Kids these days have more energy than a double espresso—seriously, how do they do it? Getting all that energy pointed in a healthier direction, though, is a whole other story. That’s where fitness trackers for kids step in. These little gadgets count steps, keep tabs on movement, and sometimes even nudge us to get up and move, too.
In a world glued to screens, a gentle push to be active feels like a win for everyone. Fitness trackers built for kids usually come in wild colors and can take a beating. They handle playground wipeouts, juice spills, and even a surprise swim. The displays are simple, and the challenges are fun—because, let’s be real, nothing gets kids moving like a shiny virtual badge for walking the dog.
When we hunt for the best fitness tracker for kids, we look for durability, long battery life, easy controls, and privacy. We want a tracker that won’t shatter the first time a kid jumps off the couch and one that doesn’t need a daily charge—because, honestly, where do those charging cables even go? We’ve spent way too long digging through reviews and comparing models to find trackers that keep kids moving without making us lose our minds.
Best Fitness Trackers for Kids
We all know kids run circles around us, and sometimes we wish we could bottle their energy. If you want to keep up with their steps (and maybe save your sanity), these fitness trackers for kids might just be the answer. Let’s check out which ones will make your little athletes grin the widest.
If you want a tracker that keeps kids active without turning them into tiny tech CEOs, this one’s a solid choice.
Pros
Survives pool dives and spilled lunches—waterproof and tough.
No phone needed, so you won’t find surprise texts to Aunt Linda.
Plenty of fun watch faces, some with your own photos (for maximum family embarrassment).
Cons
The watch band could be sturdier—nobody enjoys hunting for lost gadgets.
The games are fun, but don’t expect them to replace homework.
Not loaded with advanced features for older teens craving more data.
When we put the BIGGERFIVE Brave 2 on our kids, we saw right away that it’s built for those who jump, run, and occasionally crash their bikes. The waterproof design took a load off our minds. We stopped worrying every time our kid “forgot” to take it off before diving into the pool.
This tracker lets kids manage their steps and heart rate by themselves, without needing a phone glued to their hand. The bright touchscreen is easy to use, and flipping through watch faces—especially when we snuck in a goofy family selfie—made us laugh. The puzzle games are a cute bonus, though we made sure to set up the parent controls (no games during math time, thank you very much).
All in all, this is a fun and sturdy starter fitness tracker for kids. It counts steps, sleep, and heart rate while keeping them away from the wilds of the internet. If you want a gadget that encourages good habits and doesn’t feed screen addiction, this one does the trick.
When our kids started tracking steps instead of dragging mud through the house, we realized the BIGGERFIVE was onto something.
Pros
Light and comfy enough that kids forget they’re wearing it (even in the shower).
Loads of sports modes—we’ve never seen a kid so determined to “crush” a walking goal.
Charges quickly and lasts for days, so we’re not always hunting for a charger.
Cons
The touchscreen sometimes ignores us, like a moody teenager.
Strap can break if you have a serious fidgeter at home.
It catches every single step—no sneaking by this one.
We handed these out at a birthday party and watched the kids instantly get competitive. Virtual medals had them pacing the living room and arguing about who got more steps during snack time. The tracker is so light that our youngest wore it straight into the pool—thankfully, it handled splashing just fine (maybe skip the beach, though).
We love that this tracker covers all sorts of activities, including the backyard games our kids invent. The heart rate and sleep tracking make it easy to check on their health after a marathon tag session. One charge lasted us almost a week before anyone remembered it needed more juice.
There are a few hiccups: sometimes the screen seems to be on a break, and the strap got loose after months of wild use. But given how much our kids love it—and how much we get to tease them about their step count (“Only 2,000 steps today?”)—it’s a strong pick for keeping everyone moving.
If you’re desperate to prove to your kids that moving is more fun than being a couch potato, this tracker might just win them over.
Pros
The battery lasts so long, you’ll forget it even needs one.
The band survives everything, including sticky mystery substances.
The app rewards kids for chores—finally, some leverage!
Cons
Needs a parent’s phone and a stubborn Wi-Fi connection to unlock all the features.
The tracker can pop out of the band if your kid gets extra wild.
The screen gets hard to see in bright sunlight (not ideal for backyard adventures).
Whenever we snap the Garmin vivofit jr. 3 on a kid’s wrist, their faces light up—sometimes literally. The colorful face is a hit, and our kids spent ages picking the “right” theme. It fits small wrists without pinching, and after days of rough play, sticky hands, and one surprise swim, the band and display held up.
