The best smartwatches for kids put parent peace of mind first: GPS location, two-way calling to an approved contact list, and tight parental controls that lock out the open internet. For most families, the Apple Watch SE (paired and managed through a parent’s iPhone) is the strongest all-around pick, while dedicated kids’ watches like the TickTalk 5, Garmin Bounce, and Gabb Watch 3 trade smartphone-grade features for simpler, more controlled experiences. This guide is research-based, drawing on manufacturer specifications, published expert reviews, and parent feedback rather than our own lab testing.
[[AFFDISCLOSURE]]- Prioritize GPS location and a contacts-only calling list over app stores and games
- Most dedicated kids' watches need their own LTE plan; an Apple Watch can share a parent's carrier plan
- Match the watch to your child's age and your phone ecosystem before you compare specs
What actually matters in a kids’ smartwatch
Kids’ smartwatches are a different product category from adult fitness watches. The headline features parents care about are safety and communication, not VO2 max estimates or ECG readings. Here is what to weigh, in roughly the order most families rank it.
- Location tracking. Real-time GPS lets you see where your child is on a map. Some watches add geofencing alerts when a child arrives at or leaves a saved place like school or home.
- Controlled communication. Look for a parent-approved contact list and a way to call or message without opening the device to strangers. The best watches block unknown numbers entirely.
- Parental controls. School-time or “do not disturb” modes, app limits, and the ability to remotely manage the watch from your phone are essential for keeping a watch from becoming a classroom distraction.
- Durability and water resistance. Kids are hard on hardware. Check the official water-resistance rating before buying. Our explainer on water-resistance ratings breaks down what “5 ATM” and “IP68” really mean.
- Connectivity and cost. Calling and live location usually require cellular (LTE). That often means a separate monthly fee. See our guide to LTE vs. Wi-Fi data plans to understand the ongoing cost.
- Battery life. A watch that dies by midday defeats the purpose. Dedicated kids’ watches generally outlast full smartwatches; compare the trade-offs in our battery life comparison.
How we picked
Smartwatch Trends does not operate a testing lab, so we do not wear these watches on a kid’s wrist for a month. Instead, we built this shortlist by cross-referencing official manufacturer specifications (water resistance, battery claims, connectivity requirements), published expert reviews from established technology and parenting publications, and aggregated parent feedback from retailer listings and owner forums. We prioritized watches that are widely available in the US, have an active companion app, and give parents meaningful control over contacts and screen time. Where specs differ by configuration (for example, GPS-only versus LTE Apple Watch models), we note it so you can match the watch to your needs.
The best smartwatches for kids at a glance
| Watch | Best for | Connectivity | Location | Water resistance (per maker) | Calling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch SE (Family Setup) | iPhone families, older kids/tweens | LTE + Wi-Fi (LTE model) | GPS | 50 m water resistant | Phone & messages to approved contacts |
| TickTalk 5 | Full features without a phone | 4G LTE (own plan) | GPS | IP68 | Voice & video to approved contacts |
| Garmin Bounce | Active younger kids | LTE (own plan) | GPS | 5 ATM (50 m) | Text-style messages to approved contacts |
| Gabb Watch 3 | Simplicity and minimal distraction | 4G LTE (Gabb plan) | GPS | IP68 | Voice & messages to approved contacts |
1. Apple Watch SE (with Family Setup) — best all-around
The Apple Watch SE is not marketed as a “kids’ watch,” but Apple’s Family Setup feature turns it into one of the most capable options for families already in the Apple ecosystem. A parent pairs and manages the watch from their own iPhone, so the child does not need a phone of their own.
Why it fits: Family Setup lets you curate a contacts list, set Schooltime to restrict the screen during class, and see your child’s location in the Find My app. Because it is a real Apple Watch, it also handles fitness rings, a maps app, and Apple Pay if you choose to enable them. The LTE model works away from a paired phone, which is the configuration you want for true on-the-go calling and location.
Who it’s for: iPhone households with kids old enough to handle a more capable device — often tweens rather than young children. It is the priciest option here, and calling/location need an LTE plan add-on from your carrier. New to the platform? Our walkthrough on setting up an Apple Watch covers the basics, and Family Setup follows a similar flow.
2. TickTalk 5 — most features without a smartphone
The TickTalk 5 is a dedicated kids’ smartwatch that packs in many of the features parents associate with a phone — voice and video calling, messaging, and GPS — without giving a child open internet access.
