10 Best Kids Smartwatches 2026 in the United States

The Fitbit Google Ace LTE is a well-rounded kids smartwatch that combines fitness tracking with communication and safety features. Its built-in 4G LTE and GPS make it easy for parents to know their child's location at all times, which is a big plus for peace of mind. The watch supports calls and messages with up to 20 approved contacts, allowing children to stay connected without needing a phone number, which is convenient and safer for younger users.

Battery life is solid, offering over 16 hours per charge and the option for a quick 30-minute fast charge that provides up to 11 hours of use, so it can easily last through a busy day. The device is designed with durability in mind, featuring Gorilla Glass 3 and a protective bumper case, plus water resistance up to 50 meters, making it tough enough to handle everyday play and accidental bumps. Educationally, it encourages physical activity through fun, movement-based games in the Fitbit Arcade and motivates kids with progress rings that celebrate reaching activity goals.

The School Time feature lets parents limit game distractions during school hours while still allowing essential communication, helping kids focus when needed. Comfort-wise, the watch is lightweight and comes with one-size band options in appealing designs. On the downside, messaging is restricted to contacts aged 13 and above, which might limit communication flexibility for younger kids. Also, the watch requires a Fitbit Ace Pass data plan, which means ongoing costs beyond the initial purchase. This smartwatch is ideal for active kids whose parents want a mix of safety, fitness encouragement, and controlled communication, all packed into a durable and engaging device.

The Garmin Bounce is a solid choice for parents looking for a kids' smartwatch that combines safety and communication features. It includes built-in GPS tracking, allowing you to see your child's location in real time and set safe zones with notifications if they leave those areas. The two-way text and voice messaging lets you stay connected easily through the Garmin Jr. app, providing peace of mind. The watch is designed to be durable and swim-friendly, which is great for active kids, and its bright color touchscreen is both fun and easy to use. Battery life can last up to 2 days, but heavy use of GPS and LTE features will drain it faster, so daily charging might be necessary.

One thing to note is the requirement of an active subscription and LTE connectivity to access most tracking and messaging features, which adds ongoing costs. The watch’s size and lightweight design make it comfortable for kids to wear throughout the day. Parental controls are integrated through the app, helping you manage contacts and monitor usage. While it's not the cheapest option, Garmin Bounce offers a good balance of features for families who prioritize safety, communication, and durability in a kids' smartwatch.

The Garmin Bounce 2 is a solid choice for a kids smartwatch, especially for parents who want reliable GPS tracking and easy communication options. Its real-time location tracking with geofencing alerts helps parents stay informed about their child’s whereabouts, which is a key safety feature. Two-way calling, voice messaging, and text messaging are all included, allowing straightforward contact between parents and kids, though these features need an active LTE subscription. The watch offers up to 2 days of battery life, which is decent but may require frequent charging if GPS and messaging are used heavily.

The watch is lightweight and has a comfortable 1.2-inch touchscreen display with a durable build designed to handle kids’ active lifestyles. Parental controls through the Garmin Jr. app are well thought out, letting parents assign tasks, monitor activity and sleep, and even lock the watch during school hours to minimize distractions. Educational and fitness features like sports tracking and behavioral rewards add extra value. One downside is that some features depend on external subscriptions, which adds ongoing costs. Also, while the watch supports music playback, it requires additional subscriptions and compatible headphones.

In summary, the Garmin Bounce 2 blends safety, communication, and some fun learning and fitness tools, making it a good fit for parents wanting a versatile, easy-to-use smartwatch for their child.