Best Smartwatches for Kids in 2024

For parents who need to stay connected to their kids, options can feel slim. Smartphones can make sense for older kids, but can distracting for younger kids. Kids GPS trackers can be helpful, but may feel invasive for older kids (unless they have special needs).

Smartwatches strike a balance between the two with kid and parent-friendly features. The best smartwatches for kids can track your kids' location, send messages and calls, all while having enough features to keep them excited about the device. 

The Gabb Watch 3 has a virtual pet that your child can care for with coins they earn from chore lists that parents set. Cosmo JrTrack 3 allows your kids to call and message parent-approved contacts from their wrists. The AngelSense watch simplifies things, with safety features coming first. And Verizon's GizmoWatch is an easy option if you're already a Verizon customer.

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AngelSense goes beyond the usual GPS tracking by getting to know the wearer's routine. Imagine if little Jimmy takes a different route to school—AngelSense will send you a heads-up. It's like having an extra pair of eyes on your loved ones.

Remember those hide-and-seek games in store clothing racks? With AngelSense, those mini heart-stopping moments can be a thing of the past. Can't spot your little adventurer nearby? Just trigger the watch's alarm and follow the sound straight to your cheeky hider. Plus, you can share a temporary tracking link with friends, family, or even the police to help locate the watch wearer quickly.

Parents can switch the GizmoWatch to quiet mode or vibration mode via the app. This allows incoming calls to show up on the screen but silences the ringtone and any of the watch’s sound effects. You can also set up specific quiet times to ensure, for example, your child’s ringtone doesn’t disrupt their class.

Another neat feature is “auto answer.” After parents toggle this setting on the GizmoHub app, the watch will automatically pick up your call after ringing for ten seconds. This lets you listen in to check on your child or talk through the watch in an emergency.

After 10-plus years of testing and wearing family safety devices, we know what makes a kids smartwatch stand out (or not). Here's a peek into our process and features to look for when picking the best kids smartwatch for your family.

• Price and monthly costs
• GPS tracking
• SOS call button
• Durability
• Parental controls
• Connectivity
• Ease of use
• Video calling
• Fun games or activities 

In addition, it's important for parents and caregivers to have an open, ongoing dialogue with the children in their lives about the goals for getting a smartwatch and how to use and take care of it responsibly. 

Our favorite kids smartwatches meet in the middle between "fun gadget" and parental features. Kids will love having a direct line to their loved ones and the games and fun features certainly don't hurt. Parents will love giving kids more freedom while drawing fair boundaries. 

From our tests with parents and kids alike, we found the Gabb Watch 3 came out on top for its user friendliness, price, and ability to graduate into a similar ecosystem when your child's ready for a phone. 

We also loved the Cosmo JrTrack 3 for its pricing, the AngelSense smartwatch for kids you need to keep extra eyes on, and the convenience of the Verizon GizmoWatch for existing Verizon customers.