’s built-in camera. The image quality isn’t stellar, but it gets the job done, and younger kids will especially love to send pics to their family and friends.
Durable design
TickTalk 5
The rugged option
For some, TickTalk 5’s bulky design is worth it, especially for rambunctious kiddos. This standalone watch requires a monthly fee, but you get what you pay for: 4G LTE, voice and video calls, GPS tracking, and SOS/911 capabilities. And rest assured, parents control communication with approved contacts, so you’ll have total peace of mind.
- Very durable frame and screen
- Reliable 4G LTE Network thanks to AT&T and T Mobile
- Decent 5MP camera
The TickTalk 5 might be a bit bulky, but its shock and dustproof exterior is ideal for everyday drops and tumbles. It’s IP67 water-resistant as well, and the impact-resistant screen is a welcomed edition, too. You’ll want to keep that 5MP camera free from scratches. Plus, there are 13 customizable watch faces, so they’re sure to find a look they like.
This standalone smartwatch provides a reliable 4G LTE network for voice and video calling, talk-to-text, and group chatting. And don’t worry, parents. Your kids can only communicate with approved contacts.
Moreover, the Ticktock 5 is equipped with GPS tracking via Google Maps, with fairly accurate real-time location. Kids can also make SOS and 911 calls, with all location alerts sent directly to you, the parent.
Setup is simple and with no contracts or hidden activation fees. However, to get the most out of this watch, you’ll want to subscribe to TickTalk Wireless. It’s available on both AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks for as low as $9.99 a month.
Extensive connectivity
Verizon Gizmo Watch 3
Classy and reliable
The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 has a minimal design with essentials like parental controls and GPS-based location tracking. With support for texts, voice calls, and even video calls, the Gizmo Watch 3 is the perfect communication tool for your young ones. An SOS button also provides additional peace of mind, offering one-tap access to immediate contacts.
- Appealing design
- Built-in text, voice, and video calls
- Live GPS tracking
- No apps or learning games
- Limited battery life
The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 is a feature-loaded smartwatch focusing on connectivity and communication. The watch lets you set up block-wide zones for geolocation-based alerts and offers live location tracking. Locked to the Verizon network, the smartwatch can send text messages, make voice calls, and even make video calls thanks to a built-in camera.
The accompanying Gizmo app allows for granular control over contacts and location tracking. The Gizmo Watch 3 is also preloaded with preset text messages to quickly beam over communications without poking around a keyboard on a tiny display.
The Gizmo Watch 3 is loaded in terms of specs. Running a customized version of Android tweaked for younger users, it has a stunning, high-resolution 1.4-inch AMOLED display that makes text look crisp and sharp. Battery life is excellent, too, and you can expect to receive three days between charges.
The best smartwatch for your kids
There’s a wealth of smartwatch options on the market, so choosing the right model with the right age-appropriate features is key.
The Garmin Bounce is a top pick, standing out for its quality build, modern design, and feature set that prioritizes safety and fitness habits. With granular controls for location tracking, the ability to control who your child can contact, and learning tools like games, the Garmin Bounce is a reasonably priced first smartwatch that should last well for years.
For something a little more involved, the Fitbit Ace LTE is just the ticket. Its durability, expanding game list, and fun take on staying fit encourage kids to stay active. Plus, the user-friendly Fitness App lets parents keep tabs on their kids wherever they roam, thanks to the responsive Google-powered GPS.
But if affordability is key, you can’t go wrong with the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2. Between the multiple cameras, AR games, and responsive interface, the KidiZoom DX2 offers a premium experience without breaking the bank.
Best overall
Garmin Bounce
A full-featured smartwatch for kids
$150 $160 Save $10
The Garmin Bounce is the obvious choice for parents attempting to get their children into fitness. The watch’s full-fledged sports tracking is rounded off with essential monitoring features like location tracking, geofencing, two-way communication (thanks to built-in LTE), and monitored contact access. You’ll get all the smartwatch smarts at half the price of most wearables.
