Best kids smartwatch 2024

Kids love gadgets as much as adults (maybe even more), so it's no surprise the idea of having their own smartwatch gets them excited. Finding the best kids' smartwatch to get for your child can be daunting with so many choices on the market, so I put together this guide to help the process along for you and the youngster.

Aside from wading through all the options, it's also important to consider privacy, durability, and cost when searching for the best kids' smartwatch. For me, the Garmin Bounce tackles all these obstacles with ease, making it the best kids' smartwatch.

Sure, you may think that any cheap Android smartwatches would work — and it might — but the best Android smartwatches for kids have a lot of safety features that can make them a better option. There are many choices out there, so let my years of experience help guide you to find the best kids smartwatch for your child.

Namerah Saud Fatmi

Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart knickknacks. After writing about consumer tech for nearly a decade, she has become an expert in the Android accessories space. She spends her free time guzzling coffee, writing some more, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends.

At a glance

Best overall

My son has used a lot of kids smartwatches and the Garmin Bounce is always the one he prefers. Setup couldn't be any easier: just download the Garmin Jr. app and pair the watch with a Garmin parents account. Everything can be managed through the Garmin Jr. app, including contact management, alarms and timers, geofencing, real-time location tracking, and both text and voice messaging.

Garmin's app also includes cool activities and games for kids to play alongside parents, including plenty of educational games that encourage kids to get outside and play. The watch has a built-in step tracker and can also track sleep, so you'll only need to take it off to charge — or if it gets uncomfortable after wearing it for a while.

Garmin Bounce is weatherproof and is even swim-friendly, so you don't have to worry about your child breaking it under even normal kid conditions.

The watch itself is a great size that even fits an eight-year-old's wrist and is light enough to be comfortable all day. The two-to-three-day battery life is impressive and I've found that we only have to charge the watch twice a week or so with normal use. It has both Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity so it can save battery when you're at home or another familiar place, all of which is configurable through the Garmin Jr. app.

Garmin manages its own LTE network connectivity through the Garmin Kids Smartwatch subscription plan which runs $10 per month. This one can't be combined with your phone bill and doesn't need to be managed at all, so a simple subscription is all it takes to ensure that your child can be connected no matter where they are. Garmin has an LTE coverage map to help you ensure this service is right for you.

For me, my favorite thing about this watch is just how darn easy it is to use. There's nothing complicated about setup or management and the Garmin Jr. app is very well-designed. Settings aren't hidden and the watch itself is packed with fun games and activities that are enough to keep kids interested during light downtime but not enough to distract them from school or other important activities.

Plus, it's even got a school mode, do not disturb mode, and other similar ways to configure the watch so it's a helpful tool and not a burden. There's nothing like seeing them go off and do their chores every day at the right time because the watch lets them know it's time.

Best for young kids

The MyFirst Fone R2 is a simpler option that will give parents of young ones peace of mind with connectivity and useful tracking, and please littles with some cool features. Connecting via the 4G network, kids can make and receive voice memos and calls with a single button push on the watch itself. There's a useful one-touch SOS mode kids can activate if they're in trouble or don't feel safe. Once pressed, parents will receive an emergency location alert and a 30-second live recording of the surrounding sounds. I am certain parents will find this very reassuring, as those of us on the team who are parents are very happy with this feature.

Speaking of location, this watch uses advanced GPS, Wi-Fi, and GSM to help provide a precise location for tracking lost kids. You can also set boundaries so you receive a notification if the child moves beyond 200 meters from the set boundaries, like your property or the local park or school grounds. It can also track indoor locations using surrounding Wi-Fi signals, up to an accuracy of 10 meters. This can be useful if you've lost your child in a department store or shopping mall, for example.

For calls, kids can make and receive calls from the watch, functioning just like a smartphone. You can converse in real-time with your little one as they walk home from school, for example. 

This isn't just a safety watch, though. It functions as a pedometer, counting kids' steps. Kids can also set goals in the app and work towards them. The fitness aspect is secondary here, though, which is why I believe this smartwatch is ideal for younger kids, even though it's rated for ages between five and 12.

Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, the smartwatch also has a built-in 5MP HD camera so kids can capture fun moments to share with you later. They can also connect with friends with the neat Shake-to-make-friends feature. Once near another MyFirst Fone R2, kids can shake the device to automatically pair with their new friend. Once paired, the kids can make and receive calls from one another and send fun emojis.

