7 Best Kids Smartwatch In 2025

Choosing tech for your kids can feel like a huge decision. You want something that will keep them safe, allow them to get in contact with you easily and provide value for money. You don’t want to waste money on something your child won’t use, so how do you know which features are worth paying for?

We know what’s important to parents (durability, practicality and safety) and what’s important to kids (cool features, stylish look, fun and other features).

We looked at the market to find the best smartwatches for kids, so you can save yourself hours of research and choose from the best. And we’ve compiled a list of the best kids smartwatch in 2025.

What is a smartwatch for kids?

A smartwatch is a portable, wearable computer that fits on your child’s arm. Capabilities vary between models, but might include functions such as: GPS tracking; activity tracking; location monitoring; calling; messaging; and games.

When you think of smart technology, you probably imagine cutting edge tech, but even a simple activity tracking watch counts as a smartwatch. Whether you’re looking for a no-frills fitness tracker or an all-singing all-dancing smartwatch, keep reading to find the one that’s right for your child.

The benefits of smartwatches for kids

Tech for kids can be a contentious topic. People often have strong opinions on how much technology is appropriate for kids. Some families use smartwatches as a way of bridging the gap between no tech and smartphones for their younger kids. With a kids’ smartwatch, your child can benefit from modern day tech without you needing to worry about the distraction posed by smartphones.

There are lots of great reasons and options to give your child a smartwatch:

1. It’s not a smartphone

If the idea of giving your children a smartphone is terrifying, but you’d like a way to contact them when they’re out and about, a smartwatch might be the answer. With its limited capabilities, a smartwatch doesn’t have the addictive lure of a smartphone, and can provide a gentler introduction to tech for active kids.

Smartwatches are a great stepping stone for both parents and kids. Your child can benefit from the watch’s communication tools without you needing to worry about the dangers of social media and doom scrolling.

2. It’s less likely to get lost

The fact that it’s wearable tech reduces the risk of it being lost or stolen, making it a great choice for kids. Unlike a phone, which must be picked up and put down constantly, a smartwatch will remain securely fastened to your kid’s wrist all day.

3. GPS tracking

One reason why many parents choose to give their kids smartphones is that they want to be able to track them when they’re outside the home. A smart watch is another way of doing this. Not all smartwatches offer GPS tracking, so if being able to see your child’s location is an essential feature for you, check the descriptions carefully to make sure you choose the right one.

Some watches also offer ‘geofencing’, which allows you to set safe zones and receive alerts whenever your young child enters or leaves the set location.

4. Communication

Some watches don’t offer communication options; they are simple activity trackers with limited features. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that enables communication, look for one that has messaging and phone calls as key features.

Different watches offer different features, so you’ll need to make sure you choose one that offers everything you need. Some smartwatches offer video calling, record videos, or allow messaging, group chats and photo messaging.

It’s worth remembering that to receive calls and text messages, the watch will need a cellular plan, which will be an additional cost you need to factor in.

5. Parental controls

All the kids’ smartwatches include parental control features so you can be sure your child is safe. Safety features vary between watches but might include approved GPS tracking, SOS alerts and contact lists. An approved contact list means you control who can contact your child through the watch.

Things to consider when choosing a kids smartwatch

There are numerous smartwatches for kids, so it’s essential to do your research before parting with your cash. You need to find a balance between what you want and what your kid wants.

Here are some things to consider when choosing your kid’s smart watch:

• Durability. Kids aren’t naturally careful beings. They run, they jump, they bang into walls. Opt for a durable watch – one built to withstand the most boisterous of children
• Waterproofing. Sometimes, kids forget to take off their watches before getting in the bath. Choosing a waterproof smart watch for your child will make life easier. Some watches are splash resistant and designed to withstand accidental splashes; others are fully waterproof and can be worn in the pool. Waterproof watches usually feature a swim track function, which is a great way to motivate your child into swimming lengths
• Features. Consider the safety features you want and the fun features your kid wants. The best smartwatches for kids have a mix of both, to appeal to both parents and kids. Talk to your children about what they want their watch to do
• Camera. Some watches feature an in built camera so your child can take photos and selfies, and use video calling throughout the day
• Messaging capabilities. Some smart watches can send and receive messages, allowing your child to contact friends and family members. Watch faces are small, so it can be tricky to type out long messages. It’s worth checking the reviews to see what parents and kids think about the messaging capabilities
• Calling. Some watches also allow voice and video calls, so you can get in touch with your child easily throughout the day
• GPS tracking. An inbuilt GPS tracker allows you to see where your child is in real time. Some smart watches offer a built in motion sensor, or geofencing, so you’ll be notified each time your child arrives or leaves a safe location
• Style. There are lots of different watches to choose from, so you’re bound to find one that your child thinks has the right aesthetic. Exchangeable watch straps or watch face will allow your child to update the look of the watch as often as they like
• Budget. Work out exactly how much you have to spend and stick with it. You could spend a small fortune on a watch, but you probably don’t need to. It’s not worth getting into debt for a smartwatch that might get lost or damaged.

