A few years ago, the kids smartwatch would be considered an extravagance. Why would a child under the age of 17, possibly need a smart watch with features like GPS and two-way communication?
That sounds straight out of Spy Kids.
Cut to today, a smartwatch for your child has turned into a borderline necessity.
Why do your Kids need a Smartwatch?
It’s a dog-eat-dog world.
As a parent, it can be scary to imagine the things that could go wrong the moment your kid steps out of the home. The least you can do is track your child’s location and activity. This assures you that they aren’t falling prey to say, bullying or doing things that they shouldn’t be doing.
Enter the smart watch. Totally non-invasive, yet crammed to the brim with useful features. Apart from allowing you to stay in contact with your child, a smartwatch will also help them with time management.
Oh yes, it’s a boatload of fun too.
If you have already discussed smartwatches with your child, then the chances are that they demand an Apple Watch, that is overpriced. Also, that’s giving you nightmares. Not everybody can afford to pay an arm and a leg for a watch that can easily get lost or damaged.
No need to fret. Check out our list of budget smartwatches for teenagers. It includes some mid-range smart watches and a few super affordable ones ranging from $40-190. And we’ve also thrown in a few Apple Watches for good measure.
For now, sit back and enjoy this read to discover the best smartwatch for kids.
List of the best Smart Watch for Kids
We spend hours sifting through the muck to find the best kids smartwatch for you. Irrespective of your child’s age and budget, we are sure that you will find the one you are looking for.
- VTech Kidizoom DX2
- Garmin Vívofit Jr.
- Amazfit Bip Lite
- Fitbit Ace 2
- VTech Kidizoom DX
- PROGRACE
- TickTalk 3
- Octopus Watch v2 Motion Edition
- OJOY A1
- FOROPIOLY
- Bohongde
- Kurio 2.0+
- Omate X Nanoblock
- Omate K3
- Vowor
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2
Dual cameras, gobs of onboard storage, ability to record videos or take selfies that can be used to customize the watch face.
That sums up the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch for you. Interactive, attractive and a whole lot of fun, this ‘smart watch for kids’ not only teaches young kids timekeeping, it also makes it a lot more interesting. It has an in-built motion sensor with games that use augmented reality. How about catching monsters in the living room, for example?
Children can connect to the VTech learning lodge and download more games, watch faces, and cool content. Moreover, it allow parents to monitor activity of their kids, as well as set limits to the playtime.
The Kidizoom is splash-proof and rugged enough for everyday use.
- Interactive gaming smartwatch
- Two cameras
- Motion sensor and fitness tracker
- Splash-proof, rugged design
Garmin Vívofit Jr.
The Garmin Vivofit Jr. is a bracelet-styled waterproof kids smartwatch with a durable silicone strap and an assortment of activities for both, learning and leisure.
The one-size-fits-all design can be worn and removed easily. Also, it takes the guesswork out of sizing. The Vivofit Jr. is swim-friendly and 5 ATM resistant by the way. It comes with a parental control app that automatically syncs with a smartphone at a stipulated time of the day. Let’s concerned parents keep track of child behavior, or assign reminders or set chores remotely.
The child is rewarded when a chore or a daily task is completed — interactivity at its best.
The battery lasts for a whole year without the need for charging.
- Bracelet styled design in vivid colors
- Silicon strap with One-size-fits-all
- Parental control App and monitor activity
- 1-year battery life
Amazfit Bip Lite
The BIP by Amazfit is a smart watch for kids with an in-built kids fitness tracker that’s perfect for the active teenager.
This lightweight watch (1.1 oz) comes in an assortment of bright and attractive colors. More importantly, it has a sleek profile and fits snugly on the wrist without limiting movement on the field or in the gym. The fitness module is as comprehensive as it gets. It can monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns, calories burnt, as well as the location of your steps (GPS tracker).
Moreover, it keeps you connected at all times via incoming notifications for your email, text messages, and social media accounts.
The 30-day battery life on a single charge is just phenomenal.
- GPS enabled fitness tracker
- Monitors heart rate, sleep, calories and steps
- Comes in a range of attractive colors
- 45-day battery life
Fitbit Ace 2
The Ace 2 is a step-up from the original Fitbit Ace, which is touted by many to be the best smartwatch for kids.
With a better display, a sleeker design and a pocket friendlier price tag, Fitbit manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat. The Ace 2 comes with a durable, interchangeable silicone strap that protects it from accidental drops and bumps. It is waterproof for up to 50 meters, which keeps you covered during impromptu beach trips. The display is touch-sensitive — however, its monochrome OLED.
