Smartwatches for kids can be an amazing tool for encouraging independence on vacation. Features like GPS, text and voice messaging, and voice calling can keep kids close while allowing them to explore a new place on their own. Smartwatches for kids come at a wide range of price points and with a lot of different features, so finding one that’s a good fit for your family won’t be hard.
How to choose the best smartwatch for kids
Finding the best smartwatch for younger kids means looking for features like durability, alarm clock functionality, cameras, and parental controls. For older kids, tweens, and teens, GPS, extended battery life, and the ability to make phone calls and send texts are key features when you’re looking for the best smartwatches.
Many of these watches require parents to download an app to access all of the features. When adding in voice calling and texting, the grown-up in charge must also sign up for a monthly service or add a line to a family plan. Here are the top smartwatches for kids that combine useful features and durable construction.
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1. TickTalk 5
Best overall smartwatch for kids
The TickTalk 5 is one of the pricier kids smartwatches, but it makes a great precursor to a cell phone. The durable watch offers voice and video calling and text messaging, and parents can add approved contacts. They can also monitor call logs, block unknown numbers, and set reminders for their kids through the parent app. The smartwatch for kids comes with an included SIM card, and parents can choose between AT&T or T-Mobile’s networks with pay-as-you-go plans that start around $10 a month. It’s also compatible with GSM cellular carriers for international use.
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The water-resistant watch offers fast and accurate GPS tracking, an activity tracker, a camera for photos and videos, and free streaming music powered by iHeartRadio Family. But just as notable is what the TickTalk 5 doesn’t have: There’s no Internet access, no games, and no access to social media.
2. Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular)
Best overall smartwatch for older kids and teens
Edging in as only slightly more expensive than some of the higher-end kids smartwatches, the Apple Watch SE is a great choice for older kids and teens. Using a family setup function, kids without their own iPhone can use their smartwatch to make phone calls, send messages, set-up emergency SOS and emergency contacts, share their location with parents, see photos, and play music.
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The Apple Watch SE is water-resistant, includes an activity and health tracker, and can be customized with different bands and watch faces. Parents can manage some of the watch’s capabilities from their phone. With access to Apple Cash Family, kids are able to make approved app purchases and make purchases via Apple Pay.
3. VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX4
Best smartwatch for creative kids
The VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX features dual cameras that help kids take photos and videos and then get creative with photo effects, frames, and filters. They can even turn one of their photos into their watchface (or choose from more than 50 digital and analog animated faces).
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It’s a great smartwatch option for younger kids thanks to its educational games, ease of use, durability, and features that help kids practice telling time and get daily reminders from their parents. It’s also splash-proof (but shouldn’t be submerged in water) and comes in several kid-friendly colors.
4. COSMO JrTrack 5 Kids Smartwatch
Best smartwatch for parents focused on safety
The COSMO JrTrack 5 kids smartwatch makes it easy to keep kids safe, giving parents the ability to approve allowed contacts, monitor text messages sent and received, and set focus mode to limit distractions at school through the parent app. It also comes with the company’s new HaloGPS technology for fast and accurate location tracking.
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Other standout components of the water-resistant smartwatch include two-way calling; text, video, and voice messaging capabilities; a front-facing camera; a pedometer; and the ability to set reminders and alarms. The smartwatch comes with its own SIM card and phone number, and Cosmo Mobile offers four different plans for unlimited talk, text, and data. The sleek design and user interface keep it cool for older kids, and the comfortable wristband and long battery life make it durable for all kids.
5. Garmin Bounce
Best smartwatch for active kids
Parents and kids can stay connected with the help of the Garmin Bounce. After parents set up a subscription plan through Garmin, download the Garmin Jr. app, and input up to 20 approved contacts, kids can send and receive text and voice messages and check in from their location.
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Parents can also get real-time location information whenever needed and use the app to turn on school mode and do-not-disturb mode. When they’re not studying, kids can use their watch to track their steps and athletic activities (it’s swim-friendly, too), get weather updates, set alarms and timers, and play games. Daily activity can unlock fun extras, and kids can even engage in some friendly competition with friends and family.
6. Fitbit Versa 4
Best smartwatch for sporty tweens and teens
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a great smartwatch choice for on-the-go tweens and teens who already have a cell phone. The water-resistant watch tracks daily steps and activity and provides health and fitness insight throughout the day. It also helps track sleep and stress levels and can even offer guided breathing sessions when needed.
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It’s got built-in Alexa access, Fitbit pay capabilities, and a six-day battery life. When used in conjunction with a smartphone, the watch can also display call and text notifications and help tweens and teens find their phone if they’ve happened to misplace it.
7. Verizon Gizmo Watch 3
Best smartwatch for families with a Verizon phone plan
If you already have a Verizon phone plan, it’s easy to add on a Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 for your child. Through the GizmoHub app, parents can input up to 20 approved contacts that kids can call and text through the watch, as well as make short video calls. Parents can also track the child’s location through the app and set alerts if they travel outside of approved areas.
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Kids can’t install any outside apps on the smartwatch, but they can take photos, track their steps, play games, and get the weather forecast. Parents can create a task list in the app to remind kids about homework and chores and link up friends and siblings with Gizmo Watches as buddies.
8. Original Casio Calculator Watch
Best smartwatch for teens who love all things retro
Not to be missed for vintage-loving teens (or the nostalgic “big kid” of the family), behold the Casio Calculator Watch, a.k.a. the original smartwatch. Not only does this watch have time, date (pre-programmed until 2079), and stopwatch features, it also has an eight-digit calculator and constants for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
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No currency conversion or meal tab is too hard for this nifty smartwatch. The Original Casio Calculator Watch also features a durable waterproof design, making it the perfect companion for all adventures, even if you can’t text from it.
Beth Luberecki also contributed to this story.
