Best GPS Watches For Kids Reviewed

Benefits of GPS Watches for Kids

GPS watches for kids have many benefits, especially for the 7-11 age group. I target this group because this is generally the age when children are ready to start going off on their own a bit, but they may not be responsible enough to keep track of a traditional smartphone. A watch has the benefit of being attached to your wrist, so you aren't going to leave it behind accidentally.

Smartwatches will not only allow you to track your child using the Global Positioning System, but most will allow you to communicate with your child via voice calling. The apps for these watches let the parent monitor precisely who your child can communicate with.

Along with the above, smartwatches give children some of the functionality of having a smartphone, such as games and an alarm clock, without giving them access to the entire Internet.

Even if you don't use a smartwatch for everyday use, we still recommend using a GPS tracker for your child when visiting crowded places, like concert venues and theme parks. If you and your child get separated, you will have an easy way to communicate.

GPS Watches For Kids Compared

Choosing a High-Quality GPS Kids Tracker Watch

Tracking Range & Accuracy

For most parents, the most crucial feature of a GPS smartwatch is the ability to track the location of their child. Some of these units are better at tracking than others. When shopping, look for smartwatches that have dual or triple tracking, as these will be more precise. Also, make sure to read the fine print. Some watches admittedly say that their location data may be as far off as 4 miles (!!!) if a child is indoors or an area with inadequate coverage.

Geofencing

Geofencing is the ability to alert the parent when a child has gone outside a set boundary. For example, school. You can set an alert to tell you when your child has left the school building so that you know that they are on their way home.

Construction & Design

More than just functionality, it's essential to have a smartwatch that your child will actually be happy to wear. Look for fun designs, bright colors, comfortable wristbands, and an easy-to-see screen. Extra features to look for might include shock and abrasion-resistant (shatter-proof screen) and waterproofing.

Battery

All the smartwatches on our list have a battery that will need to be recharged via USB. These batteries are usually a custom lithium polymer build, and when they are completely dead, it is generally cheaper to replace the entire unit than just the battery itself. The battery life will depend on the specific watch and how often you use it/have the tracker running. Some of the watches can last for an outing (3-4 hours), and others can last up to 100 hours.

Monthly Cost (SIM)

Smartwatches require a SIM card to function correctly. Most of the games and other functions will work without a SIM card, but to accurately track your child, you will need a SIM card. These can be purchased on Amazon or through your cell phone carrier for $5 to $10 and placed within the watch.

A monthly plan for a smartwatch is also about $5 to $10, but there are a few smartwatches with additional features (like video calling) in which the monthly plan will be higher.

SOS Alerts, Two-Way Calling

Beyond knowing where your child is, it's vital for most parents also to be able to communicate with their child. It is standard for smartwatch GPS trackers to have two-way communication between the watch and the parent or person responsible for the app.

Another great feature is the SOS signal. In most instances, if the child presses the SOS button for a certain length of time (usually 3 seconds), then the watch will automatically start calling the emergency contacts.

Dimensions & Weight

Whereas all of the smartwatches on our list are made for children (and most are specified for ages 4-12), you may want to check the product dimensions and weight to make sure the watch will fit your child appropriately.

Compatibility

Price & Warranty

The cost of these watches generally speaks to what you can expect of the product. There are cheaper watches that have less battery life and features than their more expensive counterparts. Likewise, remember that you will almost always incur an additional monthly cost to run these child trackers. Look for a product with a clear warranty of at least a year to make sure you get the most out of your purchase.

1. Jsbaby (Boys)

If you already use T-Mobile as your cell phone provider, then this Jsbaby smartwatch tracker is the best GPS tracker watch for boys on the go. The watch comes relatively cheap at under $40, but you’ll need to see your T-Mobile provider for a SIM card with data, voice and text plan. It might sound like that would all begin to add up, but most users have reported an average of $10/month for this invaluable service of keeping their kiddos safe.

Your kids will love this watch as much as you do because it is so much more than a GPS tracker. Equipped with games, a camera, a high-definition color screen, and an alarm, your child will think that this is the coolest gadget. That's not even to mention our favorite feature – this watch is entirely waterproof. You need not worry about it losing power because your son is splashing in puddles or getting it wet while washing his hands.

Along with GPS tracking, this smartwatch allows you to store up to 10 phone numbers for voice communication. You can also text with your child through the JSbaby app. There is even an SOS feature. If your child ever needs you immediately, they can activate the SOS function, which will automatically cycle through your 3 emergency numbers until there is an answer.

The only downside to this Jsbaby smartwatch is that in indoor areas without a strong cell signal or poor GPS satellite locations, your child's actual location may be inaccurate by 0.5 to a full 4 miles. For the watchful parent, this inaccuracy might be enough to cause a panic. Rest assured, though; you should still be able to communicate with your child even when GPS location is off. 

2. Themoemoe Kids (Girls)

3. Autopmall

This smartwatch by Autopmall fits the bill as the best mid-priced GPS watch for kids. It’s more expensive than the first two products on our list, but for the older child, the difference in features is worth the price.

The Autopmall model can connect to any 3G network so that in itself is a huge upsell, though the company claims that they are most compatible with AT&T. You can rest assured that your child is where the watch claims they are because the Autopmall supports GPS+WIFI+LBS triple positioning.

