While most watches are geared toward adults, there is a select market of fitness trackers designed specifically to help kids get active in a fun and exciting way. Over the past few weeks, we had kids ranging from ages 3 to 13 test activity trackers in a variety of settings to determine the overall best kids fitness trackers.
- 1 How we reviewed the best smartwatches for kids
- 2 Things To Consider Before Buying The Fitness Tracker
- 3 Should You Buy an Activity Tracker for Kids?
- 4 Benefits Of Using Fitness Trackers
- 5 At What Age Should My Kid Start Using a Fitness Tracker?
- 6 What’s the Most Important Feature to Look For in a Kids’ Fitness Tracker?
- 7 Why should kids and teenagers use fitness trackers?
- 8 Do kids need a smartwatch?
The best fitness tracker for kids will encourage them to get moving. Whether it works by presenting them with an award or having the pure pleasure of seeing their accomplishments, activity trackers have proven successful in motivating kids.
Some went for walks, others jumped on the trampoline, some played interactive games, and others simply ran around the house while their watch did its thing. We chatted with the kids and their parents to learn what they liked and disliked about each watch.
The fitness tracker helps track the burnt calories, sleeping patterns, heart rate, and daily steps. It also motivates the teens to increase their activity levels and manage their weight. In addition, the tracker keeps them physically active and improves their overall habits.
Kids love fitness trackers for the same reasons adults do—they encourage movement and activity in a way that feels rewarding and fun. It’s not always easy to get kids to meet physical activity guidelines, particularly during the winter months. Sometimes we all need an external motivator to reframe exercise in more playful terms. Kids fitness trackers gameify the experience of developing healthier habits by counting steps, recording active fitness, and tracking sleep time, and then converting those metrics into virtual badges and rewards. For kids who respond to that additional encouragement—or can enjoy some friendly family competition—those rewards can be a great motivator to get outside and get moving.
1.Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids 6+
Pros
- 8 days of battery life
- Bedtime and alarms
- Parent and Kid View
- Water-resistant
- Interchangeable bands
Cons
- Pricey
- No heart rate monitoring
The only Fitbit specifically made for children, the Ace 3 comes with tons of great features relevant to young ones. With 8 days of battery life, a touchscreen display, bedtime alerts, reminders to move, a step counter, and gentle alarms to wake your kids up, this Fitbit comes fully stocked.
One of the most kid-friendly aspects of the Ace 3 is the fun virtual badges, animated clock faces, and personalized avatars that add a healthy sense of competition and play to their activity. Your kids can also personalize their Fitbit with interchangeable accessories like Minions bands, for an added fee.
There’s both parent and kid view, and it’s also water-resistant up to 50 meters, so they can even wear it while swimming. It’s by no means cheap, but with all the bells and whistles, we think it’s worth the investment.
2.Garmin vivofit jr
Pros
- Doesn’t need to be charged
Cons
- Added screen time for app features
Available in a number of different fun color options, the watch offers a Marvel, Disney Princess, or classic Garmin band design. Kids then have the option to choose from multiple watch face options to make the watch uniquely their own, which was something they really enjoyed.
Like any good fitness tracker, the waterproof vívofit jr. 3 tracks steps and distance traveled and monitors sleep. Clock features include time/date, automatic daylight saving time, an alarm clock, timer, and stopwatch.Specific kid activity tracking features include 60-minute activity goals, chores, rewards (coins), task timers, reminder alerts, a challenges app, and an in-case-of-emergency feature.
The app was easy for parents to use and after the initial setup, our kid testers had no problem working the watch on their own. Our testers enjoyed the celebration of accomplishing goals, and the variety of games and activities was ideal for a range of ages.
The only downside of using the app for interactive games and features is its additional screen time, which is something many parents try to avoid during playtime. Our testers were on the smaller side and noted the watch ran a little big, despite being in the recommended age range.
3.Garmin vivofit jr. 2
Pros
- Interactive Star Wars-Themed Challenges
- Parental Assistant
- One-Year Battery Life
- Swim-Friendly
Cons
- Not Sand Proof
With the tracker, parents are in full control. Through the compatible app, you can do a variety of things to better your child’s well-being, including tracking sleep and activity.
You can take the activity tracker on any adventure, be it on the playground or to the beach. Just be mindful of too much sand and dust.
