Best Smartwatches for Kids 2024: Detailed Review of Tested Models for Any Budget

If you’re in the market for a kids’ smartwatch, the sheer number available may make the task of choosing one a little overwhelming. As well as providing you with a comprehensive review of our pick of smartwatches, we’ll also give you some advice on selecting the apps to install on the device and how to get it set up.

How We Selected and Tested the Smartwatches
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We put the kids’ smartwatches below through their paces by checking several important factors, including their quality, ease of use, battery life, range of features, including safety features, price, compatibility, privacy, and overall value each offers.

Top Picks

Budget Selection	Best for Smaller Kids	Best for Older Kids
Tikkers Smartwatch	Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch	Pingo Track
4.5/5	4.75/5	4.5/5
Fitness and sleep tracking	Augmented reality and learning games	Accurate and fast pinpointing of the child’s location
Read messages	Encourages active play	Out-of-bounds areas
Huge range of colors	Stores up to 3,000 photos	Compatible with the #1 Parental app Findmykids

Contents:

• Best Smartwatch for Kids with GPS
  • Pingo Track Smartwatch
  • Lil Tracker Smartwatch
  • Xplora X5 Play Smartwatch
  • JrTrack 2SE Smartwatch
  • Imoo Z1 Kids Smartwatch
• Helpful Guides for Kids’ Smartwatches
• Best Apple Watch for Kids
  • Apple Watch SE
  • Apple Watch Series 8
  • Apple Watch Series 5
• Useful Guides
• Waterproof Kids Smart Watches
  • T-Mobile SyncUP Kids Watch
  • Ojoy Kids Smartwatch
  • Yaymay Waterproof Smartwatch
• FAQs

Best Smartwatch for Kids with GPS

Kids smartwatches that incorporate GPS are a great way to help keep your child safe—and give you, as a parent, peace of mind. The GPS function can typically be used to locate your child if they become lost, to monitor the route they’ve taken (to school, for example), and to check they’ve not strayed into a ‘no go’ zone.

Below, we review our pick of the five best smartwatches for kids with GPS, paying particular attention to how this element functions, as well as its effectiveness and ease of use.

Pingo Track Smartwatch

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The Pingo Track from Findmykids is our favorite kid’s smartwatch with a GPS tracking function. Designed for kids from ages five to twelve and available in either blue or pink, kids will love this fun and functional smartwatch that features a touchscreen, two built-in cameras, changeable screen savers, and an alarm clock.

The smartwatch is comfortable and lightweight with a durable strap, and it’s water-resistant, too, so it can more than handle the rough and tumble of kids’ daily lives.

But it’s the safety features that really make this kid’s smartwatch stand out from the crowd. As well as real-time location tracking (meaning you’ll know where your child is at all times), there’s the safe-zone feature that allows you to set out-of-bounds areas for your kids—and know if they transgress them.

The SOS button and calling mode mean that you can always get in touch with your child in an emergency, even when they’re at school or with friends, and the route history checker allows you to check, for example, that your child headed straight to the classroom after leaving home—rather than taking a detour to the store! Plus, they can activate the location audio if needed so that you can hear what’s going on around them in real-time.

Parents love the Pingo Track because it was designed by other parents, just like them! As such, you’ll find no games, advertising, social media, or other distractions on this kid’s smartwatch, so your child can concentrate on their homework, classwork, or spending time with their friends in the real world.

The Pingo Track is powered by a long-life inbuilt lithium polymer battery, which provides an operating time of around twenty–four hours when in active mode, so it doesn’t need charging too frequently. It’s important to note that this smartwatch only supports AT&T and T-Mobile Nano SIM cards that have prepaid mobile phone plans to connect to the internet—not for wearable devices.

The video call function of the Pingo Track works without wifi, so it will function out on the street, for example, where there is a good signal. Compared to other watches, the video calling features on this watch are some of the best.

When you buy this kid’s smartwatch, you’ll also get access to a free family subscription to the Findmykids app for an unlimited number of family members. The subscription automatically activates when you connect the smartwatch.

