{"id":1177630,"date":"2026-08-30T18:11:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T18:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1177630\/"},"modified":"2026-08-30T18:11:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T18:11:30","slug":"best-kids-smartwatches-tested-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1177630\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Kids Smartwatches Tested 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As a mom to three kids ages 8 to 13, I know that giving a smartwatch to a child is convenient for busy families\u2014as long as it\u2019s a good one. There are many cheaply made devices that just add to parents\u2019 frustration. To find the best smartwatches for kids, we tested 17 models with kids in elementary and middle school over the last few years. The just released <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.tkqlhce.com\/click-8842431-11557999?sid=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizon.com%2Fconnected-smartwatches%2Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%2F&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/connected-smartwatches\/verizon-gizmo-watch-4\/&quot;,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.tkqlhce.com%252Fclick-8842431-11557999%253Fsid%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.verizon.com%25252Fconnected-smartwatches%25252Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=f1e893f6-2ca9-4ab4-b451-0fae53ca0174&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"f1e893f6-2ca9-4ab4-b451-0fae53ca0174\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.tkqlhce.com%252Fclick-8842431-11557999%253Fsid%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.verizon.com%25252Fconnected-smartwatches%25252Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=f1e893f6-2ca9-4ab4-b451-0fae53ca0174&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Verizon Gizmo Watch 4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|verizon.com|none|none|Verizon Gizmo Watch 4|none\">Verizon Gizmo Watch 4<\/a> is my top pick for the best smartwatch for kids, while the updated <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/goto.walmart.com\/c\/1201867\/565706\/9383?subId1=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;veh=aff&amp;sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FApple-Watch-SE-Midnight-GPS-Cellular-S-M-40mm%2F17814802264&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/ip\/Apple-Watch-SE-Midnight-GPS-Cellular-S-M-40mm\/17814802264&quot;,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fgoto.walmart.com%252Fc%252F1201867%252F565706%252F9383%253FsubId1%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526veh%253Daff%2526sourceid%253Dimp_000011112222333344%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.walmart.com%25252Fip%25252FApple-Watch-SE-Midnight-GPS-Cellular-S-M-40mm%25252F17814802264&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=51521139-fd53-4e25-8727-4c51813e445f&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"51521139-fd53-4e25-8727-4c51813e445f\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fgoto.walmart.com%252Fc%252F1201867%252F565706%252F9383%253FsubId1%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526veh%253Daff%2526sourceid%253Dimp_000011112222333344%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.walmart.com%25252Fip%25252FApple-Watch-SE-Midnight-GPS-Cellular-S-M-40mm%25252F17814802264&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=51521139-fd53-4e25-8727-4c51813e445f&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Apple Watch SE 3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|walmart.com|none|none|Apple Watch SE 3|none\">Apple Watch SE 3<\/a>, the brand\u2019s entry-level model, is my pick for more social and independent tweens and teens.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"image-embed-link color-link image-embed__placeholder\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-8842431-11557999?sid=prd-undefined&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizon.com%2Fconnected-smartwatches%2Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" aria-label=\"FORBES.com\" style=\"padding-top:56.12%;position:relative\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalPrimaryImageLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|dpbolvw.net|none|none|none|none\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788113487_689_960x0.jpg\" alt=\"A child's hand and wrist wearing the Verizon Gizmo Watch 4 on a table.\" data-height=\"900\" data-width=\"1600\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalPrimaryImageLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|dpbolvw.net|none|none|none|none\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The best smartwatches for kids can be set up with ease and offer parents fast and clear communication with their children.<\/p>\n<p>Illustration: Forbes \/ Photo: Rose Gordon Sala For Forbes<\/p>\n<p>Below, you\u2019ll find a review of each of these three winners, plus details on how we tested kids smartwatches and a guide to choosing the right watch for your child. <\/p>\n<p class=\"vetted-text\">Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n<p class=\"vetted-tooltip\">Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Battery life:\u00a0<\/strong>Up to 36 hours<strong> <\/strong>| <strong>Water resistance:\u00a0<\/strong>5ATM (50 meters) | <strong>Maximum contacts:<\/strong> 40 | <strong>School mode\/quiet time:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Colors:\u00a0<\/strong>2 | <strong>Texting:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Video calling:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Music:<\/strong> No | <strong>Camera:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>GPS tracking:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Step counter:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Games:<\/strong> Yes\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ed7a86e73d622533ae97bb6d7aff8dc67\">Caregivers connecting with kids via text, phone and video calls<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e6b0f4c1776519acc5e794a5b9d536e3f\">GPS tracking for keeping an eye on your child\u2019s location<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e9c4513655109f19976d68cfd39158e06\">Built-in parental controls and limits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Skip if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"eb99f507ac09c1ba90e1d7d69299bfbf6\">You have a social tween or teen who wants to connect with friends over their watch<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ef806f9dbdfda9f460230ba31f4a83c47\">You want payment options on their smartwatch<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Want to read this story later?