Fitbit throws in a fitness tracker to the mix, and the Ace 2 can track steps, sleep, and physical movement. However, there’s no heart rate monitor or GPS, though.
Kids can connect it to other Fitbit Aces to challenge their friends for interactive gaming sessions. Furthermore, it allows parents to sync with watch using Fitbit App on iOS and Android smartphones.
The battery lasts a week on a single charge.
- Stylish design
- Waterproof for up to 50m
- Fitness tracker and interactive games
- Monochrome display with No GPS
- Build quality is not so good
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX
Looking to introduce your child to the world of touchscreen interactive gadgets?
The Kidizoom Smartwatch DX can be the right stepping stone. This interactive smart watch (which is a predecessor to the DX2 that we’ve covered earlier), also comes with dual cameras, video recording, and a touchscreen interface. Along with timekeeping, the one-touch photo capture will help budding photographers hone their skills.
There are games as well as educational applications with the ability to download more from the learning lodge. It also tracks the fitness and physical activities of your child with the help of motion sensors and pedometer.
The Kidizoom lasts for almost 2-weeks on a single charge.
- Dual Camera with increased memory
- Educational applications along with games
- Touchscreen with a colorful display
- Customization options
- A little large for kids with petite wrists
PROGRACE Kids Smartwatch
This Kids smart watch from PROGRACE will appeal to budding photographers because the onboard 0.3MP camera can be rotated a full 90 degrees. So, your child can click selfies as well as other pictures by just tilting the camera.
However, it’s not just limited to that. This smartwatch features a cute design with a colorful soft strap and a bright LCD. There are four onboard games, an inbuilt audio player and an FM radio as well with a reasonably loud sound speaker for the music. If you have a toddler around, you can use the earphone jack to minimize sound.
Parents can track fitness activities through the pedometer and the motion sensor. However, there’s no GPS or LBS to track the children location.
At this price point, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better smartwatch for your child.
- Cute design
- Bright LCD color display
- Fitness tracker, games and audio player
- Great value
- No GPS and downloadable apps
TickTalk 3
The TickTalk 3 has enough features to draw comparisons with an apple kids smartwatch.
For starters, it has a trendy nylon strap Velcro, which makes it a cinch to wear. It’s waterproof, and the strap can be swapped if need be.
The standout though is the 4G two-way video calling feature that’s called Facetalk. It enables parents to make HD video calls on the 4G network anywhere and anytime. It’s Wi-Fi compatible and also comes with two-way text and voice messaging. There are also a bunch of pre-loaded text message templates that can be sent at the push of a button. 4G compatibility means that the GPS locator is faster and more efficient.
If your child has been demanding an expensive Apple watch, check out the TickTalk 3 as a cost-effective alternative.
- Replaceable nylon strap with Velcro
- 4G Video calling
- Two-way text and voice messaging
- Integrated GPS tracker
- No activity tracker
Octopus Watch v2 Motion Edition
The Octopus Watch V2 takes learning and interactivity to a whole new level while helping inculcate organizational skills in young kids.
It is an Icon-based time management tool that sends timely reminders for daily tasks. Like waking up or brushing their teeth, all in the form of colorful, attractive icons. Also, it can be toggled to an analog or a digital watch at the touch of a button. Parents have the option to set a gentle vibration or haptic feedback for the reminders as well.
The Octopus V2 comes pre-loaded with 2000 icons and is also a motion sensor-enabled fitness tracker that tracks your little one’s active time.
Weighs just 11 gms and comes with a soft and colorful strap.
- Colorful Icons loved by kids
- Time management tool
- Fitness tracker
- Pre-loaded with 2000 icons
- Weighs just 21 grams
OJOY A1
The Ojoy A1 smartwatch makes it easy for your child to identify contacts to make voice or video calls in an emergency, as each contact can be assigned a profile picture.
4G compatible, the quality of video calls and GPS is top-notch. This IP68 waterproof watch has a very sleek, apple inspired design with a smooth strap and clean lines. It features an on-board camera in addition to an alarm, a stopwatch, and a magic voice recorder.
Parents can remotely activate the school mode, which is akin to the do-not-disturb mode in a cell phone.
- Apple’s iWatch style design
- 4G video calls and GPS tracking
- Smooth and clean strap
- A little pricey as compared to the other smartwatches
FOROPIOLY (OK520)
It features one of the most accurate GPS trackers that we’ve seen yet.
It uses GPS and LBS (Location Base Station) to give you your child’s location to pinpoint precision. To top it off, there’s two-way video calling, a quick-chat mode, SOS function when the key is deep-pressed for 3-seconds. Parents can activate a classroom mode remotely to avoid disturbances.
