Parents rank the top smartwatches for kids

Parents rank the top smartwatches for kids

The Best Smartwatches for Kids in 2023: Keeping Kids Entertained and Parents at Ease

Kids today are growing up surrounded by advanced technology. Even toddlers know how to operate smartphones, watch videos, and play games on tablets. If your child wants their own gadget, a smartwatch for kids is a great introduction to technology. These smartwatches not only provide entertainment through games and videos but also offer features like location tracking and chore reminders, giving parents peace of mind.

In this article, we will explore the best smartwatches for kids in 2023, based on real-life parent and expert recommendations. From toddlers to older children, there’s a smartwatch option for every age group. So, let’s dive in and discover the top picks!

Apple Watch SE: The Best Smartwatch for Kids Overall

One of the best smartwatches for kids overall is the Apple Watch SE. While not specifically designed for kids, the Apple Watch SE offers outstanding features and parental controls. It enables phone calls and text messages, tracks sleep and health, and even features an SOS capability. The watch can be paired with thousands of apps, making it a versatile and engaging option for older kids.

According to Victoria Taylor, a parent and founder of BestCaseParenting.com, her kids love using the Apple Watch SE due to its ease of use and access to apps and games. The Health app allows parents to track their child’s activity levels and sleep patterns, providing valuable insights into their health.

Moreover, Apple’s Family Setup feature allows parents to check their kid’s location, set up shared contacts, implement parental controls like screen time limits, and more. The Apple Watch SE doesn’t require a separate phone for your child, as it can be paired with your own iPhone, providing full control to parents.

The Apple Watch SE is recommended for children ages 10 and above. Additionally, the watch offers a wide selection of bands, allowing kids to pick their favorite design.

Fitbit Ace 3: The Best Fitness Smartwatch for Kids

For parents looking to encourage their kids to be more active, the Fitbit Ace 3 is an excellent choice. This fitness-focused smartwatch is designed specifically for kids and provides an animated clock face and vibrant band colors. With up to eight days of battery life, it tracks your child’s movement and sleep patterns, and even reminds them when it’s time for bed.

The Fitbit Ace 3 allows kids to participate in fun fitness challenges and compete with friends and family members. Theresa Bertuzzi, Chief Program Development Officer and Co-founder of Tiny Hoppers, recommends the Fitbit Ace 3 for younger kids, thanks to its engaging incentives for physical activity. Parents can also set up fitness challenges and monitor their child’s sleep, steps, and activity through a Bluetooth connection to their smartphone.

When considering the Fitbit Ace 3, Bertuzzi advises ensuring that fitness tracking remains fun and doesn’t become obsessive. If a child becomes overly focused on numbers or goals, it may be worth exploring other smartwatch options.

Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX3: The Best Smartwatch for Kids to Take Photos

Is your child obsessed with taking photos on your phone? The Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX3 is the perfect solution. This smartwatch features dual cameras that enable kids to capture pictures and videos. They can also add effects like stamps, frames, and filters to enhance their photography skills. Kids can set their own clock face using a photo they took or choose from over 50 animated options.

The Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX3 allows kids to share preset messages and play games with friends and siblings who also have a Vtech watch. The watch comes with parental controls, including chore reminders and screen time limits. For Theresa Bertuzzi, this is the best smartwatch for kids, primarily because of its affordability and multiplayer games.

Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3: The Best Smartwatch for Kids Who Want to Play Games

For kids who love playing games, the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is an excellent choice. This smartwatch allows children to unlock games and activities based on their daily activity time. Once they reach their activity goals, they can play games directly on their watch.

The Vivofit Jr. 3 also offers great parental features. Parents can schedule reminders for chores and other tasks, which will appear on their kid’s watch, signaling the end of playtime. Mark Joseph, a father of three and founder of Parentalqueries.com, highly recommends the Vivofit Jr. 3 for its combination of features and price. The watch also provides parental controls for monitoring online interactions and blocking unsuitable contacts.

