An appropriate way to expose your child to the world of technology and social media is with a kid-friendly smartwatch. When getting tech gadgets for children certain factors must be considered. The durability (must be able to withstand bumps and knocks), presence of fun features, and safety are some of the important factors that must be considered.
The best smartwatch watch for your kid tells time (of course), motivates your kid to stay active, and also offers some other additional benefits for you as a parent like emergency calls, and GPS features to track a child’s movement.
A smartwatch can be a great option/substitute for a smartphone for kids if you’re not yet ready to buy them a smartphone.
The best smartwatches for kids in 2022 have an overall combination of these features:
- Simple fitness tracker watches
- Fully functional smartwatches with GPS,
- Games, and
- SIM connectivity
Some smartwatches also include time management features to help kids who would otherwise be distracted practice those skills and activity monitoring features to promote movement.
Here are the best smartwatches for kids with the product specifications and age ratings so you can find the right one for your kid.
- Fitbit Ace 3: Best Fitbit for Kids With Activity Tracking.
Fitbit Ace 3 is an activity tracker that is designed specifically for kids. It is developed to encourage the wearer to exercise and stretch at regular intervals throughout the day, keeping them active. Daily fitness challenge tasks are presented to kids. It has the capacity to count steps, track sleep, keep track of active period hours and give bedtime reminders. The smartwatch can view phonecalls and texts but cannot send.
Age Target: 6-12 years
Battery life: Can last up to 8 days.
Water resistant: Up to 50m
Parental Control capabilities: Yes.
No cellular connectivity.
2. Garmin Vivofit Jr 3: Best Kids Fitness Wearable
A smartwatch designed primarily to help your child exercise. Mini-games and other entertaining elements on the Garmin Jr. app (operated from the parent’s smartphone or tablet) will become available if the child spends at least one hour of the day exercising. It’s a fun method to encourage your child to move about and away from the screen.
It has a distance tracker and a step counter. The built-in clock, alarm, and stopwatch notify you when it’s time to complete tasks, and has a task timer and to-do list organizer. It comes with an integrated Star Wars, Disney princess, Marvel theme, or non-character-based theme.
Age Target: 5 – 10 years
Waterproof rating: 100% swim-friendly
Parental Control Capabilities: Yes
No cellular connectivity
3. Xplora X5 Play: Best all-round kids smartwatch
The Xplora X5 features a 2MP built-in camera, GPS, and the capability to make calls to up to 50 pre-approved contacts, as well as send and receive voice and text messages.
You can check your child’s current location on a map and previous GPS activity. However, keep in mind that a SIM card with data and minutes loaded is required for all call and phone features to function.
It has all the essential features a parent needs to keep proper tab on a child in school or anywhere outside the home.
Age Target: 5 – 10 years
Battery Life: Can last up to 62 hours
Waterproof rating: IP67
Parental Control Capabilities: Yes
Cellular connectivity available
4. SPACETALK Smartwatch: Best smartphone alternative
Kids can make and receive calls, text, and chat but ONLY with pre-approved safe contacts. It is a safer phone for kids because there is no open internet or social media.
It has a GPS that provides the benefits of real time tracking for parents. The watch works with most U.S.-based cell service providers cellular service, which cost around $18 per month for unlimited talk, text and data (for video calling).
Age Target: 5 – 12 years
Waterproof rating: IP67
Parental Control Capabilities: Yes
GPS available
Battery life: Up to 32 hours
5. Apple Watch SE: Best Smartwatch For Older Kids And Teens
The smartwatch requires the wearer to own an iPhone (unless they choose to get the more expensive GPS + Cellular version)
It comes with thousands of pre installed apps and the wearer can stream music, podcasts and audiobooks, plus plays games.
This watch provides limitless access to phone calling, text messaging, music streaming, social networking services, and the Internet unless a parent manually engages the optional parental controls. Additionally, it supports ApplePay and GPS navigation.
Age Target: 12 years above
Battery life: Up to 18 hours
Waterproof rating: IPX7
Parental Control Capabilities: Yes
Optional Cellular connectivity