Setting up the Pingo track is easy:

1. Firstly, you’ll need to purchase a compatible SIM card that’s at least 4G compatible.
2. Now simply turn on the smartwatch, which will take you through a number of screens to set up the various settings, functions, and features.
3. To sync your child’s watch to your smartphone, download the Findmykids app to your device and then launch and register it to enable you to access its interface.
4. Head to your phone’s settings, select Add a Device (or similar) and then choose your child’s new GPS phone from the options. You may be asked to enter the smartwatch’s ID.

Once this is done, the Pingo Track will synchronize the date and time settings (as set on your phone), and you’ll now have access to your child’s smartwatch settings.

Pros

• Advanced safety and parental control features
• Comes with free access to the Findmykids app
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Outstanding video calling capabilities

Cons

• No games or social media—which may be a pro for many parents!

Read the full review Meet Pingo Track: The Best GPS Smartwatch for Kids.

Lil Tracker Smartwatch

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Offering GPS, LBS, and wifi positioning—meaning that you can discover the location of your child anytime you need to—two-way communication and remote monitoring via a highly sensitive microphone that allows you to hear what’s going on around your kid, the Lil Tracker is a parent dream when it comes to smartwatches.

This kid’s smartwatch is available in blue or pink and also features a camera and a fitness and step tracker. Plus, friends can be added by simply tapping watches, which then facilitates voice chats between devices. Neat! The SOS one-touch button gives you peace of mind that, in an emergency, your kid can contact you simply by pressing and holding the dedicated button. Their smartwatch will then immediately call you. If you don’t answer, the watch will immediately call up to two more contacts on the priority contact list you have set.

And now the technical bits. The Lil Tracker boasts a color touchscreen with a twelve-hour time display, has a water protection rating of IP67 (meaning it can be submerged in water to a depth of 0.5 meters for up to twenty minutes and remain functional), and can support Android and iOS apps.

Multiple Do Not Disturb hours can be set to ensure there are no distractions during school hours, for example, plus you can create up to three electronic fences which act as safe zones—an alert will be sent to the parent’s phone if their child crosses into one. A historical route record is also kept, so you can check where your kid has been or the route they’ve taken.

The GPS tracker is accurate to five to ten meters, one hundred to 1,000 meters on LBS, and ten to two hundred meters on wifi. Kids can be located using the in-app map, and then, if you wish, you can either call or text them, just as you would with a cell phone.

The long-life gel polymer battery (which can be charged magnetically) lasts for up to seventy-two hours on standby, and the smartwatch emits low battery warnings when it’s starting to run low on charge. The remote shutdown feature is another handy tool that can help preserve the battery life of this device. The Lil Tracker requires a Nano SIM card and data plan with any GSM network provider to operate.

As with the Pingo Track smartwatch reviewed above, and unlike many other kids’ smartwatches, the Lil Tracker doesn’t feature any games or social media that could distract your child or have them wanting to stay on their screens for longer than you’d like.

Lil Tracker now offers its own SIM card for its kids’ smartwatches, making the setup process quick and easy. All you need to do is purchase the device, choose a SIM card, and wait for your parcel to arrive. You’ll also receive an easy-to-follow setup guide to get everything running, so you’ll soon be enjoying peace of mind, knowing where your child is, and satisfied that you can contact them whenever you need to, and they can reach out to you in an emergency.

Pros

• GPS, LBS, and wifi tracking functions
• Electronic fences feature
• Offers own SIM card

Cons

• Not all SIM cards are compatible with this smartwatch
• Not the best video calling capabilities

Xplora X5 Play Smartwatch

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One of the best kids’ smartwatches with GPS tracking is the X5 Play from Xplora—as well as allowing you to stay in contact with your kids, it’s designed to encourage children to be active.

The inbuilt GPS means you can quickly pinpoint your child’s location, and you can set up safe zones to help prevent your kid from straying to places they shouldn’t. There is no social media on the X5 Play, and the school mode disables the interactive features, so there’s no risk of distractions while in the classroom.

