Parenting

11 Great Smartwatches For Kids [Gadgets For Young Children]

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With the barrage of tech flooding most families, even little kids start to hijack your iPad and beg you for a cell phone at what seems far too tender an age. So what’s a parent to do if they want to give their child a little freedom but still don’t want them to have things like unlimited access to the internet?

As it turns out, a smartwatch made especially for kids may be the perfect compromise. In the first place, they cost far less than a phone or adult watch, and they offer a lot of things that are appealing to kids. Many come with games, cameras, music players and other apps that will keep them happily occupied. And most don’t rely on a WiFi connection.

If you want to use a smartwatch to communicate or keep tabs on your kids, then some models offer GPS info on your child’s location as well as calling and texting to a limited number of contacts.

To give you a taste for what’s out there and help you decide which smartwatch would be the best fit for your child, we’ve put together a list of 11 of the top smartwatches for kids, with most options available on Amazon.

Some focus more on games, others on fitness. We’ve also included a few that do have data plans and two-way communication options so you can always stay connected with your little one.

Whatever your needs, you’re sure to find something in this roundup that will keep your kid entertained and give you a little peace of mind.

Let’s take a look!

VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 (4-9 years)

Packed with games and activities, this highly-rated watch comes in multiple colors and is an excellent option for younger kids. In addition to screenplay, it also includes fun AR activities like tracking monsters in the real world.

Kids will also love making videos and snapping pics that they can customize with filters and turn into watch faces. The VTech also features an alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, calendar and calculator.

This durable, affordable and fun watch will definitely keep young children engaged (though it may be too juvenile for older kids).

Important Features:

Games and activities

Camera for photos and videos

Voice changer

Pedometer and motion sensor (for active games)

Sound effects

Rechargeable battery

Splashproof design

Not included:

GPS Tracking

Calling

Messaging

Related: When Was The Last Time You Called Your Grandparents? 5 Ways To Communicate While Social Distancing

Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch (4-8 years)

This playful Little Tikes watch has moving arms and legs, sound effects and over 100 expressions which help bring it to life. In addition to learning games, kids can also play with its AR Search and Seek game, Dance Activity games and more.

The photo and video cameras will provide tons of entertainment, and kids can also add fun stickers during the editing process. This watch also features an alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, calendar, calculator and reminders.

It’s also splashproof and can either be worn on the wrist, attached to clothing with the included clip or set on a tabletop with the display stand.

Fun and educational, this watch offers plenty of features to keep your tike occupied.

Important Features:

Games and activities

Camera for photos and videos

Sound effects

Pedometer and motion sensor (for active games)

Rechargeable battery

Splashproof design

​​​​​Not included:

GPS Tracking

Calling

Messaging

PlayZoom 2 Kids Smartwatch (4 to 12 years)

 

The most unique feature of the PlayZoom 2 is the ten audiobooks that come included. This watch also comes in tons of different colors, from camouflage to pink glitter and has ten different wearable watch faces.

It also has more than 25 STEM games to encourage fun learning, a picture plus video camera and can also be uploaded with your kid’s favorite songs or lullabies.

Though the recommended age is 4 through 12, we think this reasonably priced watch will probably appeal more to children 4 through 8.

Important Features:

Games

Audiobooks

Camera for pics and audio

Audio player

Headphone jack

Rechargeable battery

Not included:

GPS

Calling

Messaging

Related: The Best Cell Phones For Kids [From First Phones To IPhones]

Prograce Kids Smartwatch (4 to 12 years)

If you want to keep your kids entertained but also limit their screen time, this combination of games and fitness tracker watch is a good option. It comes with four built-in games that are ready to go and a 90-degree rotatable selfie camera for fun pics.

Other nice features include an FM radio and audio music player that can be listened to with headphones, a flashlight and Bluetooth connectivity.

Fitness tracking capabilities include a health motion sensor for active challenges, a pedometer and a calorie counter to get your little one in step with healthy practices.