The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is best suited for kids aged 4 to 7 years old.

TickTalk 4: The Best Smartwatch for Keeping in Touch

If you’re not ready to get your child a smartphone but still want to stay in touch, the TickTalk 4 is the perfect smartwatch. This watch allows phone and video calls, as well as text messaging. It features two 5MP cameras for taking pictures and video calling, providing a face-to-face connection with your child. Other notable features include GPS tracking, activity tracking, and access to kid-friendly songs and podcasts.

According to Bertuzzi, the TickTalk 4 is a durable option with essential communication capabilities, making it ideal for parents who need to contact their children after school. The watch offers voice and video calling, along with text messaging when connected to Wi-Fi or cellular networks. Parents can also set up reminders and notifications for chores and other tasks.

The TickTalk 4 is suitable for kids aged 5 to 12 years old.

Garmin Bounce: The Best GPS Smartwatch for Kids

If you’re specifically looking for a GPS-enabled smartwatch for your child, the Garmin Bounce is an excellent choice. Released last fall, this kids’ smartwatch provides real-time location tracking, communication features, health and sleep tracking, and interactive games.

The Garmin Bounce allows parents to track their child’s current whereabouts through the Garmin app and receive notifications when they leave pre-approved areas. The watch also offers sleep-tracking capabilities, measuring heart rate, skin temperature, and other metrics to provide insights into your child’s sleep patterns.

Mo Mulla, a father and founder of Parental Questions, particularly appreciates the sleep-tracking feature of the Garmin Bounce for his restless sleepers. The watch includes alarms for bedtime and waking up, and alerts parents when their child isn’t getting enough rest. Additionally, the watch offers LTE connectivity for voice messaging and texting with up to 20 parent-approved contacts.

Now that we’ve explored the top smartwatches for kids, let’s look at a summary of the options and their special features:

When choosing a smartwatch for your child, consider your budget and specific requirements. If fitness tracking is a priority, the Fitbit Ace 3 is a wise choice. For photography enthusiasts, the Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX3 offers excellent camera features at an affordable price. The Apple Watch SE stands out as a well-rounded option for its extensive features and parental controls.

To assist you in selecting the best smartwatch for your child, refer to the following buying tree:

• If you want the best overall smartwatch for kids that seamlessly integrates with Apple products, consider the Apple Watch SE.
• Seeking a smartwatch specifically for fitness tracking and motivation? The Fitbit Ace 3 is the way to go.
• To indulge your child’s photography interests, the Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX3 is an ideal choice.
• For built-in games and customizable parental controls, the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is a top pick.
• If you desire seamless communication with your child, including phone calls and texting, the TickTalk 4 is the smartwatch for you.
• Finally, if real-time location tracking is crucial, along with extensive health features, consider the Garmin Bounce.

When selecting these smartwatches, we considered brand reliability, price, kid-friendly features, and customer reviews. We also consulted with parents and early childhood education experts to discern the best options available. Privacy, battery life, and affordability were important factors we took into account during the selection process.

Children’s safety is paramount, and with responsible use and monitoring, smartwatches can be a safe device for kids. It is advisable to limit app permissions, set time limits through parental controls, and educate kids about responsible online behavior, including keeping personal information private.

While some smartwatches require phone plans for advanced features like voice calling and GPS trackers, many can be connected to a parent’s phone, eliminating the need for a separate plan.

If the showcased smartwatches don’t fully meet your requirements, there are numerous other trustworthy options available in the market. Consider exploring different brands and bands to find the perfect fit for your child.

In conclusion, smartwatches for kids have become an indispensable gadget for parents who want to keep their children entertained and informed while ensuring their safety. Whether you opt for the Apple Watch SE, Fitbit Ace 3, Vtech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX3, Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3, TickTalk 4, or Garmin Bounce, you are sure to find a smartwatch that suits your child’s interests and your peace of mind. So, go ahead and make an informed decision to give your little one their very own smartwatch!

• Smart Watches
• tech
• wearables