In this guide we’ll look at the best smartwatch for kids.
We’ve compared educational value, GPS tracking, battery life and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Is The Best Smartwatch For Kids?
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More Detailed Smartwatch Reviews
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Pink
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VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Pink Review
The VTech Kidizoom DX2 is loved by kids thanks to the bright pink strap and the range of awesome features. This kids smart watch has two cameras which allows you to take videos, pictures and selfies that can be customized and made into watch faces. It’s my top pick as the best kids smart watch on the market!
This smart watch for kids also helps children tell the time thanks to its 55 digital and analog watch faces. It’s splash proof and sweatproof meaning it can withstand an accidental spill! However, it’s not waterproof, so remove before showering.
This kids smart watch includes a motion sensor which can help keep your kids active with action play challenges, as well as a pedometer complete with fun sound effects. It comes equipped with a Micro-USB cable for uploading photos and videos taken, and downloading extra games.
Specifications:
GPS: No
Communication: No
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes
Waterproof: No
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: Yes
Weight: 1lb
Age Range: Best for kids aged 4 and above
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Camouflage
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VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 - Camouflage Review
The VTech Kidizoom DX2 in camouflage is the best smartwatch for kids that are army-obsessed! This has the same features as the pink DX2 – a double camera for taking pictures and videos, and 55 digital and analog watch faces for helping kids tell the time.
This smartwatch for kids is not submersible (so no swimming!) but it is splashproof. It comes complete with a Monster Catcher game which creates an augmented reality gaming experience to capture monsters in the real world.
This kids smart watch also has a motion sensor to keep your kids active with fun challenges, and a pedometer with sound effects to count steps. Parents can limit play time with the Parental Control Settings.
Specifications:
GPS: No
Communication: No
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes
Waterproof: No
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: Yes
Weight: 1lb
Age Range: Best for kids aged 4 and above
VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX - Purple
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VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX - Purple Review
One of the best smartwatches for kids has to be the VTech Kidizoom DX, and girls love it in purple! This is packed full of fun games and activities, including 3 action challenges using the motion sensor.
This kids smartwatch has a large amount of memory so it can store all your pictures and videos, taken with the built-in camera. It also has photo effects, a voice recorder and voice-changing effects for extra entertainment!
Get your kids ready on time with the alarm, timer and stopwatch, and keep them on track with the calendar feature. This smart watch for kids also has a built-in calculator to help them work out simple math. Finally, this comes with USB cable which kids can use to upload photos and recharge the battery.
Specifications:
GPS: No
Communication: No
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes
Waterproof: No
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: No
Weight: 1.28lbs
Age Range: Best for kids aged 4 and above
VTech Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper Smartwatch with Camera - White
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VTech Star Wars First Order Stormtrooper Smartwatch with Camera - White Review
If your child is a Star Wars fan they will love this limited edition VTech Stormtrooper Smartwatch. This smartwatch lets kids take pictures, videos and get creative; with over 20 Star Wars camera effects to enhance the photos and videos. This is the best smartwatch for kids that love Star Wars!
This kids smartwatch has a touch screen and motion sensor to let you explore the three included mini activities – blasting asteroids, escaping Stormtroopers and racing with BB-8. Kids can even record their voice to sound like an alien using the voice-changing effects.
Finally, this smart watch for kids is practical. It has an alarm, stopwatch, calendar and calculator to keep your child on track during the day.
Specifications:
GPS: No
Communication: No
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: No
Waterproof: No
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: No
Weight: 3.68 ounces
Age Range: Best for kids aged 5 and above
Owl Cole GPS Tracker Waterproof Smartwatch
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Owl Cole GPS Tracker Waterproof Smartwatch Review
This Owl Cole GPS Smartwatch is one of the best smartwatches for kids on the market. It’s fully waterproof, and uses both 2G and 3G data traffic to receive and send calls and messages.
This kids smartwatch has an incredible battery life, as well as an SOS emergency call feature. You can set up to 3 SOS numbers that will be alerted when the SOS button is held. This smartwatch for kids also has an accurate location provider so you can keep your kids safe.
