Best Smartwatches and Trackers for Parents to Keep Track of Their Kids

Gizmo Watch 3 – Adventure

The Gizmo Watch 3 – Adventure is a well‑priced, parent‑controlled smartwatch tailored for kids who are ready to send texts, use maps and play simple games, all without the distractions of a camera or full app access. It’s especially appealing to families using Verizon, thanks to its ease of setup and durable build. 

Pros: Impressive durability, with an ultra-tough screen and reinforced edges. It also has a long battery life (up to three to four days on a single charge), and the full keyboard and voice-to-text options make messaging easy. It includes GPS tracking and customizable safe zones, and it gives parents the ability to manage contacts and settings.

Cons: This model doesn’t include a camera or support video calls. It also caps the contact lists at 20 approved people, which could be limiting for larger families or socially active kids. The lack of Wi-Fi means it relies entirely on a cellular plan.

Pinwheel Watch

The Pinwheel Watch (for ages 7–14) is a stand-alone smartwatch that operates independently (no phone required). It’s a safe alternative to smartphones for kids that gives parents robust oversight via Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal. Designed with a sleek, Apple Watch-style, it includes GPS tracking, front and rear cameras (which can be disabled), voice‑to‑text messaging and unlimited SMS/MMS and calls only within parent-approved contacts (10 total). 

This summer, Pinwheel launched the parent-monitored PinwheelGPT app on each device. Similar to ChatGPT, it allows kids to safely explore the newest technology available. The watch is designed to grow with kids; parents can adjust tracking and watch-use limits as children gain more responsibility and independence with age. Special pricing through Aug. 8 ($99 with subscription purchase) helps parents keep their back-to-school budget goals, too.

Pros: One of its biggest pros is the Caregiver Portal, which gives parents full control over contacts, app access, screen time and communication. The design is sleek and modern, with colorful, interchangeable bands and a durable build that looks more like a grown-up smartwatch than a toy.

Cons: Some families might find the setup process a bit more involved compared to other “plug-and-play” kids smartwatches. And while the app selection is thoughtfully limited, older kids who are expecting games or entertainment features may be disappointed.

Gabb Watch 3e

This watch has all the basic features without a lot of bells and whistles. It offers reliable GPS tracking, unlimited talk and text (with a voice texting feature and 15 preset texts to choose from), up to 100 parent-managed contacts, an SOS/emergency button, parent-controlled lock mode (to limited distractions during school), a step counter and six themes to choose from, designed to appeal to kids of various ages. It does not have internet or social media. 

This is a stand-alone device with its own phone number. You can choose a variety of plans, some with a contract, some without.

Pros: This has a simple design, easy for kids to navigate and is water and sweat resistant. Kids can get a virtual pet with the Gabb Go app and earn coins by taking care of it, hitting their step count goals and crossing items off their to-do list. Coins can be used to unlock new pets and more. 

Cons: The watch only comes in two colors, which are very similar (gray and silver), but there are a variety of wristbands to choose from. There is no camera. 

Garmin Bounce

This watch comes in three colors (Green Burst, Black Camo and Lilac Flora) and is durable and swim-friendly. Great for active kids on the go, it comes with all the features you’re looking for in a smartwatch for kids: calling and texting, location tracking, parent-controlled contacts and activity tracking. This watch also has a kid-friendly weather display, a stopwatch and alarms. Parents can lock the watch by using the Garmin Jr. app on their phone to block distractions during school hours or at night. 

Using the Garmin Jr. app you can assign parents or guardians full permission to contact, locate or manage your child’s Bounce. You can choose between a monthly or annual subscription plan.   

Pros: This watch has lots of additional features beyond tracking and communication. There are games the child can play during parent-approved times, including math flash games. Parents can assign chores and tasks from the Garmin Jr. app, and kids can collect virtual coins when the request is completed. Parents can also set schedule alerts on the smartwatch with an icon that will pop up and show the child what needs to be done. 

Toe-to-Toe challenges allow parents and kids to compete in timed step competitions or multifamily weekly step challenges. If your child has a phone, you can give them limited access to the Garmin Jr. app and allow them to monitor and check off their own chores and view their accomplishments. 

Cons: This smartwatch has a lot of features and might be too distracting or complex for the youngest users. 