<\/p>\n<p>Get a link sent straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>Remind Me<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve sent this story to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbes-personal-shopper\/article\/best-sheets-for-adjustable-beds\/\" aria-label=\"Graphic The Best Sheets For Adjustable Beds That Move With Your Mattress\" data-ga-track=\"shopping recirc|More From Forbes Vetted| - Link 1\" class=\"kDIGV\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788113488_995_960x0.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic The Best Sheets For Adjustable Beds That Move With Your Mattress\" data-ga-track=\"shopping recirc|More From Forbes Vetted| - Link 1\"\/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbes-personal-shopper\/2026\/08\/28\/hatch-sleep-clock-review\/\" aria-label=\"Graphic Hatch Sleep Clock Review: A 3-In-One Tool For Sleep At Your Bedside\" data-ga-track=\"shopping recirc|More From Forbes Vetted| - Link 2\" class=\"kDIGV\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788113490_252_960x0.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic Hatch Sleep Clock Review: A 3-In-One Tool For Sleep At Your Bedside\" data-ga-track=\"shopping recirc|More From Forbes Vetted| - Link 2\"\/><\/a>All The Best Features, Plus A Seamless Operation<\/p>\n<p>Verizon\u2019s Gizmo Watch has long topped this list as the best kids smartwatch because it offers just what parents need, namely, easy setup, decent tracking of your child\u2019s whereabouts and simple communication over text and phone. Plus it has extras to keep kids interested, like a few games (that can be disabled), a step counter, calculator, stopwatch and a camera for selfies or video calling from their wrist.<\/p>\n<p>This July, Verizon released the <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.dpbolvw.net\/click-8842431-11557999?sid=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizon.com%2Fconnected-smartwatches%2Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%2F&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/connected-smartwatches\/verizon-gizmo-watch-4\/&quot;,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.dpbolvw.net%252Fclick-8842431-11557999%253Fsid%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.verizon.com%25252Fconnected-smartwatches%25252Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=b267fae2-4a55-4e1a-9475-b2be81b4aec7&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"b267fae2-4a55-4e1a-9475-b2be81b4aec7\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.dpbolvw.net%252Fclick-8842431-11557999%253Fsid%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.verizon.com%25252Fconnected-smartwatches%25252Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=b267fae2-4a55-4e1a-9475-b2be81b4aec7&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Gizmo Watch 4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|verizon.com|none|none|Gizmo Watch 4|none\">Gizmo Watch 4<\/a>, the first update to this popular kids smartwatch in three years. After testing the new watch (our third Gizmo), my family found it\u2019s a welcome upgrade thanks to an increased battery life of up to 36 hours, so you can often get two school-days worth of use out of it, and it doubled the allowed contacts to 40. It\u2019s also now swim-ready with a 5ATM rating, and there are new activity tracking options, too. <\/p>\n<p>All of the Gizmo Watch 4&#8217;s parental controls, as well as messaging with your child and tracking data, is found in the new Verizon Family app.<\/p>\n<p>Illustration: Forbes \/ Photos: Rose Gordon Sala For Forbes<\/p>\n<p>Verizon also launched a new, more comprehensive companion app for its Gizmo Watches, called Verizon Family. Compared to the previous Gizmo app, this new iteration has additional features, broader parental controls and alerts across additional devices. This is where you set downtimes and school modes for the watch, as well as see your child\u2019s location, add reminders and to-dos, tweak various settings like volume, and add contacts. Your messages with your kids show up here, too.<\/p>\n<p>Not For Older Kids Or Teens<\/p>\n<p>The Gizmo Watch 4 is the perfect smartwatch for a young kid who needs to say in communication with their caregivers. However, if you have an older tween (ages 11 and up) or an especially social kid already begging for a phone, I\u2019d recommend you consider the entry-level <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=106821X1564016&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fshop%2Fbuy-watch%2Fapple-watch-se&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.apple.com\/shop\/buy-watch\/apple-watch-se&quot;,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fgo.skimresources.com%253Fid%253D106821X1564016%2526xs%253D1%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.apple.com%25252Fshop%25252Fbuy-watch%25252Fapple-watch-se&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=f67ec80f-1048-4e0b-9ed6-b9b244bc8b3c&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"f67ec80f-1048-4e0b-9ed6-b9b244bc8b3c\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fgo.skimresources.com%253Fid%253D106821X1564016%2526xs%253D1%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.apple.com%25252Fshop%25252Fbuy-watch%25252Fapple-watch-se&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=f67ec80f-1048-4e0b-9ed6-b9b244bc8b3c&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Apple Watch SE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|apple.com|none|none|Apple Watch SE|none\">Apple Watch SE<\/a>. The main reason is that as their friends start to transition to Apple Watches and iPhones, kids with a Gizmo could be left off the group chat if their buddies don\u2019t download the companion app from where all messaging flows. That said, the Gizmo Watch\u2019s ubiquitousness in elementary school means that younger kids can have a robust group chat with other friends who also possess a Gizmo, especially versus a less popular kid smartwatch.<\/p>\n<p>I found the GPS tracking on the Gizmo fairly reliable but certainly not perfect. I had to hit refresh sometimes to get an accurate position on my children, but it placed them within the right building nearly 100% of the time, especially when they weren\u2019t on the move. It is slightly less accurate than the <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Smart-Watch-Tracker-Calls\/dp\/B0CRTF7FP9\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Smart-Watch-Tracker-Calls\/dp\/B0CRTF7FP9\/&quot;,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Smart-Watch-Tracker-Calls\/dp\/B0CRTF7FP9\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-link-rand-id=\"83eed15d-d22b-465f-81db-216f59b8cdd4\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Smart-Watch-Tracker-Calls\/dp\/B0CRTF7FP9\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" aria-label=\"TickTalk smartwatch\u2019s\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"B0CRTF7FP9\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FTickTalk5-Smart-Watch-Tracker-Calls%252Fdp%252FB0CRTF7FP9%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTickTalk5-Smart-Watch-Tracker-Calls%2Fdp%2FB0CRTF7FP9%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|TickTalk smartwatch\u2019s|none\">TickTalk smartwatch\u2019s<\/a> tracking and on par with the Find My location tracking in the Apple Watch, especially in more rural settings or even crowded indoor settings. Caregivers can set up virtual boundary zones, so the watch alerts you when your child leaves school (or whatever zone you\u2019ve set) to walk home or to a friend\u2019s house.