As the times change, kids continue to feel socially pressured to stay on top of the latest tech trends.
As of October 2019, it is estimated that over half of kids around the world own phones by the time they hit 11 years old. The age bracket keeps getting slower as time progresses.
For most of them, the need to have some form of a smart device is borne out of the fact they are exposed to them every day. They see their parents using phones at home and teachers at school.
Smartwatches have also started targeting kids with products specially tailored for them. As a parent, there is no avoiding this; at one point in the near future, you will be faced with the decision of having to buy smartwatches for kids. As you shop around, there are some things you first need to consider.
What to Consider Before Buying Smartwatches for Kids
The Features
Small as they may be, smartwatches for kids are powerful gadgets that can access the internet.
Parents are not omnipresent in the daily lives of their children; keeping track of what they are exposed to online is not easy. With parental control features, parents can regulate what their children have access to, keeping them off inappropriate sites.
Smartwatches can also be used to keep track of your child’s location. While some parents err on the side trust with their kid, others prefer to be aware of their whereabouts on a daily basis.
Cost
Kids’ smartwatches are not nearly as costly as adult smartwatches; most are viewed as toys. That being said, kids will be kids and tend to lose or break small gadgets such as smartwatches.
Cost coincides with durability here, so it is important to pick out a watch that will withstand the life a child but wouldn’t drain the bank account if you have to continue buying new ones.
Smartwatch Apps
The smartwatch’s ecosystem (design and functionality) has to be able to support beneficial apps. Apps that will enhance your kid’s knowledge and help them when you are not around. A smartwatch should be more than just a stylish wrist piece.
Certain smartwatches have greater access to useful apps than others, so it is important to identify which apps you would like your child to have access to.
The options available for kids’ smartwatches are so vast that combing through all of them is impossible. To make it much easier for you, we have compiled the cream of the crop for your picking. The following are the top ten smartwatches for kids in 2020 and beyond (in no particular order):
Recommended Age: 10+
Pebble Time is a simple smartwatch for kids with a very user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate through. It is built with durability in mind and made out of a water-resistant marine-grade bezel with a very tough glass display. It has quick alert notifications and supports voice notes thanks to an efficient built-in microphone.
Features
- Has an ever-active LED display
- Has Pebble Health, a sleep and activity tracker app that provides conclusive insights.
- It has a Pebble Appstore that has hundreds of games, apps and watch faces.
- It is water-resistant to depths of up to 30 meters.
- Battery life lasts for about seven days
Recommended Age: 4-12
The VtechKidizoom DX2 is more than just a smartwatch. The little gadget also comes with a front-facing digital selfie camera that will be a delight to any young mind. It supports all kinds of games that are sure to keep a kid busy during their free time. The icing on the cake comes in the form of a parental control feature that allows playtime to be controlled.
Features
- It comes in an array of fancy colors popular with kids.
- Has a camera that takes selfies and records video.
- Supports Learning Lodge, complete with unlimited downloadable content.
- Has strong parental control support.
Recommended Age: 4-12
The colorful Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 is a fitness and activity tracker smartwatch that has one of the coolest straps you will see anywhere. The watches are designed based on cartoon characters such as Disney Princesses, something that kids love. On top of its aesthetics, the gadget has cool apps like the Toe-to-Toe Step Challenge that makes it possible for kids to challenge each other to a step contest.
Features
- Durable and waterproof.
- Unique strap designs.
- Has a parental control feature.
- Comes with one-year battery life with no charging.
Recommended Age: 12-18
Huami Amazfit Bip is designed with the typical teenager in mind. It is simple yet elegant, flashy yet subtle. This smartwatch for kids comes with some top of the range features like heart monitoring and GPS, features that can only be found in higher-end watches. As far as value for money goes, this is the best choice on the list.
Features
- Has a heart rate monitor and GPS functionalities.
- The battery life span is about 30 days with a single recharge.
- Durable with a sleek design.