Finally, this kids smartwatch is great to look at and has a built-in camera for taking fun selfies and videos. For extra safety, there is a remote camera option in which parents can take a picture of the child’s surroundings and view it on their smartphone.
Specifications:
GPS: Yes
Communication: Yes
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: Yes
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Age Range: Best for kids aged 6 and above
OJOY A1 Kids Smart Watch
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OJOY A1 Kids Smart Watch Review
The OJOY A1 Kids Smartwatch is one of the the best smartwatches for kids. This is fully waterproof and works as a fantastic cell phone alternative. It has a 1.4 inch display, a good camera, 4G network support and a long battery life. Perfect for kids aged 5 and above.
This kids smartwatch will help parents sleep easy as it tracks your child’s activity and lets them reach you with just a simply voice call or message. It connects to an app on your smartphone which allows you to pinpoint your child’s location as they go about their day.
Finally, this’ll help your kids get organised. Manage calendar activities, set school and after-school activities and send your child reminders to keep them on track. It also has an alarm, stopwatch and step count to keep them active. This might be the best kids smart watch to help children stay organised!
Specifications:
GPS: Yes
Communication: Yes
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: Yes
Waterproof: Yes
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: Yes
Weight: 6.1 ounces
Age Range: Best for kids aged 5 and above
Raqibang Kids Smartwatch
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Raqibang Kids Smartwatch Review
The Raqibang smart watch is designed to keep your child safe, as it works just like a mobile phone. Simply download an app to your smartphone and link it to the smartwatch. This children’s smart watch can make and receive calls, send messages, and show you your child’s real time location.
Despite the more advanced features, this watch is very child-friendly. Parents can sleep easy as it has a SOS button on the side of the watch, just press and hold for 3 seconds and the watch will automatically call for help.
Finally, this smartwatch for kids has a range of features to help your kids develop and grow. The Class Mode will block all incoming calls while they are in class, and the Love Reward will enhance their learning and parent/child interactions.
Specifications:
GPS: Yes
Communication: Yes
Camera: Yes
Water Resistant: No
Waterproof: No
Touch Screen: Yes
Parental Control: Yes
Weight: 3.84 ounces
Age Range: Best for kids aged 5 and above
Kids Smartwatch Buyer’s Guide
There’s no denying that the best smartwatch for kids is the latest must-have gadget. The best smart watch for kids is an extremely useful gadget, for both children and their parents, with most models allowing parents to send messages and calls directly to their child’s watch. Others have a location tracker so you can check they’re safe as they walk to school or spend time away from home. The more advanced gadgets will have a pedometer, which can help keep your child fit, healthy and happy.
But finding the best smartwatch for kids can feel a never ending challenge, as there’s so many on the market! Check out my speedy buyer’s guide to help you find the best kids’ smartwatch for your child.
What Features make one Smartwatch better than Another?
Awesome Design
The design of the kids smartwatch is important. Put simply, if they don’t like the design – they’re unlikely to wear it! Most kids’ smartwatches are available in bright colors and many have cartoon themes. Older kids might want something more minimalist and less eye-catching.
Fitness Features / Pedometer
Keeping children active is hugely important, and a smartwatch with fitness features can really help. At the end of the day, you can see how active your child has been and how many steps they’ve taken – if they’ve clocked up 15,000 they might have a legitimate excuse for claiming to be tired! Some smartwatches can set daily tasks and challenges for kids to help them stay active.
Water Resistant, or Waterproof?
A splash-proof smartwatch for kids is an essential! If your child is unlikely to remember to take it off before they shower, bathe or swim, look for a smartwatch that is fully waterproof and submersible.
Battery Life
A long battery life is another essential feature to look for in the best smartwatch for kids. If you’re buying a smartwatch to keep your child safe on their journey to and from school, you don’t want it running out of juice during the day! The watch should be easy to charge and have a longer life, however those with more complicated features (including GPS tracker) won’t last nearly so long.