The colorful, vibrant display is much loved by young kids and makes it easy for them to navigate through the many functions of the smartwatch.
It’s IP67 rated by the way. As rugged as they come.
- SOS feature for emergency calls
- Highly accurate kids GPS watch
- Two-way video calls
- IP67 rated
- No Games or applications
Bohongde Kids Smartwatch
With a surprisingly bright LCD in vibrant color, the Bohongde kids smartwatch is a treat to use.
Vibrant colors, a very comfortable strap, and a sleek design allow all-day use without strain on delicate wrists. It comes with an onboard camera and a gallery to store the clicked pictures. A few games and some educational apps keep children engrossed during playtime.
Parents can download the Set tracker application to track the GPS location of their children. By the way, you can also sync two smartwatches to the app at the same time.
Perfect for family use.
- Vibrant design
- Large LCD
- Camera
- GPS tracker
- No activity tracker
Kurio 2.0+
The second iteration of the Kurio Bluetooth kids Smart Watch is an absolute stunner.
With a beautiful sleek design and an onboard camera with photo filters to boot, children love this smartwatch. They can sync the watch with other Kurio watches and Andriod devices using Bluetooth, to exchange emojis as well as play two games.
The bright LCD makes it easy to use the many features as well as enhances gameplay quality. Moreover, in-built accelerometer also doubles up as a kids fitness tracker by the way.
There’s also a module to store emergency information, like your child’s vital contact details and medical history.
- Connect to other Kurio smartwatches
- Multi-color interchangeable straps
- Camera
- Photo filters
- No two-way calling or GPS
Omate X Nanoblock
The Nanoblock smartwatch from Omate X is the perfect holiday gift for LEGO and Nanoblock fans.
It comes with swappable Nanoblock straps and features a minimalistic design in white and black color. A front selfie camera facilitates high-quality video calling and also doubles up as a customization tool for watch faces. There’s two-way voice messaging as well as a pedometer, which brings in fitness tracking for active kids.
The messages and calls are encrypted and secure, which protects your children from unscrupulous elements. To top it off, the GPS tracking is extremely precise, allowing you to narrow down on your child’s location with ease.
The Omate X Nanoblock has a 4-day standby battery life.
- LEGO style strap design
- Two-way voice messaging
- GPS & Pedometer for fitness tracking
- Front selfie camera for HD Video calling
- No games or educational apps
Omate K3
Touted to be the first Android smartwatch for kids, the K3 is durable and one of the best watch from Omate.
This camera smartwatch comes with 3G compatibility for high-quality video calling. Also, it is perfectly complemented by the 1.54-inch capacitive touch screen display that makes it easy to attend and receive calls on-the-fly.
A durable silicone strap and a polycarbonate casing protect the watch from bumps and scruffs.
Discerning parents can track their children’s location through the inbuilt GPS tracker. And it also boasts of an SOS feature that can make emergency calls even in a location with feeble network connectivity.
Omate also throws in a pedometer that lets children track their active time and steps.
- Durable strap with a polycarbonate casing
- Large colorful touchscreen display
- 3G video calling with Android 5.1
- Inbuilt Pedometer & GPS tracker
- No games and Music player
Vowor 4G Kids Smart Watch
If two-way communication tops your list of features you need in a kids smartwatch, then you’ll love the Vowor Smart Watch.
This dainty little smartwatch features two way HD Video calling via 4G LTE. That’s not all. It also features a camera, an icon-rich colorful 1.44″ touchscreen display, IP67 water-resistant property, and a whole bunch of organizational tools. There’s also an album function that allows the child to store and organize the clicked pictures.
We loved the durability of the silicone strap and the bright design theme for the watch. The battery is a 600 mAh rechargeable one that easily lasts a day or two on a single charge.
It would be fair to say that the Vowor is the most feature-rich smartwatch at this price point.
- Camera with Two-way HD calling
- Multiple organizational tools
- 600mAh rechargeable battery
- 1.44-inch colorful display
- No option to download more games
Discontinued Kids favorite Smart Watches
VTech Star Wars Stormtrooper
The VTech kids smartwatch with camera is for hardcore Star Wars fans. (Who isn’t one?)
It draws inspiration from the Stormtrooper costumes and features a sleek monochrome design with an assortment of motifs from the Star Wars Universe. An integrated motion sensor, a voice recorder, cool sound effects, time concepts and a whole bunch of personalization options keep your child immersed.
We loved the Light Saber effect that kicks in every time the motion sensor is activated. Really cool.
A calendar, a basic calculator, alarm, timer, and stopwatch, it has all the productivity features a child would need, except a GPS tracker and a phone. Perfect smart watch for a child under 6-10.
