It is always scary for a parent to allow the child to go out on their own with little to no supervision. This is where a kids tracking watch can come in handy, it’s like having your child on a leash but with more liberty.
These watch models are not your traditional timepieces but come with GPS, an Emergency SOS option, and even bidirectional talk.
This guide will briefly discuss some of the best available products in the market and guide you on the best type of watch that will help in tracking the location of your child.
What to look for in a GPS tracking watch for kids?
Children are active learners since they have inherent curiosity and are always eager to discover the world around them. However, for parents, this newfound independence is a source of concern.
Fortunately, smartwatches with GPS tracking capabilities are a great way to keep your child safe while at the same time teaching them personal responsibility.
But the problem here is that there are a number of watches available in the market and, therefore, choosing the right one calls for some thought.
A breakdown of key features
Real-time GPS tracking. This is the fundamental functionality of the device since it enables the tracking of your child’s location via an application. Select watches that update regularly and accurately for the best results.
Geofencing. Encourage parental control where kids can be restricted to safe digital zones, such as home or school. It will notify you if your child moves out of these areas.
Two-way communication. Answer and place calls directly from the watch, creating an air of both safety and closeness for both you and your little one.
SOS button. An important factor in emergencies. Activating the SOS button typically generates a signal with information about the child’s whereabouts to specific numbers on the contact list.
Battery life. Children are playful! Ensure you opt for a watch that has a battery that lasts for a full day or more, to minimize charging intervals.
Durability. These watches will be on little wrists that are always on the go! Think about a wristwatch that has a water-resistant construction and a firm screen that is not easily scratched.
Compatibility. Make sure the watch connects with the smartphone’s operating system, iOS or Android, for app synchronization.
Age. Some characteristics and capabilities may be specific to the range of ages of the audience that the watch targets. Parents may want a simpler watch for young children, but features such as texting or games may be useful or desired for older children.
Quick overview: What is the best GPS-tracking watch for kids?
As for the GPS-tracking watches for kids, there are several models that parents can select to provide their child with the necessary level of protection.
Here’s a comparison of some popular models to help you make an informed decision:
| Feature | T-Mobile SyncUp Watch | Lil Tracker 4G | Apple Watch SE | Gabb Watch 3 | JrTrack 3 Kids Smart Watch | Gizmo Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Geofencing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two-Way Calling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (limited contacts) | Yes |
| SOS Button | Yes | Yes | Yes (through phone app) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Text Messaging | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Price (USD) | $179.99 | $59.99 | $52.95 | $149.99 | $89.99 | $79.16 |
| Monthly Subscription | Required | Required (optional plans) | Required (cellular plan) | Required | Required | Required |
| Max Battery Life | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | Up to 48 hours (LTE) | Up to 48 hours | Up to 72 hours | Up to 48 hours |
| Suitable Age | 5+ Years Old | 4-12 Years Old | 8+ Years Old | 6-12 Years Old | 4-11 Years Old | 4-12 Years Old |
| Weight | 1.4 oz | 1.1 oz | 1.77 oz | 1.4 oz | 1.0 oz | 1.5 oz |
Reviews of the best GPS tracking watch for kids
Now that you have a quick comparison of some popular GPS-tracking watches, let’s delve deeper into three specific options:
T-Mobile SyncUp Watch
The T-Mobile SyncUp Watch is a basic smartwatch for children with advanced features suitable for children aged 5 years and above.
One of its features is GPS tracking which can track your child in real time, so you can always know his or her location.
In addition to this, this watch provides geofencing features and will send an alert if the kid moves out of safe areas.
In terms of performance, the watch allows both voice and video calls to establish clear communication between the parent and child.
T-Mobile SyncUp Watch highlights:
- Safety features: GPS tracking, geographical zones, emergency button, voice and video call
- Smartwatch features: Recording ability, two-way radio capability, watch faces
- Connectivity: It is available only for T-Mobile simcard holders with an active monthly subscription plan.
Lil Tracker 4G
For parents who are looking for an affordable and straightforward GPS tracking device for their child, the Lil Tracker 4G comes highly recommended.
Although it does not have all the fancy features of some smartwatches, the Lil Tracker 4G is perfect for basic safety functionalities.
You can monitor your child’s whereabouts in real-time using GPS tracking, and receive notifications if they leave designated safe zones using geofencing.
The use of two-way calling is relatively simple and a dedicated SOS button is a safety feature in case of an emergency.
Lil Tracker 4G highlights:
- Safety features: GPS tracking in real-time, geolocation areas, alert button, voice communication button
- Simple design: The application has an easily navigable interface, and the design of the headphones is convenient for young users.
- Connectivity: Must connect with an active 4G simcard and an active monthly subscription plan if offered.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE (cellular) offers a great option for technologically inclined and responsible parents for children 8 and over.
This smartwatch for cars goes beyond safety with an impressive set of features on par with those from smartphones.
Integrated GPS helps to track the location in real-time and emergency SOS options enable your child to send the location information to certain contacts on the list.
Although this is not a watch built for children per se, the Apple Watch SE is equipped with various safety features along with its entertainment and communication functions.
