There’s a point when kids start to gain their independence. It’s often then that parents want to use technology to keep tabs on their kids remotely, so they know where they are without turning into overbearing helicopter parents.
One way to track your child and communicate with them, without providing them with their own smartphone, is to give them a cellular-enabled smartwatch that’s specifically designed for kids, tweens, or teens. These devices offer GPS tracking and more. There are also stand-alone GPS trackers that can be kept in a pocket, clipped to a belt, or placed within a child’s backpack. These tiny devices typically lack two-way communication capabilities.
This review focuses on your best GPS trackers and smartwatches suitable for young people and that allows a parent to track and communicate with their children whenever it’s necessary.
Pros:
Accurate GPS location tracking
Provides 20+ parental controls
Offers two-way video and voice calling, plus messaging
Durable, with an IP67 waterproof rating
Can generate up to 50 recurring reminders
Cons:
A bit bulky for smaller wrists
We chose the TickTalk 4 as the best overall GPS tracker for kids because it’s designed to be waterproof and durable. It also offers features not found in competing products, including two integrated 5MP cameras which allow for video calling and the taking and sharing of photos. Voice calling (with up to 53 pre-approved contacts) and text messaging are also possible.
For text messaging, the watch utilizes a simple talk-to-text feature, preset responses, or permits a child to send voice recordings. The “do not disturb” feature can be set up to activate during school hours and starting at bedtime.
This is also the only smartwatch for kids that offers free music streaming through iHeartRadio Family, so only age-appropriate music can be accessed. We also like this smartwatch because it offers more than 20 parental controls and tracking accuracy within 10 feet. For the child, basic activity tracking and step counting is included. This encourages more movement throughout the day.
Specifications:
- Design: Smartwatch for kids (ages 6 to 12)
- Battery Life: Up to 60 hours
- Real-Time Tracking: Yes
- Geo-Fencing: No
- Cellular Calling: Yes
- Text Messaging: Yes
- SOS Button: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS or Android
- Waterproof Rating: IP67
- Subscription Plan: $10/month (unlimited service with no contract required)
Pros:
Compact design
Real-time GPS tracking
Maintains a timeline of movement and location history
Customizable geo-fencing
Cons:
No two-way calling or text messaging
Easier for a child to lose (compared to a smartwatch)
This is a compact, stand-alone GPS tracker that can be worn by a child or kept in a backpack, for example. A variety of secure attachment options are available. The tracker allows for real-time tracking, and geo-fencing (with alerts), and offers an SOS Emergency button that calls 9-1-1.
The Jiobit Smart Tag also stores a comprehensive location history for up to 30 days. The tracker can be set up so both parents or multiple caregivers can use their respective phones to track a child’s location. The unit itself weighs just 0.63 pounds.
Specifications:
- Design: Stand-alone GPS tracker
- Battery Life: 7 to 30 days (depending on usage)
- Real-Time Tracking: Yes
- Geo-Fencing: Yes
- Cellular Calling: No
- Text Messaging: No
- SOS Button: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Waterproof Rating: Yes
- Subscription Plan: As low as $8.33/month with 1-year pre-paid, or $17/month when billed monthly
Pros:
Designed for kids with special needs or autism
Real-time tracking via a smartphone or computer
Can be worn on a wrist, on a belt, or around the neck
Parents can see locations visited and routes followed
Auto-pickup feature for voice communication
Cons:
Two-way voice communication is limited
No text messaging
This compact GPS tracker can be used by a parent to track any young child, but the majority of AngelSense’s customers are parents of children with special needs or autism.
The tracker itself measures just 1.87 x 1.39 x 0.66 inches and weighs a mere 1.6 ounces. Among its features is safe ride monitoring that will alert a parent or caregiver if a school bus or public transportation is delayed and what the child’s ETA will be. Parents can also immediately locate a child via their smartphone.
While the child has access to an SOS Emergency button, if a parent wants to communicate with the child, basic two-way, speakerphone-like capabilities are offered with an auto-answer feature.
Specifications:
- Design: Stand-alone GPS tracker
- Battery Life: Up to 16 hours
- Real-Time Tracking: Yes
- Geo-Fencing: Yes
- Cellular Calling: Limited two-way voice communication
- Text Messaging: No
- SOS Button: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Waterproof Rating: Yes
- Subscription Plan: $45/month to $64/month
- Price: Free with a paid service subscription
Pros:
1.3-inch color touchscreen display
Offers reminders to do chores and homework
Using virtual fitness cards, kids learn basic exercises
Real-time location tracking via a parent’s smartphone
Cons:
No cellular calling capabilities, just voice or text messaging
Limits pre-approved contacts to 20 people
When Garmin set its sights on developing a smartwatch for kids, it put emphasis on real-time tracking and kid-friendly fitness-tracking features. While the Bounce doesn't offer cellular calling, it does allow parents, the wearer, and up to 20 pre-approved contacts to communicate using text messages and voice messages.