The smartwatch is waterproof to IP68 standard, meaning it can be submerged to a depth of 1.5 meters of water for up to thirty minutes and still function. It’s also dustproof, meaning the screen stays clearer for longer. This watch is made out of some seriously heavy-duty materials!

This kid’s smartwatch is available in blue, pink, and black, and there are two SIM plans to choose from, both of which offer unlimited calls and data. The Xplora Connect Saver plan represents the best value option which involves paying an upfront payment for a twelve-month contract, while the popular Xplora Connect Flex plan is paid on a monthly basis with no minimum term.

The Xplora X5 Play, when fitted with a SIM card, is a phone as well as a smartwatch—kids can use it to make phone calls and receive calls to and from up to fifty approved contracts—and text messages, including emojis, can be displayed, too. Plus, the 2MP camera on this smartwatch allows your child to capture images throughout the day, to keep you on top of what they’re up to, or to store in its gallery, which can hold an impressive 1,000 photos. Unfortunately, video calling is not typically supported.

One of the key features of the X5 Play is access to the Goplay platform, designed to motivate kids to be more active day to day. Goplay is the world’s first platform that combines entertainment with physical activity, helping to get children moving. The idea behind Goplay is to reward kids for physical activity and encourage them to be aware of the amount of time they’re spending in front of a screen in order to develop healthy habits.

The monthly adventures are a fun way to get kids off the couch and moving—your child will love the opportunity to win great prizes and earn rewards, such as new watch faces, ringtones, articles, and coloring books, and lots more. Each month, platform users walk an impressive 100 billion steps, with Xplora kids walking, on average, 2,500 more steps a day than their counterparts, proving just how effective the platform is.

The long-life battery lasts for around seventy-two hours when the device is on standby and has a continuous call time life of about five hours. In addition to the smartphone itself, you’ll also receive a charging cable, and your child will get 150 Xplora coins (linked to the Goplay platform) to get them started on their active mission!

Pros

• GPS tracking and safe zones with history route options
• Access to innovative Goplay platform
• Long-life battery to keep your child safe

Cons

• Kids can receive text messages via this device, which parents may not prefer

JrTrack 2SE Smartwatch

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Designed for kids aged from five to twelve years old, the JrTrack 4G kids smartwatch from Cosmo offers GPS location tracking, an SOS mode, and 911 calls, as well as the ability for parents to set and adjust safe zones. The latter is a way to designate areas or places you’d prefer your kids not visit—if they do stray into these areas, you’ll receive an alert on your device. Like some of the other kid’s smartwatches reviewed above, children aren’t able to access the internet or social media on the JrTrack.

The reliable three-point verification GPS tracking system has been designed to give parents the ultimate peace of mind. You can set customized update intervals, to keep track of where your child is and what they may be up to—and when you want to see their exact location, simply hit the refresh button.

You can choose from three strap colors (pink, blue, or black) so you can pick the shade that best suits your child’s preference. The velcro strap, made from premium comfort materials, is convenient, comfortable, and fully adjustable, meaning this smartwatch can grow with your child. As well as all the safety features, this smartphone also incorporates a front-facing camera and an integrated step counter—which active kids will love—and supports up to ten pre-approved contacts.

This smartwatch boasts lots of parental control features—it can be controlled on your cell phone via the companion Mission Control app. The Mission Control app allows you to, for example, adjust settings, and monitor your child’s route. Parents also love the fact that the JrTrack smartwatch features a school mode, meaning that kids won’t be distracted in class. It’s durable, too, and is water and sweat-resistant.

Kids can use their devices to set activity goals, take photos, set reminders and alarms, and send text and voice messages. Children will like being able to choose from a range of ringtones and wallpapers to personalize their smartwatch to their preferences. 

If you want to keep your child safe but let them look good doing it, this is one of the best options.

It’s important to note, however, that the JrTrack smartwatch needs a Cosmo membership cellular service plan on the provider’s network. The watch comes with a pre-installed SIM pan, and there are a number of plans to choose from. All the plans offer unlimited talk, text, and data, and the service can be set up quickly and easily. The battery life on this device is around thirty-six hours.

