Phones for kids is a topic that’s inspired divided opinion among parents even before the arrival of the iPhone.
In a world that is increasingly reliant on consumer technology, should you give your child smart tech or deprive them of it?
A kids phone watch might be a solid compromise. Below, we’ll explore what to look for in a kids smartwatch, and provide a rundown of some of the best smartwatches for kids, including Gizmo and Gabb.
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a Smartwatch for Kids
Like all smartwatches, a kids phone watch may cost a pretty penny, especially if you want an older child to have something more feature-rich.
That’s why it’s worth considering what kids smartwatch features are essential to you as a parent and to your kid as a… well, kid. Here’s what you need to look for in a kids smartwatch.
GPS
Location tracking gives parents peace of mind over the safety of their little ones, which makes it an essential feature in a smartwatch for kids. With GPS, you’ll be able to see their location in real-time as they go to and from school, so you can rest assured knowing where they are.
Messaging & Calls
A kids phone watch makes a great transition from no smartphone to smartphone. It means that you can call and text each other without them getting sucked into an endless TikTok rabbit hole, or fearing that they see inappropriate content online.
Comfort
Ultimately, if a watch isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it. The same goes for your child. Smartwatches for kids should be particularly soft, so look for soft plastics. Make sure the fit is just right for their wrist as well, with sufficient adjustability for their growth.
Waterproof
Kids get messy, fast, so it’s important that their smartwatch is not only very durable, but is water resistant to some degree. Likewise, younger kids are prone to tumbles, falls, and chewing, so make sure it’s shockproof.
Heads up: features to avoid in a kids phone watch?
Calls and messages are handy, but if your child’s going to be wearing a phone watch in class, some features could wind up getting them into trouble.
Music playback is a feature you might want to avoid, or at least deactivate, if your child is young, as it could cause distraction in class.
Likewise, the ability to play games should be limited, which is possible through the corresponding app controlled by the parent.
The Best Smart Watch For Kids – Our Top 5 Picks
If you’re interested in getting your child a smartwatch, forgo the regular high-end picks made for adults and check out the list below for our favorite kids phone watches.
Verizon GizmoWatch 3
Available on Verizon. $149.99.
Pros
- Affordable compared to competitors
- Great real-time GPS location tracking
- Fitness tracking
Cons
- Only 10 contacts can be added for calls and texts
- Not many games to entertain kids
- More pricey than the GizmoWatch 2
Cute and fairly affordable, the successor to the Verizon GizmoWatch 2 is a comfortable Android wrist watch with built-in GPS tracker, allowing parents to easily monitor the location of their kid.
Wi-Fi is greatly appreciated, but LTE data with Verizon is required (from $10 a month).
Though it isn’t brimming with fun stuff for kids to do aside from calls, video calls, and texts, GizmoWatch 3 is a practical choice if parents want to avoid providing their child with endless distractions.
It’s rated IP68, which means it’s water resistant, though it shouldn’t be worn while swimming.
Key Specifications
- Qualcomm SDW 4100
- 1.41 inch screen
- 3 day battery life
- 5MP camera
- iOS and Android compatible
- Wi-Fi
- 4G LTE (mobile data) compatible
- IP68 water and dust resistance
Gabb Watch 2
Available on Gabb. From $119.99 on a 2 year contract.
Pros
- GPS location tracking
- Flashlight
- Up to 25 contacts
Cons
- No camera
- No Wi-Fi
- Gabb wireless required for use
A Gabb watch for kids is a solid kids phone watch for those with parental control in mind. Gabb Watch 2 has a solid GPS tracker, fitness monitoring, texts, calls, a cute virtual pet, and a solid app for parents. Gabb Wireless is required for use, and costs $14.99 a month.
The glaring omission of Gabb Watch 2 is a camera, which means no video calls, though we’re sure some parents would prefer this since the urge to take selfies can be a little distracting.
Key Specifications
- Qualcomm SDW 2500
- 1.4 inch screen
- 2 day battery life
- iOS and Android compatible
- 4G LTE (mobile data) compatible
- IP67 water and dust resistance
SyncUP Kids Watch
Available on T-Mobile. $174, additional financing options available.
Pros
- Solid GPS tracking
- Some fun games to entertain kids
- Sturdy
Cons
- Continuous tracking drains the battery fast
- Doesn’t support iPad app use
- No Wi-Fi
A cheap and cheerful GPS watch for kids from T-Mobile, the SyncUP Kids Watch is comfy and hardy, with a gorilla glass screen and comfy soft plastic strap. GPS tracking is solid, and there’s a few cute and fun games to entertain kids.