Recommended Age: 4-12
This smartwatch has been designed with more focus on GPS. The LG Gizmowatch is for any parent who wants to values the child-tracking functionality. The GPS feature works by utilizing a cellular connection provided by Verizon. It even has a GEO fencing feature that immediately sends you a notification if your kid goes beyond the set location boundaries.
Features
- A real-time GPS locator.
- Has a voice calling feature.
- The GPS comes equipped with GEO Fences
- Has a voice clock and recorder.
Recommended Age: 6-14
This smartwatch has a camera that takes clear selfie images and records video at the same time. It has an AppStore that has a wide selection of exciting games that are sure to keep a child’s attention glued to its engaging display. Another stand out feature is its ability to play Mp3 music, allowing the storage of a few songs in its 256MB internal memory.
Features
- It has Bluetooth connectivity that allows it to link up with other devices.
- Has a music player, camera and video recording capabilities.
- It has an emergency app that allows the wearer to relay a signal when in a dire situation.
Recommended Age: 6-12
Omate Wherecom K3 takes the whole functionality aspect of a smartwatch to a new level. It has a very kid-friendly interface that is easy on the eyes and easy enough for anyone within the ages of 6-10 to operate. It also comes with a sim card slot, which means it supports voice calls, although in a limited capacity. In a true sense, Omate Wherecom K3 is one of the closest things to a wrist smartphone on this list.
Features
- Runs on Android 5.1.
- Allows for voice calls, although in a restricted way.
- Has GPS, Bluetooth, and Wifi connectivity.
- Simple interface
Recommended Age: 4-10
Tencent QQWatch is another unique gadget that is GPS enabled, comes in vibrant colors, and supports a nano-sim card. Using any mobile cellular network, you can track the location of your child in real-time with the ability to get SOS alerts in case if there are any problems. Tencent QQWatch also supports voice messages and group chats.
Features
- Supports limited voice calls and messages.
- An SOS backed GPS tracking system.
- It is equipped with reminders, alarms, parental controls, and a pedometer.
9. Leapfrog Leapband
Recommended Age: 4-8
This is a simple smartwatch for kids from the popular brand, Leapfrog, that is designed to capture the imagination of a child perfectly. This wearable boasts vibrant colors and a beautiful build, and also comes pre-loaded with over 50 challenges that will keep a kid busy all day. Most of the activities are aimed at improving body fitness and the sharpness of the mind.
Features
- It has an activity tracker that keeps tabs on all the physical games a kid undertakes.
- Has challenges that come with rewards to keep the child engaged mentally.
- It is water-resistant.
- Has full parental controls
Recommended Age: 4-10
The last entry on this list is a cheap but effective GPS smartwatch that is as colorful as smartwatches for kids can get. On top of supporting a sim card, the wearable also has calls, voice messages, and a host of other essential functionalities. It has a camera that takes images and records video.
Features
- Supports two-way communication using mobile carriers.
- Has a GPS and LBS tracking system.
- Has a flashlight and a camera on the side.
Should You Get A Smartwatch For Your Kid?
Contrary to popular opinion, smartwatches for kids offer many benefits for both kids and parents alike:
- Smartwatches keep children safe. They can relay their exact location back to you using GPS tracking. That way, you can easily keep tabs on them without being overbearing.
- Some wearables for children offer intuitive and educational games and tests. As they interact with the gadget, they learn new things.
- Smartwatches for kids can encourage fitness tracking at a young age to develop healthy habits early-on in their life.
- It tracks their vitals, keeping you, the parent, abreast of any slight changes in their physiology that may require your attention.
- It is a source of entertainment for them, and at the same time, it allows you to regulate what they consume.
If you have been on the fence, unsure on whether smartwatches are good for your kids or not, we are here to dispel those doubts by saying these products offer very useful features for parents
Fortunately, they do not cost much; you can find decent ones from as little $20. Got a child’s birthday coming up? One of these watches could be the perfect gift for them!