If you're hesitant to give your child a smartphone but still want them to have a means of communication as they gain independence, you're not alone—and you do have alternatives.
In today's digital age, finding the right kids smart watch can be a daunting task. With a multitude of options flooding the market, parents are left wondering which features matter most and how to ensure their child's safety and engagement. At myFirst, we've done the research to help you make an informed decision... and used that research to make a product that we believe is the best on the market. Here’s our comprehensive guide to finding the best Kids Smart Watch in 2024.
After testing 14 smartwatches designed for kids, alongside our own experiences with tweens and teens, we've seen a growing interest in these devices. Parents and caregivers are increasingly considering them as a way to postpone their child's first smartphone, particularly in light of mounting concerns. In 2023, the surgeon general issued a warning about the potential negative impact of social media on children's mental health and well-being.
While no smartwatch is without its compromises, we've identified a few standout options. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive guide to tracking your kids (if you choose to) and optimizing parental controls, along with insights on selecting the right wireless carrier.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose a Kids Smart Watch?
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Key Features to Consider
- Our Top Picks
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Conclusion
Why Choose a Kids Smart Watch?
A Kids Smart Watch isn't just a trendy accessory; it's a powerful tool that can provide peace of mind for parents and offer various benefits for children. Here are some reasons why you might consider investing in a Kids Smart Watch:
Safety: GPS tracking allows parents to monitor their child's location.
Communication: Stay connected with your child through calls and messages.
Education: Some watches offer educational games and features to promote learning.
Independence: Teach your child responsibility by giving them a sense of independence.
Key Features to Consider
When shopping for a Kids Smart Watch, several key features should be at the top of your list. Here’s what to look for:
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Safety and Privacy GPS Tracking: Ensure the watch has accurate GPS tracking to monitor your child's location in real-time. Geofencing: Look for watches that allow you to set safe zones and receive notifications if your child leaves these areas.
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Parental Controls: Opt for watches with robust parental control settings to manage contacts and restrict internet access.
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Design and Durability, Especially Water Resistance: Kids are prone to accidents. A water-resistant watch can withstand spills and splashes.
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Durable Materials: Choose a watch made from high-quality materials that can handle rough play and everyday wear and tear.
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Comfortable Fit: Ensure the watch is comfortable to wear, with an adjustable band to fit growing wrists.
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Functionality and Usability Battery Life: A longer battery life means less frequent charging and more peace of mind.
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User-Friendly Interface: Look for a watch with an intuitive interface that is easy for children to navigate.
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Additional Features: Consider watches with extra features like step tracking, alarms, and reminders to make the watch more versatile.
Our Top Picks
After extensive research and testing, here is myFirst's top picks for the best Kids Smart Watches in 2024:
1. The myFirst Fone R2
This watch allows for communication and location tracking without the distractions of games. Among the models we've evaluated, the myFirst Fone R2 stands out for its user-friendly interface for kids and ease of management for adults. It's also competitively priced. However, its child-friendly graphics might not appeal to older kids, and texting can be less straightforward compared to square-faced model. Our testing revealed it to be more reliable and of higher quality than most other kids smartwatches on the market.
Others that we considered include the models below:
Garmin Bounce: This watch can monitor workouts, including swimming, as well as track sleep, steps, and location. It offers basic puzzles and math games for kids and incentivizes them to complete chores. However, its communication features are limited. The watch doesn't support real-time phone calls; instead, your child can only send preset text messages and voice recordings, which you can access through the Garmin Jr. app.
Cosmo JrTrack 2 SE: Despite being the most affordable kids smartwatch we tested at the time, it comes with high subscription costs and requires a minimum upfront commitment. We found its interface to be somewhat cumbersome and its camera resolution to be less sharp compared to the Garmin Bounce. At one point, it also experienced an unexplained glitch that prevented message sending for a few minutes. The watch lacks games or engaging apps, which means fewer distractions but also limited appeal for kids.
The Right One for Your Family
Choosing the right kids smart watch can be a challenging decision, but by focusing on safety, design, and functionality, you can find a watch that meets your child's needs and gives you peace of mind. Our top picks offer a range of features to suit different preferences and budgets, ensuring there’s a perfect option for every family.
For the past five years, our teem has been rigorously testing smartwatches, phones, and various communication, educational, and creative tools designed for children in our quest to develop the best, most helpful, and most fun technology for society's most vulnerable members. Most of our team members are parents themselves, and have a vested interest in finding the most effective gadgets for staying connected with them, while minimizing distractions.
Happy shopping, and here's to finding the perfect kids smart watch for your little one!