When you order this kid’s smartwatch, you’ll receive the device itself with your chosen color of wristband, charging cord, two screen protectors, a set-up guide, and some fun stickers for your child to use to decorate their new device! JrTrack offers regular software updates, which can be easily accessed and downloaded via the smartwatch itself. Recent updates have included optimized calling, new ringtones, and improvements to the Mission Control app.

Pros

• Reliable GPS tracker and ability to set update intervals
• SOS and 911 calling features
• Tools to encourage kids to be more active as well as recent updates to Mission Control

Cons

• Cosmo plan membership required
• Battery life not as long as some other models

Imoo Z1 Kids Smartwatch

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An Amazon’s Choice kids smartwatch with GPS, this option is available in five colors: green, dark green, pink, purple, and red, and can be used to make both phone and video calls. It also offers a wide-angle camera, an alarm clock, an activity tracking feature, and is water resistant.

The ultra-clear screen offers true-to-life detail and vibrant color—it automatically brightens when outdoors so that kids can see the screen easily, and is flicker-free at night for all-around great visual performance.

Most importantly, this smartwatch offers an effective way for parents to know where their kids are and their movement status to help keep them safe. Like all the kid’s smartwatches with GPS that we’ve reviewed here, the Imoo Z1 makes it super easy to locate your child. Simply open the Imoo parent app on your phone and navigate to the function that allows you to view your child’s location in real-time. The parent app is free to download and use and can be found on the App and Google Play stores.

The auto-answer function, which can be accessed via the companion parent app, is another way to help keep your kids safe when they’re out and about. If this function is activated and you call your child, and there is no answer, the watch will automatically connect to the parent’s iPhone or Android device.

The accurate and reliable GPS function works via satellite, wifi, blurred, and A-GPS location, with the device automatically selecting the best positioning technique according to the environment. You can turn on quiet mode to ensure that your kid concentrates in class while the Stranger Rejection function helps to make sure that someone who’s not a trusted contact can’t get in touch with them.

And if you’re looking for a kid’s smartwatch that’ll also encourage your child to get more active, then the Imoo Z1 ticks this box, too. Kids can use the watch to set a daily step goal which they’ll have lots of fun trying to achieve—or competing with their friends to see who can reach their goal the quickest!

In terms of battery life, the Imoo Z1 kids smartwatch benefits from state-of-the-art Silicon Anode technology, which means it keeps both its charge and its connection for an impressively long time. The standby mode is also very efficient, helping to extend the battery life still further.

Wondering about durability? The Imoo Z1 has gone through over 160 tests to check its reliability, safety, and more. These tests included a drop test, dielectric strength test, toxic elements test, and many more, all of which were undertaken before the smartwatch was launched. And there’s no need to worry about the security of your family’s data, either: this smartwatch and its companion app comply with the requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulations and have been audited and verified by the International Personal Data Security Agency.

Pros

• Accurate location tracking via multiple methods
• Quiet mode and Stranger Rejection functions
• Long-lasting battery

Cons

• Limited fun features

The Takeaway: The Best Smartwatches for Kids with GPS

Our picks of the best smartwatches for kids with GPS will, hopefully, help you select the perfect option for your child. All are designed to make it easier to keep your child safe and give you peace of mind when they’re out and about.

Take some time to ensure that you’re getting the best smartwatch for your family’s needs by considering carefully, for example, whether a phone plan is needed and the cost of the options on offer.

Helpful Guides for Kids’ Smartwatches

Best Apps for Child’s Smartwatches with GPS	How to Use SMS Commands to Set a Kid’s GPS Watch
As a good parent, you’re torn between two options…	The way SMS commands work is that they enable…

Best Apple Watch for Kids

When it comes to smartwatches for kids, Apple is a popular choice. And it’s no surprise why! These devices come with a tonne of features, so your child can access a vast range of apps, games, podcasts, audiobooks, and more.

There are also features to encourage your kids to get active, as well as parental controls for added peace of mind. And—of course—your child can use their Apple watch as a mini phone, helping to keep your family in communication throughout the day.

