A kids smartwatch is far more than just a timepiece. Modern perks include fitness tracking to encourage your child to get outside and be active, GPS tracking so you always know where they are, and even the ability to make and receive calls in some cases.
I’m sure as a parent you’ve been pestered for an iPad at some point but the best smartwatch for kids is a great stop-gap that will keep them entertained until they’re a bit older.
It’s also a great introduction to technology and this is something the children of today must have a good grasp of.
Previously we covered topics like how GPS watches help parenting and the best available GPS watches. In today’s guide, we focus on the best smartwatches for teenagers and children.
We’ve scoured the world of smartwatches to find the top timepieces for your kids. We’ll start off with our recommendations for the younger kids before ending with our top picks for active teenagers.
Table of Contents
Kids Smartwatch Comparison
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
---|---|---|
1.TORWMEN Smartwatch |
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2. WillowWind Kids Smartwatch |
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3. VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 – Ages 4 to 12 |
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4. VTech KidiZoom Smartphone |
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5. INIUPO Kids Smartwatch |
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6. Huami Amazfit Bip – Ages 12+ * Perfect Smartwatch for Teenagers |
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7. MeritSoar Kids Smartwatch |
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8. GBD Kids SMartwatch |
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9. Cosmo JrTrack 1 |
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10. Xplora X5 Play |
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11. MINIBEAR Kids Smartwatch |
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12. Kids Smartwatch |
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13. Garmin Viofit Jr |
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14. Kids Smartwatch |
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15. Kids Phone Smartwatch |
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16. GYET Kids Smartwatch |
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17. Vakzovy Kids Smartwatch |
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18. Yehtta Kids Smartwatch |
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Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Other Posts in the “11-Best” Series:
- 11 Exceptional Smartwatches With Extremely Long Battery Life
- 11 Best GPS Watches for Kids to Safeguard Their Movement
- 11 Best Standalone Smartwatches With Sim Cards
Kids Smartwatch Reviews
We start our guide with our recommended watches for kids ages 4 – 12 years old. If you’re looking for something for kids that are a bit older then look out for number five, which is perfect for troublesome teenagers!
1. TORWMEN Smartwatch
This watch has LBS Positioning and two-way emergency call settings.
Features
- LBS tracker
- Forehead temperature measuring
- Waterproof
- You must insert a sim card
- Store up to 10 phone numbers
- LED flashlight
What We Like
The body temperature feature makes this very stressful time we are living in a little more fun for kids. It brings playtime into the real world, allowing them to learn about our new normal through play.
What We Don’t Like
Smaller children will find this watch very bulky and uncomfortable. Its buttons are not situated in the most comfortable place, so you may find that your child won’t wear the watch due to its poor comfort features.
PROS
- Body temperature measuring abilities
- Easy to use
- Waterproof
CONS
- Not very comfortable
2.WillowWind Kids Smartwatch
This is a HD touch kids smartwatch with GPS and game features.
Features
- Games
- Camera and video player
- Environmentally friendly
- Record
- Calendar
- Calculator
- Alarm
- Torch
- Tool
- SIM required
- GPS
What We Like
This watch is lightweight and fits well on children’s wrists. The sound quality is surprisingly brilliant, and watching videos or playing games is fun on this watch.
What We Don’t Like
The watch can be a little temperamental, and GPS isn’t very accurate. It won’t last very long, especially when children often bang and scrape watches (and everything else) while playing.
PROS
- Comfortable
- Stylish
- Great sound
- Great quality
CONS
- Not long-lasting
- Inaccurate GPS
3. VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 – Ages 4 to 12
There’s a front-facing “selfie” camera and also a side-facing camera for action shots. A feature that the kids will love is the ability to use the pictures as watch faces.
Specifically built for kids it has all the features a kid dreams of. There are built-in games including an augmented reality monster-catching game and the motion sensor means active play challenges can be set.
There’s a pedometer to count steps and even a parental control feature so that playtime can be limited. The changeable watch faces and sound effects can even be used to help kids learn to tell the time.
It charges using the Micro USB cable which is also used to download new games, watch faces, and learning activities. It’s splashproof and sweatproof but it can’t be fully submerged so don’t take it swimming!
P.S: We review the previous incarnation of the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX here.