- Star Wars themed design
- Waterproof smartwatch
- Motion sensor-enabled games
- Calculator, alarm, stopwatch
YENISEY JS-S13
The Yenisey X6 features two-way calling with one-touch SOS (3 emergency numbers) and a Geo-safety feature that automatically alerts parents if the child moves beyond a preset safe zone.
This can be anything, like out of the house for young kids, or out of the school for teenagers. Through a compatible Yenisey App, parents can monitor their child’s location remotely, activate the camera remotely, and even shut down the watch or set it to Do-not-disturb mode.
The X6 can also be used as a walkie-talkie, for micro-chatting. It does lag behind in recreational features though. Moreover, to keep your child engaged and entertained there’s a sole math game, which maybe not enough but useful.
- One-touch SOS calls in emergencies
- Geo-safety feature for alerts
- Two-way calling
- 0.3 MP Camera
- Only one math game
Kids Smartwatch Buying Guide
At a time when the market is teeming with kids smartwatches in all sorts of sizes and shapes, it’s not easy to narrow down on one that ticks all the right boxes.
You might discover that the best smartwatch for kids that you select may be well beyond your budget. Or that the one you like, doesn’t have all the features you need.
The idea is to find something close to what you expect without making too many trade-offs.
Here are a few things to consider before you make a final purchase.
Narrow down on a budget
As you would have noticed by now, the price range for kid’s smartwatches can vary greatly.
There are kids watches which can be called ‘very affordable’ to ‘downright ridiculous’ and there’s everything in-between as well.
So it’s essential that you narrow down on a budget that you are comfortable spending. Even if you don’t have a particular number in mind, like $50, you can always work with a ballpark.
Like under $75.
This should allow you to filter down to a few specific models right away.
The Age of the child
Smartwatches are manufactured and marketed towards a specific age group of children, like ages 6-12. Find one that’s suited for your child’s age.
Watches for smaller children typically have fewer features and are designed for ease of use: large display, colorful icons, reminders, and rewards based on completing tasks.
Watches for slightly older kids will have more features, like a camera, fitness tracking, and two-way communication.
Comfort and durability
Children and watches don’t mix. No matter how hard they try, their watches will be prone to bumps, nicks, scratches, the occasional spill, and whatnot. So, it’s imperative that you pick one that’s durable yet comfortable enough to wear.
Silicon and nylon straps fit the bill perfectly. These are hypoallergenic, smooth, don’t chafe the skin and can sustain the wear and tear that comes with daily use.
As a bonus, both these materials are available in some of the best colors that kids usually love.
The strap should also be easy to wear and remove. The one-size-fits-all models with Velcro straps are easy to wear and remove. Ditto with the bracelet-styled ones.
A polycarbonate casing will absorb impact and protect the watch from physical damage.
Look for a water-resistant or waterproof smart watch, if your child loves to wear it for their daily swimming class.
Size and Fit
Smart watches usually have universal sizing. However, you’d want to check the size of the actual dial of the watch and compare it with your child’s wrist. Some of these, particularly the ones with large capacitive displays, can be bulky.
The last thing you need is to buy a children’s smartwatch that is too heavy or too huge for your child.
Features
Well, the sky’s the limit here really. Smartwatches for kids these days rival smartwatches for adults in terms of features and functionalities.
The most prominent features that are popular with both kids and parents alike are:
Camera:
A camera on a kids smartwatch might seem like a vanity feature. It also can be pretty useful, mainly if the watch features two-way video calling or remote monitoring. Even otherwise, a camera can be very appealing for young kids with a keen eye for photography. Some smart watches feature dual cameras and also rotating cameras that can be used for clicking photos other than selfies. Some feature video recording with onboard memory to store the videos and pictures.
GPS tracking:
GPS tracking via cellular connectivity gives you the assurance and the peace of mind that you seek, by alerting you about your child’s location in real-time. However, you need to factor in the additional cost of data services over the period of use. Look for smartwatches that offer geofencing as well as periodic location alerts.
Parental Controls:
Many kids smartwatches allow parents to remotely connect to their children’s smartphone to set tasks or reminders, or to limit access to some of the features. Like activating ‘school mode’ remotely might limit connectivity by stopping incoming calls and text messages. This can also be used to restrict access to games during bedtime. Parental controls are very useful and provide an added layer of security. It might be one of the best features to look for in kids smartwatches.