4.Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids 6+ One Size
Pros
- Battery life of eight days
- Waterproof
- Clear screen
- Fitbit app is great
Cons
- No heart rate
- No GPS
5.Apple Watch SE (GPS, 40mm)
Pros
- GPS
- Heart rate
- Can send and receive calls
- Apps apps apps
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires a service plan
- Low battery life
- Kids might not want to be tracked this thoroughly
The watch is one of the cheaper models Apple makes that has the “Family Setup” feature, which allows you to set up a family member’s Apple Watch even if they don’t have one of their own. This gives kids access to all the standard Apple Watch’s capabilities—including apps, fitness tracking, maps, music, health metrics, and the ability to send and receive calls—without requiring them to own or carry a smartphone. The watch’s GPS capabilities means they can track their workouts, or you can see where they are using the Find My app. Kids can even add their own contacts and send messages from the watch. When it’s time to focus, there’s a “schooltime” mode that blocks all the watch’s features except for the regular watch face. The biggest downside: To use the watch, you do have to sign up for a service plan through your carrier, which tacks on about $10 a month to its already high cost. The battery life is also woefully short—it has to be recharged within 18 hours.
6.PROGRACE Kids Smartwatch
Pros
- Fitness Tracker
- Music Player
- Two-Way Camera
- Touchscreen and Built-In Games
Cons
- Tricky to Place Memory Card
- No Replacement Straps for Purchase
With the watch, you can check how many steps your little one is taking. Although there’s no app for parents, it’s easy to manage everything directly from the gadget.
The touchscreen has a good size of 1.54 inches. Included are also FM radio and a flashlight.
7.BIGGERFIVE Kids Fitness Tracker Watch
Pros
- Simple to use
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a USB charging box
Additionally, the watch includes message and call reminders and an alarm clock through which parents can set up hydration reminders, sedentary reminders, and wake-up/bedtime alerts.
A huge pro of the tracker is it’s sweatproof, rainproof, splash and bathing waterproof so you don’t have to worry about your kid damaging their watch. The tracker comes in three color options, has a comfortable band, and offers an impressive battery life.The VeryFitPro app is simple and easy to use, however, you must be in close range to sync the watch to your phone.
The built-in USB makes charging with any USB port a breeze, but it would be nice to include a box for plugging into the wall as well, just in case your child doesn’t have a USB port of their own.All in all, Biggerfive’s Fitness Tracker has everything you could want in a smartwatch at a fraction of the price when compared to other brands.
8.Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker
Pros
- Call/text notifications
- Connects to phone GPS to track pace and distance
- Menstrual health tracker
- Stylish design
- Stress management features
Cons
- Pricey
- Website says the battery lasts 5 days, but quicker depending on use
Swimproof, slim, and fashion-forward, the Fitbit Luxe is the perfect tracker for teens who want to be more hands (or wrists?) on with their health. It not only takes care of all-day tracking, but also connects to a phone’s GPS to track pace and distance and allows wearers to stay connected with friends via call and text notifications.
If your teenage girl has periods, she can track ovulation, record period symptoms, and log flow with the built-in menstrual health tracker, which can help her feel informed about her menstrual health. It also has several stress-management features, such as guided breathing, to help her with her mood and stress levels. We want to note: teenage girls have enough societal pressure, and we love that Fitbit’s team is committed to helping teenage girls stay healthy and happy without focusing on striving for “perfection.”
It’s not the cheapest option, but the Special Edition gorjana Soft Gold Stainless Steel Parker Link Bracelet doubles as a bracelet that goes with every outfit, which would make for the perfect birthday or holiday gift!
9.Garmin vivofit jr
Pros
- Great Wristband Design
- Parent App
- Reward System
Cons
- Fragile Wristbands
Besides the awesome bands, the watch has a lot to offer for children and parents. We can easily say it’s more than a fitness tracker — you can add chores and tasks with the app. Then a fun reward system puts you in charge of deciding on the prize.
10.BIGGERFIVE Vigor Kids Fitness Tracker Watch
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Has a heart rate monitor
- Works in the pool
- Color display
Cons
- Quality control issues
- Weak band
It’s easy to use and it’s got a bright, colorful face with a kid-friendly display. It even has some extras that the Fitbit and Garmin models don’t, like a working heart-rate monitor and 14 activity modes. The watch is sized for kids ages 5 to 15, with a flexible silicone strap that cinches down to five inches and can be set to fit kids with 4.5-inch wrists. (That said, the size of the watch face will dwarf the wrists of younger kids.) Once on, kids can use the band to track steps, sleep, heart rate, sedentary time, and active minutes, or set a timer or alarm clock. Much like the Ace and the Vivofit models, the watch has an IP68 waterproof rating, which means it’s resistant to water pressure and can be used for swimming but not diving or showering. It’s not the highest-quality kids tracker out there, but it’s a solid option if you’re on a budget, or just want a tracker with heart-rate functionality. As with the Ace, the biggest weakness here is the band: Some kids have found that it breaks quickly and has to be replaced.
How we reviewed the best smartwatches for kids
There are a lot of features packed into smartwatches for kids. To narrow down the contenders, we prioritized the following:
- GPS tracking
- Video calling
- SOS button
- Parent-controlled contact list
- Fun games or activities
We ultimately came up with a list of 43 criteria for comparing kids smartwatches and sussing out the top candidates. We also read hundreds of user reviews to evaluate each contender’s performance and customer service.