Apple Watch SE (Cellular) highlights:
- Safety features: Integrated GPS, Emergency SOS, and Fall Detection features (available when turned on)
- Smartwatch features: Mobile applications, social networks and games, music, health tracking, text message (requires iPhone).
- Connectivity: Needs cellular service activation and an iPhone
Gabb Watch 3
The Gabb Watch 3 is designed to meet the needs of security-minded parents who have children aged six to twelve.
Although it has numerous fun functions, this smartwatch is designed solely for a child and excludes games and internet connectivity.
Live GPS tracking lets you keep track of your child, and boundaries create necessary safe zones that notify you when your child leaves them. It also uses Bluetooth for connectivity.
Unlike most smartwatches, it lacks Internet browsing or social media, thus providing children with a safer and more appropriate environment online.
Gabb Watch 3 main features:
- Safety: Location monitoring, zone notification, emergency button, voice communication (up to 4 numbers).
- Simplicity: No web browsing, limited social media, colorful, simple design, suitable for young children
- Connectivity: To use this device, a Simcard needs to be inserted and one has to subscribe to a monthly plan.
JrTrack 3 Kids Smart Watch
This JrTrack 3 Kids Smart Watch is quite versatile given that it costs significantly less than many similar watches on the market.
Recommended for children aged between 4 and 11, this watch offers location tracking in real-time and geofencing.
The two-way calling feature enables only limited conversation with the contacts that have been approved in advance, while the SOS button is also a lifesaver.
But unlike some other smartwatches, it does not have Bluetooth capabilities or the ability to text.
JrTrack 3 Kids Smart Watch main features:
- Safety: Instant navigation, zone notifications, emergency button, voice, and one-touch communication (select number)
- Additional features: Integrated digital camera, step counter
- Connectivity: Requires a SIM card and monthly subscription plan
Gizmo Watch 3
For parents looking for a GPS tracking device for their children aged between 4 and 12 years, then the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 is a perfect device for you.
As a smartwatch with a focus on safety, this product has real-time GPS tracking and geofencing alert capabilities.
The ability to make and receive calls simultaneously, operational with clearly identified contacts, and Call control with an SOS button is useful in emergency situations.
Although missing some features compared to other smartwatches on the market, the Gizmo Watch 3 offers the necessities of safety features at a good price.
Gizmo Watch 3 main features:
- Safety: Real-time locating, geo-alert, panic button, two-way communication (predefined numbers only).
- Simplicity: Intuitive, clean design, prioritizes basic safety essentials
- Connectivity: Needs a Verizon SIM card and a Verizon monthly service plan
A more practical tracking option for child: FlashGet Kids
As much as GPS tracking watches provide an opportunity to monitor the child’s location they might at times be inconveniencing.
For example, running out of charge for the watch or having limitations in water resistance can leave unwanted gaps in the protection of your child.
This is where FlashGet Kids comes in as a much more encompassing, as well as efficient tool in tracking activities by parents.
While the GPS tracking watch for kids is physical and bulky, FlashGet Kids is a mobile application that adds safety features to your child’s existing smartphone.
This offers several advantages:
- Convenience: No need to deal with yet another device to fix and update. Make use of the device your child has been carrying around.
- Durability: The beauty of it is, that it’s a software solution so never will there be a broken screen or a lost watch.
- Battery life: This is good since you do not have to worry about a separate battery draining. FlashGet Kids does not consume any power of its own; instead, it operates with the phone’s built-in battery.
- Scalability: FlashGet Kids is convenient as you watch it grow with your child. Since communication via phones is dynamic, various aspects of the app can also change with time.
- Cost-effective: As the child grows there may be a need to replace it with a newer model, therefore it is more economical than GPS watches.
In addition to tracking the location of children, FlashGet Kids includes an array of useful services to make your kid safe and protected online.
Main features of FlashGet Kids
Here’s a glimpse into some key functionalities:
Location tracking: Monitor your child’s current location as well as set up alarms for him entering or leaving zones of your choice.
App management: Control and limit the use of the applications, and see to it that your child only tends their time to relevant and constructive apps.
Screen time limits: Maintain proper etiquette for the use of the phone so as to create a balance between the use of the phone and other real-life activities.
Social media monitoring: The tool can monitor activities on different sites for instance filtering out bullying or any obscene content.
Geofencing: Like GPS watches, it has the option of creating safe zones and receiving notifications when the boundaries have been breached.
Activity reports: The progress of the child’s activities on the device can be reported and shared with the parents.
Snapshotting: It also helps you get real-time screenshots of what your children are doing on their phones.
Compared to using a GPS tracking watch to monitor the location of kids, FlashGet Kids is a more feasible and flexible tool.
Since it is based on a smartphone or a tablet your child has, there will be no problem with chargers and there are no limitations in functions.
The assortment of options available for parental control allows for making the digital space safe and responsible for the child while teaching them healthy device usage.
Bottom line
Selecting the best kids tracking watch for a child may be a daunting task; however, being informed is the best approach.
Remember, the best tracking watch is one that works well with your parenting approach and one that is age-appropriate for your child as well as your family.
Whether you opt for a dedicated GPS watch or a more comprehensive solution like FlashGet Kids, the goal remains the same: to provide children with protection while maintaining their independence at the same time.
