8 Best Smart Watch With Texting For Kids 2025 in the United States

The TickTalk 5 is a well-rounded kids' smartwatch designed for children aged 3-12, offering extensive texting and calling features, including HD voice and video calls over 4G LTE, WiFi, or cellular data. Its texting capabilities are strong with secure, encrypted messaging options like talk-to-text, voice recordings, emojis, and group chats, making communication easy and fun for kids and reassuring for parents. GPS tracking is precise thanks to Google Maps combined with AI-powered SmartPin location correction, which improves accuracy even indoors. This feature also supports emergency SOS calls with instant location alerts to parents. Battery life is a standout with up to 100+ hours of standby, ensuring it stays connected through busy days without frequent charging. The watch is built tough with IP67 water resistance and shock and dustproof design, suitable for active kids. Parental controls are very comprehensive, letting caregivers manage contacts, block unknown calls, set reminders, enable school mode, and monitor usage through a dedicated app.

Ease of use is enhanced by a responsive 1.52-inch touchscreen and a simple interface with helpful apps like calculator and calendar, but the lack of games and social media may appeal to parents wanting minimal distractions. Compatibility is broad, supporting both iOS (16+) and Android (6.0+) devices, which covers most modern smartphones. While the watch offers many features, the 8 GB memory and 1 GB RAM are modest, which is typical for kids' smartwatches but might limit app performance or storage for music and photos over time. Also, the watch is priced in a mid-to-high range and requires a cellular plan for full functionality, which could be a consideration for some families. TickTalk 5 is an excellent choice for parents seeking a feature-rich, safe, and durable smartwatch that encourages communication and location safety without the distractions of games or social media.

The Garmin Bounce is a well-rounded kids’ smartwatch designed to keep children connected and parents reassured. It offers two-way texting and voice messaging through an easy-to-use app, making communication simple and fun. Built-in GPS allows real-time location tracking, with notifications when kids enter or leave set boundaries, which adds a useful safety layer. The watch is durable and swim-friendly, suitable for active kids, and its bright 1.3-inch touchscreen is clear and responsive.

Battery life lasts up to two days, though heavy use of connected features will drain it faster, so daily charging might be needed. Parental controls are strong, letting caregivers manage contacts and receive location updates through the Garmin Jr. app, but an active subscription and LTE connectivity are required, which is an extra cost and depends on good network coverage. The watch is lightweight and comfortable, but its Garmin OS limits compatibility mostly to smartphones supporting the Garmin Jr. app.

This smartwatch successfully balances safety features and ease of use, making it a reliable choice for parents wanting a durable, interactive smartwatch for their kids with secure texting and tracking features.

The 4G Kids Smart Watch GPS Tracker is designed to offer a comprehensive communication and safety tool for children. With texting capabilities, it allows kids to send and receive text and voice messages, as well as make video calls. This ensures that children can stay in touch with family members easily. The GPS tracking feature is robust, combining GPS, WiFi, and LBS to provide accurate location data, which parents can access via their smartphones. The SOS function further enhances safety, allowing children to alert parents quickly in emergencies. Additionally, the Geo-Fence option lets parents set safety zones around key locations such as home and school, providing peace of mind regarding children’s whereabouts.

The watch comes with parental controls, including a Class Mode that restricts use during school hours, and a Stranger Rejection feature to block unknown contacts, which helps children focus on their studies and avoid distractions. It also includes a pedometer and 7 puzzle games, promoting physical activity and learning. The battery life is decent for a kids' smartwatch, powered by a lithium polymer battery. Durability is satisfactory, designed to withstand regular wear and tear, though parents should note it contains small parts which may pose a choking hazard for younger children. Ease of use is highlighted by a touch screen interface and straightforward app connectivity.

On the downside, it requires a separately purchased Nano-SIM card for cellular functions, and it is only compatible with North and South American countries. Despite these limitations, this smartwatch can be a helpful tool for parents seeking to balance connectivity and safety for their children.