Don't worry about distractions because a Class Mode silences the watch during certain times of the day, including school hours. When in this mode, only the SOS functions can be used.

Equipped with a 1.3-inch AMOLED touch screen, the watch is splash-proof and only lasts for up to two days per charge, so be prepared to recharge several nights per week. You can also recharge each night since there's no sleep tracking or other advanced features. 

Best for photography

When the TickTalk 3 was on this list, it was a good watch but missing some essential features — with the TickTalk 4, many were resolved. The newest version of the kid's smartwatch fixed one of the most significant issues I had with the TickTalk 3: poor battery life. In the design overhaul, more space was made for a larger battery, additional cellular antennas, and software changes helped extend the battery life to a full day without issue.

The TickTalk 4 also adds another camera, so your child can take photos of things instead of only being able to use the selfie camera. You'll also find dedicated GPS paired with Wi-Fi and cellular data for better location monitoring.

Step tracking has been included to make being active more fun, along with free iHeartRadio Family, which was my favorite feature during my TickTalk 4 review, because kids can stream family-friendly music while playing. The watch works with GSM cellular carriers — so it won't work on Verizon — and the company has partnered with the prepaid carrier Red Pocket Mobile for service if you choose.

All of this is kept secure in a very well-designed and easy-to-use parental companion app. The watch can only communicate with contacts that you add. This includes messaging, calling, SOS contacts, and video chats. The watch design is a bit on the bulky side, but it is very durable and customized with what the company calls "Chums". These are rubber icons like rainbows, guitars, skateboards, and more that tack onto the watch strap.

This one doesn't feature geofencing, though, which knocks it down a peg on our best kids Android smartwatches list. It's also got some issues with accurate and timely location reporting, which isn't super great when you need that important feature.

Note that the TickTalk 5 has recently been released with enhanced cellular reception, an upgraded GPS system, improved strap material, more compact and lightweight design, enhanced waterproof features, and improved battery efficiency. We haven't had the chance to test this new model yet, but you'll be pleased with either option.

Best Samsung

Samsung might not make a "proper" kids watch but the Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm) is going to be your best bet if you're looking to get something more full-featured for your kids. Since it runs almost the latest Wear OS 4, it has a metric ton of apps and other features that dwarf all other watches offered here. Despite being such an old model, I still use my Watch 4 on and off.

Like other Wear OS watches, the Galaxy Watch 4 supports full watch face customization, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LTE connection as well as GPS location and full messaging and phone calling features. You can even have them pair their earbuds with the watch and listen to music on your favorite music service. It's also simple to add to your existing phone plan since it supports all major networks and has an eSIM built right in, so long as you opt for the more expensive LTE model, of course.

The Galaxy Watch 4 has full weatherproofing and can be taken swimming, used for sleep tracking, and just about anything else you can possibly think of. Fitness tracking with it is wonderful and it's got all the important health-related features that you could want including heart rate tracking and many different health sensors on the underside. 

Being a "proper" smartwatch also means that it looks like an actual watch and not a kid-friendly device. The obvious downside here is that this watch isn't built for kids. In short, that means your kids are going to have to treat it like a nice, expensive electronic device. If you've got kids who are wild or generally careless, expect it to get broken pretty quickly.

If nothing, make sure to add a great Galaxy Watch 4 screen protector or case to keep it safe like the Spigen Ultra Hybrid Screen Protector, which wraps around the entire body of the watch and helps keep it safe.

Since this is a standard smartwatch, you won't find any parental controls that can be downloaded. Sure, you could use the Galaxy Watch app to manage the watch remotely and even track the location with tools that Google and Samsung provide, but things like geofencing or app store restrictions just aren't available since it's not designed with this express purpose in mind.

You'll also have to consider battery life, which isn't as good as the other kids' watches on this list. This one is meant to do everything, not last a long time. If you absolutely must get your child a Samsung watch, the smaller 40mm version of the Galaxy Watch 4 is the best Samsung smartwatch for kids.

Best on Verizon

The GizmoWatch 2 from Verizon is a great watch that gets a lot of things right. If your family uses Verizon for coverage reasons, this is probably the best kids' smartwatch to get because it uses the same Verizon network as your phones. Just be aware that, since this is a Verizon-branded watch, it only works with Verizon's network.

