8 Best Smartwatches for Kids: A Parent’s Buying Guide

Our kids are using technology more and more in this digital world. They’re now a fun and interactive way for kids to learn, stay busy, and talk to each other without risk. But smartwatches for kids that do more than these simple things can also help get them moving and interested in learning.

In this parent’s buying guide, we will explore the best smartwatches in this category, examining their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks.

Understanding the Importance of Activity and Learning in Childhood

Before diving into the specifics of smartwatches, it’s crucial to recognize the significance of physical activity and continuous learning in childhood development.

Physical Activity

• • Health Benefits: Regular exercise helps children maintain a healthy weight, build strong bones and muscles, and improve cardiovascular health.
  • Mental and Emotional Well-being: Physical activity has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in children, while promoting self-esteem and confidence.
  • Cognitive Development: Exercise can enhance brain function, improve memory, and boost academic performance.

Learning

• • Intellectual Growth: Continuous learning expands children’s knowledge base, fosters critical thinking skills, and encourages creativity.
  • Future Success: A love for learning lays the foundation for academic achievement and future career success.
  • Lifelong Enrichment: Learning new things can be a source of joy and fulfillment throughout life.

How Smartwatches Can Promote Activity and Learning

Smartwatches equipped with the right features can be powerful tools for motivating kids to stay active and engaged in learning. Here are some ways they can achieve this:

• • Activity Tracking: A lot of smartwatches have heart rate monitors, pedometers, and other sensors built in that can track your steps, distance, calories burned, and busy minutes. You can use this information to make plans, track your progress, and get kids to be more active.
    
  • Gamification: Some smartwatches have game-like features, like tasks, rewards, and badges, that make physical activity more fun and engaging.
    
  • Educational Apps and Games: A growing number of smartwatches offer access to educational apps and games that can help children learn new skills, improve their knowledge, and develop problem-solving abilities.
  • Reminders and Alerts: Smartwatches can be programmed to send reminders to get up and move, take breaks from screen time, or complete learning tasks.
  • Parent-Child Interaction: Parents can set goals, see how their kid is doing, and send positive messages with some smartwatches. This gives everyone a sense of shared success and keeps everyone motivated.
    

Key Features to Look for in a Smartwatch for Kids

When choosing a smartwatch for your child, it’s important to consider the features that will best support their activity and learning goals. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

• • Activity Tracking: Look for a smartwatch with accurate and reliable activity tracking capabilities, including step counting, distance tracking, and calorie monitoring.
  • Gamification: Choose a smartwatch that incorporates game-like elements to make exercise more fun and motivating.
  • Educational Content: Invest in a smartwatch that gives you access to a range of educational tools, games, and apps.
    
  • Durability and Water Resistance: Being rough with kids’ stuff is normal, so pick a smartwatch that can handle that. Another useful feature is that it doesn’t get wet, especially for busy kids who like to swim or play in the rain.
    
  • Battery Life: A long battery life is essential, so your child can use their smartwatch throughout the day without having to worry about recharging it.
  • Comfort and Fit: The smartwatch should be comfortable to wear and fit securely on your child’s wrist.
  • Safety Features: As an extra safety measure, think about getting a smartwatch that has GPS tracking, SOS alerts, and parental controls.
    
  • Ease of Use: The smartwatch should be easy for your child to navigate and use independently.
  • Price: Smartwatches for kids come in a wide range of prices. Set a budget and look for a smartwatch that offers the best value for your money.

8 Best Smartwatches for Kids in 2024

We’ve curated the 10 best smartwatches for kids this year. Each of these smartwatches has been carefully selected based on their ability to combine fun, learning, and safety into a kid-friendly package. All kids can find something they love with these smartwatches, whether they’re bold explorers  or just starting out with wearable technology.

Check out our top picks to find the best smartwatch for your child that will keep them safe, busy, and interested all year long.

Best Design and Virtual Activity-Based Games  

1. Fitbit Google Ace LTE 

The Fitbit Google Ace LTE is the next generation of wearable tech for kids. It combines Fitbit’s well-known exercise tracking features with Google’s advanced connectivity features. This smartwatch builds on the success of earlier Fitbit models by adding cellular connection to make the experience better for both kids and adults.