Features:
- Fancy design and colors for small kids
- Camera with video recording
- Built-in games, activities, and action challenges
- Learning Lodge: Includes lots of downloadable content
- Clock, stopwatch, calendar, voice recorder and more
- Full parental control
Recommended Age: 4-12
4. VTech KidiZoom Smartphone
This watch is for children from the ages of four years old.
Features
- Suitable for young children
- Free games
- Free watch faces
- Camera effects
- Popular monster detector game
- Ability to take pictures and videos
- Kid-friendly design
- Splash-proof
What We Like
We love that it is suitable for smaller children. Taking pictures on the watch and playing games are easy and not overly complicated so that the smaller children can get involved.
Another great thing about this watch is that it is splash-proof. Most children are not very careful when they wash their hands, and with this watch, they won’t have to remove it beforehand.
What We Don’t Like
The watch is more of a toy than a watch. It won’t teach your kids how to tell the time as they will be too busy playing with the features to be interested in learning. It looks quite toy-like too.
PROS
- Splashproof
- Reasonably durable
- High-quality pictures
- Parents can control features
CONS
- Battery deteriorates quickly
5. INIUPO Kids Smartwatch
This watch is suitable for boys and girls; it has games, a music player, and more brilliant features.
Features
- Suitable for ages four to 12
- Seven different games
- Three alarm clocks
- Five languages
- Wallpaper
- Camera
- Photos
- Emergency call settings
- Time and data
- Silent profile
- Call log
- Music player
What We Like
The watch is incredibly easy to operate and does not require you to download an app to set it up. This is a very affordable watch, so we were surprised at how bright the display was and how well finished the workmanship was too.
It is lightweight and comfortable to wear. Your child won’t get frustrated with it rubbing on their skin or weighing their wrist down.
What We Don’t Like
In order to activate the smartwatch, you must order a special code that will grant you access to using the smartwatch. This can be quite a frustrating process and one that can take a long time.
The phone call feature doesn’t work very well as the 2G isn’t supported in a lot of locations. Parents purchasing this watch for their kids to make phone calls and communicate with them while they are not at home should think twice about investing in this watch.
PROS
- Brilliant gift
- Lightweight
- Bright display
- Educational games
CONS
- Temperamental call settings
- Hard to set-ip
6. Huami Amazfit Bip – Ages 12+ * Perfect Smartwatch for Teenagers *
The Amazfit Bip is a prime example, where top features can be found at a very competitive price. It has topline features like GPS and heart rate monitoring but comes in at a fraction of the price of the big guns like Garmin and Apple.
The Amazfit Bip comes in a range of colors and weighs just 1.1 ounces. It has quite a minimalist look with a big, color LCD touch screen (which is always on) that is clear and precise.
It offers some amazing battery life, with a single charge giving up to 30 days of use. Of course, you aren’t likely to get near 30-days of use if you’re a regular user of GPS and heart rate monitoring as these are quite drain on power.
The GPS tracker and optical heart rate monitoring features allow things like steps, distance, sleep quality, and calories burned to be calculated. Sports activities can also be tracked with special modes for running, cycling, and walking.
There’s also a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone so you can be alerted of messages, calls, and social media activity.
It’s also pretty durable and uses tough, scratch-resistant gorilla glass that will keep it in working order after those inevitable bumps and bashes.
We love this watch! It’s hard to fault really, considering the low price-tag.
Features:
- GPS
- Heart rate monitor
- Up to 30 days of battery life
- Activity tracking
- Amazing value
- Durable
Recommended Age: 12+
7. MeritSoar Kids Smartwatch
This smartwatch has a HD screen and brilliant sports settings.
Features
- Suitable for children, teens, and students
- Camera
- Recorder
- Mp3 player
- Can upload pictures and videos to your PC
- Does not require a sim card
- Make and receive phone calls
- Games included
- Alarm clock
- Album
- Record
- Calculator
- Supports multiple languages: English (default), French, Spanish, German, Italian
What We Like
The watch’s battery life is pretty good, and it won’t run out of battery in the middle of the day which is brilliant. We liked how responsive the touch screen is and how the watch doesn’t lag.
What We Don’t Like
Adding music and contacts is far too complicated than it is worth. The watch also does not look like the watch in the picture and feels rather cheap and flimsy.
PROS
- Suitable for children of all ages
- Fun and interesting settings
- Great gift
- Reasonable price
CONS
- Hard to set up
- Not very durable
8. GBD Kids SMartwatch
Suitable for ages three to 12 years old.