Two-way communication:
There are mixed feelings among some users about kids smartwatches with two-way communication because it’s as good as handing over a cell phone to a small child. However, it tops the list of priorities for many parents like frequent travelers for example, who want to stay connected to their children at all times. You’ll need to look for a smartphone with a sim card slot. Basic models are compatible with GSM networks, which means that these will offer voice calls and text messages at best. The more advanced and pricier models offer 3G and even 4G compatibility, which allows uninterrupted video calling and enhanced GPS tracking.
Games and Content:
Games are a big draw of children’s smart watches and can play their part in motivating your child to use the device. This, in turn, can help teach timekeeping skills as well as organizational skills. Some smartwatches come with bundled games along with the option to connect to the internet to download more games. Along with games, educational applications can also help build developmental skills.
Fitness tracking:
Fitness trackers like a pedometer, heart rate monitor, and a module to monitor sleep patterns can help parents keep track of their child’s activity levels.
Having a clear idea of the features that you seek will make it easier for you to narrow down on the best smartwatch for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite their rising popularity, many parents are skeptical about smartwatches for kids. We figured that this is the right time to answer some of the common questions that parents seem to have about children’s smart watches.
What is a Kids Smartwatch?
A kids smartwatch is a portable device to be worn on the wrists that incorporates a bevy of features and applications, like a digital watch, fitness tracker, a camera, a GPS, games and more. While it was initially designed for active adults, manufacturers started to develop these devices specifically for kids, with content and features tailored around usage by children.
What is the right age for kids to wear a smartwatch?
Surprisingly, smartwatches are being designed and used by children as young as 4-years of age. These are primarily used as tools to introduce young children to the concepts of timekeeping through the use of colorful images and icons. At the same time, it serves as an introduction to touchscreens and other interactive forms of learning through applications. There are smartwatches for kids up to the age of 17 with more advanced features.
Why should you buy a smartwatch for your kids?
Smartwatches serve many purposes. Along with teaching timekeeping to young kids and instilling the importance of discipline, through reminders, it can be used to encourage positive behavior through rewards. If your work demands frequent travel, a GPS-enabled smartwatch can allow you to keep track of your child’s location. One with a sim card allows two-way communication. Smartwatches are also a great alternative to a cell phone for young kids.
Do you need a sim card for your kids smartwatch?
If the smartwatch offers two-way communication, then yes. It does require a sim card. A sim card and the cost of data plans is like a recurrent expense that many parents do not account for while buying the gadget.
Do I need the same network to use parental control feature?
Not really. It can be any cellular provider as long as the smartphone is connected to the network and has an active data plan. Parental controls can also be used and synced if the smart watch is connected to Wi-Fi instead of a mobile network. However, that severely limits your options as it would be rendered ineffective the moment the child steps out of the home. So, it’s always better to have an active data plan to fully utilize the two-way communication feature.
Are kids smartwatches secure and hacker-proof?
Well, any gadget that connects to the internet brings with it its share of advantages and risks. So, if your child’s smartwatch has a sim card and offers internet connectivity for video calls, it can also be potentially exploited by hackers. In fact, smartwatches are banned in Germany for this precise reason. Many manufacturers these days incorporate end-to-end encryption to prevent nefarious elements from hacking into smartwatches, but the risk does exist. Part of mitigating that risk begins with teaching your kids the importance of not responding to calls/text messages from unknown numbers. Periodic monitoring of the devices can also be helpful.
How can you track your child’s location using the GPS function?
Smartwatches use GPS and LBS base positioning to pinpoint your child’s real-time location with utmost precision. The location is then updated via a compatible smartwatch application installed on your smartphone and allows you to narrow it down to a range of 100-150 feet. Club this with accelerometers, the ability to remotely access the camera on the watch and to monitor the microphone, and you should be able to locate your child with ease.
Is an Apple Watch a good option for kids?
If you have the bankroll, then yes. The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches for kids. However, it’s not the be-all, end-all of smartwatches. There are a lot of smartwatch brands that offer equally good, if not better, smartwatches for a more affordable price. There are 17 of them listed right here for example.
Do you need to frequently recharge batteries?
That depends on the usage and the battery capacity. Some smartwatches offer a standby time of up to 4-days with frequent, all-day use, that would reduce to a day or two at best. Some models, on the other hand, come with single-use batteries that last for months before they need to be swapped for new ones.
Closing Thoughts
Finding the best smartwatch for kids is not as daunting as it seems at first. You need to know what features to look out for as well as the best brands in the business. That’s what we have handpicked for you on this list.
The Amazfit BIP Lite and Garmin Vivofit Jr are the best smartwatches for kids in 2021. These offer the great value in terms of features vs. price, so do the rest of the wearables in our list. However, these two watches offer the best of everything in an affordable package.
