Which kids’ smartwatch is best?
Once exotic wristwear, smartwatches are now must-have items for younger and younger kids. Smartwatches explicitly designed for kids are made to fit kid-sized wrists and withstand the wear and tear of kids at play.
Few parents want to pay for expensive, full-featured wrist computers. Instead, they opt for devices that provide them with numerous insights into their kids’ activities. If you’re looking for a touch screen smartwatch that captures photos and videos, consider the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch.
What to know before you buy a kids’ smartwatch
Peace of mind
Parents have several good reasons for buying a smartwatch for their kids. Kids are always on the go and when they are wearing smartwatches with GPS functions, parents can know where they are. Smartwatches with active emergency services allow kids to send distress signals quickly.
Parental control
Parents can set limits for their kids’ smartwatches for who is on the kids’ contact lists, time limits for game playing, access to only approved websites and purchasing permission thresholds.
The right technology
Kids live in an always-on world. Whether you are an Android family or an iOS family, get your kids smartwatches that are compatible with the operating systems of your computers and mobile devices.
Healthy lifestyles
Smartwatches are great activity monitors. Kids using smartwatches with screen time alerts set by their parents are reminded to get outside, be more active and meet step goals.
Independence
When kids have smartwatches with tracking and safety features, parents are more willing to let them be on their own, which builds children’s confidence and makes them feel that you trust them. For more information, take a look at the full kids’ smartwatch buying guide from BestReviews.
What to look for in a quality kids’ smartwatch
The basics
All smartwatches tell the time. Some also have timers and stopwatches. You will occasionally find smartwatches that have changeable watch faces and the option of displaying the time digitally or in analog form. Similarly, smartwatches that are text-enabled will also let kids text mom and dad.
Parents who’d like to know where their kids are should look for smartwatches that have a tracking function. These GPS features come in many smartwatches and other devices and can be particularly helpful in keeping track of kids, especially when on trips or camping expeditions.
Features
Smartwatches for kids rarely have all the features found in adult smartwatches. Instead, they perform certain selected functions, often at lower levels than those found in adult smartwatches. How many of these functions you get is up to you.
Entertainment
Some kids don’t like the idea of being tracked. When their smartwatch has games, puzzles and activities built-in, they wear it so they can take their entertainment with them everywhere. Many also come with built-in media players. Kids love smartwatches that play music, movies and TV.
Still and video cameras are popular features on kids’ smartwatches as well. Kid’s love these features even more when the smartwatch allows them to apply special effects to pictures and videos.
Fitness and activity
What started the smartwatch craze was the fitness trackers that counted the number of steps you took during the day. High-end fitness trackers monitor heart rate, pulse, body temperature and calories burned. Fitness trackers can also be found in kids’ smartwatches, sometimes with fewer functions that place more emphasis on fun activities than meeting step counts.
Other kids’ smartwatches will let you track different kinds of activities. Parents like how they can use basic behavior modification principles to assign chores that reward kids when they complete their tasks.
Emergencies
When you load contact information into the child’s smartwatch, it is there in case of emergency. Some smartwatches have SOS buttons that call preprogrammed numbers in case of emergency.
How much you can expect to spend on kids’ smartwatch
Basic smartwatches for kids cost anywhere from $30-$50. Higher-end smartwatches with more features can run well over $100.
Kids’ smartwatch FAQ
What exactly is a smartwatch?
A. A smartwatch is an Android or iOS computer you wear on your wrist which has the basic look and feel of a traditional watch. It uses touch screens and associated smartphone apps to play games and perform basic tasks like making phone calls and sending instant messages. Smartwatches grew in popularity when biological monitoring features became commonplace. Now you can do almost everything on a full-featured smartwatch that you can do on a computer.
What is the difference between a smartwatch for kids and a smartwatch for adults?
A. Smartwatches for kids generally are less expensive, have fewer features, are more entertainment-oriented and made to be more durable and rugged.
What’s the best kids’ smartwatch to buy?
Top kids’ smartwatch
What you need to know: This touch screen, full-featured smartwatch takes photos and videos and adds image and voice effects.
What you’ll love: This smartwatch has dual cameras, a large screen, a music player and a “shake to hear the time” feature, among other things. Kids will wear it because it includes games, action challenges, fun activities and more than 50 clock face designs. The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable with the same micro USB cable used to upload photos and videos.
What you should consider: This watch is designed for younger kids.
Top kids’ smartwatch for the money
Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 Fitness Tracker Smartwatch
What you need to know: Parents use the Garmin Jr app to assign tasks, schedule alerts and alarms and reward kids for good behavior.
What you’ll love: Parents can use this smartwatch to assign chores and track their kids’ activities. This smartwatch motivates kids to achieve goals that unlock entertaining app adventures and games. This swim-friendly fitness tracker goes up to a year without recharging.
What you should consider: Parents need to install the Garmin Jr app on their smartphones.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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