As far as the watch itself is concerned, you'll get to choose from two color options — blue or pink — and has a durable squarish plastic case. There are two buttons on the side to offer a few actions when pressed. One action, for example, is that if either button is pressed, the parent-designated emergency contact is called.

The screen on the watch is vibrant and gets bright enough to be visible in most lighting conditions. Your child can select from seven different colorful themes to give their watch a bit of personality. There's also a fun jumping game and step tracker for the kids to earn rewards from that you can set in the parent's app.

From the parents' side, through the GizmoHub, which acts as a companion app, you can control nearly every aspect of your child's watch. This is also where you get to set up who the watch can call, be called, or message. There's no camera, but your child can make standard phone calls and send preset messages, emojis, or voice messages.

The Gizmowatch 2 has a built-in GPS, which can locate the watch and set up geofences. Doing so will send you a notification when the watch leaves the designated area. Your child can manually ping you their location from the watch, or you can always check in from the app.

While a lot is going for the watch, during our GizmoWatch 2 review period we did find that it does have its downfalls. Aside from being locked to Verizon, the other main feature lacking from the GizmoWatch 2 is Wi-Fi. The addition of this feature would help in low cellular connectivity.

If you are in an area with good Verizon coverage and don't mind that you can only use that carrier, the GizmoWatch 2 is a great smartwatch for kids that offers fun features for them and the safety features you want.

Best health tracker

The Spacetalk Adventurer is a kids' smartwatch that looks nothing like the others on this list. On the surface, the watch has a more mature design, but not so much that younger kids wouldn't enjoy it. The display is sharp and easy to read, and navigating the watch's interface is smooth and responsive.

A unique feature of the Adventurer is the inclusion of a heart rate monitor. You'll be able to check on your child's activity by seeing how many steps they're taking and a history of their heart rate measurements, all from the well-designed Spacetalk companion app. Even with all the heart rate tracking, the Adventurer gets excellent battery life and is able to make it through a typical day of use easily. 

It is disappointing that at this time, even though there is a front-facing camera, there is no option for video calling. Though not a major issue, messaging on the Spacetalk Adventurer can be a bit confusing because there are two messaging apps. During my review period, I'd carry on the same conversation dispersed across both apps — making it challenging to keep it all straight. Again, not a deal-breaker, but worth noting.

Best fitness band

Garmin makes some of the most impressive fitness smartwatches on the market today, and not to leave the kids out of the fun, Garmin has the Vivofit Jr. line of fitness bands. The newest in that family is the Vivofit Jr. 3, and it has some great features for the little ones.

The band can join in with the rest of the family using Garmin fitness products in friendly challenges to encourage kids to be more active. There's even the ability to sync with nearby friends for a bit of fun competition as well. By getting at least 60 minutes of activity in a day, your child can earn points that translate into turns in a fun game that's in the companion app on your phone.

The game is themed to match the fitness band itself. When we reviewed the Vivofit Jr 3, my son loved the games for his Marvel's Black Panther-themed track. But there's also Iron Man, Disney Princesses, Little Mermaid, and some Garmin designs of Digi Camo, Lilac Floral, The Mandalorian, Baby Grogu, or Blue Stars.

The device's battery lasts up to a year and is replaceable, so you never have to charge it. You can also set reminders on the Vivofit Jr. 3 for your child to earn digital coins to redeem for rewards that you set within your companion app.

The Vivofit Jr. 3 is water-resistant to 5 ATM, tracks steps, and can track sleep automatically. While this device may not have the full gamut of features found in the TickTalk 4 or the GizmoWatch 2, it is still a fun way for your child to get active and be responsible.

Best for T-Mobile

For T-Mobile customers, the T-Mobile SyncUP Kids Watch is a solid option worth considering. Available in black with two watch bands in the box, the latest updated version fixes issues we had with the original iteration back in 2021, including adding video calling and a scheduled school mode. It doesn't, however, have Wi-Fi so you're locked to the T-Mobile plan with this one, and require a subscription.

In his review, Nicholas Sutrich found that video calling worked really well, but it all depends on the strength of the signal where your child is, of course. There's also the option for SMS messages, but kids can only contact who you add to their contact list.