Kids can also virtually check in with a parent and provide their location or use the Assistance feature to summon help in an emergency. As a fitness tracker, it can track walks, runs, and bike activities. The watch also offers step challenges and a few basic games, like Tic-Tac-Toe. The watch’s simplicity and more limited functionality, combined with plenty of animated graphics on the display, make it suitable for younger kids.
Specifications:
- Design: Smartwatch for kids
- Battery Life: Up to 2 days
- Real-Time Tracking: Yes
- Geo-Fencing: Yes
- Cellular Calling: No
- Text Messaging: Yes (voice and text messaging)
- SOS Button: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Waterproof Rating: 5 ATM
- Subscription Plan: $10/month for unlimited service (or $100/year)
Pros:
Calling and text messaging with pre-approved contacts
Offers parents real-time location tracking
1.52-inch color display
Integrated 5MP camera
Encourages kids to be active
Cons:
Lacks games
No additional apps can be installed
Colored watch bands and housing frames are sold separately
While this smartwatch is also specifically designed for kids, it integrates a bit more functionality that’s most suitable for slightly older users between the ages of 8 and 11. In addition to parents being able to track their child in real-time using their smartphone, the Xplora X6 Play offers cellular calling and text messaging with pre-approved contacts, an SOS Emergency button, a step counter, stopwatch, alarm, and a built-in 5MP resolution camera for taking and sharing photos.
While the watch offers a child the ability to communicate, it blocks incoming calls from unknown people, prevents calls to people who aren't pre-approved contacts, and blocks access to the Internet and social media. We like this device’s design because kids will feel empowered with access to basic communication and smartwatch functionality from a smartwatch that’s waterproof and durable.
Specifications:
- Design: Smartwatch for kids
- Battery Life: Up to 72 hours
- Real-Time Tracking: Yes
- Geo-Fencing: Yes
- Cellular Calling: Yes
- Text Messaging: Yes
- SOS Button: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Waterproof Rating: IP68
- Subscription Plan: $10/month to $14/month (depending on subscription length)
Pros:
Offers calling, texting, and real-time tracking
Integrated SOS Emergency button
Converts speech into outgoing text messages
Bands are available in multiple colors, themes, and styles
Kids can manage to-do lists and get reminders
Cons:
Comes with a charging cable, but a wireless charging dock is sold separately
No integrated camera
In addition to being a communications tool that allows parents to track their child’s location from a smartphone, the Gabb Watch 3 integrates several productivity apps and an interactive digital pet that teaches kids about responsibility. There’s also an integrated step counter that rewards kids for being active.
By meeting step goals or completing tasks on the watch’s to-do list, kids earn virtual coins that allow them to unlock new virtual pets, as well as pet-related actions. This watch is best suited to kids between the ages of eight and 11.
Kids can communicate with up to 100 pre-approved contacts. The geo-facing feature automatically notifies parents when a child arrives at or leaves specific locations like school, home, or a frequently visited friend’s house. This feature provides a less intrusive way to keep tabs on a child’s whereabouts.
Specifications:
- Design: Smartwatch for kids
- Battery Life: Up to 48 hours, based on usage
- Real-Time Tracking: Yes
- Geo-Fencing: Yes
- Cellular Calling: Yes
- Text Messaging: Yes
- SOS Button: Yes
- Compatibility: iOS or Android
- Waterproof Rating: IP68
- Subscription Plan: $13/month to $18/month (depending on subscription length)
The Bottom Line
Our top choice, the TickTalk 4, is waterproof, durable, and even has two cameras for video calls and photo sharing. You can also use it for voice calling. With this great feature set, we think it's the best GPS tracker for kids available today. That said, others on this list may suit you better, so do your research and find the one that meets your needs.
a GPS Tracker for a Child
Tracker Design: Choose between a stand-alone GPS tracker, a smartwatch designed specifically for kids, or a full-featured smartwatch with GPS + cellular capabilities.
“A GPS tracker for a child primarily provides parents with the real-time location of their child, ensuring their safety and whereabouts are always known,” says Sulán. "These devices come in various forms, such as standalone trackers, and smartwatches with tracking capabilities."