7 best kids smartwatch in 2025

Once you’ve considered all of the above, it’s time to put together a shortlist of smartwatches that have everything you want. Here are BellyBelly’s top picks for the best kids’ smartwatches in 2025:

#1. Best smart capabilities: Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is an affordable smartwatch for kids. With all the reliability, durability and fun features you would expect from an Apple product, the Apple Watch SE is a great option for a kid’s smartwatch.

Your kid might not have a phone yet, but you’ll need to sync the watch with a parent’s iPhone to get the best use out of it. If you pay for a cellular contract for the watch, it will have its own phone number and will work without wi-fi, making it ideal for your adventurous tweens and teens.

This kid-friendly smartwatch looks stylish and more grown-up than other kids smartwatches, so your older children won’t worry about it looking babyish. The parental control features allow you to set screen time limits, control contacts, and set schooltime features, to switch off distracting features during the school day.

The Apple Watch SE features GPS location tracking, group chats, calling and games. This watch is a fantastic alternative to a cell phone, giving them the benefits of modern technology without the potentially addictive lure of a smartphone.

As parents, you’ll love the communication settings, which allow you to approve contacts and control who can message and call your child’s Apple Watch SE.

#2. Best fitness tracker: Garmin vivofit jr.3

Garmin is a big name in the fitness tracker field, so it’s no wonder they’ve designed the best kids’ smartwatch for fitness tracking and keeping kids active.

The swim friendly Garmin viofit jr.3 tracks distance, steps, sleep and chores. Available in 12 colourways, there’s bound to be one your child will love.

Other features include an alarm, a stopwatch and a calendar. The watch also features an ‘in case of emergency’ widget that shows your contact details so it can be accessed quickly, if necessary. The parental control app can be used to set chores and reminders, keeping your kids focused throughout the day.

The compact watch fits neatly on even the tiniest wrists. The year long battery life means you don’t need to worry about frequent charging; instead, you simply replace the battery when it runs out after one year of use.

The watch monitors kids moving, and they’re rewarded for active minutes. 60 minutes of daily activity unlocks extra features, including quizzes, fitness games and more. The watch will also teach your child new fitness activities, such as jumping jacks and downward dogs.

For some healthy competition, kids can sync with nearby friends and compete in timed step competitions. The Garmin Jr. app allows them to connect with friends and family, and compete in weekly step challenges to see who walks the farthest.

There’s no charging necessary; the battery will last about a year, and then you simply replace the battery for another 12 months of continual use. This is perfect for busy kids who might otherwise forget to charge their smartwatch.

The Garmin vivofit jr.3 is a top of the range fitness tracker, but it doesn’t feature communication capabilities, such as messaging and GPS tracker. The waterproof watch is swim friendly, so it’s perfect for frequent swimmers. For those looking for a back to basics fitness tracker, this watch is the ideal solution.

#3. Best smartwatch for younger kids: VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2

The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2 is a fantastic option for younger children. The dual cameras allow budding photographers to capture their day, and the customisable clock faces mean your child can constantly update the watch’s look.

An ideal way to learn to tell the time, the Kidizoom Smartwatch for kids will fit securely on your child’s wrist. We love the sleek and stylish design of this interactive watch.

It features more than 20 melodies, so your child can listen to music throughout the day. The engaging games will have young kids burning off steam and having active fun. The Monster Detector AR game allows your child to find monsters in the real world, turning every space into a play space.

The alarm clock function gives your child independence in the mornings. Daily reminders allow kids to stay on track – perfect for getting them out of the house on time. School mode makes sure distracting features are switched off during school hours so your child can focus on getting an education.

The pedometer tracks activity levels, so you can see just how much energy your children have. They can play games against friends and share pre set messages with other VTech watch owners. Parental controls allow you to keep your children safe.

#4. Best waterproof smartwatch for kids: imoo Watch Phone Z7

You don’t want to fork out for an expensive smartwatch only for your kid to ruin it on a trip to the pool, so it makes sense to opt for a waterproof watch. The imoo Z7 is swim-proof and able to survive at a depth of 20m, so it’s definitely kid-proof. For born performers, the built in camera can even capture videos underwater so children can show off their diving skills.

The unique flip-up design of the imoo Z7 allows your child to scan interesting things with the AI scanner. This game-changing technology means kids can learn throughout the day. If they see a flower and want to know more about it, they simply flip the phone, use the AI scanner, and then listen to the AI description of the flower. This is the perfect watch for kids who never stop asking questions.

Another fantastic thing about this model is the battery life. The imoo Watch Phone Z7 can go a few days between charges, making it perfect for busy kids.

Real-time GPS location tracking ensures you know where your child is with an accuracy of up to 10m. GPS tracking means you can feel safe giving children more independence, and can keep an eye on them even when they’re out of your sight. The 14-day history allows you to check back over your child’s location for the previous two weeks.