Thick and square in design, this watch is pretty durable, too. But Sutrich notes that the plastic display can scratch easily, so you'll want to invest in a screen protector for active little ones. The watch is also IP68 water and dust resistant and even has a built-in water ejection function kids can use after their shower or dip in the pool.

With a touch screen and side button, there's a nice, tactile feel to using this smartwatch. The Velcro strap is also a nice option: Sutrich's son preferred it over the rubberized band that's also included in the package (though you'll probably want to swap to the rubberized one for swimming or beach days). It's compatible with standard 20mm bands, so you can upgrade to whatever you choose.

Equipped with a 1.4-inch screen, the T-Mobile SyncUP works on the carrier's 4G LTE network. It runs for about two days per charge with normal use. If you add a ton of messaging and enjoy some of the built-in games, it might last for less. But if the battery reaches 20 percent, the games will automatically shut off so your child prioritizes communications over fun, until they get home, at least.

The companion app is great for parents who want to keep an eye on their kids activity, including step counts, set step goals, and more. There's even options to create alarms and tasks, like chores and homework. Once completed, parents can send a reward message to their kids, cheering them on for a job well done.

The watch supports geofencing so you can set it such that you receive a notification if your child leaves an approved area. There's also live location tracking via built-in GPS.

For fun, alongside games, including Tic Tac Toe and Dino Run, there's also a built-in camera kids can use to take silly pics with friends, even sending them as messages. A calculator can provide some homework assistance. 

Our only issue with this watch is that we wish it had Wi-Fi to compensate for those times when a strong cellular signal isn't available. Beyond that, however, the watch is a nice option for kids of all ages.

Best Fitbit for kids

The Fitbit Ace 3 has been the latest fitness tracker for kids from the brand, introduced way back in March 2021. But the Fitbit Ace LTE is the first from the brand that comes in a smartwatch form factor and, most notably, with LTE connectivity. It sports some marked differenced when compared to the Fitbit Ace 3.

With a plan, which is $9.99 per month or $120 per year, kids get 4G LTE cellular connectivity using the included SIM card. The purchase comes with a band that interacts with the watch itself, and you get a new one each year as you renew. Kids can use the built-in speaker and mic to make and receive calls from up to 20 contacts.

GPS location tracking means you can always keep an eye on your kids' location in real-time.

The watch itself comes in Spicy Pebble or Mild Pebble, the former with a Moovin' Band and the latter with the Strange Arcade band. It's made of plastic, stainless steel, and glass and resembles a standard square-faced smartwatch. It's scratch, bump, and water-resistant (5ATM) with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Color OLED screen so kids can go about their usual active daily lifestyles without worry. Yes, they can even go for a swim. It even comes with a protective bumper case.

Compatible with both Android and iOS devices, one downside is that the watch only lasts for 16 hours per charge. This means you'll need to recharge each night, but you aren't missing out since it doesn't offer sleep tracking. That's a pretty glaring omission since Fitbit is known for its reliable sleep tracking. In fact, that's one of the features I love the most about the Fitbit Ace 3, being able to know when my son actually went to sleep and if he had a good night's sleep. 

The Fitbit Ace LTE does, however, include heart rate tracking, a useful feature though arguably not as useful as sleep tracking.

The standout feature here is the gamification of this watch. It affords kids access to the Fitbit Arcade with tons of interactive 3D games that use haptics, sounds, and the accelerometer. Kids are rewarded when they engage in physical activity, so they can only unlock new levels and keep playing if they get up and move. There's also a School Time option that limits play during school hours.

As is customary with Fitbit, the Fitbit Ace LTE focuses on health, wellness, and fitness more so than others. There's a Noodle activity ring, for example, that records daily movements. A fun animation appears when they achieve a Move Goal, which typically requires at least an hour of physical activity daily, as per World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

Then, there's Eejie, Fitbit's modern interpretation of the Tamagotchi from the '90s. Kids nurture this character, keeping it happy by meeting their move goals. They earn items for Eejie, from clothing to cool things for its home in Bit Valley. 

Older kids can make use of features like Tap to Pay (coming soon) if parents connect their own debit or credit card to the watch via the app. Parents get real-time notifications whenever the child makes a purchase. 