Features
- Two-way calls
- Waterproof
- Seven built-in games
- Camera
- Video
- Recording abilities
- Can only use 2G network
The watch has age-appropriate games and puzzles that are educational and fun. It can certainly keep children entertained for hours, that is for sure!
What We Don’t Like
This watch is advertised as being waterproof; however, it isn’t and will get ruined if your child washes or swims while wearing the watch.
PROS
- Hours of fun
- Educational games
- Easy to use
- Two-way calls
CONS
- Not waterproof
- Making and receiving calls is complicated
9. Cosmo JrTrack 1
Coupled with voice and video calling, the watch is perfect for any time you or your child want to keep in touch. It allows you to pre-approve contacts, protecting your child from strangers online. Both browsing and social media have been disabled to make sure that nothing inappropriate is slipping through the cracks, and your child can’t be targeted by online bullying.
The watch also provides a classroom mode, controlled by you, to make sure they aren’t getting distracted in school by their clever new watch. You can schedule homework and set alarms so that they remember to come home on time. This gives them more independence without compromising their safety.
Finally, with an SOS button, a durable screen, and a comfortable strap, this watch is a great option for kids to get a taste of the online world.
Features
- For ages 5-12
- GPS tracking and geofencing
- Two-way calling
- School mode
- Homework scheduling
- Alarms
PROS
- Great peace of mind due to GPS tracking and geofencing
- Simple and clear video calling and voice calling
- Restricted online access to keep young children safe
CONS
- No full texting feature, meaning your child has to call when they need something
- Expensive service plan of $19.99/m
10. Xplora X5 Play
It is compatible with WiFi to keep the costs down, and can be used with a range of different networks, so you can choose which is best for you. By installing the app on your own phone, you have control over the functionality of the watch and you can enable “school mode” to prevent distractions during class.
The watch also features magnetic charging and it manages to look and feel both simple and sophisticated, a good balance for children transitioning into teens. The camera and the pedometer are useful features in particular for older children, starting to take an interest in fitness and recording their lives.
Features:
- SOS emergency button
- GPS and safety zones
- Pedometer
- Waterproof up to 1.5m
- Camera
- Two-way calling
- School mode
PROS
- Good quality camera
- Excellent durability
- Adult feel while still being a functional and simple child’s gadget
- Better waterproofing (IP68) than many close competitors, good for children who are active and may not think to remove the watch
- Non-disturb feature
CONS
- Child has the ability to access certain settings and turn off the device without guardian input, which reduces the security offered by the watch
- Some users encounter issues when two guardians want to access the GPS position simultaneously
- No text messaging feature
11. MINIBEAR Kids Smartwatch
This watch is suitable for children between the ages of three and 10 years old.
Features
- Dual camera
- Parent control
- Six puzzle games
- Music player and recorder
- All-in-one smartwatch
- Two-way call
- Rechargeable battery
What We Like
This is a great Christmas gift. It is reasonably priced and has all of the features a small child needs to be thoroughly entertained.
What We Don’t Like
These days children understand a lot more about technology than we expect them to. That is why we believe this watch is far too simplistic for children over the age of seven.
PROS
- Simple features
- Easy to use
- Suitable for small children
CONS
- Too childish for older children
12. Kids Smartwatch
The features include a music player, fourteen different games, three alarms, a calendar, a calculator, and a music player. This is everything a child could need day to day and makes the watch fun for them, as well as a practical safety device. It also supports multiple languages.
You can add up to ten contacts to the phone for direct calling, making it easy for your child to keep in touch with you and vice versa. It also includes a selfie feature for your child to play with, as well as a flashlight that is great for camping trips or sleepovers.
Although the watch doesn’t offer GPS tracking features, it does have an SOS function so that your child can call for help if they get lost or feel uncomfortable with a situation.
Features:
- Ages 3-12
- Camera
- Two-way calling
- Alarm clocks
- Fourteen games
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Music player
PROS
- Fun games to help the kid enjoy the watch
- Useful features such as calendar, watch, and alarms to help your child learn how to tell the time and manage their day
- Clear, sharp camera
- Easy to use
CONS
- No GPS feature or geofencing
- Only space for ten contacts to be saved
Best Kids Smartwatch for 10 Years Old
13. Garmin Viofit Jr
Recommended for ages 4-9 and compatible with a parent mobile app, it contains some mobile adventures, as well as the opportunity for parents to set weekly chore reminders. Children can also redeem points toward rewards that the parents have offered, keeping a log of good behavior.