Why it fits: It supports voice and video calls to a parent-approved contact list, GPS location with location history, and a do-not-disturb mode for school hours, all managed from the companion app. The IP68 rating (per TickTalk) means it tolerates dust and water exposure that everyday kid life throws at it. There is no app store and no web browser, so the experience stays inside the walled garden parents set up.
Who it’s for: Families on Android or iPhone who want robust calling and tracking in a child-focused package and are comfortable paying for a separate LTE plan. It is a strong middle ground between a basic locator and a full Apple Watch.
3. Garmin Bounce — best for active younger kids
Garmin brings its fitness pedigree to a kids’ watch with the Bounce. It combines LTE messaging and GPS location with activity tracking and Garmin’s chore/reward system in the companion app.
Why it fits: Parents can send and receive text-style messages, view live location, and set up geofence alerts for saved locations. The 5 ATM rating (per Garmin) makes it suitable for swimming and showering, and Garmin’s known strength is encouraging movement — step goals, activity tracking, and gamified chores. The interface skews toward younger kids without overwhelming them.
Who it’s for: Active children who would benefit from movement nudges and parents who want messaging plus location without full voice-calling complexity. It requires a Garmin LTE subscription. If you want to understand how activity and calorie estimates work on any watch, our piece on smartwatch calorie accuracy sets realistic expectations.
4. Gabb Watch 3 — best for simplicity
Gabb built its brand on safe, distraction-minimized devices for kids, and the Gabb Watch 3 reflects that philosophy. It focuses on the essentials: calling, messaging, and location, with no social media, no app store, and no open browser.
Why it fits: Voice calls and messages go only to parent-approved contacts, GPS location is built in, and the IP68 rating (per Gabb) covers everyday splashes and rain. The deliberately limited feature set is the point — there is very little here to distract a child or worry a parent. Service runs on Gabb’s own plan, which bundles the connectivity.
Who it’s for: Parents of younger or first-time wearers who want the simplest possible “reach my kid, find my kid” device and are happy to trade games and extras for fewer distractions.
- Apple Watch SE:Most capable; real apps, fitness, Apple Pay
- Apple Watch SE:Needs a parent's iPhone and carrier LTE plan
- Dedicated kids' watch:Locked-down, distraction-free by design
- Dedicated kids' watch:Works with Android or iPhone; own LTE/subscription plan
A note on LTE plans and ongoing cost
Almost every feature parents buy these watches for — live location, calling, messaging away from home — depends on cellular service. Budget for a monthly fee on top of the hardware. With an Apple Watch, that is usually a small add-on to an existing carrier plan. Dedicated kids’ watches typically require their own line or a brand subscription (TickTalk, Garmin, and Gabb each sell their own plans). A Wi-Fi-only setup can work at home but will not track or call when your child is out, which is exactly when most parents want it. Read our LTE vs. Wi-Fi guide before committing.
Who should buy which
If you have an iPhone and an older child or tween, the Apple Watch SE on Family Setup gives the most room to grow. If you want full features in a child-specific, distraction-free shell, the TickTalk 5 is the most feature-rich. For an active younger kid, the Garmin Bounce adds movement motivation, and for maximum simplicity the Gabb Watch 3 keeps things to the essentials.
Frequently asked questions
What age is right for a smartwatch?
There is no single correct age. Many families start simple kids’ watches like the Gabb or Garmin Bounce around ages 5–9, when location and basic calling matter most, and move to a more capable device like the Apple Watch SE in the tween years. Match the watch’s complexity to your child’s maturity and your comfort with managing it.
Do kids’ smartwatches need their own phone number or data plan?
For calling and live location, yes — almost all of them need cellular service. Dedicated watches (TickTalk, Garmin, Gabb) use their own LTE line or subscription, while an Apple Watch can usually share your carrier plan as an add-on. A Wi-Fi-only configuration limits the watch to your home network.
Are kids’ smartwatches safe and private?
Reputable kids’ watches restrict communication to a parent-approved contact list and block the open internet, which addresses the biggest privacy concerns. Always review the manufacturer’s privacy policy to understand how location data is stored. If you have questions about device emissions, our research-based look at smartwatch radiation may help.
Can a kids’ watch get wet?
Most can handle splashes and rain, and several are rated for swimming, but ratings vary. The Apple Watch SE and Garmin Bounce are rated to roughly 50 m (5 ATM) per their makers, while the TickTalk 5 and Gabb Watch 3 carry IP68 ratings. Confirm the official rating and avoid hot water and high-pressure jets regardless of the number.