The Fitbit Ace LTE is a compelling option, though it's a bit confusing in terms of what age is ideal for this smartwatch. Younger kids will love the Arcade and Eejie, and older kids will love the Tap to Pay. But nowadays, kids are getting smartphones at younger and younger ages, so this watch sits in a weird spot. It's likely best for kids aged 8-10, before they are old enough for a smartphone but when they're old enough to get some independence. As your kids get older, you might want to consider one of the best Fitbits instead of this kid-specific one.

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Other products we tested

We have tried and tested several different kids' smartwatches here at Android Central. One of our past favorites was the Gabb Watch 3, an affordable and beautifully simple LTE smartwatch for kids. Unfortunately, that model has since been discontinued. Gabb has replaced it with the newer Gabb Watch 3e, which is almost the same watch but with a few software improvements. It's still a great watch for kids, but our top selections are just a bit better than it. So while it's not ranked, it definitely deserves an honorable mention in this roundup.

The $150 smartwatch is regularly on sale for about $100, but you need to buy a cell plan for it via Gabb separately. The plans are super cheap, starting from $12.99 per month for the two-year contract. It sucks that you can only buy plans from Gabb Wireless, which is what makes it a little harder to recommend.

How to choose the best kids' smartwatch

If you are looking for a watch your child will enjoy using, that will also give you some peace of mind — you can't go wrong with the Garmin Bounce. It is the best Android smartwatch for kids who don't need a super-full-featured smartwatch. It's simple to set up, easy to manage, and connects to Garmin's managed LTE network throughout the world with a $10/month subscription. But don't think that simple means it's got nothing going on; this one packs in real-time GPS location and geofencing, great games to keep kids educated and entertained, alarms and timers, activity and sleep tracking, and so much more.

If you want something with all the extra features and then some, the TickTalk 4 is the best bet for you and your child. It's a well-built piece of technology with its own style and has some wonderful features. Since it has a SIM card in addition to Wi-Fi connectivity, you and your child will be able to communicate as needed. You will also benefit from creating GPS location tracking and location history to monitor your child's location. While the device isn't cheap, it is a great all-in-one communication device for your child that will be much harder to lose than a phone.

There could be some refinements, such as it would be helpful if there was a keyboard on the watch. Though tiny, it would be helpful in situations where the canned responses weren't enough and voice dictation is inappropriate. While it would be nice to see geofencing added in, there are so many other great features like the dual-camera setup and iHeartRadio Family streaming. So, whether you want to ensure your child is where they should be and be able to talk to them, there are options for that.

The Fitbit Ace LTE is the latest smartwatch for kids on this list. While it suffers from a bit of an identity crisis in terms of whether it's best for young kids or pre-teens, it has compelling features that kids in both age groups would love.

But most importantly, it has safety and communication features that parents will love. If you have a Fitbit, you can manage everything through your single Google account and keep on top of your child's location, activity, and more. Just be prepared to pay for the subscription for 4G LTE connectivity.

It's a shame, however, that Fitbit removed competitions from the app, so you can't compete with your kids. But older kids will love being able to pay for items from their wrist, like school lunches or items at the convenience store once this feature is available.

Most importantly, talk to your kids about the responsibility that a kids' smartwatch affords. It means you're giving them some autonomy, trusting them to do the right thing, like call home in case of emergency or reach out as needed. 

Parents struggle with the decision of if and when to get their kids a smartphone, so a device like a connected kids' smartwatch is a great transitional device. Do the kids responsibly call or text before they're leaving school and again when they get home? Do they stay within geofenced boundaries when playing outside with the neighboring kids? Are they responsible with their allowance and don't overspend? Are they handling their chores and marking them off as needed? And are they getting enough physical activity.

Seeing how a child handles having a smartwatch is a great to gauge if and when they might be ready for something more involved, like a smartphone. For parents, meanwhile, who are adamant that their kids won't be getting a smartphone until they're in high school, a smartwatch like one of these models is a great compromise. 

How we test

We here at Android Central test hundreds of wearables each year. When it comes to kids' smartwatches, there aren't as many models released throughout the year as your average Wear OS smartwatch. Still, our team reviews and tests at least 15 to 20 smartwatches designed for children.

Our testing is extremely practical and designed to test the product as the makers intend and advertise them to be used. Since many of us are parents, this has made it even more easier for us to gauge the usefulness, durability, and reliability of smartwatches for children. Our editors' kids vary in age, making our tests even more accurate. So you can rely on us when we recommend a smartwatch for your children.