The best kids watch is not easy to choose because it can say a lot about your child.
A watch is more than just a device to tell time, it is also a fashion statement that represents a kid’s personality. And now, with modern smart watches, there are a multitude of functions available directly on their wrist.
My son is still too young to read a clock. However, that doesn’t diminish his enthusiasm for wanting to learn how to do it. He’s always asking what time it is, when will ‘this’ happen and when are we doing ‘that’. When we got him a watch and he found every opportunity to show it off and tell people what time it is. Or at least what time he thinks it is.
A watch can be a first step towards a child’s independence and we are excited to dive into more advanced watches for him as time passes.
Read on to see what other watch options we have looked at that you may want to consider for your child.
The Results
Best Kids Digital Watch
Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Waterproof Watch
- Unique design
- Easy-to-read
- Quality materials
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Kids Watch
Before purchasing your kid a watch, you may want to think about some of the following factors.
Age of Child
Does your child know numbers yet? What about the concept of time or how to read a clock? Maybe they’d like to have some neat features on it? These factors are generally determined by the age of your child. It’s important to gauge the level of interest and ability to use the watch that will make it a successful purchase.
Analog vs Digital vs Smart
Analog watches are recommended, in general, for kids to learn how to read time and for their classic look. It’s probably best to start out with this first until they get a hang of telling time. However, once they get into their school-age years, your child may want more complex features that only digital watches offer.
Smart watches have both analog and digital options and they are on a different level of capabilities. Typical functions offered include games, health tracking, calculators, and interactive features. And there are a variety of choices among smart watches for all ages.
What Functions Does it Have
Simple and easy-to-read watches are going to be more ideal for younger kids. Older kids may want to use their watch for other purposes such as a stop watch or GPS tracker or a camera. Some even allow for making phone calls or text messaging. Find out what your child’s needs are and try your best to match them.
What Does the Display Look Like
How the information is displayed will determine how easy it is for you kid to use the watch. Make sure the numbers are shown clearly on analog watches. For digital watches, checked that it is readable in different lighting situations including the dark. And with smart watches there are touch screen, button control or a combination both available.
What Materials is it Made From
Watches made of higher quality materials will last longer, but will likely cost more. For younger kids, it may not be important to have a long-lasting watch. For older kids, you’ll have to determine whether it is something that can be lost easily.
Generally, a silicone strap is great and durable for little wrists. While leather and eventually metal could be preferred later on. You will also need to consider any skin allergies or materials that could cause irritation to them.
How is The Battery Life
On standard watches, batteries could be a pain to switch out so a longer lifespan is ideal. On smart watches, you will probably want to get one that can be recharged easily through USB. Check how long it lasts after one charge.
Is it Water Resistant
This is an important factor to consider for kids. They often don’t remember that they are wearing a watch when it’s raining, when they are washing their hands, or when they are just getting wet in general during their play. Most options will be good for basic water resistance, but some can even handle being submerged in water while swimming or diving.
Child’s Personality and Preferences
Wearing a watch can be an extension of your child’s personality. It is more than just for telling time, it is a fashion statement. The function of telling time itself may not be as important than their favorite color or theme of the watch to your child. Make it fun for them.
The Best Kids Watch
Fitbit Ace 3 (Best Overall Watch for Kids)
Fitbit has been making great watches and fitness trackers for adults for a while and it’s no different for their kid friendly editions. The Fitbit Ace 3 is an updated version of the popular Fitbit Ace 2, which encourages healthy habits to their active lifestyles. You can monitor movement, sleep and active achievements pairing it with the Fitbit app.
Kids can choose from fun clock faces that animate, encourage and remind them about their active goals. And if the whole family has Fitbits, you can monitor everyone’s success on one app for some fun competition. There are parent and kids view within the app.
The durable silicon wrist bands come in a variety of colors and is super lightweight. The battery life last up to 8 days and is aim for kids 6 and older. It’s even suitable for older kids because of the slick and clean timeless design. And if they want something more fun, there is a minion’s edition available as well. Other great options include the Fitbit Ace 2, TickTalk 4, and Timex Expedition Classic Digital Watch.
HSW Slap on Watch (Best First Watch For Kids)
For their first watch, you’re really just getting them use to wearing something on their wrists. How long that lasts depends on their tolerance levels. So you’re not expect the baby/toddler to be reading time.
These slap on watches are a fun and colorful accessory for them to play with. We got one for our toddler and he loves slapping it on and off and showing off the time.
Other fun first watches to check out include the Lego Movie 2 Quartz Kids Watch, and VTech Paw Patrol Chase Learning Kids Watch.
DJECO Learning Watches (Best Watch for Toddlers)
The Djeco learning watch has a cute design with an educational purpose. The hours and minutes are displayed in a way to teach your toddler how to read an analog clock.
The polyester bracelet is soft and easy on the skin. And as with most Djeco products, the built quality is top notch.
You may also want to look into the Venhoo 3D Cartoon Watch, Timex Kids’ Elastic Strap Watch, or EasyRead Time Teacher.
