A GPS tracking device is a useful way to keep an eye on loved ones as they go about their day.
Unsurprisingly, then, a GPS tracker for kids is an increasingly popular way for parents to make sure their children are safe, whether traveling to and from school or going out with friends.
Read on to discover the best GPS tracker for kids, including options with no monthly fees and a free GPS tracker courtesy of the Alfred team.
Table of Contents
How Does a Kids GPS Tracker Work?
Like any location tracker, GPS trackers for kids display real time location information obtained through GPS.
The device might be worn, like a kids phone watch, GPS tag, or GPS tracking bracelet for the child, so that they’re more comfortable.
Geofences are virtual boundaries established on a map that can sometimes be created to send push notifications to parents. These indicate when the child is entering or leaving a specific location.
Does your kid have a phone? Get reliable GPS tracking for free
While a kids phone watch or GPS tracking bracelet is useful for younger children, kids approaching the dreaded teen years likely already have a phone capable of GPS tracking.
AlfredCircle, the new family locator app from the team behind AlfredCamera, provides reliable GPS tracking from the palm of your hand.
Add your family to a Circle, and everyone’s location will appear on a private and secure map in real time that only you have access to.
Did we mention this GPS locator is free? Get started now by downloading AlfredCircle for iOS and Android devices.
The 5 Most Reliable GPS Trackers for Kids
Curious about the different kinds of GPS trackers there are available for monitoring your child? Check out our list below, where we list 5 different options, including a kids phone watch, smart tag, and free GPS track app.
Jiobit Smart Tag
Best Jiobit Kids GPS Tracker
Available on Amazon and Jiobit. From $129.99. Monthly subscription from $8.33.
Pros
- Reputable
- Real-time tracking
- Various peripherals included for attaching to clothes and bags
Cons
- Expensive
- Monthly subscription required
Jiobit gained a solid reputation as a kids GPS tracker. Jiobit provides real time tracking via the impressively polished app, which provides detailed notifications to parents. Parents can even assign caregivers whom Jiobit can detect via Bluetooth, making child care easier to monitor.
Battery life lasts a week. It’s a little expensive, but feature-rich enough to justify the price point. A subscription however is required. Plans start at $8.33 a month.
Verizon GizmoWatch 3
Best GPS watch for kids
Available on Verizon. $149.99. Monthly subscription from $10.
Pros
- IP68 water resistant
- Excellent real-time GPS tracking
- Wi-Fi and 4G LTE data
Cons
- Limited contacts
- Monthly subscription required
In our article detailing the best kids phone watches, we spotlighted GizmoWatch 3 from Verizon as a great choice.
If kids prefer a wearable like a kids GPS watch, this is a logical, feature rich choice, even if you’re not especially interested in call or text features (though we suspect you’ll find them super handy).
Invoxia
Best multi-use GPS tracking device
Available on Amazon. $69.95. Monthly subscription from $6.25.
Pros
- Discreet
- Great GPS tracking
- 4G LTE data
Cons
- Limited contacts
- Monthly subscription required
Hailing from France, Invoxia developed a nifty, chic GPS tracker that works well for adults and kids alike. The corresponding app is solid, allowing users to easily track an array of different things, from kids to vehicles.
It comes with a SIM card and uses 4G data. Battery life varies wildly, from 120 hours to 4 months depending on how much it moves (it can send notifications even when it tilts). Monthly subscriptions start at $6.25 a month.
AngelSense
Best GPS tracker for kids with learning disabilities
Available on Amazon and AngelSense. $229, or free with monthly/annual plan. Monthly subscription from $33.33 a month (billed annually).
Pros
- Two-way audio
- GPS tracking
- SOS button
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- 24 hour battery life
- Monthly subscription required
AngelSense GPS tracker has several features that you won’t find on similar GPS trackers for kids, making it useful for keeping an eye on kids living with learning disabilities and autism.
