10 Best Smartwatch For Kids 2026 in the United States

The Garmin Bounce is a solid choice for a kids' smartwatch, especially for parents who want to stay connected and track their child's location. It offers built-in GPS with real-time tracking, which helps parents know where their kids are and get notifications when they enter or leave designated safe zones. The two-way text and voice messaging features let kids and parents communicate easily through the Garmin Jr. app, though these require an active subscription and LTE connectivity.

With a bright, colorful 1.3-inch touchscreen, the watch is designed to be kid-friendly and durable, including swim-friendly water resistance, making it suitable for active children. The battery life can last up to two days but may drain faster depending on how often location and communication features are used. This means daily charging might be necessary for heavy users. While Garmin Bounce doesn’t heavily focus on educational apps or games, its main strength lies in communication and safety features, along with parental controls that give caregivers peace of mind. The Assistance function is a helpful safety tool, enabling kids to send an alert with their live location if needed.

In terms of comfort and design, it’s lightweight and compact, which should be comfortable for kids to wear all day. It is important to note that the watch requires a subscription for full functionality, which adds to the overall cost. Parents seeking a reliable, durable smartwatch focused on safety, communication, and location tracking will find the Garmin Bounce fits well, while those looking for more educational content or longer battery life might want to explore other options.

The Google Fitbit Ace LTE is a solid choice for a kids' smartwatch, especially if you want reliable GPS tracking and easy communication. It includes built-in 4G LTE and GPS, so parents can keep track of their child's location without requiring a paired phone. The watch supports calls and messages with up to 20 approved contacts, which helps maintain safety and control. Battery life is good for a full day's use, offering over 16 hours and a quick 30-minute charge for extended playtime.

Its durability is impressive, featuring Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a protective bumper, and water resistance up to 50 meters, making it tough enough for active kids who might bump or drop it. The Fitbit Arcade offers movement-based games that encourage physical activity, combining fun and fitness in one device. Plus, the School Time feature helps limit gameplay during class while still allowing essential communication. Parental controls are thoughtfully designed through the Fitbit app, though younger kids (under 13) cannot message each other, which may limit peer interaction. The design is lightweight and comfortable with a 1.6-inch touchscreen, available in a kid-friendly color. An interesting bonus is the Tap to Pay feature, allowing children to make small purchases with a linked debit card, which could be helpful for teaching money management.

One downside is the need for the Fitbit Ace Pass data plan to enable cellular functions, adding an ongoing cost. Also, while communication is secure, it relies on parents managing contacts through a Google account and the Fitbit app, which might require some setup effort. The watch works best with newer Android and iOS devices, so compatibility should be checked beforehand. The Fitbit Ace LTE balances safety, fun, and fitness well, making it a great pick for parents who want a durable, feature-rich smartwatch to keep kids connected and active without needing a phone.

The TickTalk 5 is a solid choice for a kids' smartwatch, especially for children aged 3 to 12. Its standout strength is the precise GPS tracking, enhanced by AI-powered SmartPin technology, which provides accurate real-time location updates and route playback. This feature offers parents significant peace of mind. The watch supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, ensuring reliable communication through HD voice and video calls, text messaging, and group chats with approved contacts.

Safety is emphasized with quick-dial SOS buttons and strong parental controls that let you manage contacts, block unknown callers, enable School Mode, and more from a smartphone app. Battery life is impressive too, with up to 100+ hours of standby time, so kids can stay connected throughout the day without frequent charging. It’s also designed to be durable and kid-friendly—water-resistant and shockproof—with a lightweight build and a ScreenSafe design to reduce damage. Additionally, it encourages healthy habits with a built-in activity tracker and includes fun but non-distracting apps like a calculator and photo filters.

While it offers many features, the watch’s 1.52-inch screen is relatively small, which could be tricky for very young kids to navigate at first. Also, despite many apps, there are no games or social media, which might be a plus for parents but a downside for kids wanting more entertainment. The device requires a compatible smartphone for full parental control and works best with iOS 16+ or Android 6.0+. This makes the TickTalk 5 well-suited for parents prioritizing safety, communication, and basic educational tools in a durable, easy-to-use smartwatch for young children.