10 Best Kids Smartwatches 2025 in the United States

The Fitbit Google Ace LTE is a well-rounded kids smartwatch that combines safety, fun, and fitness features effectively. It stands out with built-in 4G LTE cellular connectivity and GPS tracking, allowing parents to know their child’s location in real time and enabling kids to make calls and send messages without needing a phone number. The watch supports up to 20 contacts, providing a controlled way for kids to stay connected. Battery life is solid, offering over 16 hours and quick charging that gives 11 hours of use in just 30 minutes, which is convenient for busy families. Durability is another plus—its Gorilla Glass 3 screen and protective bumper case make it resistant to scratches, bumps, and water up to 50 meters deep, so it can handle active kids well.

In terms of educational and activity features, the Fitbit Arcade offers movement-based games that encourage physical activity, and the Noodle activity ring motivates kids by tracking steps and jumps. The School Time mode is helpful for parents to limit gameplay during class hours while still allowing essential communication, supporting focus without fully disconnecting kids. Parental controls require a Google account and the Fitbit Ace app, which might be a bit complex for some, but they give good oversight. One unique feature is Tap to Pay, allowing kids to pay with their watch if linked to a supported debit card, which can be handy but needs careful monitoring.

The watch’s design is comfortable and kid-friendly with a 1.6-inch touchscreen and lightweight build. However, messaging between kids is restricted, which some may see as a limitation for social interaction. This smartwatch is well-suited for parents looking to balance safety, communication, activity encouragement, and controlled digital interaction for their children.

The Garmin Bounce is a kids smartwatch that combines safety features with fun and easy communication. It has built-in GPS tracking, allowing parents to see their child’s real-time location and set safe zones, which is great for peace of mind. The watch supports two-way text and voice messaging through the Garmin Jr. app, making it simple for kids and parents to stay connected without needing a phone. Its design is durable and swim-friendly, so it can handle active play, and the bright 1.3-inch touchscreen is easy for kids to use.

Battery life lasts up to 2 days, but heavy use of location tracking and messaging may drain it faster. The watch requires an active subscription with LTE connectivity to access most features, which is something to consider as an ongoing cost. While it does include useful parental controls and an assistance button for emergencies, it doesn't highlight many educational features that some parents might look for.

Its lightweight, comfortable design suits kids well, but since it’s designed more for communication and location tracking, families wanting extra learning apps might find it limited. The Garmin Bounce offers a strong option for parents prioritizing safety, communication, and durability in a kids smartwatch, especially for younger children who need a reliable, easy-to-use device.

The Garmin Bounce is a solid kids smartwatch designed to keep children connected and active while offering parents peace of mind. It features built-in GPS tracking that allows real-time location updates and safe zone notifications, which is great for parents wanting to monitor their child’s whereabouts easily. Communication options include two-way text and voice messaging via a smartphone app, making it simple to stay in touch. The watch has a durable, swim-friendly design with a bright 1.3-inch touchscreen, suitable for active kids. Battery life lasts up to 2 days, which is decent but may require more frequent charging if the LTE connection is heavily used.

Parental controls are robust, allowing boundary settings and an emergency Assistance feature, which is helpful for quick alerts. One downside is the need for an active subscription and LTE connectivity to access many core features, which might mean ongoing costs and reliance on network coverage. The Garmin Bounce doesn’t emphasize educational features, so it’s more about communication and safety than learning. Comfort-wise, it’s lightweight and designed for kids, but some may find the square shape less fashionable compared to other options.

This smartwatch is well-suited for parents who prioritize reliable tracking and communication in a durable, easy-to-use device for their children.