Parenting is a wild juggling act, right? Between chasing kids, remembering appointments, and picking up forgotten lunchboxes, we’re always looking for backup. Smartwatches feel like tiny personal assistants strapped to our wrists—buzzing reminders before the school bell rings and flagging texts before the next living room wrestling match.
These digital sidekicks do way more than tell time. They track our steps, monitor sleep (or what passes for it), and even help us find our phones when they vanish into the couch cushions again.
Some models let us answer calls hands-free, which is honestly a lifesaver when both hands are full of juice boxes and soccer balls.
But not all smartwatches are up for the challenge. We want ones that are easy to use, have a battery that lasts longer than our patience, and fit comfortably—nobody needs a clunky device getting in the way of their best ninja moves at the playground.
Features like water resistance, strong notification settings, and clear screens matter too. Sticky fingers are just part of the deal. So, we tested a bunch of smartwatches to see which ones actually make parenting a little less chaotic.
Best Smartwatches for Parents
Keeping up with kids (and the clock) is a full-time gig. We rounded up the best smartwatches for parents who want to stay connected, organized, and maybe—just maybe—remember where they left their coffee.
If you want to keep tabs on the kids without turning into a full-blown spy, this smartwatch is a pretty smart choice.
Pros
We can talk or text with the kids without handing them a real phone.
GPS tracking helps us avoid surprise games of “Where’s Waldo: Suburban Edition.”
Only parent-approved contacts—no random weirdos sneaking in.
Cons
Setting it up nearly made us want to quit and go back to carrier pigeons.
It’s locked to its own service, so switching plans isn’t an option.
Music features need another subscription, because apparently, kids can’t survive without tunes.
We put the JrTrack 4 on our child after they started wandering further after school. They loved having a cool new gadget on their wrist, and we finally stopped calling every parent in the neighborhood to track them down.
GPS tracking made it simple to find them, and SafeZone alerts gave us some actual peace of mind. The calling and texting features are a lifesaver for quick check-ins—or those “I left my lunch at home again” moments.
Only pre-approved contacts can reach them, so strangers can’t get through. No games, no social media, no random pop-ups—so the only thing stealing their attention is, well, us.
Setup took a few tries and tested our patience, but once we got it going, day-to-day use felt easy. We like the idea of music with Spotify Kids, but needing another subscription is just one more thing to forget to cancel.
Overall, the JrTrack 4 keeps us connected and helps us worry less, even if it can’t solve the mystery of the missing socks.
If you want to keep tabs on the kiddos without looking like a helicopter parent, this smartwatch is your new undercover sidekick.
Pros
Hilariously accurate location tracking—almost too good
Emergency SOS button makes us feel like secret agents
No distracting games—maybe the kids will actually talk to us
Cons
Setup can take a while (bring snacks and patience)
Music streaming doesn’t work outside the US
Not exactly the most stylish watch on the playground
We strapped the TickTalk 5 on our kids and suddenly had eyes and ears everywhere. Real-time tracking and the handy SOS button made us feel like we’d joined the secret service.
The quick-dial feature for emergencies gave us peace of mind, and secure messaging kept our conversations private (and sometimes silly). Nothing gets past its location tracking, so we always know if someone took a detour for snacks instead of heading home.
No mindless games or social media means the focus stays on real connection. That’s actually rare and, dare we say, refreshing.
The battery lasted longer than we expected—even outlasting our own energy some days. Setting it up took longer than we’d hoped, though, and it felt a bit like assembling IKEA furniture (with fewer leftover screws).
Music streaming only works in the US, so spontaneous dance parties on vacation are out. It’s a bit bulkier than others, but it survived the classic “dropped from the treehouse” test.
If you want to keep your little adventurers safe and chat without too many digital distractions, this watch is a solid pick. Just don’t expect it to win any fashion awards.
If you want to keep your kids active, connected, and—let’s be honest—easier to track than your car keys, the Fitbit Ace LTE pretty much nails it.
Pros
Keeps us in touch with the kids without handing over a phone
Tough enough for soccer games, playground falls, and snack-time spills
Built-in games actually get them moving
Cons
Needs an extra data plan (of course it does)
Kids may compete for steps like it’s the Olympics (prepare for noise)
Messaging is limited, which might frustrate the chatterboxes
We put this watch on our kids and instantly knew which neighbor’s house they’d raided for snacks. Calls and texts came through clearly—even if our spelling sometimes made them roll their eyes.
The games are active enough to turn even couch potatoes into sprinters. Honestly, it works better than our old “go outside and play” routine.
Durability is a huge plus. It survived a muddy soccer match, a tumble down the back stairs, and a sticky encounter with grape jelly. Splashing, bouncing, and the occasional “watch versus wall” contest didn’t faze it.