Read the full review Best Apple Watch for Kids in 2024.

Apple Watch SE

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This smartwatch is one of the most budget-friendly Apple watches around. While it’s not specifically designed for children, it has lots of fun features that older kids (and parents!) will love. The watch boasts a wide display for better viewing and a screen that offers extreme sharpness and clarity—it’s bright and easy to read in all environments. Choose this watch in either gold, silver, or the excitingly named ‘space gray’!

What fans of this Apple watch particularly love is that it’s one of the best watches-as-a-phone on the market right now. As well as enabling voice calls and video messaging etc., data and apps from the smartwatch are shared seamlessly with the phone, and vice versa, for ultimate convenience and ease of use.

And talking about convenience, kids will appreciate the strap on the Apple Watch SE (a new design from Apple known as the Solo Loop). Made from silicone and both comfortable and lightweight, it stretches over the hand to put on and remove, doing away with the need for fiddly buckles. There are various sizes of Solo Loop available, so you can pick the one that’ll fit your kid best.

Active older kids will appreciate the fitness features of the Apple Watch SE. The Workouts app allows the user to add a wide range of exercise types, such as running, walking, yoga, and cycling, including warm-up and cool-down elements. The colored, animated rings offer an easy way for the wearer to see whether they’ve hit their daily fitness goals, such as getting in enough steps. And if your kid loves to swim? Then the Apple Watch SE is the perfect accompaniment to their endeavors: it can be worn to a depth of a whopping fifty meters. And after all that activity? The smartwatch incorporates a sleep tracker, too, to help your older child ensure they’re getting a good night’s rest.

And when it comes to safety, there are some tools to help give you parental peace of mind, too. The watch’s SOS button simply needs to be touched and held down, and an alert will be sent to the emergency services. Further, setting up an Apple Family Sharing account will allow you to activate the watch’s GPS tracker, so you can see where your kid is at any time. The Family Setup platform gives you access to other handy tools, such as the Schooltime setting, which blocks all other apps and features on the watch apart from the basic time functions to help ensure your child can concentrate during class.

Pros

• One of the most budget-friendly Apple watches on the market
• Supports a healthy, active lifestyle
• Parental controls to prevent unwanted contact with strangers

Cons

• May not be suitable for younger kids
• Games and apps may prove distracting

Apple Watch Series 8

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Like all the smartwatches from Apple, the series 8 model hasn’t been designed with young kids in mind—but your older teen is sure to love it. It has a 45mm screen width and will fit wrists sized 160-210mm.

This latest Apple watch is even smarter and more powerful than its predecessors, with advanced sensors to provide in-depth fitness and health information. As well as the comprehensive fitness trackers and tools, there’s also a sleep monitor, which displays not only how much sleep your teen is getting, but its quality. There are twelve different workout types, along with guided walks and runs, meditations, and workouts that can be modified to match their wearer’s level.

The always-on, edge-to-edge, bright retina display is easy to read, even when the wrist is at an angle, and it’s widely customizable, so your teen can design the look of the watch to suit their unique personality and tastes—there are dozens of straps and watch faces to choose from.

As a parent, you’ll appreciate the Apple Watch Series 8’s toughness and durability. It’s crack-resistant, dust-resistant (to IP6X standards), and water-resistant—it’s swim-proof to WR50 standards, meaning it can be submerged to a depth of fifty meters.

The wearer will have access to literally thousands of apps from their wrist via the App Store, as well as the ability to call, text, and stream music (with a plan). Apple Pay can also be used on this smartwatch to quickly and easily send money to friends when required or make convenient instant payments. And the battery life? This Apple watch is impressive on this score, too, offering an all-day battery life of up to eighteen hours and up to thirty-six hours when set to Low Power mode.

As with other watches from Apple, the Series 8 supports Family Setup, via which you can access a range of parental controls and safety features, and there are a tonne of additional features, too. These include a compass with multiple views, an always-on function altimeter, a gyroscope, fall and crash detection, and much more.