<\/p>\n<p>Apple Watch SE 3 GPS + Cellular<\/p>\n<p class=\"vetted-text\">Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n<p class=\"vetted-tooltip\">Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Battery life:\u00a0<\/strong>Up to 18 hours<strong> | Maximum contacts:<\/strong> Unlimited | <strong>School mode\/quiet time:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Colors:\u00a0<\/strong>Multiple band types and colorways |\u00a0<strong>Water resistance:\u00a0<\/strong>5ATM (50 meters) | <strong>Texting:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Video calling:<\/strong> No | <strong>Music:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Camera:<\/strong> No | <strong>GPS tracking:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Step counter:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Games:<\/strong> Available for download<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e18b8d9ea0c1c9f5f595628656bcfe1d2\">Older tweens and teens<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e23368d2bac0c3180303be4c556c325a3\">Families already in the Apple ecosystem with iPads, iPhones and AirPods<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e9dd5329f7621f119a8eede46c677402d\">Strong parental controls<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e12393dda72060635ce7c70fca29626f1\">Cashless payments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Skip if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e20265ceaac1d3a0157bf0135e0706426\">You don\u2019t want your child to have access to the internet<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e1b4444ba1ca28fc9f1209acd960a63d8\">Your child isn\u2019t ready to take care of an expensive item<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Apple Watch SE with cellular is a smart choice for older children, especially tweens and teens. It\u2019s also good for families who are already in the Apple iOS ecosystem\u2014iPhone families, basically. Kids are able to easily pair their AirPods with their watch and parents can add Apple Pay for cashless, after-school spending if they want (I send my kids their allowance this way), as well as track them via the device and easily set parental controls after setting up their child\u2019s Apple account.<\/p>\n<p>More Seamless Communication And Setup For Apple Families<\/p>\n<p>The Apple Watch SE is the brand\u2019s most inexpensive base model, but it\u2019s plenty powerful for kids. It has all the features they need, including texting, calling, fitness tracking, Siri and music. There\u2019s no camera here, but many other fun features to explore. My 12-year-old son has worn the Apple Watch SE (second gen) for two years, and over the last couple of months, I\u2019ve tested the new <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=106821X1564016&amp;xs=1&amp;xcust=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fapple-watch-se-3%2F&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.apple.com\/apple-watch-se-3\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fgo.skimresources.com%253Fid%253D106821X1564016%2526xs%253D1%2526xcust%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.apple.com%25252Fapple-watch-se-3%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=385ff926-9117-497b-8059-84371585b23a&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"385ff926-9117-497b-8059-84371585b23a\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fgo.skimresources.com%253Fid%253D106821X1564016%2526xs%253D1%2526xcust%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.apple.com%25252Fapple-watch-se-3%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=385ff926-9117-497b-8059-84371585b23a&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Apple Watch SE 3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|apple.com|none|none|Apple Watch SE 3|none\">Apple Watch SE 3<\/a> with my teen daughter who has used it to stream music during workouts and homework, track her sleep, runs and bike rides, and answer messages and calls from friends. The Apple Watch SE is now powered by the S10 chip, which is also in the Apple Watch 11 and Ultra 3.<\/p>\n<p>The third generation Apple Watch SE offers seamless setup and features better suited to tweens and up.<\/p>\n<p>Rose Gordon Sala For ForbesStill Plenty Of Parental Controls<\/p>\n<p>Purchase the GPS + Cellular version of the Apple Watch for your tween or teen, so they can operate it without the need for their own phone. Guardians <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/watch\/set-up-apple-watch-for-your-kids-apd54d0a51fb\/watchos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/watch\/set-up-apple-watch-for-your-kids-apd54d0a51fb\/watchos\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|support.apple.com|none|none|set up a child\u2019s Apple Watch|none\" aria-label=\"set up a child\u2019s Apple Watch\">set up a child\u2019s Apple Watch<\/a> right from their iPhone and the Apple Watch app. With the Apple Watch SE cellular, kids receive their own phone number and can connect with anyone, not just other Apple Watch owners, meaning they can now join all those group chats and place calls to anyone they like. This was a nice step up for my son when he transitioned from the Gizmo Watch to the Apple Watch. I will warn you that as he approaches teendom and being more social, he\u2019s starting to chafe at the limitations of the screen size and difficulty of texting longer messages on such a tiny screen.<\/p>\n<p>There are plenty of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbes-personal-shopper\/article\/best-parental-control-app\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbes-personal-shopper\/article\/best-parental-control-app\/\" data-ga-track=\"InternalLink:https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbes-personal-shopper\/article\/best-parental-control-app\/\" aria-label=\"parental controls\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">parental controls<\/a> available in the Apple Watch app and in your iPhone Settings under \u201cFamily\u201d and \u201cScreen Time\u201d after you add your child and their Apple ID in as a family member. You can set it so every contact must be approved by you with a parental pin number, as well as a <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/watch\/get-started-with-schooltime-apd160a958b7\/watchos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/watch\/get-started-with-schooltime-apd160a958b7\/watchos\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|support.apple.com|none|none|Schooltime mode|none\" aria-label=\"Schooltime mode\">Schooltime mode<\/a> (this is accessed via the Apple Watch app), downtimes, time limits on apps and websites and more. The \u201cFind My\u201d iOS tracking feature helped us locate my son\u2019s watch when he accidentally left it behind at a store, and it\u2019s what I use whenever I want to find his location in town, at soccer practice or at a friend\u2019s house.