Though not game heavy, this combination watch strikes a good balance for parents who worry about too much screen time.

Important Features:

4 Games

Rotatable Camera for Photos

FM radio

Flashlight

Pedometer

Calorie Counter

Audio Music Player

Bluetooth connectivity

Rechargeable battery

Not included:

Video Camera

GPS Tracking

Calling

Messaging

Heart Rate monitors

Bauisan Kids Smartwatch for Boys and Girls (3-12 years)

This easy-to-use and affordable watch has plenty of features to keep kids entertained, including games, an audio player, camera, voice recorder and sound effects.

The two-way calling feature works via SIM card, and parents can set 10 contacts in the phone book. This phone is extremely well-reviewed and is a great value for your money. So if you’re looking for lots of entertainment with a small price tag, this may be the watch for your kid.

Important Features:

Two-way calling

Games

Audio player

Camera

Flashlight

Calculator

Voice recorder

Rechargeable battery

Sound effects

​Not Included:

GPS

Messaging

Willow Wind Kids Smartwatch (4-12 years)

This is another economical watch that has quite a lot of features for the money. It comes with 14 games and a music mp3 function that allows you to download songs straight to the device. While it does have two-way calling, it only functions if you have 2G and a sim card.

It also has all the basic tools like a calculator, alarms, stopwatch, timer and flashlight. Though most reviewers seem to be happy with the quality, some mention that the games were too juvenile for their children who were 8 years old and up. So you may want to consider this watch as an option for kids 4 to 6.

​​​​Important Features:

Games

Camera

Audio player

Timer

Calculator

Alarms

Stopwatch

Two-way calling (only if you have 2g)

Calendar

Flashlight

Not Included:

GPS

Messaging

Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 Fitness Tracker (4-12 years)

If you have an active child or want to give your junior couch potato some incentive, the Garmin Vivofit 3 is a great option. It rewards every 60 minutes of activity by unlocking educational adventures, games and collectible gems. It’s also swim-proof and has activity cards that help kids learn basic exercises.

Parents can also use the Garmin Jr. app to assign chores, set reminders and award kids for good behavior. Another nice feature is that you can also put your child’s emergency contact information in the watch.

Parents should note that this watch is not rechargeable but does come with a year of battery life. But if you’re looking for a functional sports watch with some extra incentive for your child, this is a solid choice.

Important Features:

Pedometer

Timed activities

Parents controlled app with chore management

Reminder alerts

Swim friendly design

Adventures, quizzes and games

​Not included:

GPS

Camera

Calling

Messaging

Rechargeable battery

FitBit Ace 3 (6-12 years)

 

If you have an active family or want your kids to start developing healthy habits, this watch from Fitbit is a good way to get your child started. The animated watch face grows and changes as kids move more throughout the day.

Children can also challenge their family to competitions, send each other messages and cheers and earn virtual badges and onscreen celebrations when they reach their goals.

This watch also encourages healthy sleeping habits with sleep tracking, bedtime reminders and silent alarms. And a family account will allow parents to manage the Ace 3 and their own watch or tracker from one easy place.

Wrap that all up in a waterproof package, and you’ve got a great way for the family to play together and stay together.

Important Features:

All-day activity tracking

Sleep tracking

Animated clock faces

Family challenges feature

Bedtime reminders

Swim proof to 50 meters

Virtual badges

Rechargeable battery

Not Included:

GPS

Camera

Calling

Messaging

TickTalk 4 (5-12 years)

 

This advanced Tick Talk 4 watch comes with a price point to match, but it will give parents peace of mind who want to keep track of their children.

It features both video and voice calling plus secure messaging for you to stay in touch. It also comes with a 3-way smart locating device that is accurate within 10-feet.

Kids will enjoy the dual 5mp photo and video cameras and unlimited streaming of kid-friendly songs, podcasts and stories. They can also use the activity tracker to compete with other TickTalk friends to earn bronze, silver and gold medals.