The band system motivates our kids to earn new rewards, so getting active feels less like a chore and more like a game. It does need its own data plan, and setup can take a few more minutes than we’d like (especially if you have to reset your password).
Messaging is parent-friendly but won’t let your kid text the whole class—which might actually be a relief. For us, the peace of mind and the chance to say, “Just call me on your watch!” makes it worth it.
If you want a smartwatch for your kids that tracks everything but their dreams of becoming a dinosaur, this one’s worth a look.
Pros
Makes and answers calls (helpful and a little terrifying)
Monitors kid health stats: heart rate, stress, sleep—you name it
Survives pool time (waterproof) and even has a draining feature
Cons
Bands can run large on small wrists (we found out the floppy way)
App setup can feel like solving a riddle, minus the goblins
No built-in GPS, so you can’t track your little escape artist
We opened the box and saw a big, bright screen and a ridiculously soft strap—no complaints about scratchy wrists for once. Custom watch faces were a hit, and our kids had way too much fun putting their pet’s nose on the screen.
The anti-lost clasp seemed smart, though it’s not magic—if the watch gets flung into the yard, it won’t holler for help. The health tracking surprised us with how detailed it is for the price.
Real-time heart rate monitoring is handy, and the stress alerts are good reminders for everyone to chill out. The sleep tracker helps us figure out why everyone is cranky before 8 AM.
Making calls from the watch is cool, but we had to set some ground rules about prank calling grandma. The app has a learning curve, and syncing took a little patience.
Band sizing is tricky if your kid has a tiny wrist—we ended up punching an extra hole ourselves. Waterproofing means we stopped worrying about splash attacks or surprise swims.
It doesn’t have GPS, so you can’t track their every move, but the KALINCO Kids Smart Watch brings a lot of peace of mind—and maybe a few new debates about whose turn it is to wear it this weekend.
If your kids keep asking for a phone, but you’d rather avoid the chaos, this playful smartwatch feels like a solid middle ground.
Pros
Setup is a breeze—even for us grown-ups
Loads of games that somehow keep the kids busy
Two-way calling makes it simple to stay in touch
Cons
Battery life isn’t great—daily charging is just reality
No GPS, so you can’t track them live
Some apps get a little buggy (WhatsApp, we’re looking at you)
Handing this watch to the kids felt almost too easy. The included SIM card meant we just charged it, activated it, and watched the excitement. No frantic last-minute SIM card hunts, which honestly saved us a headache.
The kids dove into the bundle of games—47, if you’re counting. The cartoon camera features made us laugh, though explaining 27 selfies with cat ears was a whole thing. The touch screen was bright and responsive, just right for small fingers.
Staying connected is simple with clear two-way calling. The big SOS button gives us some peace of mind, so we don’t stress (too much) when the kids are out of sight.
But the battery? It barely lasts a day if the kids really go wild, so charging every night is non-negotiable. We also wish it had GPS, especially when our little ones “forget” to come home. Still, for the price, the OKYUK Smartwatch strikes a nice balance for parents who want basic communication and entertainment—without the drama.
If you want to keep an eye on your kids without giving them access to the whole internet, this watch might be your sneaky parenting win.
Pros
Kids can call us, but can’t binge cat videos
Location tracking actually works, so no more “I forgot where I am” calls
Setup is easy enough to make us look like tech wizards
Cons
Monthly fee keeps our wallets on alert
Charging can be finicky and test our patience
U.S. only—leave it at home for any big adventures abroad
We gave the Gabb Watch 3e a try, and it felt like a sweet spot between a real smartphone and just yelling across the park. Our kid got the watch, and suddenly the “just one more minute” debate faded. No social media, so our kids stay safely bored.
Setup was surprisingly painless—none of that “Why won’t this work?” frustration. The app gives us plenty of control, so random Roblox friends can’t sneak in. GPS is a lifesaver; now we know if our kid actually made it to practice or just wandered to the snack bar.
Charging hiccups do happen, and the monthly plan isn’t ideal. But honestly, the peace of mind is worth it. Just remember, the watch loses its magic once you leave the U.S.
If your kids are always plotting their next escape, this smartwatch is definitely worth a look.
Pros
GPS makes it easy to track down wandering kids
Video and voice calls are simple enough for anyone
Soft band stands up to toddler-level chaos
Cons
Needs a separate SIM card (not included—good luck finding one in your junk drawer)
Setup instructions could be clearer
Some kids will outgrow the style before you’re ready
We all know that feeling—kids in the backyard one second, plotting a world tour the next. With the Wiwian 4G Kids Watch, we finally get a little peace of mind. The GPS actually works, so we don’t have to interrogate every neighbor in sight.
Calling is easy. We set up emergency SOS numbers, which is honestly comforting. Our kids figured out video and voice options fast—sometimes they call just to ask for snacks.