SOS Button: Most GPS trackers offer a special button that immediately dials 9-1-1 and/or calls the emergency contacts pre-programmed into the device.
Geo-Fencing Feature: This allows a parent to choose specific locations, such as home, school, or an afterschool activity, and then have the watch automatically send a message to their smartphone anytime the child arrives at or leaves any of these locations.
“Utilize geofencing to create safe zones, such as home, school, or a friend's house,” says Sultán. "You can receive alerts when your child enters or leaves these areas, enhancing their safety without constant monitoring."
Calling and Texting Capabilities: Most smartwatches can make and receive calls and send and receive text messages. Smartwatches for kids limit who the child can communicate with.
Battery Life: Most GPS trackers and smartwatches need to be recharged at the end of the day. Determine what the battery life of the device is, and make sure to get into the habit of keeping it charged.
Durability and Waterproof Rating: Any smartwatch that a child wears should be waterproof and durable. It should also include a band that properly fits your child’s wrist and that stays firmly in place.
Ease of Use: Choose a device that’s easy for a parent or young child to set up and monitor. This includes a simple interface for activating and monitoring the device’s parental controls.
Parental Controls: These settings can prevent a child from using specific smartwatch features at various times of day, accessing inappropriate content, or freely communicating with potential strangers. Parents need to determine what controls and monitoring features are available and become proficient in using them.
Additional Features: Consider the attentional functionality a GPS tracker may offer, such as the ability to stream music, fitness tracking features, geo-fencing, or built-in games. Some GPS smartwatches also have access to an app store that allows for third-party apps to be downloaded and used.
Compatibility: A child's GPS tracker must be paired and managed from the parent’s smartphone, so make sure it's compatible with your mobile device.
Tracker Price: This is the one-time fee you’ll pay for the tracking device or smartwatch equipment and the SIM card that’s required to connect to a cellular service provider.
Monthly Subscription: This will cost anywhere from $10 to $30 per month, depending on the product it’s being used with and the cellular service provider used.
Our contributor, Jason R. Rich, conducted extensive research and did some hands-on testing to pinpoint the best GPS trackers and smartwatches for kids. He considered things like their price, functionality, ease of use, communications capabilities, parental controls, and what set each unit apart from the competition.
Jason also conducted in-depth interviews with several child development experts, including Niloufar Esmaeilpour, a licensed therapist with Lotus Therapy & Counseling Center, and Dr. Ryan Sultán, a board-certified child psychiatrist and professor at Columbia University.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?
Jason R. Rich is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years of experience as a writer, journalist, and photographer. In addition to the U.S. News 360 Reviews website, his articles and in-depth product reviews continue to appear on CBS Essentials, Forbes Vetted, and within AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.
GPS Trackers for Kids
Most parents use a GPS tracker for their child purely for peace of mind. The reason to provide a child with a smartwatch is for its tracking capabilities, as well as its two-way communication features.
Many parents of older children often provide their children with a full-featured smartwatch (as opposed to one designed specifically for kids). This offers the person wearing the watch a more robust set of functions that’s closer to what a smartphone would offer. However, when the watch is paired with the parent’s phone, that adult maintains control over what the watch can be used for and what types of content can be accessed.
Yes, GPS trackers are safe for kids. GPS trackers use much of the same technology that is in cell phones. Features like Bluetooth, cellular signals, and, of course, GPS locating, are the primary technologies used in GPS trackers, all of which will not cause health problems.
A GPS tracker or smartwatch for kids will typically cost between $100 and $300, and the service plan will be an additional $10 to $30 per month.
Any device that collects, transmits, stores, and potentially shares personal data inherently has potential security risks. To minimize the threat, set up a GPS tracker or smartwatch account with a secure password and purchase a tracker from a company with a published security and privacy plan in place.
In addition, when you provide your child with the means to communicate via cellular calling or text messaging, teach them to be responsible. This means to avoid communicating with strangers and never to reveal personal information about themselves, their school, or their whereabouts – even to people they consider “online friends” whom they’ve never met in person.
This depends on the capabilities of the tracker and the age of your child. At the very least, if the tracker offers two-way communication, create a list of pre-approved contacts and activate controls to prevent incoming or outgoing communications from other people, including strangers.
If the tracker allows for music to be streamed, activate a filter that prevents music with explicit lyrics from being accessed. If the tracker offers Internet access, set content filters. You also might want to block the ability to purchase and install new apps.
With many trackers, you can also determine when a child can use specific features. For example, many GPS smartwatches allow you to lock features during school hours or when the child is supposed to be doing homework or sleeping. Any SOS function will always remain active, and you'll always be able to track your child's location.