We gave the TickTalk4, Gabb Watch, and Imoo to our testing group and collected feedback from parents who had already chosen and used kids smartwatches.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Fitness Tracker
Style
Fitness trackers come in various colors, materials, shapes, and sizes. Wristbands and pendants are the two most popular designs. Choose a style based on your preferences.
Display
Fitness trackers use LCD, LED, and AMOLED displays in different screen sizes. Pick one that is convenient to read and has an auto-adjusting feature to adapt to ambient lighting.
Compatibility
The fitness tracker should be compatible with the operating system of your smartphone or a laptop. Choose one that syncs well with your smartphone or other devices.
Accuracy
Fitness trackers use sensors and algorithms to provide data related to various activities. These include the number of stairs climbed, footsteps, and hours slept. Opt one that generates highly precise data. Check the reviews to understand how accurate the device is.
Battery Life
The battery life is an important consideration and depends on your usage needs. Most trackers are rechargeable, while some are not. Choose the best one that meets your requirement. If your uses are rigorous, go for a fitness tracker that has a long battery life with a single charge.
Water-Resistant
Look for a splash-proof and water-resistant tracker if you are going to use it during swimming or bathing.
Should You Buy an Activity Tracker for Kids?
Activity trackers have gained a good reputation among adults — with some folks claiming it’s their secret to a healthier life. Others are saying they aren’t necessary.
Just as with adults, fitness trackers for children have their pros and cons. They’re fantastic motivators but may encourage an unhealthy obsession over weight and exercise.
With the increase in child obesity, the pros often outweigh the cons. At least one study for adults did conclude that wearable activity trackers can promote a positive behavioral change. The same can apply to children.
By viewing clear information that the trackers provide, along with rewards, many kids are reporting that it made activity more fun. When children find exercise enjoyable, they’re more likely to continue this healthy behavior into adulthood.
It’s still essential for parents to explain the importance of activity. When doing so, always preach body positivity — remember that healthy, confident attitudes in parents incite a positive atmosphere for your child.[1]Are fitness trackers good for children?
Benefits Of Using Fitness Trackers
- Record heart rate
- Count the number of calories burnt in a day
- Count your steps
- Track your sleep hours and quality
- Boost your regular workouts
- Help you stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle
- Track your active moments
Obesity is a common problem among teens. This happens due to consumption of junk food and lack of physical activity. The best fitness trackers for teenagers can help them track the calories burnt, heart beat, and sleep hours. In addition, these trackers help by alerting the teens to work more to reduce their weight. Furthermore, a tracker can monitor the active moments, and count the footsteps to keep one motivated for a healthy and fit lifestyle. So invest in a multifunctional fitness tracker that offers great battery life. Steer clear of the devices that display inaccurate data.
At What Age Should My Kid Start Using a Fitness Tracker?
There isn’t necessarily a right or a wrong age for a kid to start wearing an activity tracker. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of kids between the ages of 11 and 17 don’t get enough regular exercise. The WHO recommends that children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 do an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous exercise.
So, the appropriate age for a fitness tracker really varies from case to case. If your kid is more on the inactive side and could benefit from a little extra motivation, perhaps getting them a fitness tracker could help.
Or, if your kid is a fitness fanatic and likes to keep track of his or her activities, there could be a case for getting them a watch as well. Most fitness trackers and watches specify the recommended age ranges on their websites.
What’s the Most Important Feature to Look For in a Kids’ Fitness Tracker?
It’s hard to pinpoint the most important feature in a kids’ fitness tracker because it really comes down to what’s important to you. We think the capability to track a variety of activities, ease of use, a comfortable fit, compatibility with a simple-to-use app, durability, and price are all important features to note.
Additionally, kids really enjoy the option to customize their watch, be it the watch face of their choice, a personalized avatar, or interchangeable watch bands.
Why should kids and teenagers use fitness trackers?
Physical inactivity is a growing concern among teens and children across the globe. A fitness tracker motivates them to become health conscious. They can set fitness goals and challenge themselves with new sports. This will help them enhance physical performance and improve the quality of life.[2]Fitness trackers work for many but not all kids
Do kids need a smartwatch?
Kids don’t necessarily need a smartwatch, but a smartwatch is a good introductory device to technology. If your child has been begging for a phone, a smartwatch could be a good alternative that lets them have a fun piece of tech without the commitment and responsibilities of a smartphone. Plus, there are fewer parental controls to keep track of with a smartwatch versus a phone or tablet while still having the features kids love, like a camera, games, and a touchscreen display.[3]5 reasons why you should get your kid a smartwatch
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