Pros

• Powerful, with access to 100s of apps
• Advanced fitness and health trackers and tools
• Supports Family Setup, where there are lots of parental control tools

Cons

• One of the most expensive options on the market
• Not suitable for younger children

Apple Watch Series 5

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Choosing an Apple watch for your child from an earlier series could be a cost-effective option that still provides plenty of features, such as GPS, worldwide emergency calling, a compass, and a motion sensor. Like the later Series 8, reviewed above, this watch also boasts the Always On Retina Display for superior screen clarity and convenience. It’s important to note, however, that an iPhone is required to pair with this watch to enable it to fully operate.

As well as voice and video calling, text messaging, and voice messaging, your child will also be able to access the App Store, to download audiobooks, play games, read articles, and much more. Plus, the fitness trackers and apps are designed to help all users get more active in their daily lives, and the Noise app aims to help users have a greater awareness of volume (such as that experienced at a concert) and how it could have a negative impact on hearing.

As with newer versions, the Apple Watch Series 5 is designed to promote an active, healthy lifestyle and offers a range of tools to help wearers meet their fitness goals and stay well. It was one of the first over-the-counter wearables both in the UK and the US to feature an inbuilt electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor heart-rate patterns and alter the user if something unusual is detected.

The main fitness apps are Active and Workout, each of which has a different focus. Active involves the wearer trying to fill three onscreen ‘rings’ each day, which relate to moving, exercising, and standing, and can act as a really effective nudge to get a little more exercise into daily life. Seeing a ring that’s very nearly full can be a good prompt to head out for a quick walk or do a short dance workout to top it up and complete that ring. The Workout app features different modes for a variety of activities, including cycling, running, swimming, and yoga. For older girls, there’s a menstruation cycle tracker, too, which is a helpful way of understanding our body’s natural rhythm, and predicting when our next period will arrive.

Kids will love all the customization opportunities to help them make the watch uniquely their own. They can choose from a range of strap colors and watch faces, as well as ringtones and other design elements. The watch case is constructed from super-tough titanium, which is extra sturdy but lighter than stainless steel. The custom-engineered watch coating helps the device maintain its color and prevents staining—something parents will be very pleased to hear!—and it’s fall and scratch-resistant, too. The Apple Series 5 watch is available in gold, silver, and space gray.

In terms of listening to music and podcasts, this Apple watch fares well: it has 32GB of space, allowing for the downloading and playing of a huge amount of tracks and podcasts.

Pros

• More cost-effective than newer watches in the Apple series
• SOS international emergency calling
• Lots of options for customization

Cons

• As with other Apple watches, may not be suitable for young kids
• Battery life isn’t as good compared to other smartwatches on the market

Best Kids Apple Watches: The Takeaway

Apple watches are well known for their high quality, durability, and huge range of functions and features. However, it’s important to note that Apple doesn’t currently make smartwatches specifically for kids, so be sure to satisfy yourself that any Apple watch you choose for your little one meets your needs and those of your family.

Useful Guides

How to Set Up a Kid’s Smartwatch: User’s Guide	SIM Card for Kids’ Smartwatches: Everything You Need to Know
All settings are carried out using the…	If you’re looking to equip your child with a smartwatch that…

Waterproof Kids Smart Watches

Kids love being in the water—whether it’s young children having fun splashing in the paddling pool or playing in puddles, or older kids enjoying time at the pool with friends, any smartwatch you buy for your child needs to be able to withstand the wet stuff.

Below you’ll find our review of the best smartwatches for kids that have solid water-resistant credentials.

T-Mobile SyncUP Kids Watch

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Specifically designed for kids aged five to eleven, lightweight, comfortable, and water-resistant, this SyncUP kids watch from T-Mobile is a great all-around choice. It connects via the T-Mobile network, and to access the parental control features you’ll need to download the companion app onto your device. Once activated, you can manually locate your child using this app, or turn on live tracking—the latter will ping the watch every ten seconds for up to fifteen minutes.

You can also set Virtual Boundaries, and, once established, you’ll receive a notification when your child enters the designated area. By setting their school as a Virtual Boundary, for example, you’ll be notified when your child has arrived and when your child leaves at the end of the day, for added peace of mind. There’s an emergency contact button and 911 dialing, too, which act as additional safety nets.

