Best Smartwatches for Kids: Stay Connected and Have Fun
The Best Smartwatches for Kids
Smartwatches designed for kids have quickly become a must-have for modern families. Parents and children can easily communicate via calls, texts, and real-time location tracking with these devices. They are also effective in keeping older children on track with reminders and alerts of their daily activities. IFor kids, these devices go beyond simple communication.
Most popular children’s smart watches come with fun features like cameras, games, and music players, making them both useful and entertaining. In choosing the most appropriate ones to use with kids, we considered the most important aspects such as ease of use, durability, and handy features such as GPS positioning and messaging. Safety was also a priority and therefore we have incorporated models that have good parental control features.
We recommend products from trusted brands we’ve personally used as adults, along with highly rated options that have received strong positive feedback from users. The majority of smart watches designed specifically to be used by kids have calling, texting, and GPS tracking features, but restrict or entirely block internet access to provide extra safety. Keep reading after our top picks to learn how we chose the best smartwatches for kids and what to look for before making your purchase.
Jump To Review Our Top Picks
1
Best Overall Smartwatch for Kids
Apple SE (2nd Gen) Smart Watch
FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
Calling available: Yes | GPS: Yes | Suggested age range: Not listed | Cellular plan required: Yes
While this device isn’t specifically marketed as a kids’ watch, Apple consistently delivers strong performance, making it one of the best smartwatches for kids—especially older children.
Being the entry-level model of Apple, it has all the basic features you would desire, including GPS, calling, texting, and FaceTime audio, without having to pay extra to get more advanced features like intensive fitness tracking or deep-water resistance. It is also a long term solution that your child will not grow out of soon and you will not have to upgrade it so often. And should you upgrade in the future, it can be easily inherited.
With the Family Setup feature, parents can manage their child’s smart watch by controlling approved contacts, enabling Schooltime mode to minimize distractions during class, and receiving location updates. Like most devices with GPS, calling, and messaging capabilities, it requires a cellular plan and works exclusively with iPhones.
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2
Best Value Smart watch for Kids
Biggerfive Smart Watch for Kids
FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
Calling available: No | GPS: Yes | Suggested age range: 4-12 | Cellular plan required: No
While some options can cost hundreds, the best smartwatches for kids don’t always have to break the bank. In case you want a cheaper option, this Biggerfive model costs less than 30 dollars and has a lot of features. It has inbuilt games, pedometer, alarm, flashlight and others.
This smart watch is also a digital camera, which kids can use to take photos, and it can hold music to play it through a headphone jack. Only remember that it needs a microSD card, which is sold separately.
Overall, it’s one of the best smartwatches for kids—especially for younger children who will love the bright colors, playful design, and fun features.
3
Best with GPS and Calling Features
Spacetalk Adventurer 4G Kids Smart Watch
FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
Calling available: Yes | GPS: Yes | Suggested age range: 5-12 | Cellular plan required: Yes (AT&T only)
If you’re not ready to give your child a smartphone but still want reliable communication, this Spacetalk model stands out as one of the best smartwatches for kids. It offers a great middle ground, allowing calls and texts while giving parents full control over approved contacts.
Equipped with GPS tracking, it provides real-time location updates and sends alerts if your child leaves a designated safe zone. Parents can also set departure and arrival notifications, helping ensure kids stay on schedule and arrive safely.
This smart watch is not internet-enabled or social media-enabled, which reduces distractions and is designed to be safe. It operates on AT&T 4G and LTE networks, so it’s important to check coverage in your area before purchasing.
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4
Best for Tracking Fitness
Fitbit Google Ace LTE – Kids Smart watch
FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
Calling available: Yes | GPS: Yes | Suggested age range: 7-12 | Cellular plan required: Yes
Both our kid and adult testers were impressed with the Fitbit Google Ace LTE, making it one of the best smartwatches for kids—especially those ages 7 to 12. It blends fitness tracking with communication features, offering a well-rounded experience for active children.
With built-in LTE connectivity, kids can make calls and send messages without needing a smartphone, giving parents a dependable way to stay connected. Its standout feature is the gamified fitness tracking, which encourages kids to stay active by turning exercise into a fun and engaging experience.
The watch also has powerful parental controls and data privacy protection to provide extra peace of mind. Nonetheless, calling and messaging are only available with a monthly subscription plan, and only approved contacts can be communicated with via the companion app. The battery life can also require more frequent charging than some other models.
5
Best Basic Smart Watch for Kids
Garmin vivofit jr. 3, Fitness Tracker for Kids
FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
Calling available: No | GPS: Yes | Suggested age range: 4+ years | Cellular plan required: No
Garmin is a brand that has always fared well in our tests, and the Vivofit Jr. 3 is a good competitor in the list of the best smartwatches for kids. This model is unique in that it integrates activity tracking with useful everyday features to families.
Besides monitoring steps and sleep, it enables parents to set reminders of chores and tasks- so they do not have to nag their children all the time. Children are able to get virtual coins when they finish their duties and can be used to get rewards that you both agree on.
Garmin also has active minute goals to keep children motivated and active, unlocking quizzes, games, and app adventures when activity targets are achieved. The watch is also customizable and available in various colors to match various styles. It is worth mentioning, though, that this model lacks calling and GPS tracking capabilities.
6
Most Fun Kids Smartwatch
TickTalk5 Smart Watch for Kids
FEATURES AT A GLANCE:
Calling available: Yes | GPS: Yes | Suggested age range: 3-12 | Cellular plan required: Yes
The TickTalk 5 stands out as one of the best smartwatches for kids, offering features comparable to the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3. It allows children to send texts, make calls, leave voice messages, and even video call approved contacts through both the watch and its companion app.
Like many advanced models, it requires a cellular plan, with TickTalk plans starting at around $10 per month via AT&T or T-Mobile. Parents also get all the essential tools they expect from the best smartwatches for kids, including GPS tracking and customizable parental controls such as setting quiet times for school or bedtime.
In testing, the TickTalk 5 delivered some of the most accurate location tracking. It’s not only pinpointed location precisely but also provided more detailed information about surroundings, offering a clearer picture of where a child is—giving parents added confidence and peace of mind.
How we chose the best smartwatches for kids
We use our experience of testing various smart watches to determine the best smart watches to use with kids, with a preference to the brands that have been performing well, are user-friendly, and durable. We also take into account reputable brands with a good track record, although we have not had an opportunity to test all the models formally.
In addition, we evaluate highly rated options backed by positive user reviews. Features are also important- we focus on smart watches with convenient features such as GPS tracking, calling, and entertainment. Finally, we consider recommended age ranges to ensure our picks suit children of different ages and needs.
What to look for when shopping the best smartwatches for kids
To purchase the best smart watches to use with kids, consider the following important factors to get the right one to use in your family:
✔ ️Cellular plan: Calling, texting, and GPS tracking are available on many of the best smartwatches for kids, but they usually need a cellular plan, which increases the overall price. Other models do not require a plan, but they might have fewer communication capabilities.
✔ ️GPS tracking: GPS feature will be an added advantage as parents will be able to track the location of their child. Other features such as alerts when a child goes out of a safe area are also available on some of the best smartwatches for kids, but this can make them more expensive.
✔ ️Calling and texting: Not all devices support calls and messages, but those that do can make it easier to stay connected. Parental controls are also available on many of the best smartwatches for kids, allowing you to control approved contacts. Make sure to verify compatibility with your smartphone and mobile carrier (where necessary).
