The best smartwatch for kids: A complete guide for parents

Smartwatches for kids have become hugely popular among families who want to stay in touch with their children remotely and help little ones stay safer while keeping screen time to a minimum. An easy tool that travels wristwatch-style with a child, it helps you stay connected with kids ages 3 – 11 without providing them a smartphone.

But as a futurist, parent and author of “Parenting High-Tech Kids,” I often remind families that the best smartwatch for kids not only brings families closer together and gives kids more room to roam, but also offers other features in addition to calling and GPS trackers. Here, we’ll review kids watches with smart capabilities, the ways the underlying technologies work and why a great smartwatch for kids can be an essential training tool for your children.

What do kids smartwatches do?

Features vary from product to product, but generally, a smartwatch for kids makes calls and sends texts to a pre-approved list of contacts. Verizon’s Gizmo Watch 3 also uses GPS so parents can check the app on their phone to find out if their kid made it on that first walk to a friend’s house or to a nearby playground.

Aside from being simple to set up and use, the best smartwatch for kids should boast added features such as games, fitness trackers, alarms and reminders. It should also feature a touch screen and an emergency contact option. Some kids smartwatches may also offer video-calling or videoconferencing capabilities.

Here’s what many of today’s kids smartwatches can do at a glance:

• Wireless audio and/or video calling
• Texts and voice notes
• Parental controls (aka safety controls)
• GPS location tracking
• Geo-fencing (boundary setting) with real-time alerts
• Apps and games
• Alarms
• Reminders
• Step counters
• To-do or task lists

Why a smartwatch for kids may be the best smartphone alternative for a first device

If your child is too young or not ready for a cellphone, a smartwatch can be a great smartphone alternative. That’s because smartwatches can serve as training wheels of sorts when it comes to connected technology for kids. Parental controls limit whom the child can text, call or send photos to, along with other helpful features like easy-to-review messaging and call history. This can provide a great way to introduce children to the world of technology while limiting their web exposure.

Four things to seek in a smartwatch for kids

Every family has different needs, but for ages 3 – 11 (the general age range for a kid-friendly smartwatch), there are four key features parents should seek:

1. GPS tracking

Among the most important capabilities that many units offer are GPS trackers for kids that provide real-time location options so that parents can stay aware of their children’s movements. With these watches, you can also set up geo-fencing to establish GPS boundaries—such as a school or a friend’s house in your neighborhood—and alert parents or caregivers when the child crosses those boundaries. For many parents, the ability to locate their child when they’re on the move is a priority. Plus, if your kid loses track of the device from time to time, GPS makes it easy to find it, much like the Find My Phone feature on your smartphone.

2. Safety features

As with any device created for young children, check the device’s parental controls for the ability to limit access to the internet and whom they can message, and make sure the device is protected with a strong PIN or password. Likewise, you’ll want to configure any privacy settings, usually found in device settings menus or individual apps, to minimize the amount of information that you’re sharing with smartwatch makers and third-party application creators.

The best smartwatch for kids will likely offer two-way communications capabilities, so you’ll also want to teach children when and where it’s appropriate to use such a device, how to communicate respectfully and with whom it’s okay to speak. It may also offer SOS or “panic mode” features, complete with alarms, GPS alerts, and automatic audio or video recording. You’ll want to teach kids how to use these features responsibly.

For safety’s sake, you may wish to choose a kids watch model that limits connectivity to websites, social media networks and the internet at large.

3. Durability

Consider how durable or waterproof a device is, noting that it will travel with kids as they play and go about their day. Kids may forget to charge their devices at regular intervals, making it important to pick a model with long battery life and a sturdy charger. An intuitive user interface is also important, as an easy-to-use unit will make it simpler for kids to use and stay in touch. Screen size is worth keeping in mind as well, as it makes reminders and notifications more obvious, on screen alerts and buttons easier to select, and information easier to read.

4. The fun part: step trackers and interactive games

Picking a smartwatch for kids with calorie-, heart rate- and/or step-tracking features can help you promote and encourage good fitness habits. Fitness features will differ from one model to the next but often will include capabilities such as activity trackers, fitness apps, daily goals and to-do lists. Some let you record your voice with fun filters and send texts, emojis and voice messages. Remember, kids are built to play. Whichever unit you choose, look for features designed with kid’s play in mind to help bring out the fun.

How to pick the best smartwatch for kids: balance fun and responsibility

Before choosing a device, take time to consider how you’ll be using it. For example, will your kids use it when they are away at school—or when out and about in the neighborhood? It’s also important to consider what features you think your kids are ready for (video calling, internet use, etc.).

Kids smartwatch hints and tips

A smartwatch for kids is effectively a computer that travels on a child’s wrist. Here are a few added pointers to keep in mind as you go about managing and maintaining these advanced high-tech devices:

• Keep software and safety and security features up to date.
• Avoid connecting to public wireless networks if possible.
• Regularly review new apps and device features to understand their capabilities.
• Limit downloadable applications’ access to personal information sharing.
• Take time to configure parental controls, alerts, safe zones and GPS tracking.
• Understand devices’ photo, video and audio recording capabilities and teach kids to use them responsibly.

Finally, ask your kids what they want when you’re picking out the best smartwatch

Choosing the right smartwatch for kids often becomes much easier when you get kids involved in the buying process. Ask them what fashion and style they prefer, what high-tech features they’re interested in, and what types of applications they’d like to use. The more children feel like active participants in the process, the greater the likelihood they’ll actually wear and use the device without you having to remind them constantly. Similarly, the cooler kids perceive device apps and features to be (like the goal-driven fitness challenges, swappable watch faces and avatars, etc.), the more fun they’ll have with those features.

Picking the right kids smartwatch is a combination of your individual family’s needs, budget and preferred features. Luckily for anyone shopping for a smartwatch for kids, you’ll find no shortage of options that split the difference, many of which you can add quickly and easily to your existing cellphone plan.

Now that you’re an expert, check out the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 – Adventure.