Currently, the SyncUP watch is only available in Chalk color, although you can choose between coral or blue wristbands. The watch itself has a 1.4” display and a single push button on the side to activate this, and it incorporates a single camera that’s located above the screen.

This watch will allow your child to make phone calls, send messages, and enjoy video chats with their friends—but only those on their parent-approved contact list, a major plus for those worried about strangers trying to get in touch with their children. This also means your child’s device won’t be subject to spam or nuisance calls.

As well as all the basic features you’d expect from one of the best smartwatches for kids, such as task reminders, a step counter, and an alarm clock, there’s a host of options to keep your child entertained, too, such as customizable themes, fun games, and interactive characters. And there’s School Mode to make sure that the fun doesn’t become a distraction in the classroom.

Best of all, as it’s been designed with kids in mind, it’s built to withstand rough play, drops, and even water. As well as being water-resistant, the SyncUP Kids smartwatch comes with a replaceable screen protector and both silicone and nylon bands for all-day comfort on your child’s wrist. The battery life is good and should last all day before it needs a charge—although parents should note that the live tracking feature does tend to drain the battery life significantly quicker than when this feature is not enabled.

The SyncUP Kids watch is available to T-mobile customers who have at least one active voice line. The companion app can be downloaded onto any compatible smartphone and network. However, it’s important to note that this watch uses an embedded SIM card and will only work on the T-Mobile network. Right now, T-Mobile is running an offer where you can get a free watch in the SyncUP kids range when you purchase a qualifying line, which could add up to a big saving for your family.

Pros

• Designed specifically for kids
• Durable and water-resistant
• Range of parental controls including geo-tracking

Cons

• Can only be used on the T-Mobile network
• School mode can’t be scheduled, but must be manually enabled

Ojoy Kids Smartwatch

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One of the best kid’s smartwatches that are also highly waterproof—it can be submerged up to a depth of two meters for up to thirty minutes—the Ojo Kids Smartwatch has been designed to keep both parents and kids happy.

The watch comes in either blue or purple and has a 1.4” display screen protected with Corning Gorilla Glass—meaning rough and tumble needn’t result in a broken device. It’s manufactured from safe, non-hazardous material, so it won’t irritate your child’s skin and is touchscreen enabled with two manual buttons. There’s an SOS button located just underneath the power button—if in distress, your child can activate this by simply pressing and holding down this button for more than five seconds. Doing so will send out a call to all of those listed on your child’s approved contact list so that you can be sure that whoever is nearest can spring into action to come to their aid.

This smartwatch can message and send and receive both messages and voice calls and can even be used to send personalized voice messages. So, for example, you can send your kid a customized message, and they can respond with one of a plethora of preset messages such as “okay” or “I love you.” Call minutes are required for voice calls. When a call is made or received, your child will be able to easily talk to you via the smartwatch and hear you clearly on its speaker.

The GPS tracking function is also a great function and helps you stay on top of where your kids are when they’re out of the house. In fact, this childrens watch tracker offers some of the best options when it comes to a standout feature for tracking. You’ll need to download the companion app to access their real-time position, which has an accuracy of around five meters. It’s important to note that the accuracy of the GPS locator can be affected in areas where there are high-rise buildings, which can result in an increase in the location radius.

For added peace of mind, you remain in charge of your child’s contact list—only you are able to add new contacts via the companion app, and all other contact numbers will be blocked. And to help avoid your kid getting caught up in neverending screen time, you won’t find any social media, internet, or social media on the Ojoy Kids Smartwatch. Kids can, however, access Magic School, a platform where kids can play interactive educational games such as math quizzes.