The fob has a microphone and speaker on it, meaning the user can talk to their parents via the app. Also greatly appreciated is the SOS button, which enables parents to act fast in the event of an emergency. It’s a shame the battery only lasts a day and the fees are so hefty.
AlfredCircle
Best child GPS tracker no monthly fee
Available on the App Store and Google Play Store. Free.
Pros
- Free GPS tracking
- No monthly fees
- Geofencing made simple
Cons
- Child must have a phone to use
You might have noticed something all GPS trackers for kids have in common–required monthly fees!
If your child already has a phone, AlfredCircle is a reliable child GPS tracker with no monthly fees. AlfredCircle is totally free to download.
Monitor your family’s location by adding them to your Circle. Get useful arrival/departure notifications by adding different Places to the private live map.
Looking for a reliable GPS tracker with no monthly fees? Get started now.
Thinking of cutting costs by using an Apple Airtag as a GPS tracker for kids?
That might not be the best idea. While they are useful for your kids to track their own belongings, Airtags aren’t designed to track people. Find out more about what Airtags are.
How to Choose a GPS Tracker for Kids
‘What do I need in a GPS tracker for my child?’ might be the question on your mind having seen our picks for the best kids GPS devices. Consider the following:
Price – GPS trackers for kids are surprisingly costly and in almost all cases require monthly fees. Have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend on a kids GPS tracker beforehand, and whether you want to pay for a monthly subscription.
Comfort – For some kids, a ‘regular’ GPS tracker will suffice, but younger kids might be prone to throwing it on the ground in irritation. Wearables, like GPS tracking bracelets for children, should be comfortable. Choose something your child will actually enjoy having on them.
Durability – If the kids are liable to throw stuff around, then getting something that can sustain a bump or two is vital. For example, kids phone watches are designed with this in mind (hence their bulky nature compared to an Apple Watch).
Calls/Texts – Cheap GPS trackers for kids aren’t exactly feature rich, but some, like kids phone watches and the AngelSense GPS tracker for kids, allow you to converse with your child through their device, while others don’t.
Wi-Fi/Data – Much like the ability to call, text, or chat via two-way audio, some GPS trackers for kids come with SIM cards to enable 4G LTE data. Others have Wi-Fi connectivity. This can create a stronger sense of security.
FAQ
Can I get a GPS tracker for my child?
GPS trackers for kids are a great way to keep an eye on their location, and ease your anxieties as a parent (and their anxieties as a child navigating the big wide world). Check out our list of great GPS trackers for kids above.
Are kids’ GPS trackers safe?
Kids GPS trackers are safe to use when in the right hands. Assuming the manufacturer is trusted, the information they store is totally private to the users and not shared with third parties.
AlfredCamera takes user privacy very seriously, and this policy extends to our family locator app, AlfredCircle.
How often do I need to charge my kids’ GPS trackers?
Kids GPS tracker devices battery life varies greatly depending on the model and use. Some will last a mere 24 hours, others claim to last several months. But it’s highly unlikely you’ll get months of charge out of a GPS tracker used by a child because they move around. A lot.
Can I put a tracker on my child without them knowing?
Parents can require their child to wear a GPS tracker assuming they are under the age of 18. Laws around this might differ from place to place, so it’s important to check relevant laws where you live beforehand.
We always recommend obtaining express consent regardless of law, even for very young children. Kids are kids, after all–if they are at all irritated or distressed at being forced to use something, don’t be surprised when they destroy it. Present it as something useful for them (it is for them as much as it is for you!) or as something fun.
Conclusion
A GPS tracker for kids is a solid way to keep an eye on where your kids are, giving both parents and kids greater peace of mind as they navigate the world.
But GPS tracking devices come at a cost, both upfront and as a result of required monthly fees.
If your kid has a phone, consider location tracking apps and family tracking apps before investing in a dedicated GPS tracker, since a phone does the trick just as well at a fraction of the price.