Games
Of course the best smartwatch for kids smartwatches has built-in games! These can be educational, based on developing logic or critical thinking, but they can also just be a lot of fun! Too many games on the watch may distract your child at school, but just one or two will at least keep them distracted and quiet while you cook dinner!
Camera
Cameras on smartwatches can be a fun extra feature, but they’re certainly not an essential. Some parents love smartwatches with a remote camera, which allows you to remotely access it and take a photo of your child’s surroundings, viewing the image on your smartphone wherever you are. The best smart watch for kids will surely have a camera.
Usage Control
Like all technology, the temptation to overdo it is strong. Many smartwatches have a usage tracker which allows you to limit your child’s use. This means they won’t be able to stay up until 2am playing games. You can set the time at which the functions on the watch are limited, for example during the school day, you may want to limit the games they can play.
Communication
The number one reason most parents buy their kids a smartwatch is for communication. While children must have a mobile phone on their person and on loud to be able to hear it ringing (and even then there’s no guarantee!), smartwatches will deliver notifications straight to the child’s wrist. More advanced gadgets will allow your child to call, send texts or voice messages – although this will require a sim card.
GPS Tracker
Many people scorn the idea of a GPS tracker, but when your kids start walking to school or catching the bus alone, these can help you to relax. Advanced smartwatches will connect to your smartphone and can let you see exactly where your child is at any given time.
Some kids smartwatches also have a safe zone function. This will send you, the parent, a notification if your child leaves a certain safe area. For example, the journey to and from school. If they deviate from this journey, you will receive a notification.
SOS Button
Many smartwatches for kids are equipped with an SOS button. This lets your child contact you immediately if they feel they are in danger or something happens to them. This is much speedier than dialing 911 via their phone, which they might not always have on them.
What Can You Expect at Different Price Points?
Smartwatches for kids can vary enormously in price, with toy-like watches for younger kids far less expensive than connected smartwatches packed full of safety features. More expensive models will have parental controls, allow communication from watch to smartphone, and have a camera. They will also have GPS connectivity.
Cheaper models may have a lower quality camera, they won’t have GPS connectivity and you’ll be unlikely to be able to use it in the same way you would a smartphone. However, they’ll have basic features like an alarm, reminder, and perhaps a couple of games. They might not be touch screen, but keep in mind that this will make them more durable. These can usually send messages to phones, but this will be via Bluetooth.
FAQs
What is the best age for kids to start using a smartwatch?
This number will differ for everyone, and while you may think getting your child a smartwatch is encouraging bad habits, they can be extremely useful. Many parents get their children a smartwatch when they start to become a little more independent – walking to school alone or catching the bus to a friend’s house for example.
However, many smartwatches have applications designed to enhance useful skills. They can help children tell the time, teach them valuable critical thinking skills or logic. Simpler smartwatches can be bought for younger kids to develop skills before they start school.
Do I need a SIM card for a smartwatch?
Smartwatches for kids are not usually tied to phones via Bluetooth, as adult smartwatches are. Kids’ smartwatches will need a SIM card for them to make calls, send messages and send GPS signals.
Can smartwatches be easily hacked?
This is a common question but providing you are sensible, your smartwatch is unlikely to be hacked. Just as you would with a smartphone or laptop, ensure you teach your child about internet safety and not talking to strangers online. Don’t store confidential information on your child’s smartwatch.
Are there monthly costs for a smartwatch?
If your child’s smartwatch requires a cellphone plan (so if you want them to be able to make calls and send messages) then this will cost you every month. If you’re on a budget, don’t forget to factor this in.
Does the smartwatch need to be on the same cell network as my smartphone?
Some smartwatches for kids only work on specific networks, but this does not need to be the same as your phone. It may lower your bill to have them on the same network, but kids’ smartwatches will connect to an app on your smartphone anyway.
A smartwatch for your child can be extremely useful, helping them to develop certain skills and helping you to sleep easier! However, with such a range of features and watches available, it’s easy to end up spending well over your budget. Prioritize what features are most important to you before you start shopping!