The camera is also a welcome feature for video calls. For parents concerned about the camera and games being distracting, there is a school mode that can be activated from the app to prevent access to features. But this isn’t scheduled, so parents must remember to do it manually.
Key Specifications
- Qualcomm SDW 2500
- 1.4 inch screen
- 1 day battery life
- 5MP camera
- iOS and Android compatible
- 4G LTE (mobile data) compatible
- IP68 water and dust resistance
TickTalk 4 Smartwatch for Kids
Available on Amazon, TickTalk and Walmart. From $184.99 unlocked.
Pros
- Feature rich for both parents and kids
- Two cameras
- iHeartRadio Family music streaming
Cons
- Music might be distracting
- Bulky
- Expensive
This hefty looking GPS watch for kids is packed with features, including not one but two 5MP cameras for little photographers to make the most of. It’s an unusually advanced kids phone watch, with activity trackers, excellent durability, and super reliable video calls. But geofencing is, mysteriously, omitted.
The 53 parent-checked contacts are substantially more than what’s offered by competitors, texting is a breeze, and music streaming is provided for free through iHeartRadio Family. All this comes, unsurprisingly, at a price as hefty as its design. If you want a smart watch for kids with SIM card, orders from TickTalk ship with one.
Key Specifications
- 64-bite quad-core processor
- 1.54 inch screen
- 60 hours
- 2x 5MP camera
- iOS and Android compatible
- Wi-Fi
- SIM card
- IP67 water and dust resistance
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Available on Garmin and Amazon. From $69.99.
Pros
- Brilliant branded designs and games
- Deep parental controls
- 1 year battery life
Cons
- No GPS
- No phone calls or texts
- Most useful if your child has a phone of their own
Perhaps the wildcard of our selection, Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is a GPS watch for kids monitored as a fitness device, not a kids phone watch. If your child already has a phone or tablet, this might be a wiser choice, since they can manage plenty of different activities and schedules with the corresponding app.
The Garmin fitness watch lets parents assign chores and rewards, as well as monitor steps, physical, and sleep activity. There’s plenty of branded games, themes and watch designs to make fitness fun, from Disney Princesses to Marvel Avengers.
Key Specifications
- 14.11 x 14.11 mm display
- 1 year battery life
- Replaceable battery
- iOS and Android compatible via Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- 5 ATM water resistance (swim friendly)
Just want location tracking? Get it for free
Many parents are drawn to smartwatches for kids for accurate location tracking. But if they are old enough to already own a smart device, you can do this for free with the AlfredCircle family locator app.
Set up a Circle with your family to share your location with each other privately and securely on a live map. Add Places to get notified when your kids enter or leave somewhere, like their school or your home.
While a kids phone watch isn’t nearly as pricey as a adult smartwatches, it’s still an investment. Having peace of mind over your child’s safety shouldn’t cost a thing, and with AlfredCircle, it doesn’t.
Get started now by downloading AlfredCircle for free.
FAQ
What age is appropriate for a kids smartwatch?
Kids smartwatches are suitable for children over 4 and younger than 12, but more feature-rich models might still be of interest to teens.
Can a kid’s smartwatch make phone calls?
A smartwatch for kids with a SIM card can make phone calls.
How can I communicate with my child without a phone?
A kids phone watch is a viable option for children to chat with their parents without using a real phone. A SIM card is required to make phone calls, but smartwatches also have apps suitable for messages and calls over the internet.
Is Gabb or Gizmo better?
Gabb and Gizmo both produce great kids phone watches that we recommend in our list of top 5 smartwatches for kids above. The main difference is that Gizmo has a camera, while Gabb does not. Some parents may want to avoid giving their kids a camera with a watch, so it’s not necessarily ‘better’ or ‘worse’, depending on your needs.
Can a kid use an Apple watch as a phone?
Apple watches are expensive and not necessary for a kid to use as a phone alternative. They also might get damaged when children are at play. Kids smartwatches are more age appropriate, or otherwise a cheap smartphone may be a better investment.
Is there a phone that only texts and calls for kids?
There are plenty of phones designed for kids that have limited functionality and easier parental controls, including Gabb Phone Plus, Bark Phone, and Wisephone, which has no social media apps or internet browsing. Parents can create restrictions on their child’s smartphone devices to only allow text and call. This can be done either by using an app (like Qustodio, Norton Family, Google Family Link) or through the settings.
Conclusion
A kids phone watch might be the solution you’re looking for if phones have been the recent hot topic in the house. They’re a more easily controlled alternative to a smartphone that can provide enjoyment as well as peace of mind for parents and little ones alike.
But if location tracking is your sole concern and they already have a phone, smartwatches for kids are an expensive way to go about checking up on them.
AlfredCircle provides reliable free GPS family tracking, so that you can stay connected throughout the day.