<\/p>\n<p>It is a pricey gadget for a young kid who isn\u2019t mature enough yet to not lose or break it\u2014and all the extras like health tracking and even Apple Pay\u2014are unnecessary and too complex for kids under age 10. I recommend protecting the watch face with an inexpensive <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Misxi-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Compatible\/dp\/B0C7VYFXD8\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Misxi-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Compatible\/dp\/B0C7VYFXD8\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Misxi-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Compatible\/dp\/B0C7VYFXD8\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-link-rand-id=\"ae2139cc-0595-472c-9205-3bf4c989ba5c\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Misxi-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Compatible\/dp\/B0C7VYFXD8\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" aria-label=\"screen protector\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"B0C7VYFXD8\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FMisxi-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Compatible%252Fdp%252FB0C7VYFXD8%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMisxi-Tempered-Screen-Protector-Compatible%2Fdp%2FB0C7VYFXD8%2F%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|screen protector|none\">screen protector<\/a> (my kids scratched each and every watch they tested within days, including the Apple Watch). The setup was relatively seamless for us, although there are always some bumps with setting it up for someone else, and I often find the most friction once I get to the carrier portion of the setup. The new Apple Watch SE 3 seems to have a longer battery life, as we can get through about a day and half with it even with my daughter\u2019s heavy use of music streaming and texting. <\/p>\n<p class=\"vetted-text\">Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n<p class=\"vetted-tooltip\">Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Battery life:\u00a0<\/strong>Up to 48 hours <strong>| Maximum contacts:<\/strong> 53\u00a0| <strong>School mode\/quiet time:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Colors:\u00a0<\/strong>4 |\u00a0<strong>Water resistance:\u00a0<\/strong>IP67 | <strong>Texting:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Video calling:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Music:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Camera:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>GPS tracking:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Step counter:<\/strong> Yes | <strong>Games:<\/strong> Yes<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best for:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"eb1b42050aa0125ecaede2cc44e0c8662\">Texting, calling<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"edc1379d6b58c33e2ae2d6a664d91376c\">GPS tracking your child<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e916f3a323f758dd9483c2c53fddb374d\">Kid-friendly music streaming<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Skip if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"eb072998fa8620bbf03eec7d8f2bd0e20\">You have an older tween or teen<\/li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ea9a45d0e45a380cb7f656b4934dea8f4\">Your child wants some games or a keyboard to text<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Cellular-Smart-Tracker-Calling\/dp\/B0CRTDT5NH\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Cellular-Smart-Tracker-Calling\/dp\/B0CRTDT5NH\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Cellular-Smart-Tracker-Calling\/dp\/B0CRTDT5NH\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-link-rand-id=\"1c09f11b-7ee9-49cf-b558-28c54c2d97cf\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/TickTalk5-Cellular-Smart-Tracker-Calling\/dp\/B0CRTDT5NH\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" aria-label=\"TickTalk 5 kids smartwatch\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"B0CRTDT5NH\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FTickTalk5-Cellular-Smart-Tracker-Calling%252Fdp%252FB0CRTDT5NH%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTickTalk5-Cellular-Smart-Tracker-Calling%2Fdp%2FB0CRTDT5NH%2F%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|TickTalk 5 kids smartwatch|none\">TickTalk 5 kids smartwatch<\/a> is most similar to the Verizon Gizmo among the watches we tested, but with a few differences. It gives kids the ability to text, leave voice messages and calls approved contacts via the watch and a companion app. Parents get all the best features of a kids smartwatch too: They can track their child via GPS, as well as set up parental controls like quiet times for school or sleep. But the TickTalk\u2019s standout feature is that kids can text any approved contact, not just those with the companion app, opening up more\u2014and easier\u2014communication options.<\/p>\n<p>Loads Of Kid-Friendly Features\u2014And Customization<\/p>\n<p>While TickTalk doesn\u2019t let kids connect to the internet or download social media, it has plenty of unique and fun things for them to do, including free music streaming from iHeartRadio with family-friendly tunes and podcasts. The TickTalk 5 lets kids take photos with the 5MP camera, send unique GIFs, join group chats with pre-approved contacts and send animated e-greeting cards. Plus, the watch\u2019s entire design is cheerful and kid-friendly. The user interface is filled with cute characters and cues that offer clear directions, making it generally easy to use. <\/p>\n<p>One drawback to so many options is that it\u2019s easy to get overwhelmed. But the ability for guardians to toggle many features on and off allows for the ultimate watch customization. There aren\u2019t any actual games on the TickTalk, but there is a calculator and fitness tracking. When my younger daughter tested the TickTalk 5 at age 8, she really missed game access, especially when she had a long bus ride to a particular summer camp.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also a thicker, tougher looking watch compared to the other smartwatches, but my son liked its look at age 9. But my daughter found the more rigid band uncomfortable and preferred the softer silicone style of the Gizmo. She also missed having a keyboard to craft her own messages to me versus using the preset ones and the voice messages.