CakCity Camouflage (Best Watch For Boys)
This sporty LED watch is great for active boys. It’s both shockproof and waterproof up to 165 feet and is tough as nails to withstand and accidents or rough play. The functions include a calendar, stopwatch, alarm, and an LED backlight to illuminate the digital display.
The watch comes in a couple of styles in addition to the camouflage, but they all give a great chunky look that is sure to stand out.
And if this is the look they’d go for, consider also the Marvel Boys Touch-Screen Kids Watch, Dayllon Kids Digital Outdoor Sports Watch, or DC Comics Touch-Screen Kids Watch.
Timex Analog Easy Reader Watch (Best Watch For Girls)
Your girl will love this beautiful quartz analog watch. The baby pink leather strap gives it a cute but classy look to go with the easy-to-read analog clock. Making it both stylish and durable.
The watch is suitable for ages 5 and up and would make a perfect first real watch for girls.
Other popular girls watches include the Disney Kids Minnie Mouse Watch, Pasnew Easy Reader Girls’ Watch, and JoJo Siwa Touchscreen.
Lacoste Kids’ TR90 Quartz Watch (Best Analog Watch for Kids)
This sporty quartz watch from Lacoste is simple and practical. With large numbers displayed, it is easy-to-read. The crystal face is durable, scratch resistant and water resistant up to 165 feet. The rubber strap is comfortable and easy-to-wear.
The best part are the great colors it comes in and the designer feel of it. This is a timeless piece and you’ll be proud of your child wearing this watch.
Other great options for kids analog watches include the Tonnier White Resin Nebula Watch, and Flik Flak Kids’ Watch by Swatch.
Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Waterproof Watch (Best Digital Watch for Kids)
For a stylish and sporty digital watch, go with this one from Cofuo. The neat design, LED backlight and large numbers allows your kid to see the time clearly, even at night. And it works as a stop watch as well.
The display is made of high transparency resin glass, which is extremely hard and pressure tolerant. This will be useful for all the spills and drops it may take. It is also water resistant up to 160 feet.
A silicon rubber wrist band gives it a sporty look and makes it comfortable on the wrists. It’s a unique design that comes in a variety of colors to meet your child’s needs.
Other kids digital watches to consider include the Timex Time Machines Digital 35mm Watch, Casio Water Resistant Digital Kids Watch, and Kidper Digital Sports Watch.
Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 (Best Smartwatch for Kids)
The Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 is the ultimate smart watch for your child. It encourages more active movement through Marvel or Disney themed games and challenges. Setting it up with the Garmin Jr app takes less than 10 minutes. After that, your child will be moving around for the rest of the day and having fun with their active games.
The built quality is great and it can be worn when swimming and waterproof up to 165 feet. The screen can display stats, tracking steps, sleep, activities and even chores completed. The silicon strap is comfortable and does not irritate the skin. The watch is suitable for ages 5 and up.
Other comparable smart watchers for kids are the Apple Watch SE, XPLORA GO, and VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2.
FAQ
Should Kids Wear Watches
Short answer is yes, if they want to. Most people are visual learners, so wear a watch consistently could help kids see and time. They can learn the concept of time. How it passes. What 5 minutes feels like. When an activity is over. A watch is a key step for their independence. When a child wears a watch, you can tell them to be somewhere at a specific time.
At What Age Should a Child Get a Watch
There are no set rules for this. They may not feel comfortable wearing something on their wrist. But if you’re wearing a watch all the time, chances are they will want to wear one sooner than later. Generally, they can begin to learn the basics of time around 3 years old. By 5 or 6 years, they could be able to learn how to read numbers. So that could be a good range to get a watch. But it’s more about their ability to read time than their actual age that could determine when to get them a watch.
Their level of responsibility can determine what kind of watch you’d get them. Maybe you need something more durable or inexpensive if they tend to be a more rough on their belongings or lose things. But all situations will be different. Get your child a watch when they are ready.
What Materials Might Irritate My Kid’s Skin
Check what your child might have allergies towards. The most common materials the could cause issues are metals such as nickel or copper, certain leather dyes, and rubber accelerants. You should verify the materials of the watch strap, face and back before purchasing. The manufacturer’s website should be helpful as well as the product descriptions on retail sites like Amazon.
Should I Get My Kid a Smartwatch
This is a personal choice. I generally stick with basic analog or digital watches myself, so would prefer my child to have the same. But these new smartwatches are very popular and useful at the same time. Ask yourself if you want to have the functions that they offer for your child. Do you want to stay connected with them or be able to track their activities or location in real-time. These could be important to you. So a smartwatch could be the way to go.
Time to Choose
So which watch will it be? I would personally recommend the Lacoste Kids’ TR90 Quartz Watch as a classic choice, but you can’t go wrong with the Fit Bit Ace 3.
Only you can pick the right watch for your child. The choice can really bring out their lovely personalities. But no pressure at all, because they will probably love it no matter what.