This phone can is great for older children. It can hold up to 53 parent-approved contacts and has reminders to keep kids on track. Other parental controls include blocking unknown calls, daily music limits, SOS contacts and more.

As mentioned, this phone does come at a higher price point and also requires a monthly fee. However, a free Red Pocket SIM card comes included and is said to have plans as low as $10 per month.

Despite the added cost, if you’re looking to give your kids a smartwatch while still maintaining control of their activities, this watch has much to offer.

​Important Features:

Video Calling

Voice calling

Secure messaging

Free streaming of kid-friendly songs, podcast, stories

Photo and video camera

Smart location tracker

Activity tracker

Parent controls

Rechargeable battery

Not included:

Games

Social Media

Related: 9 Of The Best, Most Affordable 10-Inch Tablets On The Market

Verizon Gizmo Watch 2 (4-12 years)

 

If giving your child a smartwatch is about staying in touch, the Gizmo 2 from Verizon may be a good option. It has a two-way phone call feature and can hold up to 10 trusted contacts. If there’s an emergency, your child can use Quick Dial to call you by pressing a hard key button for 5 seconds.

Another interesting feature of this phone is geo-fencing which allows you to set GPS boundaries. If your child wanders out of the territory you’ve set up, you’ll be notified.

This phone also has a fitness tracker with a step counter to help your child set up goals. And parents can also set reminders about tasks and give rewards for work completed.

Of course, this phone has no camera, music or games and will require that you have a plan with Verizon and pay a monthly fee. But if it’s peace of mind with some great safety features you’re looking for, this may be the phone for you.

Important Features:

2-way calling

Texting

GPS

Geo-fencing

Fitness Tracker

Rechargeable battery

Not Included:

Games

Camera

Music

Apple Watch SE (Teens)

Of course, if you have a teen on your hands, you’re going to need something a little more sophisticated. And while it’s not exactly economical, the SE series from Apple is their least expensive smartwatch.

You’ll be able to stay in touch with the SE’s calling and texting capabilities, and the fitness tracker will help kids become more aware of their health and wellness.

Someone in the family will need an iPhone for this watch to function, but the good news is that Apple now has a Family Share Option, which means your kids can use this smartwatch by pairing it with your iPhone. Each watch has its own phone number and allows you to approve whom your kids contact.

So if you’re willing to lay down the cash, this watch is sure to impress your tweens and teens and give you a way to stay in touch with them. It may even get you a little extra love. Or at least not as much attitude.

Important Features:

2-way calling

Texting

Fitness tracker

Music

GPS

Water-resistant to 50 meters

Sleep tracker

Maps

Rechargeable battery

Not Included:

Camera

Tic-Tech

As you can see, there are plenty of options in every price range if you want to keep your kid entertained and introduce them into the world of tech without giving them a phone that may be too sophisticated for their needs.

Of course, every child is different, and what may seem like magic to one may appear too juvenile to another. Be sure to gauge your child’s maturity level and decide what your own needs are before you invest in any smartwatch.

Once you find a good fit, we think you’ll see that a watch is an excellent way to introduce your kids to technology and keep them entertained without having to worry about their safety. And that’s definitely a smart choice.

You might also be interested in: The 9 Best Dog Cameras To Watch Your Pets While You Are Away

11 Best Smartwatches for Kids: 

  1. VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 (4-9 years)
  2. Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch (4-8 years)
  3. PlayZoom 2 Kids Smartwatch (4 to 12 years)
  4. Prograce Kids Smartwatch (4 to 12 years)
  5. Bauisan Kids Smartwatch for Boys and Girls (3-12 years)
  6. Willow Wind Kids Smartwatch (4-12 years)
  7. Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 Fitness Tracker (4-12 years)
  8. FitBit Ace 3 (6-12 years)
  9. TickTalk 4 (5-12 years)
  10. Verizon Gizmo Watch 2 (4-12 years)
  11. Apple Watch SE (Teens)

Sherry De Alba

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