Kids can stay busy with the Ace LTE by keeping track of their steps, active minutes, and sleep. The LTE feature also lets them talk to friends and family in real time and see where they are. Having tools like GPS tracking and emergency SOS alerts makes it easier for parents to stay in touch with their kids during the day. The watch also has fun features, like challenges and virtual badges, to keep kids interested in their exercise goals and motivated.

Children may personalize their gadget with a selection of adjustable clock faces and themes. For a balance of safety and fun, parents can use the Fitbit app to change the watch’s settings and keep an eye on their child’s exercise.

Best Active Learning Companion

2. Garmin Bounce 

The Garmin Bounce is a versatile and feature-packed smartwatch made just for kids that can do a lot of different things. It combines exercise tracking, safety, and fun into one small device. The Bounce was made by Garmin, a leader in wearable tech, to meet the needs of young explorers and active learners. This smartwatch is ideal for parents who want to keep their kids active, help them form good habits, and get them involved in learning activities.

Kids are encouraged to move and maintain good health with the Garmin Bounce, which measures a range of activities, including steps, sleep, and active minutes. Besides exercise games, it has games that kids can play together that are fun, keep them thinking, and help them learn things like math and how to solve problems. Parents can feel at ease knowing that safety is a top priority thanks to features like emergency SOS alerts and two-way communication.

With customizable watch faces and themes, kids can make their smartwatch their own, making it truly special.

 

Best in Connectivity and Durability  

3. TickTalk5 Cellular 

Modern technology has never been this kid-friendly; the TickTalk 5 Cellular Smartwatch integrates messaging, security, and entertainment into a tiny, wearable form factor. This is the newest model in the line. It builds on the strengths of its predecessors by offering even more robust features and an easier-to-use interface. Ideal for parents who wish to keep in touch with their kids while giving them access to health-promoting, educational, and entertaining functions, this smartwatch has it all.

The cellular connectivity the TickTalk 5 makes it stand out. Kids can use it to make and receive calls, send messages, and even video chat right from their wrist. Using this function along with real-time GPS tracking, parents can always know where their child is. Kids will enjoy using and playing with the smartwatch because it has a variety of health tracking features, educational apps, and watch faces that can be changed.

Modern safety features, like SOS alerts and geofencing, will be appreciated by parents as they add an extra layer of security. The watch is also made to last with IP67 rating and water-resistant, so it can be used for everyday trips and activities outside.

 

Best Adventurer’s Learning Watch and Family-Centric Messaging

4. JrTrack 3 Smart Watch 

One of the JrTrack 3’s main features is real-time GPS tracking, which allows parents to watch their child’s location at any time. Kids can make and receive calls to and from pre-approved contacts using the watch’s two-way conversation feature. This protects their connection while they’re away.

The JrTrack 3 Smart Watch is notable for its emphasis on security and usability in addition to its extensive feature set. Geofencing is a feature of the watch that lets parents create safe zones and get alerts if their kids go outside of them. The device has a SOS button that lets you know what’s going on in an emergency.

This smartwatch is made to give kids and families a pleasant and safe environment while maintaining supervision levels to give parents peace of mind.

 

Best Fitness Focused Learning Tool

5. Fitbit Ace 3 

Fitbit has long been synonymous with fitness tracking, and the Fitbit Ace 3 is  designed to help kids develop healthy habits. With its reputation as a leader in fitness tracking, Fitbit has made the Ace 3 especially for kids’ needs. This makes it a popular choice among parents who want to get their kids to stay active.With challenges and rewards, this smartwatch is meant to get kids to stay busy, get enough sleep, and learn new things.

It’s also designed to resist the rough and tumble of youth, with a strong, swim-proof construction that can handle anything from playground activities to swimming lessons. Parents will appreciate the Fitbit app’s extensive parental settings, which allow parents to track their child’s activity, set bedtime reminders, and gently nudge them to exercise. It is a dependable companion for youngsters on the go because of its impressive long battery life, which allows for less time spent charging and more time spent playing.

 

Best Battery Life and Interactive Learning Experience

6. Garmin vívofit® jr. 3 

The Garmin vívofit® jr. 3 is a fun and durable fitness tracker combining activity tracking with engaging educational content. As a leader in wearable tech, Garmin made this device with a lot of fun interactive features to help parents support their kids to start healthy habits. The device does more than just track steps; it gives you a full experience with exercise challenges, themed adventures, and parental controls.

