Picture this: your eight-year-old walks home from school alone for the very first time. You’re watching the clock, phone in hand, refreshing nothing — because there’s nothing to refresh. You don’t want to hand them a full smartphone yet, but you need a way to reach them. You need to know they got there safe. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Kids’ smartwatches have become one of the fastest-growing categories in family technology , and for good reason. The best smartwatches for kids combine GPS tracking, two-way calling, and robust parental controls, without open internet or social media access, giving children independence while keeping parents in the loop.
The hard part is choosing the right one. The market is flooded with options ranging from no-frills fitness bands to feature-packed LTE-connected smartwatches with cameras and music. Budget, age, and how much connectivity you want your child to have all factor in. For younger kids (ages 5–9), simpler watches like call-and-text devices work best; tweens (ages 10–12) usually benefit from more advanced features like group messaging or fitness tracking. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are the six best kids’ smartwatches available right now.
Quick Picks
Garmin Bounce 2 Kids Smartwatch
The ultimate all-in-one kids smartwatch with two-way calling, real-time GPS, Amazon Music, and Garmin-managed LTE plans for ages 6+. — $299.99
Fitbit Google Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch
A screen-time savior that rewards movement with fun arcade games — keeping kids active, connected, and away from social media. — $179.99
TickTalk 5 Kids Smart Watch
Feature-packed with HD video calling, AI-powered GPS, and zero social media — the safest smartphone alternative for kids ages 3–12. — $129.99
Cosmo JrTrack 5 Kids Smart Watch
Amazon’s #1 selling 4G kids smartwatch with precision HaloGPS, Focus Mode, and Spotify — perfect for kids ages 6–12. — $129.99
VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3
The best budget-friendly starter smartwatch for little ones — dual cameras, fun games, and zero need for a data plan or phone. — $59.99
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 Fitness Tracker
A no-subscription fitness tracker with a 1-year battery life, swim-proof design, and Disney/Marvel adventures to keep kids moving. — $69.99
The Best Kids Smartwatches: Detailed Reviews
🏆 Garmin Bounce 2 — Best Overall
Equipped with parental controls and child safety features like geofencing, the Garmin Bounce 2 is the best overall kids’ smartwatch, ideal for ages 5–12 with voice and video call capabilities, GPS, and even a fun camera.
Two-way calling and voice messaging between the Bounce 2 smartwatch and the Garmin Jr. smartphone app let parents and kids stay in contact easily. Kids can track their activity, listen to music, and even manage chores and rewards — all on a bright, colorful AMOLED display smartwatch that’s swim-friendly. What makes it especially parent-friendly? Available at a suggested retail price of $299.99, it comes in three color options — light purple, turquoise, and slate gray — and smartwatch plans are managed by Garmin and are available for $9.99 per month. No need to switch carriers or deal with a separate SIM setup.
Best for: Families who want a premium all-in-one device and don’t mind the investment.
🎮 Fitbit Google Ace LTE — Best for Active Kids Who Love Games
The Fitbit Ace LTE excels at making exercise fun for kids and is a wonderful standalone smartwatch. Its mini-games encourage movement, and kids earn points to customize cute characters called eejies.
The Fitbit Ace Pass data plan gives access to calling, messaging, and location sharing — plus, kids get every game title in the Fitbit Arcade. A School Time mode lets you limit gameplay during the day while still letting kids get in touch if they need to.
With built-in 4G LTE and GPS location, you’ll know where they are, and that they got there safe. The data plan runs $9.99/month — a fair price for what you get.
Best for: Screen-loving kids who need a nudge to get moving — and parents who want built-in GPS without the social media risk.
📍 TickTalk 5 — Best Video Calling Watch
The TickTalk 5 is a standalone 4G LTE kids smartwatch that supports voice and video calls through WiFi or cellular data. Equipped with a 5MP front camera, it provides smooth, HD-quality voice and video calls.
TickTalk 5 now supports real SMS texting and group chats, so kids can send Talk-to-Text, voice messages, emojis, photos, and texts with family and approved contacts. Unknown numbers are automatically blocked, and in-app messaging adds an extra layer of end-to-end encryption.
TickTalk 5 has no social media, internet, or games — parents approve contacts, block unknown numbers, and use SOS alerts plus AI-powered GPS to keep kids safe and connected.
Best for: Parents who prioritize video calling and airtight safety controls for kids ages 3–12.