<\/p>\n<p>TickTalk 6 Launching Now<\/p>\n<p>This week (after completing this current round of testing and updates), we learned that the TickTalk 6 watch is launching in September 2026. You can join the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myticktalk.com\/pages\/ticktalk-6-waitlist\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.myticktalk.com\/pages\/ticktalk-6-waitlist\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|myticktalk.com|none|none|waitlist for it now|none\" aria-label=\"waitlist for it now\">waitlist for it now<\/a>, and we plan to test it as soon as we\u2019re able. Company representatives say it will include a number of software and hardware updates, including a better camera and video calling, enhanced battery and a slimmer design.<\/p>\n<p>Our kids wore the watches, sent us text messages (and complaints), racked up their steps and took plenty of selfies.<\/p>\n<p>Rose Gordon Sala For ForbesThe Other Kids Smartwatches We Tested<\/p>\n<p>Over the past two years, we\u2019ve tested more than a dozen smartwatches to find the best ones for kids. Here are some of those we tested that didn\u2019t make our shortlist of top recommendations.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong affiliate-data=\"true\"><a class=\"affiliate-link\">Pinwheel Watch<\/a><\/strong><strong> (Score 3.5\/5):<\/strong> My 7-year-old found this silicone watch band comfortable to wear and enjoyed using it, including texting me and her older sister who has an iPhone (most kids smartwatches require all contacts to either have the same device or download the app to communicate with them). It has a camera and games (both of which can be removed), as well as GPS tracking and calling. It lacked a step counter, which our tester missed given every other family member has one, and I found the interface both on the watch and in the app overly complicated at times. It took just a smidge longer than necessary to find things and to set up various customizations like the downtimes. At some point, the band broke off and we couldn\u2019t reattach it, which was disappointing, because my youngest daughter wore it normally and is careful with her tech. Calling and texting was laggy at times, possibly because its T-Mobile network does default from 4G to 2G as needed.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fitbit-Google-Ace-LTE-Activity-Based\/dp\/B0CV5T2YG6\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fitbit-Google-Ace-LTE-Activity-Based\/dp\/B0CV5T2YG6\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fitbit-Google-Ace-LTE-Activity-Based\/dp\/B0CV5T2YG6\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-link-rand-id=\"1d0d21ec-5618-4ce8-b955-189ed8e974ff\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fitbit-Google-Ace-LTE-Activity-Based\/dp\/B0CV5T2YG6\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" aria-label=\"Google Fitbit Ace LTE\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"B0CV5T2YG6\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FFitbit-Google-Ace-LTE-Activity-Based%252Fdp%252FB0CV5T2YG6%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFitbit-Google-Ace-LTE-Activity-Based%2Fdp%2FB0CV5T2YG6%2F%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|Google Fitbit Ace LTE|none\">Google Fitbit Ace LTE<\/a> (Score: 3.5\/5):<\/strong> Our 11-year-old tester found this fitness-oriented kids smartwatch the most comfortable to wear and its movement games engaging. Although it doesn\u2019t have a camera, it has all of the usual kid smartwatch features like texting and calling up to 20 contacts via the Fitbit Ace app, GPS tracking for parents and a mode to turn it off during school. It could be a solid choice for families who want their kids to move more but I personally didn\u2019t love this emphasis, because my kids are already active. Another parent tester said the battery life was average, needing a daily charge, and the interface required a bit of a learning curve.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/JrTrack-Kid-Safe-Precision-Real-Time-Tracking\/dp\/B0F94LH1PR\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/JrTrack-Kid-Safe-Precision-Real-Time-Tracking\/dp\/B0F94LH1PR\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/JrTrack-Kid-Safe-Precision-Real-Time-Tracking\/dp\/B0F94LH1PR\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-link-rand-id=\"59938e20-43af-48eb-a589-3454f62dd495\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/JrTrack-Kid-Safe-Precision-Real-Time-Tracking\/dp\/B0F94LH1PR\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" aria-label=\"Cosmo JrTrack\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"B0F94LH1PR\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FJrTrack-Kid-Safe-Precision-Real-Time-Tracking%252Fdp%252FB0F94LH1PR%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FJrTrack-Kid-Safe-Precision-Real-Time-Tracking%2Fdp%2FB0F94LH1PR%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|Cosmo JrTrack|none\">Cosmo JrTrack<\/a> (Score: 3\/5): <\/strong>We tested the JrTrack3 and the new JrTrack 5, but it neither model won over either tester. It has all the features typical of kids smartwatches\u2014texting, calling, GPS tracking, a camera and parental control of contacts\u2014but we couldn\u2019t get over the difficult app navigation for parents. <\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Garmin-BounceTM-Smartwatch-Messaging-Location\/dp\/B0CJ5RJ4RM\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Garmin-BounceTM-Smartwatch-Messaging-Location\/dp\/B0CJ5RJ4RM\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Garmin-BounceTM-Smartwatch-Messaging-Location\/dp\/B0CJ5RJ4RM\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-link-rand-id=\"3f0f4f4d-7c2d-40fa-854d-069d8d2d362d\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Garmin-BounceTM-Smartwatch-Messaging-Location\/dp\/B0CJ5RJ4RM\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" aria-label=\"Garmin Bounce Kids Smartwatch\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"B0CJ5RJ4RM\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FGarmin-BounceTM-Smartwatch-Messaging-Location%252Fdp%252FB0CJ5RJ4RM%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGarmin-BounceTM-Smartwatch-Messaging-Location%2Fdp%2FB0CJ5RJ4RM%2F%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|Garmin Bounce Kids Smartwatch|none\">Garmin Bounce Kids Smartwatch<\/a> (Score: 3\/5):<\/strong> This is another fitness-oriented kids smartwatch that also allows texting, GPS tracking and voice messaging. But it isn\u2019t designed as a full-fledged communication device and so our tester gave it a middling score and complained about its overall interface. However, it\u2019s battery life was great and it is swim