Getting them to do chores suddenly felt like magic thanks to the interactive app. We sneak in little tasks, set timers, and hand out rewards for good behavior. The motivation tools actually got our kids arguing about who’d take more steps at the park—which, let’s be honest, feels like a parenting win.
The only thing that tripped us up? The tracker sometimes tries to escape from the band when kids get extra wiggly. Plus, we had to keep our phones close to get all the features working. Still, for kids who want a “real watch” like grownups but don’t need endless screen time, this tracker hits a sweet spot.
If you want something your kids can keep up with (and something that doesn’t nag you to charge it every night), this tracker is a real contender.
Pros
The battery lasts so long, we forgot it even had one.
Handles wild kid activities—even cannonballs at the pool.
Setting chores is easier than bribing them with candy.
Cons
The screen brightness is about as subtle as a ninja at midnight.
No heart rate tracking, so athletes-in-training will have to guess.
The basic features may not thrill older or super techy kids.
This thing is a little tank. We let our kids loose at the playground, the pool, and on the wildest furniture-climbing missions. The vívofit jr. 3 kept going and even looked good—way better than our poor coffee table.
Chores aren’t such a fight anymore. Setting them up in the app takes a few minutes, and suddenly, we’re not begging for help with the trash. The kids are actually motivated when chores turn into digital currency. Sometimes, it almost feels like we’ve cracked the parenting code.
The biggest downside? The screen is pretty dim, so everyone ends up squinting after dark. And if your kid wants to track every heartbeat, this isn’t the right fit. But for everyday steps, sleep, and a playful way to keep everyone moving, we’re happy to keep it on their wrists.
We strapped the Sootingot Kids Fitness Watch onto a very wiggly child and, to our amazement, it survived the playground, a sticky mess, and an entire day as a pretend walkie-talkie. The sturdy design kept us from stressing over every bump or splash, and the band didn’t scratch or pinch.
With over 100 sport modes, this is perfect for kids who bounce from soccer to hopscotch faster than we can keep up. The sleep monitor convinced our child that bedtime is “science,” which actually bought us some peace. Custom dials let them pick silly faces for the screen—always a crowd-pleaser.
We do wish it had GPS, just so we’d know our kid was home and not plotting to conquer the neighbor’s treehouse. The battery doesn’t last a week, but it got us through a couple days without drama. Setting it up—app or no app—was easy, even for the tech-averse. The Sootingot Kids Fitness Watch brought a lot of laughs and a little extra healthy competition to our house.
If you want your kids bouncing off the walls (literally tracking every step), the Fitbit Ace 2 might be the best way to keep everyone in the fitness loop.
Pros
Handles pool splashes, juice spills, and sweaty playgrounds
Battery keeps going for nearly a whole school week
Kids chase step goals and virtual badges (which, somehow, are way more exciting than real chores)
Cons
Bands disappear like socks and break just as fast
App makes parents juggle profiles more than we’d like
Charging cable is laughably short—seriously, who designed that?
Honestly, we’re all tired of asking, “Did you even move today?” With the Ace 2, you finally get answers, and kids actually get excited to rack up steps—sometimes even out-stepping us (not that we’ll admit it).
Our youngest testers loved the splash-proof feature. Accidents happen fast, whether it’s pool parties or overzealous hand-washing.
Celebrating small victories turned into a family sport. The step competitions and virtual awards sent the kids running laps around the living room.
Noticing how much the Ace 2 motivated everyone made us wonder if we need our own badges for surviving the day.
We hit a few bumps, like fiddly bands and an app that makes us switch back and forth too much. Still, if the goal is happier, healthier, more active kids, the Fitbit Ace 2 gets us moving in the right direction—maybe even all the way to bedtime (silent alarms included).
If you want a tracker that’ll outlast your kid’s latest obsession, the Garmin vivofit jr. 3 deserves a look.
Pros
Battery lasts all year—no nightly charging scramble
Swim-ready and tough enough for playground chaos
App turns chores and steps into globe-trotting games
Cons
Display feels dim, especially outside
Tracker can pop out of the band if things get rowdy
Syncing with the app sometimes tests your patience
We strapped this one onto our wild child and watched them dash out the door without a second thought. It’s sturdy enough for swimming, playing, and general running amok.
No recharging means we’re off the hook until next year. Finally, a gadget that’s lazier than we are!
The sneaky way it gamifies chores and movement is genius. Our kids “travel the world” with the app, and we actually get a few minutes of peace.
Assigning chores through the Garmin Jr. app beats sticky notes any day.
A couple things bugged us. The screen isn’t super bright, so we squint a bit outside on sunny days.