The watch also tracks fitness and steps and sleep time so you can be assured that your child is sleeping well, and it provides a stopwatch so activities can easily be timed. This will help your child better understand time management and it aids them in learning to read a clock.
Features:
- Ages 4-9
- Fitness tracker
- Sleep tracker
- Year-long battery
- 5 ATM waterproofing
- Fun adventure trail app
- Ability to earn rewards and keep track of chores
PROS
- Great for engaging kids with fitness and health
- A good way to make chores fun and motivate your child to do them
- Good for practicing time-telling and time management
CONS
- No calling feature
- No GPS
14. Kids Smartwatch
The watch also includes a calculator and a time management program to help your child get a better grip of numbers and planning. It has two-way calling, too, so you can call up your child or they can get in touch with you if they need something.
Simple to use, with a crisp display and a flashlight, this is a very functional watch for any child. Again it has a school mode to minimize distractions during learning time.
The icons are very fun and friendly, and definitely appropriate for kids to use, although some tweens may find them slightly childish. However, the overall look of the watch is sleek and adult, so this is a good balance between fun and sophisticated that will suit most age ranges.
You have a choice of three colors, so if you’re buying it for a younger child, you may wish to choose the bright blue or pink, while an older child may prefer the black.
Features:
- Ages 4-12
- Two-way calling
- SOS function
- Music player
- Video player
- Camera
- Calculator</li
- Alarm clock
- Flashlight
PROS
- Safe calling with parent-approved contacts
- School Mode
- Sophisticated feel with simple interface
CONS
- Limited to ten contacts
- Only compatible with 2G networks
- No waterproofing
Best Kids Smartwatch for 9 Years Old
15. Kids Phone Smartwatch
With a good handful of fun games for coordination and logic building skills, the phone uses 2G networks to connect, and comes complete with a 1GB memory card to allow you to play music. It also has an alarm clock, a clock, and a calculator.
“Class mode” puts you in control so your child isn’t using their smartwatch when they should be focusing on school, but it lacks some of the features of other models, such as waterproofing and WiFi functionality, meaning it needs a data connection in order to work properly.
It does also include a flashlight and a low battery warning, as well as a keyboard – which many smartwatches do not offer. Coupled with the SOS function, this is a good choice for young children, although the lack of WiFi is disappointing.
Features:
- Ages 3-12
- SOS function
- Music player
- 1GB memory card
- Alarm and clock
- Flashlight
- Calculator
- Two-way calling
- Games
- Texting
- Camera
PROS
- Music player and games make this a fun gadget for kids
- Two-way calling and SOS function for peace of mind
- School Mode
CONS
- Only supports 2G networks
- No WiFi support
- No GPS or tracking support
16. GYET Kids Smartwatch
Designed for four to twelve year olds, it has a rotatable camera with good resolution. There are also five games on the device, which is fewer than some offer, but they still should provide your child with some fun in dull moments.
With Bluetooth capability, it can be paired with wireless headphones, which is likely to be particularly popular with older users, as is the pedometer, putting your child in control of their fitness and giving them an understanding of how exercise works.
This is accompanied by a flashlight, which is great for sleepovers and camping trips, particularly for younger users. A very comfortable silicone strap also makes this easy on little wrists, although the watch is disappointingly not waterproof.
Features:
- Ages 4-12
- Rotatable camera
- Music player
- Calendar
- Record function
- Photo album
- Radio
- Bluetooth capacity and 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Pedometer
- Flashlight
PROS
- Plenty of useful functions to make this suitable for and attractive to a wide range of ages
- Pedometer to encourage fitness and responsible exercising
- Comfortable, environmentally friendly strap
- Bluetooth support for wireless headphone use
CONS
- No memory card included
- Must use earbuds to listen to music
- No calling or SOS functionality
- No GPS tracking or geofencing
Best Kids Smartwatch for 8 Years Old
17. Vakzovy Kids Smartwatch
These are great for kids of all ages, especially those that have a tendency to get very absorbed in activities. There is also a selection of different watch faces, so if your child is learning to tell the time, this is a good way to get them engaged.