ready. <\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-8842431-15820037?sid=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fgabb.com%2Fgabb-watch%2F&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/gabb.com\/gabb-watch\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jdoqocy.com%252Fclick-8842431-15820037%253Fsid%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fgabb.com%25252Fgabb-watch%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=a1237968-240d-4219-85c1-728cba95f333&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"a1237968-240d-4219-85c1-728cba95f333\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jdoqocy.com%252Fclick-8842431-15820037%253Fsid%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526url%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fgabb.com%25252Fgabb-watch%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=a1237968-240d-4219-85c1-728cba95f333&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Gabb Watch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|gabb.com|none|none|Gabb Watch|none\">Gabb Watch<\/a> (Score: 2.5\/5):<\/strong> We tested the Gabb Watch 3 for several months. It was challenging to set up and had the worst battery performance among the watches tested. It often died before the end of the school day. The step counter was always wildly inaccurate. It doesn\u2019t have any games, a camera or the internet, which might appeal to some families. The lack of features turned my kid off, so they wouldn\u2019t wear it.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/tmobilebroadband.sjv.io\/gOy1yB&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.t-mobile.com\/smart-watch\/t-mobile-syncup-kids-watch-2&quot;,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Ftmobilebroadband.sjv.io%252FgOy1yB&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=a4d40ce9-a967-449d-a1fb-5508cb9c1a64&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"a4d40ce9-a967-449d-a1fb-5508cb9c1a64\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Ftmobilebroadband.sjv.io%252FgOy1yB&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=a4d40ce9-a967-449d-a1fb-5508cb9c1a64&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"T-Mobile SyncUp Kids Watch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|t-mobile.com|none|none|T-Mobile SyncUp Kids Watch|none\">T-Mobile SyncUp Kids Watch<\/a> (Score: 3\/5):<\/strong> We tested the first version of the T-Mobile SyncUp watch and liked it overall for video calling, texting and decent GPS tracking. The kids liked its dinosaur game and flashlight. Another tester enjoyed the SyncUp Kids Watch 2, but found the new app experience frustrating as do many online reviewers. Because of the number of complaints about the new parent app management, we\u2019ve lowered our rating on the SyncUp 2.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io\/c\/1201867\/1430413\/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page&amp;subId1=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bark.us%2Flearn%2Fps-bark-watch1%2F&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.bark.us\/learn\/ps-bark-watch1\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fbarkparentalcontrols.pxf.io%252Fc%252F1201867%252F1430413%252F17000%253Fadname%253Daffiliate_home_page%2526subId1%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bark.us%25252Flearn%25252Fps-bark-watch1%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=13c556a3-a335-4897-84d6-91ecc9efa9eb&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" data-link-rand-id=\"13c556a3-a335-4897-84d6-91ecc9efa9eb\" title=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/forbes_ghj568dre?q=https%253A%252F%252Fbarkparentalcontrols.pxf.io%252Fc%252F1201867%252F1430413%252F17000%253Fadname%253Daffiliate_home_page%2526subId1%253D678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352%2526u%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.bark.us%25252Flearn%25252Fps-bark-watch1%25252F&amp;ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fforbes-personal-shopper%2Farticle%2Fbest-kids-smartwatch%2F&amp;event_type=click&amp;utm_source=&amp;linkRanId=13c556a3-a335-4897-84d6-91ecc9efa9eb&amp;Natural_ID=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352\" aria-label=\"Bark Watch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|bark.us|none|none|Bark Watch|none\">Bark Watch<\/a> (Score: 3\/5):<\/strong> The Bark Watch can place calls, send texts, take photos and parents can track location and approve contacts in a parent companion app. There is no access to social media or the internet. Where it differs from other kid smartwatches is that the company offers monitoring of your child\u2019s texts, scanning them for bullying, self-harm talk and more, and then alerting parents. Our tester thought this could be useful for a child who has faced a particular challenge or bullying but noted that the watch is geared toward younger kids. The battery lasted an impressive two days, tracking was accurate and the watch comfortable. Our tester was frustrated with the setup. The watch appears designed to work best when paired with the brand\u2019s phone, and in fact, the app continued to prompt our tester to set up the phone, which he hadn\u2019t provided to his child. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What We\u2019re Testing Next<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myticktalk.com\/pages\/ticktalk-6-waitlist\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.myticktalk.com\/pages\/ticktalk-6-waitlist\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|myticktalk.com|none|none|TickTalk 6 |none\" aria-label=\"TickTalk 6\">TickTalk 6 <\/a>is launching this September and we plan to test it as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>How We Tested Kids Smartwatches<\/p>\n<p>We panel-tested about a dozen smartwatches by putting them to work in real-life situations on the wrists of our own children. This means that as parents, we unboxed and set up each watch. We downloaded the parent companion apps and fussed with parental controls. We set up virtual boundaries, so we knew when our kids left school or a friend\u2019s house, we customized the preset text messages to suit our needs, and added in appropriate quiet or school mode downtimes for each.<\/p>\n<p>We tracked battery life, how fast the smartwatches charged and if they held a charge throughout the school day and into the dinner hour.<\/p>\n<p>Rose Gordon Sala For Forbes<\/p>\n<p>Our kids told us how the watches felt on their wrists and if the style worked for them or not. They also shared their complaints about the smartwatches\u2019 limitations, from battery life to lame games to issues with communicating the way that they wanted.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout testing and wearing, we kept notes on battery life, how easy each watch interface and app was to use, both for the kids and parents, and we verified how well the advertised features worked, such as GPS tracking.<\/p>\n<p>I personally tested nine watch models with my three children who ranged in age from 5 to 13 during the duration of this testing project. I also relied on other parent and kid testers who shared feedback on additional smartwatches.<\/p>\n<p>Consider your child&#8217;s age first when selecting the right kids smartwatch for your kiddo.