Syncing can get a little frustrating, and yes, there was drama when the watch popped out during a soccer game. Still, the battery life, durability, and fun app experiences keep us coming back.
Want to look cool in your kid’s eyes and sneak in some healthy habits? This tracker watch is actually a solid pick.
Pros
Tracks sleep, steps, and heart rate without making us feel like we need a tech degree
Kids can finally count how many times they outrun us in the yard
Doesn’t melt in rain or during epic sink battles
Cons
Makes us worry about battery life every week and a half
App setup could be less confusing
If the watch goes missing, the stats go with it—don’t ask how we know
The Meoonley Kids Watch saved us from screen time arguments; it tracks activity but skips distracting games.
We like the big screen—it’s easy for little hands, and, honestly, it’s comfy enough for our own wrists during “quality control testing.”
Our kids love collecting steps and getting reminders to move (not that they need it). We’ve sent them to school, playdates, and even let them splash at the sink with no issues.
Being waterproof means it’s survived more than one accidental swim.
The app connection isn’t always smooth. If a child misplaces the watch, yesterday’s data is gone.
Still, we keep coming back for the fun colors, extra straps, and just enough grown-up features to keep everyone happy.
If your kids want to count steps, look cool at the pool, and set a silent alarm, this tracker covers the basics at a reasonable price.
Pros
Tracks steps, heart rate, and sleep—great for little data lovers
Waterproof design means no bath time freakouts
Battery lasts a full week, so we’re not always hunting for chargers
Cons
The app is about as fun as cleaning up after a slime experiment
No games or music—just fitness basics
If your kid is a step-counting ninja, the screen might start to feel small
Our family tried out the BIGGERFIVE Vigor, and our kids loved showing off their “spy watches.” Setup was fast.
We charged them with a regular USB adapter and sent the kids out, feeling like tech support pros. Step tracking seemed accurate, and now we know who really walks the dog.
It’s lightweight, colorful, and stayed on even when our youngest tried hallway parkour (okay, just cartwheels). Pool afternoons were stress-free, thanks to the waterproof rating.
The silent alarm worked well on school days—though, honestly, we kind of missed the sound of a real alarm clock.
The app gave us headaches, freezing up and refusing to work unless we restarted it every time. So, while the tracker itself is a solid pick for basic fitness, we keep our expectations for the app low and keep backup alarm clocks handy.
If your kids just want step, heart, and sleep tracking, the BIGGERFIVE Vigor does the job without costing as much as trendy sneakers.
The KALINCO Kids Smart Watch practically begged us to test how many juice splashes and cannonball landings it could survive. Spoiler: more than we expected.
After a wild game of hide and seek, checking our step count was as easy as checking the time.
Our favorite part? The watch faces. Nothing says “my watch, my rules” like slapping your own picture on the home screen.
With over 100 sport modes and rewards for hitting milestones, even reluctant movers might sneak in a few extra steps just to brag.
Connections matter, and with built-in calling, we finally have a way to check in when someone “forgets” to come in for dinner.
But heads up: the strap is pretty big, so measure those wrists unless your kiddo’s arms have been doing some serious growing. Using the app to sync and adjust features felt simple, though younger kids might need help.
This tracker skips built-in GPS, so wandering is still off-limits. For daily steps, health checks, and the chance to remind someone to drink water (again)—the KALINCO keeps us laughing and connected, with a dash of techy flair.
Buying Guide
Let’s be honest: picking a fitness tracker for kids is more complicated than asking, “Does it come in purple?” We need something tough enough to survive a tumble and not just disappear into the depths of their backpack.
Durability
Kids can be rough, no doubt about it. You want a tracker that shrugs off drops, splashes, and maybe even a spin through the washing machine.
Comfort and Fit
If it’s uncomfortable, they’ll ditch it fast. Go for lightweight designs and adjustable bands.
Battery Life
Nobody wants to charge a tracker every single night. A longer battery means less nagging and more time spent actually moving.
Ease of Use
If the instructions look like a novel, forget it. Simple buttons and clear screens make everyone’s life easier.
Activity Tracking Features
Some trackers just count steps, while others keep tabs on sleep or heart rate. Maybe they’ll even predict when your kid is ready to do homework—okay, not really, but wouldn’t that be nice? Figure out which features matter most to you and your kid.
Safety & Parental Controls
Definitely check if you can link the tracker to a parental app or tweak privacy settings. It matters who can see your data; nobody wants little Timmy’s steps going public.
Here’s a quick table to help you remember what to look for:
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.
