These wearables are great for your little ones and have fun themes that can keep kids interested. Plus, they can help kids stay in contact, but only with parents or designated contacts, making sure your kids remain connected and safe. Whether you want to stay in contact, or your kids need little reminders here or there, we’ve got a wearable in here for them. Assuming one of those properties works for you, this wearable is great for kids because it’s waterproof, and it lasts for an entire year with no charging. The app that goes with it is available on iOS and Android, and it features some rewards that kids can earn by doing chores or completing up to one hour of activity. The watch is limited to a black and white display, and it comes in only two colors, both of which are on the masculine side. Also, the 5-day battery life isn’t the best. But if you’re looking for a slim watch that you can use to track your kids’ activity, Fitbit is one of the best out there. That’s a lot of fun, but it comes at a cost. The company lists the battery life at three days, but testing suggests that it’s closer to a single day under heavy use. When it comes to charging, the company specifies that it should only be charged using a USB port on a laptop as opposed to the third party adapter. Typically, that means the battery needs to charge slowly, which may not be great for an impatient child. VTech is also light on publishing specifications for various components like the cameras or the screen. That’s usually not a good sign. But it’s very expensive for what it does. Other wearables on this list have similar functionality, and also have a watch face on them and activities. Plus, the connection requires a subscription service to Jiobit to actually track the tag. It’s nice because that subscription includes all the necessary connectivity you need to be an excellent tracker; cellular, GPS, and other connectivity is included in that monthly price. This tracker will give you the peace of mind knowing where your child is without having to worry about setting up different permissions or controls. Of course, this means that the watch requires cellular service, which is a monthly cost and could get expensive. But for the feature set you’re getting, it’s a pretty good deal. Along with that functionality, you get all the same goodies, like step tracking and exercise tracking. It can also help you keep up on daily activities and chores. KKBear specifically advises customers that when they’re getting a service plan, they need to tell the carrier representative what kind of plan they need. That gives us pause, but this wearable looks the nicest and has the most functionality among the list. If you want a little more control and communication, we recommend the KKBear 3G GPS smartwatch. The caveat here is there are some unknowns. KKBear isn’t a well-known name in the field and the connectivity can be confusing. But if you’re willing to put up with a little uncertainty, give this one a look.
What to Look For in a Smartwatch for Kids
Games
Kids love to play, and when an activity tracker can gamify that activity, it can motivate kids to get moving. A child will be more likely to use a wearable if it’s fun. Otherwise the tracker could end up on a shelf not helping anyone.
Battery Life
Battery life is important in a wearable because the more you have to take it off, the more opportunities you have to not put it back on. Wearable battery life ranges from hours to years depending on the device, and in this case longer is better.
Size
Children are small and have small wrists. A wearable that is too large will be uncomfortable to wear for small children. Again, if the watch is too large, it will spend most of its time not in use, which isn’t good for anyone.