<\/p>\n<p>Rose Gordon Sala For ForbesHow To Pick The Best Kids Smartwatch For Your Child<\/p>\n<p>There are a few things to be aware of when selecting a smartwatch watch for your family. One of the first things to consider is whether or not your child is mature enough to wear a smartwatch. <a href=\"https:\/\/thefamilycoach.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/thefamilycoach.com\/\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|thefamilycoach.com|none|none|Catherine Pearlman|none\" aria-label=\"Catherine Pearlman\">Catherine Pearlman<\/a>, author of the book <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/First-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette\/dp\/0593538331\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/First-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette\/dp\/0593538331\/&quot;,&quot;warningMessage&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/First-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette\/dp\/0593538331\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-link-rand-id=\"6423ea0e-1e3d-42a0-bfbb-a0ea15fabdc6\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/First-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette\/dp\/0593538331\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" aria-label=\"First Phone\" target=\"_blank\" data-aps-asin=\"0593538331\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FFirst-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette%252Fdp%252F0593538331%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFirst-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette%2Fdp%2F0593538331%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|First Phone|none\">First Phone<\/a>, says every kid is different, but there are some readiness signs.<\/p>\n<p>Your Child\u2019s Age And Maturity<\/p>\n<p>While Pearlman generally says kids ages 9 and up might be ready for a smartwatch, this can depend on the family\u2019s needs\u2014and the individual child\u2019s maturity. \u201cSometimes there\u2019s pressure like, \u2018Well, we should just get a watch now.\u2019 I still think it\u2019s important to think about each kid and each family situation and to make sure that this is the right time to introduce it,\u201d she says. \u201cBecause once you start with the watch, then comes the phone.\u201d She says it\u2019s good to see if the child has the right level of responsibility and is able to put screens down before you give them a phone or a watch. Even in the same family, the right age for a watch may be different among siblings. <\/p>\n<p>Pearlman says that kids who can follow directions and aren\u2019t too distractible make good candidates for a smartwatch. They need to be able to follow safety rules and guidelines, like not accepting calls or messages from strangers and not sharing personal information. \u201cA 6-year-old is not going to be able to do that, right?\u201d Pearlman says. \u201cBut maybe a 9-year-old can.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The smartwatches designed specifically for kids work better for younger kids, because they have fewer features, easier navigation and don\u2019t give young children access to things like the internet and social media.<\/p>\n<p>Consider How You Plan To Use It<\/p>\n<p>Taking the time to decide how you want your family to use the smartwatch helps your determine the right features to prioritize. Many families just want a way to track kids\u2014for example when they\u2019re walking home from school, in a carpool or on the bus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are some kids who walk home from school and their parents would feel more comfortable knowing where they are en route, but they don\u2019t want to get them a whole phone,\u201d says Pearlman. \u201cThere are some kids in divorced families where the non-custodial parent at the time would like to be able to reach the child. And in those scenarios I think it works really, really well.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Personally, I found smartwatches great for allowing my older kids a bit more freedom without the issues that come with a smartphone. For example, I felt comfortable letting my fourth and fifth graders walk to town from school (it\u2019s a 5-minute walk) with friends while wearing a watch, and they could call or text me when they were ready to be picked up.<\/p>\n<p>Pearlman notes that today\u2019s generation of kids are growing up without as many basic independent living skills. \u201cWe need to start backing off and letting them walk to the store, letting them go to their friends\u2019 houses, letting them walk to their piano lesson,\u201d she says. \u201cI think the watch actually helps parents say, \u2018OK, you can do it, but at least I\u2019ll know where you are and if there\u2019s an emergency, you can contact me at any time.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Watch Features<\/p>\n<p>Consider whether you are shopping for a mature tween or teen who needs a more full-featured smartwatch or if you\u2019re shopping for a younger \u201cbig kid\u201d who isn\u2019t quite mature enough to handle an Apple Watch. Identify which features you want, such as a texting and calling, a camera, access to the internet, contactless payment, GPS monitoring, certain parental controls, fitness tracking, Bluetooth pairing and games. <\/p>\n<p>Parental Controls <\/p>\n<p>Before purchasing a kids smartwatch, consider whether or not you as the caregiver are ready to supervise your child\u2019s use of the watch and whether or not you\u2019re capable of putting good practices in place, including parental controls. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmartwatches for kids have a lot of safety features. But to be quite honest, not every parent is amazing at implementing those safety features,\u201d Pearlman says. So it\u2019s important to ask: \u201cAre the parents ready to do the education? Are the parents ready to do the supervision?\u201d If the answer is yes, select the watch that is easiest for you to manage.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cParents have to first pick the right watch for their kid,\u201d Pearlman advises. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to get the most simple watch or a more advanced watch if you\u2019re ready to teach the features and you\u2019re ready to supervise.\u201d All the smartwatches I included in this guide offer robust parental controls that I found manageable to implement as a working mom with three kids. <\/p>\n<p>Why Trust Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n<p>We care deeply about testing consumer tech in real-life settings to ensure our picks improve or support our readers\u2019 busy lives and don\u2019t create more challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Our Expert<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thefamilycoach.