TickTalk 4 

Editor’s note: This watch is sold out as of July 2025. Check the website for updates and current information. 

With secure messaging to parent-approved contacts, a GPS tracker and a base for charging, the TickTalk 4 is a rugged, high-end kids smartwatch option with tons of features. The watch includes music streaming, an activity tracker and games. It works with the AT&T and T-Mobile networks.

Pros: Good durability, SIM card included, emergency SOS, free music streaming, can take photos and videos, HD video calling, Wi-Fi connection, option to block strangers, very responsive customer service.

Cons: Some families report that battery life doesn’t last longer than eight hours and that the tracking feature isn’t always accurate. It’s bulky and can only be charged with the TickTalk base.

Bark Watch

The Bark Watch is a safety-focused smartwatch for kids ages 7–11, designed as a stand-alone device that includes its own phone number, calling, texting, GPS tracking, camera and emergency SOS features, all backed by the award-winning Bark Premium parental-control system. With no internet browsing, games or app store access, it keeps digital distractions at bay while giving parents powerful oversight through real‑time alerts, contact management, screen time limits and content monitoring across messages and photos. Its rugged IP68 water-resistant design, customizable watch faces and lightweight build mean it’s practical for active kids, and it arrives with a Bark Premium subscription included.

Pros: With Bark Premium service, every text, photo and video is automatically screened by Bark’s AI for bullying, content issues or dangerous signals, with instant notifications sent to parents. Parents can approve anyone their child communicates with, check their real‑time location, and set up arrival/departure alerts or an SOS button for emergencies. 

Cons: On the downside, battery life can be underwhelming and reviewers report needing to charge it daily, even with light usage. Some teens and tweens may find the case a bit bulky. Setup challenges have also been noted, including a tiny keyboard that lacks voice-to-text, and a touchscreen interface that some users find unintuitive or finicky. Additionally, it does not support Wi‑Fi calling or texting, requiring cellular coverage at all times.

Cosmo JrTrack 2

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, game-free, GPS-tracking smartwatch for your child, the Cosmo JrTrack 2 might fit the bill. With a simple touch screen, kids can take photos and send messages while geo-fencing keeps them from leaving designated safe zones. It comes with a pre-installed SIM card that operates on the Cosmic Mobile network, which operates across multiple major network towers like AT&T and U.S. Cellular.  

Pros: Relatively simple compared to other watches that have more bells and whistles; game free; and no social media, adult content or internet browsing. The brand claims a net-zero plastic footprint by partnering with rePurpose Global.

Cons: Not as many features as some other watches, magnetic, nonstandard charging cable, users report that only pre-set text messages can be sent from the phone, can be cumbersome to set up, tracking can sometimes be spotty.

Xplora X6 Play and XGO3

These sleek black, adult-looking X6 Play watches come with colored strap options in pink, gray and blue. The watch works on Wi-Fi or on a cellular network and it comes with a SIM. It features location tracking, safe zones, and school mode, which disables interactive features while in class. The watch has no access to social media and doesn’t allow calls outside of the approved contact list. Plans start as low as $10 and go up from there. 

Pros: More water-resistant than most other kids smartwatches. The screen protector available has a more adult aesthetic than some other kids watches and the watch has a long battery life (72 hours standby or five hours of continuous calling). There are no activation fees and they provide responsive customer support. Kids can earn Xplora “coins” for movement, which can then be spent on tangible items from the GoPlay store

Cons: A kid can deactivate the device through phone settings, and some reports of location accuracy issues.

AngelSense

AngelSense is a no-frills GPS tracker for kids (and adults) with special needs and/or sensory issues. The tracker can be worn around the wrist like a watch, in a belt, a pocket, or a special compression undershirt with an appropriately sized pocket. The device is difficult to remove without the help of a caregiver and allows an unlimited number of guardians to locate a child. It can be used with AT&T or T-Mobile. It includes a speakerphone, an SOS button, immediate alerts for emergencies, and the ability to share your child’s live location with medical personnel or search teams if necessary.

Pros: Sensory-issue friendly designs created by parents of children with special needs, securely attaches to your child with little risk of removal.

Cons: No bells and whistles. This is a straight-up GPS tracker with voice and emergency services. It’s also not inexpensive, with plans ranging from $44 to $64 a month (currently, the devices are free).