It also offers a calendar so that they can start learning about appointments and taking responsibility for upcoming events.
Furthermore, the watch features two cameras, making it easy for your child to record video and capture the best moments in their lives. It also offers nine different games, with parental controls to impose time limits.
With a flashlight, a voice recorder, and a pedometer, it has plenty of features that will help your child out in everyday life.
Features:
- Versatile clock with many different time keeping options to help your child learn and keep track of time
- Calendar
- Two cameras for convenient visual capture
- Nine games with parental locks
- Flashlight
- Pedometer
- Voice recorder
PROS
- Lots of options relating to the clock
- Music player to keep children engaged
- Games with parental lock
- Two cameras
CONS
- No calling function
- No GPS or tracking options
- No waterproofing or water resistance
18. Yehtta Kids Smartwatch
The watch provides a time teacher and a stopwatch to help your child learn to manage and portion up their time effectively, as well as a handy calculator for improving their math skills. The alarm feature is also useful in encouraging them to take responsibility for getting up to go to school.
There is a music player and a record function, as well as a calendar, a camera, and various different wallpapers for your child to choose from so they can customize their watch to look exactly as they want it to.
Sadly, the watch doesn’t offer any calling functions; it is just an alternative to a basic phone without a sim. However, reviews say that the battery is good, and it offers a range of fun features for kids to enjoy playing with, including a flashlight.
Features:
- Alarm
- Stopwatch
- Time teacher
- Five different games
- Music player
- Record function
- Calendar
- Camera
- Flashlight
PROS
- Fun and simple interface should be attractive to children
- Good time function options to teach and encourage time management
- Several useful gadgets such as the flashlight, the camera, and the calendar to help kids in everyday life
CONS
- No calling functionality
- No GPS/tracking
- No pedometer and limited other functions
Final Verdict
Our favorite from the list is the TORWMEN Smartwatch. Which one did you like?
Buying Guide: What to Look For
Bet you didn’t think that being on the hunt for the best smartwatch for kids would be as challenging as it is, right? There are a lot of things to think about; the watch features, style, durability, reliability… the list goes on.
We have compiled this buying guide for you to follow and refer to while you shop around to make the task of finding the best kids smartwatch easier for you. Take notes of the most important features to you so that you don’t miss anything out. Enjoy.
Durability
When it comes to anything for kids, the item’s durability is probably the most important specification. Scuffs and scratches on a watch face can render the watch useless, especially if it is a smartwatch. Look out for a scratch-resistant watch and durable to ensure it will last as long as possible.
Comfort
There are two things to look out for in a watch with optimal comfort features. Number one is that it sits nicely on your child’s wrist with flexible straps that allow them to play without wanting to take the watch off. The second comfort specifications refer to how comfortable the device is to operate and read.
Children find smartwatches easier to use if they have a clear digital time display, along with a large clock face. After all, with all of the fun and games your child is going to have using a smartwatch, you still want them to be able to tell the time.
Another tip is to go for a watch that has long battery life. Smartwatches that need to be recharged in the middle of the day or after just a few hours of use are not appropriate for children.
Type of Watch
Do you want your child to use a watch that is also a fitness tracker? Or a watch that is more app orientated? Smartwatches come under many categories, and their focuses vary from brand to brand. Think about what you want your child to be doing on the watch when it is being used for more than just time-telling.
Age
What is appropriate for children that are four years old will not be appropriate for a 12-year-old child. Younger children need a watch that is going to act as a time teacher that will help them learn hours and minutes. Older children will want watches that are more techy and interesting.
Waterproof
Another very important specification for children’s smartwatches is whether they are waterproof or not. Purchasing a waterproof watch will allow your child to go swimming, have a shower, and wash their hands without having to remember to remove the watch.
Not all digital sports watches are going to be waterproof, nor are they all going to be splashproof. If you feel like your child will not remember to remove their watch before they shower or wash their hands, make sure the watch’s waterproof features are a priority.
Ease of Use
Ease of use will vary from child to child. Some children are tech-wizzes and are able to use most technology without reading the manual, while others need something a little bit more simple. Always remember to go for a watch that is appropriate for your child’s age so that they don’t get frustrated or disheartened while using it.
Style
Children certainly like to decide what they wear, and if the smartwatch doesn’t meet their style expectations, they will not wear it.