🌟 Cosmo JrTrack 5 — Best GPS Accuracy
The JrTrack 5 comes with all-new HaloGPS technology, powered by a state-of-the-art location chip for pinpoint accuracy and real-time location tracking — the fastest, most accurate location tracking available on a kids watch.
The JrTrack 5 is built to give parents peace of mind, equipped with Cosmo’s market-leading SafeCore feature — a four-front safety system including SOS alerts, GPS SafeZone notifications, and the option to enable emergency calling.
JrTrack 5 also comes with all-new Focus Mode, allowing parents to set when and how to lock their child’s device. Parents can enable access to music with Spotify and Spotify Kids for age-appropriate listening.
Best for: Parents who want the most precise GPS on the market, plus great parental controls and Spotify integration.
🎒 VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 — Best Budget Pick (No Data Plan Required)
The VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 features dual cameras for pictures, selfies and videos along with games, daily reminders and more. The watch light doubles as a camera flash and flashlight.
It includes parental game controls and time limits, and you can switch to School Mode to limit the DX3 to a watch only.
No Bluetooth or wireless technology ensures watch content is secure — making it one of the safest options for young children. There’s no monthly subscription, no GPS, and no phone required. It’s simply a super fun starter watch for ages 4+.
Best for: Young kids ages 4–8 who aren’t ready for GPS-connected devices, and families on a tight budget.
🏃 Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 — Best Fitness Tracker (No Subscription)
Featuring a swim-friendly colorful display with multiple watch face options, this kid-tough tracker has a parent-replaceable battery that gets up to 1 year of battery life. With it, kids can uncover educational, globe-trotting app adventures and mini games by completing 60 minutes of daily activity.
Parents can use the app on their compatible smartphone to monitor steps, estimated sleep and active minutes, manage and assign chores, set timers and even give rewards to positively reinforce good behavior. Themes include Disney Princess, Marvel Black Panther, Star Wars, and more — making this a big hit with younger fans. No monthly subscription, ever.
Best for: Kids ages 4–10 whose parents want activity tracking and chore motivation without a monthly bill.
What to Look for in a Kids Smartwatch
Before you buy, think through these key factors:
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GPS & Geofencing: Geofencing capabilities transform simple location tracking into proactive safety monitoring — you define safe zones like home and school and receive automatic notifications when your child enters or leaves these areas, eliminating constant location checking.
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Battery Life: Battery life directly impacts GPS reliability. A smartwatch with GPS tracking that dies by lunchtime defeats its safety purpose entirely.
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School Mode: The best kids’ smartwatches have DND (do not disturb) or “focus” modes that parents can set, locking the watch during certain hours.
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No Social Media: Look for devices that block internet browsing and social platforms. Smartwatches work best as a “first step before a smartphone” for families who want location and communication without exposing kids to app stores, open web browsing, or social platforms.
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Durability: Kids are rough on gear! Look for water resistance ratings (IP67 or IP68) and shockproof construction.
Buying Guide: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What age is a smartwatch appropriate for?
True kids’ smartwatches are most fitting for children aged 5 through 12. They have kid-specific features, including durable, kid-friendly designs and things like integrated games and safety features.
Q: Do kids’ smartwatches need a monthly subscription? Most GPS-connected and LTE-enabled watches do require a plan. Options like the Garmin Bounce 2, Cosmo JrTrack 5, TickTalk 5, and Fitbit Ace LTE all run around $9.99/month. However, the VTech KidiZoom DX3 and the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 require no subscription at all.
Q: Are kids’ smartwatches safe to use at school?
Before getting a smartwatch for your child, consider classroom and school policies. Not all classrooms, teachers, or school districts allow tech like this during learning hours. Thankfully, the best kids’ smartwatches have DND or “focus” modes that parents can set, locking the watch during certain hours.
Q: Can my child access the internet on a kids’ smartwatch? The best kids-focused options block internet access by design. Smartphones can expose kids to distractions, internet risks, and screen addiction. Watches like the TickTalk 5 provide the essentials — safe calling, texting, and GPS tracking — while avoiding social media, web browsing, and harmful apps.
Q: What’s the most important feature to prioritize? It depends on your child’s age and your family’s needs. For young kids (4–7), a no-subscription option like the VTech DX3 or Vivofit Jr. 3 is perfect. For school-age kids gaining independence, safety features to look for include SOS buttons, geo-fenced safe zones, school/class modes, and parent-approved contact lists, along with transparent privacy policies that confirm COPPA compliance.