It should be noted, though, that the standard preset on the watch is to track location every hour. This is a function made to extend the battery life for a full 24-48 hours. You can change the settings to track location every minute, but this will be at the expense of the battery life.

This watch comes with a waterproof rating, so there is no need for your child to take it off when playing in and around water. It also might serve as the best GPS running watch for kids, because it has a built-in pedometer and health assistant. Other fun features include compatibility with Wechat, the ability to connect with other friends with the same watch, and a camera.

This watch is currently only available via Amazon, and unfortunately, the warranty information is not clear, which is the only downside.

4. TickTalk3

5. Karaforna

6. SZBXD

7. Jiobit

How Kid GPS Watches Work

Kids GPS tracker watches work much like the GPS in your phone does, to allow you to track your child via smartphone in real-time.

Many of these watches are paired with a SIM card and cell phone carrier, essentially making them less-functional mobile phones. This allows kids and parents to talk, without the worry of other people contacting them via phone call or text.

GPS Kids Watch vs Other Tracking Devices

Although GPS kid's watches and tracking devices have the same goal in mind – to keep tabs on your child – there are obviously some vast differences. Mainly, tracking devices like the Jiobit are just locators. They do not provide you with any more information.

GPS kids' watches, on the other hand, are designed to be fun and keep your child entertained as well. They also work more like a walkie-talkie or cell phone and allow two-way communication between child and guardian. 

Kids GPS Locator Apps

Some of the smartwatches we've looked at in this review can connect with additional apps outside of their built-in features. Check to see if your phone or watch is compatible with these great apps that include extra tracking features.

Compatible with your child's smartphone or many smartwatches, Find My Kids app is the best GPS tracker app available for iOS. We loved that this app allows you to set alerts for when children leave or enter a location, whether it be home, school, or a friend's home. It can even alert you when your child's battery is running low, so there isn't panic if you lose contact. Find My Kids isn't free, but you can get an entire year of tracking for around $30.

Step by Step was explicitly designed for Smart Baby Watches, but it is compatible as a phone & GPS watch tracker for many brands and carriers. It is basically the Android version of Find My Kids. It provides and safe way to keep tabs on your kids without being too invasive. Some users have noted that the GPS for this tracker is often slightly off (by a few houses or even blocks), so that’s just something to be aware of.

One more kids GPS smartwatch-compatible location tracker app is SeTracker2. This app allows you to use an intercom function to talk to your child. It can also set up a geofence, to alert you if your child had gone outside of a specified location. Most parents' favorite feature of this watch, though, it the alarm that helps you find the watch. Kids often take their watches off at the end of the day and can't remember where they set it down. This app will ensure you don't spend too much time digging between the couch cushions.

Setting up a Kids GPS Watch

All kids GPS watches will come with their own instruction manual, but the necessary setup steps are relatively similar:

In addition to the steps above, make sure that you check all your settings to your preferences. This includes how often you want the GPS to track. Most watches have options for monitoring every hour and tracking every minute. Newer watches can track in real-time.

Tracking GPS Devices: Common Issues & Fixes

When right out of the box, the chief complaint about kids’ smartwatches is that the parent can't get it to locate via GPS correctly. Unfortunately, this is usually of no fault to the watch and is often a network issue.

This is why it is imperative that you check to make sure that your cell phone carrier is compatible with the network that you are on. We can not stress it enough – not all SIM cards are compatible with every carrier, and not every smartwatch can be accessed on every smartphone.

Another common issue with these watches is the battery frequently dying.  Most of these watches have custom lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries, and like smartphones, the more you use the functions, the faster the battery will drain.

If this means that your child can't make it through the day without their battery dying, it might mean he/she needs to cut back on the game and camera mode. Over-charging your battery can also harm its lifespan. When your battery does eventually die, it will likely be easier and more cost-effective to purchase a new watch than a new battery.

People also Ask (FAQs)

What is Geofencing?

In the traditional sense, geofencing is location-based targeting (usually with ads) that helps companies to market to a specific group of people based on their physical location. In terms of smartwatches for kids, geofencing is more of an actual boundary. Parents can see where their children are located within a specific region, and if they go outside the set boundaries, the parents will receive an alert or notification.

How accurate are these Kids GPS watches?

GPS watches are incredibly accurate, using the same technology that your iPad or tablet uses to "find my device." There are times, of course, when the location might be slightly off due to satellite interference, but for the most part, these devices are very accurate. (Please note in our reviews the instances when we mention some watches do not locate well indoors.)  

Will these devices help keep my children safe?

GPS trackers for kids are becoming increasingly popular, as moms and dads want to keep tabs on their kids without being a helicopter parent. Together with your smartphone’s technology, a GPS watch can absolutely keep your child safe. These watches are especially popular for use by parents of children with special needs (some of whom are non-verbal and may have tendencies to wander) and for families on vacation in very busy places (like Disney World).

Where is the best place to buy GPS watches for kids?

Amazon is hands-down the best place to purchase a GPS smartwatch for kids. Not only do they have awesome customer support and fast shipping, but they also have the most comprehensive selection to choose from.

Conclusion

For better or worse, technology keeps advancing every day. And now that we live in a day and age where it's not safe to let your kids wander the neighborhood alone, smartwatch GPS trackers are here to help.

Most all of these trackers provide the same essential functions; it's up to you to decide how many bells and whistles you want to include. For a top of the range model that provides everything, including video calling, we recommend the TickTalk3. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Jsbaby is a great choice.