The band is soft, so even picky kids don’t complain. It does smell a bit “new” at first, but that fades. The hardest part was finding a compatible SIM, but once we got it, the watch did exactly what we wanted (and kept our phones safe from sticky hands).
Trying to convince older kids that pink is cool? That’s a different battle.
If you want to keep tabs on your little escape artists without handing over a real phone, this watch is a smart pick.
Pros
Two-way calling lets us check in with our kids anytime
SOS feature gives a little extra peace of mind
Soft band and colorful screen mean kids actually want to wear it
Cons
GPS isn’t always spot-on (sometimes the “lost” kid is just in the next room)
SIM card setup can be tricky if you’re not techy
Needs a specific SIM and only works on certain networks
We tested the Wiwian Kids Smartwatch and instantly noticed how easy it was to talk with our kids using two-way calling. Voice messages and SOS calls are just a button away, which honestly made us feel a bit like secret agents—if only secret agents had this much laundry.
The GPS can be a bit off. Sometimes, if our child wandered to the next room, the watch acted like they’d traveled miles. But for park trips or sleepovers, it’s a winner.
Safety zone notifications are a comforting touch when our kids get braver. The band is soft and fits even the pickiest wrists. The camera and games convinced our kids the watch was for them, not us—a neat trick.
When school starts, “class mode” locks out games and helps us pretend we’re on top of things.
Needs the app open for some features, which is a little needy
Notifications can get overwhelming if you don’t tweak them
Not for swimming in the ocean or hot tubs (there goes our spa day)
We tried the Tensky Smart Watch for a week of errands, school runs, and the occasional breather. Setting it up took just a few minutes. We loved doing things hands-free—checking the weather and setting timers with Alexa while juggling groceries and kids.
Sleep tracking and health features gave us some honest feedback. Apparently, five hours of sleep isn’t enough (who knew?). The step counter showed us just how many times we circled the house searching for lost shoes.
Swapping to a family photo watch face was a fun touch. Some features need the app running, which drains phone batteries a bit. And if you forget to turn off notifications, you’ll get pinged all day.
Even with those quirks, for parents who want a functional, friendly helper on their wrist, this watch covers the basics—plus a few extras.
Tracks steps, heart rate, and sleep so we can monitor their energy (and maybe ours, too)
Handles pool splashes and rainy days like a champ
Cons
Some kids might snap the band if they get wild at recess
The screen isn’t indestructible—wrestling matches are risky
Games could distract if you don’t block them during school
Honestly, it’s refreshing to see a smartwatch for kids that doesn’t shove them onto social media or turn them into tiny tech zombies. We handed it over, and watching them chase their step count was more adorable than expected.
Setup was easy. The bright 1.8” screen had our kids checking steps like they were training for the Olympics. No browser or messaging apps, so we actually felt relieved. They didn’t even beg for more screen time—unless you count the five puzzle games, which we could block during school.
Durability is decent, but nothing beats the strength of a 9-year-old playing tag. When one band snapped, customer service replaced it quickly.
If you want kids moving without falling into endless notifications, the BIGGERFIVE Kids Smart Watch is a clever addition to your parenting toolkit.
Buying Guide
Alright, so we’re looking for that perfect smartwatch, but honestly, who has time for confusing tech? Before we throw down our cash, let’s figure out what actually matters.
Key Features to Consider:
Battery Life: Charging every night? No thanks. Let’s find a watch that lasts more than a day—because parents already have enough bedtime routines.
Notifications: We want to catch calls and texts without staring at our phones all day. Simple enough, right? Well, maybe a little distracting, but sometimes that’s okay.
Health Tracking: Steps, heart rate, maybe even sleep. Tracking our own sleep is weirdly satisfying—almost as much as tracking the kids’.
Here’s a table that might help us sort things out:
Feature
Why It Matters
What to Check
Battery Life
Less charging means more convenience
2+ days is good
Durability
Survives drops and splashes
Water resistance, sturdy case
Parental Controls
Manage family devices easily
App controls, settings
Compatibility
Works with our phone
iOS or Android support
Comfort matters too! Nobody wants to strap on a wrist computer that feels like it’s meant for a giant.
And, let’s be real—price is a big deal. There are a ton of smartwatches out there, and paying for stuff we’ll never use? That’s just annoying.
Hi, my name is Garrett Jones, and I am a tech enthusiast. I enjoy researching the new tech that has been released, and have a vast knowledge of the best tech to purchase.
From a young age, I have always had a big interest in technology, and this blog is an extension of that interest. Through this blog, I hope to provide others with all of the information they need regarding tech options to consider, and things such as compatibility. Some of the different items I will be discussing include headphones, smartwatches, and how to fix common issues.