Pros

• Waterproof to a depth of two meters
• Range of parental controls
• No internet or social media

Cons

• GPS tracking may not be as accurate as that offered by other devices

Yaymay Waterproof Smartwatch

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This smartwatch could be a great choice for older kids, especially teens who love spending time at the pool. This watch is so waterproof that your child can take it out in the rain and even shower and swim in it—it’s rated IP68 for water resistance. This means that it can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to thirty minutes. On top of this, it boasts nine different sports modes that can track workouts, including heart rate, steps, and much more. The silicone rubber strap is smooth to wear, meaning it stays comfortable even during exercising, and has quick-release pins making it easier to quickly switch straps when required.

The Yamay waterproof smartwatch is compatible with iOS, Android, and iPhone, and it can be used like a phone to check messages and receive notifications from SMS and social media, and make and receive calls. Your teen will love the fact that the bands are interchangeable, so they can switch up the style to match their look as necessary. As well as water resistance, battery life is another area in which this smartwatch excels: it charges magnetically in about two hours and, once fully charged, will last for up to ten days. Yep, you read that right: ten DAYS—and up to thirty days on standby. This is a higher-than-average battery life for normal usage, to say the least!

As well as fitness tracking, the Yamay waterproof smartwatch offers tools to help your teen achieve the best, most restful sleep possible—and an alarm clock means there’s no risk of them getting up late for school. There’s a basic music function on this smartwatch, allowing it to play, pause, and skip songs that are playing on a phone—however, music can’t be downloaded or stored on the device. Additional features to note are the ‘find my phone’ tool and stopwatch.

When it comes to looks, this smartwatch is well-designed and stylish, is available in a wide range of colors, and incorporates a high-quality OLED display. The high-definition color and clarity make the 1.28” screen super easy to read, too.

Pros

• Great for older kids who enjoy fitness
• Extremely waterproof
• Very long battery life

Cons

• No GPS tracking function
• Not suitable for younger kids

Best Waterproof Kids Smartwatches: The Takeaway

Choosing a waterproof smartwatch for your child is a great idea to both promote them getting outside and active and provide you with peace of mind that their brand-new device won’t get ruined in the rain or the pool. Use the reviews above to discover the most suitable one for your kid.

FAQs

What’s the best smartwatch for a 7-year-old?

For us, the Pingo Track is our pick of smartwatches for this age. As well as offering a comprehensive range of parental controls to help keep your kids safe, it’s also water-resistant, durable, and offers a dual camera. It also incorporates tools to help encourage your child to be active—which is crucial, as developing healthy on and offline habits is great for long-term good mental health—such as a pedometer.

Are kids’ smartwatches worth it?

Choosing the best kid’s smartwatch for your child and your family’s needs is important, so take some time to read our reviews to select the perfect option. Whether it’s the first smartwatch for toddlers that features educational games and a digital pet, or a sophisticated fitness tracker smartwatch to support a teen’s active lifestyle, the right smartwatch could be worth its weight in gold!

Which kids’ smartwatch is best?

While expensive options like the Apple Watch SE are packed with advanced features, there are budget-friendly alternatives that still offer essential capabilities. The Mission Control feature found in some models allows parents to set boundaries and monitor feature usage, ensuring the device is used appropriately while keeping your child safe.

Can a kid have a smartwatch without a phone?

Many kids’ smartwatches are designed to function independently without needing constant pairing with a smartphone. These smartwatch phone devices usually come with basic features like location tracking and an activity tracker. Models like the T-Mobile SyncUP offer 2-way voice calling and unlimited calling, making sure your child stays connected safely, while the Apple Watch SE is a better choice for kids with phone connectivity.

Are smartwatches a good idea for kids?

Children’s smartwatch products provide numerous benefits for kids ages 6 and up. They support emotional development by helping children manage time and responsibility. With fun features like games and activity level monitoring, they encourage healthy habits. For parents, features such as child safety and location tracking ensure peace of mind and help you keep your child safe.

Can I get my kid an Apple Watch without a phone?

The Apple Watch SE is a popular choice for those seeking a balance between functionality and style. While traditionally requiring an iPhone, it now supports Family Setup, allowing it to be set up without a paired phone, making it one of the most ideal watches for kids. The Apple Watch SE offers video calls and 2-way voice calling, making it the perfect solution as both a GPS watch and a way to keep your child safe.