Logan Strain March 28th, 2017
“Aren’t children in the single digits a little young to have their very own smartwatch?”
Well, while it might not be a good idea to give them a $300 Apple Watch, kid-friendly smartwatches can actually decrease the stress of parenting a few notches. They can let you know where your child is through GPS, give you a direct line of communication, and even give them ability to shut down their smartwatch when they’re in class. As an added bonus, smartwatches for kids in 2017 can help them get more exercise — and of course, some models have some games, too.
If you’re thinking of investing in parental peace of mind, consider one of these top-notch smartwatches for kids.
1) Orbo Smartwatch For Kids
- Price: $41.99
The Orbo Smartwatch is a full-fledged kid’s activity center that can fit on a tiny wrist. It includes a camera that kids can use to take photos and videos, and a voice recorder that they can use to record the world around them. The Orbo features brain stimulating games, such as a talking hippo that helps kids improve their language skills. It also includes some of the basic functions of other smartwatches, such as a calculator and alarm clock. If if you ever need to reach your child, you can call the Orbo smartwatch directly. If you have a kid between the ages 3-7, this is a solid choice for a first smartwatch.
2) VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX
- Price: $64.99
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX is another fun, full-featured smartwatch that your tech-loving kid will appreciate. It has a camera and voice recorder, and since VTech boosted the amount of memory from the previous model, it can hold much more of your kid’s masterpieces. This model is also water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it getting ruined by getting splashed by the pool. If they’re picky about the design, it comes in one of several different colors, including royal blue, vivid violet, pink, and camouflage. This is one of the more affordable kids smartwatches you can buy — it’s one of the few that cost under $100.
3) Omate Wherecom K3
- Price: $129
If your kid is a tad too old for those watches, you might be better off with the Omrate Wherecom K3. It has more advanced features that kids in the 6-10 age range can appreciate, like GP3 and a microSIM card slot. You can even use 3G so they can be connected without WiFi or a smartphone. It also comes with some sophisticated games, but here’s the best part: through Bluetooth, two kids with Omate Wherecom K3s can play these games against each other. It’s a perfect way to get siblings to play nice.
4) DokiWatch Smartwatch For Kids
- Price: $199
The DokiWatch smartwatch for kids pushes the boundaries of what you’d call a “kid’s watch.” Take away the cutesy design, and it’s basically a regular smartwatch. The self-proclaimed “most advanced smartwatch for kids” includes GPS, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a built-in camera, a color touchscreen, and video calling. It comes with an app that allows you to keep track of where your kid is, and how they’re using their smartwatch, on your phone. It runs on Android, the same operating system that’s the backbone of almost all non-iPhone mobile devices. The more advanced features (and higher price point) makes it suitable for kids up to 12 years old.
The coolest feature? It includes a “class mode” that allows you to remotely deactivate the watch during certain times of the day. It’s satisfying to enforce the end of “screen time” at the press of a button.
5) hereO Smartwatch
- Price: $199
The hereO smartwatch for kids is focused on one main function: location tracking. Since the screen is simple e-paper rather than a touchscreen, the battery lasts for 60 hours. That means you don’t have to worry about charging it up every single night. Its simplicity, light weight (just 40 grams), and bright colors make it suitable for children as young as three and up.
6) My Filip
- Price: $149.99
The My Filip smartwatch for kids has an intentionally limited features that are designed to make it easy for parents to reach and locate their kids. Like other smartwatches, it allows you to pinpoint their location via GPS. But it also allows you to set up “safe zones” in a particular geographic area. If they leave the safe zone, you get an alert on your phone.
You can program up to five phone numbers that they can call and receive calls from. Texts from the numbers can be sent one way to the smartwatch. It displays the time and date, but it doesn’t have any other functions like games. This is an ideal option if you want to use your kid’s smartwatch for communication, not recreation.
7) LeapFrog LeapBand
- Price: $29.99
Having trouble getting your kid to be more active? The LeapFrog LeapBand might be able to help. It’s designed to make your kid dance, hop, run, skip, and generally move — while tricking them into having fun in the process.
It gives you the option of using one of 50 different downloadable activities, guided by one of eight “pets” that your child chooses. Plus, it teaches the importance of good nutrition. If your child doesn’t listen to you about the need to eat their fruits and vegetables, maybe their LeapFrog Pet will convince them. It’s recommended for children aged 4-7.
8) The Tinitell Phone Watch For Kids
- Price: $149.99
The Tintell smartwatch for kids is designed for effortless communication between children and parents. Parents can set up a few phone numbers on the Tintell, and kids are able to call whenever they need to get in touch with someone. The Tintell even works with voice commands, so a child can ring up their dad just by saying “call Dad.”
It also features an integrated GPS sensor, so parents can know where their child is at any time. The device lasts for an hour of talking time or a week in standby mode, and it can be purchased from Tintell’s official site.
9) The Moff
- Price: $39.99
The Moff is an audio mixed reality bracelet that helps kids have imaginative adventures. Kids choose from a selection of categories from the app, such as ninja, tennis, guitar, cooking, drum, magic wand, or baseball. The bracelet then uses sound effects to turn everyday objects into fantasy tools or instruments.
For example, it might make magic wand sounds as you wave a ruler, or it’ll sound like a roaring guitar as you strum a tennis racket, or it’ll make ray gun sounds as you aim a banana. It’s a great way to help your kids enhance their playtime.
10) LG GizmoPal 2
- Price: $79.99
The LG GizmoPal 2 provides parents with a comprehensive way to track their kids. Thanks to the GPS sensor, you check their location by opening up an Android app. You can even set location reminders that track your child’s location throughout the day to ensure they’re always where they should be.
If you’re worried about your child straying from home or school without authorization, you can set up geofences and receive alerts when the LG GizmoPal 2 crosses them. Of course, it also has basic call functionality, so you can reach them at a moment’s notice and vice versa.
The biggest improvement over the original GizmoPal is the design. It’s not just easier to look at, but the buttons are also easier and more intuitive for young kids to use.
11) AmbyGear Kids Smart Watch
- Price: $109.00
The AmbyGear has two core groups of functions. First, it has the standard phone and GPS combo that allows you to get in contact with your kids whenever you want to. That includes geofencing features that ensure that your child is where they’re supposed to be.
The second part helps your child go through their daily activities with a smart calendar and reminders. It doesn’t just help them stay on schedule — it also teaches them organization. Just like a real smartwatch, the AmbyGear Phone Watch allows you download and delete apps, so you can choose which features are most appropriate for your child.
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