The vívofit® jr. 3’s capacity to inspire children with activities centered around adventures is one of its best qualities. Kids learn fun facts and unlock new adventures as they hit their daily activity goals. This makes fitness fun and games-like. The tracker can also keep track of basic fitness data, like steps, sleep, and busy minutes, which can help kids make healthy habits. Parents may use the Garmin app to assign tasks, create reminders, and track their child’s activities, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

This smartwatch also has an unbelievable battery life—it can go up to a year without being charged—which gives a big advantage compared to many other wearable tech for kids.

 

Best Fun Learning Companion

7. Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch 

This smartwatch from Little Tikes is called the Tobi Robot Smartwatch, and it’s fun and educational for little kids. The Tobi Robot tracker is different from other wearable tech for kids because it combines the fun of a robotic friend with the usefulness of a tracker. This smartwatch has an animated robot character named Tobi that can not only tell time but also connect with kids through sounds, movements, and more than 100 different expressions. This makes it a fun gadget for kids to use.

The Tobi Robot Smartwatch is jam-packed with games, activities, and educational resources in addition to its exciting robot characteristics. With a built-in pedometer, it helps kids stay active. Educational games help them learn, and the two cameras for pictures and videos let them be creative. The watch also has a number of fun and useful apps, as well as clock faces that can be changed.

Parents will value that their kids can have fun while learning, and the smartwatch is a good way to introduce kids to technology in a way that is right for their age.

 

Best Budget-Friendly Learning Tool

8. Tixpc Smart Watch (with 24 Puzzle Games) 

This smartwatch has many features that parents and kids will like. The Berilona Smart Watch has a lot of different features that make it a good choice for parents who want to give their kids a good mix of fun, learning, and safety. It has teaching tools and interactive games, as well as important safety features like GPS tracking and SOS alerts.

Kids are encouraged to stay active throughout the day by the watch’s fitness tracking features, such as a pedometer and exercise reminders. It also comes with a camera so kids can record and share their favorite moments.

With real-time GPS tracking and two-way contact, the smartwatch has safety features that parents will love. These features let parents stay in touch with their kids at all times. The watch also has parental settings that let parents keep an eye on and control how their child uses it.

Choosing the Right Smartwatch for Your Child

The best smartwatch for your child will depend on their individual needs, interests, and age. Consider the following factors when making your decision:

• • Age: Younger children may benefit from a simpler smartwatch with basic activity tracking and fun games. Older children may appreciate a smartwatch with more advanced features, such as GPS tracking, cellular connectivity, and access to educational apps.
  • Interests: If your child is particularly interested in sports or fitness, look for a smartwatch with robust activity tracking and sports modes. If they enjoy learning new things, choose a smartwatch with access to educational content.
  • Budget: Smartwatches for kids range in price from around $30 to $200 or more. Set a budget and look for a smartwatch that offers the best value for your money.

Tips for Encouraging Activity and Learning with a Smartwatch

Once you’ve chosen a smartwatch for your child, here are some tips for maximizing its potential to promote activity and learning:

• • Set Goals: Work with your child to set realistic activity and learning goals. Use the smartwatch to track their progress and celebrate their achievements.
  • Make it Fun: Encourage your child to explore the different features of their smartwatch and find activities and games that they enjoy.
  • Use Reminders: Set reminders on the smartwatch to encourage your child to get up and move, take breaks from screen time, or complete learning tasks.
  • Be Involved: Show an interest in your child’s activities and learning progress. Use the smartwatch to connect with them and offer encouragement.
  • Limit Screen Time: Smartwatches can be useful, but it’s important to make sure they don’t turn users into screen addicts. Help your kid do other things besides using their smartwatch, and set limits on how much they can use it.
    

The Bottom Line

It’s possible for smartwatches to be more than just toys for kids. You can get your child to stay active, enjoy learning, and form good habits that will help them throughout their lives by getting them the right smartwatch and teaching them how to use it properly. You can find a smartwatch that fits your child’s wants and interests among many choices.

Remember that the important thing is to find a balance between technology and things that happen in real life. Do encourage your child to use their smartwatch to help them be more active and learn more, but also make sure they have lots of free time to play, hang out with friends, and learn more about the world around them. You can help your child get the most out of smartwatches while minimizing the problems that might come up by helping them have a good relationship with technology.

The best smartwatch for your kid is the one that makes them want to learn, play, and grow. Choose wisely, and watch them grow!