Bold statement: Smartwatches can keep kids connected and safe without dragging them into the full distractions of a smartphone. And this is the part most people miss: the right watch balances communication, safety, and independence for kids while preserving parental peace of mind.
Vanessa Hand Orellana, Lead Writer
Vanessa is a lead writer at CNET, where she reviews and writes about the latest smartwatches and fitness trackers. She started with CNET as an on-camera reporter for the Spanish-language site, then moved to the English edition to host and produce videos and YouTube series. When she’s not testing wearables or juggling devices, you might find her hiking or trail running with her family.
Expertise: Consumer Technology, Smart Home, Family, Apps, Wearables
5 min read
In my early years of parenting, I kept my kids off devices. Yet as they grow, the advantages of being connected begin to outweigh the drawbacks. A reliable way to stay in touch can grant them independence and provide me with reassurance.
Smartphones bring a bundle of issues: constant distractions, cluttered group chats, and social drama. For many families, smartwatches offer the ideal middle ground. They provide a direct line to parents without the investment, distraction, or maintenance of a full phone, making them a smart first step into connected tech for children.
Having a watch on a child’s wrist also reduces the risk of lost items—water bottles and sweatshirts often end up in the lost-and-found, but a wearable can stay put. Plus, it can encourage activity through gamified features like step goals and fitness challenges.
The market label “smartwatch” gets used in many ways. A quick search reveals everything from a $25 digital watch with simple games to a $250 Apple Watch that can monitor vitals and call for help in an emergency.
For this guide, we focus on watches that help parents stay connected with their kids, rather than toys marketed for entertainment or fitness bands lacking two-way communication. Those simpler options are cheaper and easier to pick, but they don’t offer the robust features and parental controls that GPS-enabled, two-way devices provide.
Kids’ watches vs. regular smartwatches
Both types of devices share core capabilities, but kids’ smartwatches typically omit some advanced features found in adult models. A child may not need ECG readings, for example, but GPS tracking and emergency-contact access are crucial. Kids’ watches also include built-in safety rails you can adjust via a companion app on your phone.
These devices are tailored to kids: larger displays, brighter colors, bigger buttons, and simplified navigation. Even standard features like fitness tracking are adapted to a child’s world, with approachable goals and activities designed to make staying active engaging.
Key considerations
Age range
This is among the most important filters because it dictates which features matter. Watches for ages 5 and under usually use physical buttons, simple icons, and minimal screens so youngsters can use them without reading or swiping. This helps prevent accidental texting or emergency calls during play. An example of a simple, limited-device option is the Gabb Watch 3E.
Older children can often benefit from more advanced capabilities, such as two-way calling, messaging, stronger fitness tracking, and even mobile payments. Good options include the Apple Watch SE 3 or the Fitbit Ace, which offer more features while still providing parental controls to manage and monitor usage.
GPS
If precise, real‑time tracking matters to you, choose a kids’ smartwatch with GPS. I consider GPS nonnegotiable for a child’s watch. Some brands, like VTech and Garmin, sell non-GPS kids’ watches aimed at entertainment or activity tracking, so verify that the model clearly states GPS tracking.
Real-time location helps with things like walking home from school and geofencing alerts, which notify you if your child leaves an approved area. Remember that GPS tracking usually requires cellular connectivity and can incur a monthly fee from your carrier.
Connectivity
Cellular service is essential for GPS tracking and for two-way calls and texts to emergency contacts. Decide whether you’ll add the watch to your current plan or use a separate carrier. This choice can rule out carrier-locked devices like the Gizmo Watch 3, which is Verizon-exclusive.
There are carrier-agnostic watches, such as the Gabb Watch 3e, that operate with their own cellular plan you can buy monthly or under a contract.
Budget
Account for all ongoing costs, including monthly service fees and activation charges. Expect to pay roughly $100–$300 for the device itself, plus about $10–$20 per month for cellular service.
If you’re on a tight budget and mainly need GPS tracking, a dedicated locator like Apple’s AirTag can be a budget-friendly alternative. At around $25, it offers solid battery life for a year and can be worn on the wrist with accessories. However, AirTag relies on nearby iPhones and Find My network to locate things and isn’t designed to replace real-time GPS tracking for a person.
Brands
Brand reputation matters for privacy and security, especially for a child’s device. Cheaper, lesser-known brands can be tempting but may compromise privacy or include features you don’t want, like built-in cameras. Safer bets include well-known brands (Garmin, Apple, Fitbit) or models that have been vetted by reviewers, such as TickTalk, Bark Watch, or Gabb Watch. Apple, for instance, offers extensive parental controls and guardrails across its devices, including Apple Watch, which can be managed remotely from a parent’s iPhone.
Entertainment
Kids may enjoy games on their watch, but it’s easy to overdo screen time. Pick a watch with minimal entertainment features, or ensure robust parental controls that limit usage. If games or a camera are present, make sure time limits are there so school days aren’t disrupted and schools’ policies are respected.
Screen protection
Even kid-focused devices can lack built-in screen protection. Investing in a screen protector or durable case is wise to help the device withstand the rough-and-tumble of childhood.
Bottom line
There isn’t a universal solution for every family, but you can dramatically narrow your choices by identifying which features matter most to you. Choose a smartwatch that keeps you connected with your child and offers incentives for them to stay active and engaged. With the right watch, you might delay the smartphone conversation for a few more years, while still giving your child a sense of independence and safety.