The imoo watch phone Z7 connects to the rest of the family’s smartphones, keeping everybody in touch through group chat, voice calls and video calls. This watch enables high quality voice and video calling so you can chat to kids when you’re not with them. You can control their contact list to make sure they only interact with trusted people.

Class mode allows you to switch off distracting features when your child is in school. Unknown caller rejection means only trusted contacts can contact your child through the watch.

#5. Best smartphone substitute: Spacetalk Kids

The Spacetalk Kids smartwatch for kids was designed in Australia and is as close to a smartphone as you can get. This is the ideal watch for parents who are ready to give their children more freedom while still keeping a close eye on them.

Spacetalk Kids markets itself as a mobile phone, GPS tracker and watch, so it is the all-singing all-dancing option. This award-winning smartwatch allows children to call and message people on their contact list (which is approved by you, of course). It’s essentially a phone for kids who aren’t ready for phones yet.

Your child will love being able to connect to friends and family members, and you’ll be able to relax knowing you have approved every contact.

Your child cannot access social media or the wider internet on this device. The award-winning device features a school mode to encourage distraction-free learning. School mode turns the smartwatch into a simple wristwatch so your child can focus attention on school activities.

This high-tech watch is ideal for older kids ready for some independence. It might be high budget but it’s worth every penny if you’re looking for a kids’ smartwatch that acts as a smartphone substitute for your tween. The stylish design is bound to appeal to even the coolest kids.

#6. Best smartwatch for wannabe photographers: KidsOClock GL50

For kids who are desperate for a phone because they want to take photos like all their friends, this might be the watch that solves the problem. The 5 megapixel camera allows your children to capture their day. The smartwatch photo app features fun filters, so your child can have fun making memories and editing their pictures.

KidsOClock GL50 comes from a trusted Australian company that delivers award-winning products designed to keep kids safe. The KidsOClock kids’ smartwatch is another example of a watch that bridges the gap between being tech-free and owning a smartphone.

The watch uses five combined technologies to provide you with detailed GPS tracking of your child’s whereabouts. Geofencing allows you to map out safe zones so the watch can alert you when your child leaves the designated safe areas. The parent smartphone app lets you control the watch to keep your child safe.

4G calling allows your child to speak to approved contacts. The watch cannot receive or make phone calls to unapproved numbers, so you can relax knowing your child can only speak to contacts approved by you. The parent app lets you stay in control even when you aren’t with your child. The watch also allows group chats, so your child can stay in touch with both parents at once.

The built-in educational games are ideal for keeping kids entertained, and you can control how much time they spend on them.

The Gorilla Glass face is durable, so you don’t need to worry about bumps and bashes.

The parental control app allows you to set tasks, so you can remind your child to get their chores done. The app also allows you to monitor any text messages sent to the watch, helping you keep your child safe.

#7. Best for safety-conscious parents: Pixbee Kids 4G Video Smart Watch

Pixbee is a safe and convenient way for parents and kids to stay in touch. It’s perfect for kids who aren’t quite ready for a smartphone.

Pixbee allows your child to make and receive a phone or a video call to pre-approved contacts. Your child can also send video chats and messages to these contacts. All contacts are approved via the parental controls app, which puts you safely in charge of your child’s watch.

The Pixbee App is free to download and has no monthly usage fee. This unlocked smartwatch can be used with an 3G/4G Nano SIM card from any compatible network provider.

Pixbee says the smartwatch allows you to ‘curate your child’s influence ecosystem’. Family and trusted caregivers create a network of connections, so your child can interact with people you deem safe and trustworthy.

Using GPS data, you can see where your child is in real time. Create your own ‘safe zones’ by setting a geofence boundary around your watch wearer. If the child leaves this zone, Pixbee will notify you.

In an emergency, your child can use the SOS emergency button to quickly contact you and alert you that something is wrong. This watch is ideal for anxious parents because it allows them to keep an eye on their kids without restricting their freedom.

How to choose the best kids smartwatch

As you can see from this list, there are lots of fantastic options for kids of all ages. Whether you’re looking for fitness tracking, fun games, voice messages, a GPS tracker offering real time location tracking, or two built in cameras, you’ll have lots to choose from.

Next steps:

1. Decide what you want the watch to do

The first thing to do is identify the features you’re looking for in a watch. Write a list of those you consider essential. Once you’ve done that, speak to your children and find out what’s important for them. They might be interested in making phone calls, playing games, looking cool, or knowing how many steps they take on their weekend walks. Once you have both these lists, you can prioritise them, deciding which features are essential, and those that are nice-to-have.

2. Set a budget

Next, decide on your budget. Be realistic and stick to it. There are watches to suit every budget, so you don’t need to break the bank. In fact, some families prefer to start with a cheaper model until they know their child will actually use it.

3. Try the watches on

Children’s wrists are small, and a bulky watch might be uncomfortable. Smartwatches come in all shapes and sizes, so ask friends and family members if your child can try on their smartwatches to see which one feels most comfortable. It might not be possible to try on the exact model, but if you can find similarly sized watches, it will give your child an idea of what to expect.