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/thefamilycoach.com\/\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|thefamilycoach.com|none|none|Catherine Pearlman|none\" aria-label=\"Catherine Pearlman\">Catherine Pearlman<\/a> is the author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/First-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette\/dp\/0593538331\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/First-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette\/dp\/0593538331\/\/?tag=2024610-h63zinpdqq-20&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;ref=as_li_ss_tl\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|amazon.com|none|none|First Phone|none\" aria-label=\"First Phone\" data-aps-asin=\"0593538331\" data-aps-asc-tag=\"2024610-h63zinpdqq-20\" data-bttn-link=\"https:\/\/midas.forbes.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.bttn.io%2F%3Fbtn_ref%3Dorg-573936ce4fb26a96%26btn_url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252FFirst-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette%252Fdp%252F0593538331%252F%253Ftag%253D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%2526linkCode%253Dll1%2526ref%253Das_li_ss_tl&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FFirst-Phone-Digital-Responsibility-Etiquette%2Fdp%2F0593538331%2F%2F%3Ftag%3D2024610-h63zinpdqq-20%26linkCode%3Dll1%26ref%3Das_li_ss_tl\">First Phone<\/a> and a licensed social worker who works with families on setting screen time limits and introducing smartphones or smartwatches. She shared top tips for choosing a smartwatch for your family, as well as when and how to know if your child is ready.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/p>\n<p>Should A 9-Year-Old Have A Smartwatch?<\/p>\n<p>This is a good age to introduce a smartwatch\u2014in general\u2014but it really depends on the child\u2019s readiness and maturity and the parent\u2019s readiness to manage new tech in the house, says Pearlman.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s good to take the time to assess if this is the right time for your particular kid,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd every kid is different, even in the same family.\u201d Pearlman suggests that kids between the ages of 9 and 11 might be most likely to be ready and mature enough to wear a smartwatch.<\/p>\n<p>What Is The Best Age For Kids Smartwatch?<\/p>\n<p>Pearlman says the best age for a kids smartwatch is going to be between the ages of 9 and 11, depending on the child.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Of course, it\u2019s a big parenting moment when you hand your child their first smartwatch or phone, especially these days given the ongoing debate over children\u2019s screen time limits and the use of these devices in schools. My kids\u2019 school district in New Jersey has banned both phones and smartwatches in the classroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Pearlman says it may be beneficial to introduce a smartwatch or phone when your child is still young enough that they\u2019ll actually follow your rules. She says 9, 10 or 11 is a good age for a watch. \u201cBecause kids are very open to their parents\u2019 supervision at that age and the education. By 14, they are done with their parents\u2019 education.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat I\u2019ve learned from speaking to hundreds of elementary school kids is they\u2019re way more exposed than their parents realize. They\u2019re very involved online: They\u2019re connecting with people who are strangers. They\u2019re being cyber bullied; they\u2019re paying for things and they\u2019re downloading things. This is in fourth grade,\u201d says Pearlman. \u201cSo I think if we \u2018wait until eighth\u2019 or age 14 to get a phone, we\u2019re also skipping all of that training and we\u2019re basically just leaving our kids uneducated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Can A Kid Have A Smartwatch Without A Phone?<\/p>\n<p>Yes, the kids smartwatches reviewed here allow kids to place calls, receive and send text messages and otherwise communicate with others without the use of a phone. These smartwatches come with their own SIM card and phone number and typically require that a parent add a line to an existing family phone plan or open a new one for their child and pay an additional monthly fee.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We specifically recommend the Apple Watch SE with cellular in this guide, so that kids gain a full-featured smartwatch without the addition of a phone. Their grown-up can manage their smartwatch via their own iPhone and Apple Watch app settings.<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"affiliate-link affiliate-active\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-8842431-11557999?sid=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizon.com%2Fconnected-smartwatches%2Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%2F\" affiliate-data=\"{&quot;affiliateLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.jdoqocy.com\/click-8842431-11557999?sid=678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizon.com%2Fconnected-smartwatches%2Fverizon-gizmo-watch-4%2F&quot;,&quot;purchaseLink&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/connected-smartwatches\/verizon-gizmo-watch-4\/&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:&quot;678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352&quot;,&quot;isCoupons&quot;:false,&quot;revAttribution&quot;:&quot;editorial&quot;}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalFAQTextLink:678698ec7bbe3e0b836bd352|finds|jdoqocy.com|none|none|Verizon Gizmo Watch 4|none\" aria-label=\"Verizon Gizmo Watch 4\">Verizon Gizmo Watch 4<\/a> is our top pick for the best kids smartwatch overall, so we think it\u2019s good. It has calling, texting, GPS tracking, school mode for downtime, a camera, video calling, a step counter and more features\u2014all without giving kids access to the internet or a full-featured smartphone.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Its operation isn\u2019t going to feel as smooth as an adult smartwatch, but it has many easy-to-access parental controls and features right in the app, plus everything a kid needs to flex a bit more independence.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As a mom to three kids ages 8 to 13, I know that giving a smartwatch to a&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1177631,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3160],"tags":[1685,53,16,15],"class_list":["post-1177630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-gadgets","tag-gadgets","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/117185813544327865","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1177630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1177630"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1177630\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1177631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1177630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1177630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1177630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}