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 JrTrack 4 Kids Smart Watch by Cosmo is a well-rounded device tailored for kids aged 6 and above, offering essential features for safety and connectivity. It supports real calling and texting, allowing children to stay in touch with parent-approved contacts. This ensures a secure communication environment without internet or social media access, which is a significant plus for parents concerned about online safety.

The watch includes comprehensive GPS tracking, customizable SafeZone alerts, and location history, providing peace of mind for parents by knowing their child's whereabouts at all times. The SOS and emergency call features add an extra layer of security in case of emergencies. The battery life, with a 680 milliamp hours capacity, is decent for daily use, although it may require daily charging with heavy usage. The device is designed to be durable, fitting the active lifestyle of children.

However, the watch is only compatible with COSMO's Mobile Family-Safe service, which limits carrier flexibility but ensures a safe and controlled environment. The addition of Spotify Kids makes it enjoyable for kids, offering age-appropriate music and podcasts. Parental controls are robust, allowing customization and management of apps, time limits, and access, which is ideal for adapting to a child's growing needs. The watch also includes everyday tools like alarms, step counters, and calculators, enhancing its practicality.

Despite its many strengths, the watch's relatively small screen size of 1.4 inches might be a limitation for some users. Additionally, the initial setup might require parental assistance due to the complexity of activating and managing the SIM card and service plans. The JrTrack 4 is a strong choice for parents looking for a safe, versatile smartwatch for their kids, balancing connectivity, safety, and entertainment effectively.