Are you looking to get your kiddos up and moving?
Wrist-based wireless activity trackers help you keep track of all kinds of essential health metrics, including your child’s fitness milestones, sleep rate, heart rate, and blood pressure.
They also serve to remind and motivate children to get moving throughout the day. Some even feature a choice of high-tech extras, including call and text notifications, GPS tracking, alarms, and digital rewards.
Whether you’re looking for a way to get your child up and about or just want a unique gift for an upcoming milestone or holiday, these wearable pieces of technology are a great option.
We’ve gathered five picks that will be appreciated by both children and adults.
How to choose the best kids Fitbit
Many parents argue that a fitness tracker offers their children an ideal incentive to stay active while they (the parents!) attend to other chores. 1Running to reset in a fast paced world with smart solutions to track progress Running to reset in a fast paced world with smart solutions to track progress
Curious to know the specs most beneficial to growing children and teens? Read on…
Can kids use Fitbits?
Fitbits and other watch-style fitness trackers make it easy for children to monitor their physical activities and other important health metrics.
With such a wide range of options out there, it’s easy for parents to find a model that meets the need of a particular child or teen.
Here are just a few of the specs that you should look out for when selecting a Fitbit for your kiddo.
Age
Pay close attention to a fitness tracker’s recommended age limit. Children between the ages of 8 and 13 tend to prefer more simple, accessible designs.
Children this young may only be interested in tracking a few fitness metrics, such as steps or distances traveled.
Alarm clocks, sleep trackers, and simple challenges also tend to keep youngsters engaged, and may even prove helpful to parents.
Fitness trackers geared toward children between the ages of 8 and 13 are also less likely to collect and share data with third-party companies.
Teens of 13 yrs. and older tend to prefer more high-tech elements such as Bluetooth compatibility, call/text alerts, and music players.
Older children also like more contemporary and solid-colored designs. Teen athletes benefit from a fitness tracker that collects and stores information over a long period.
They may be looking to learn more about their cardiovascular health, distances, and sleep patterns.
With all that said, fitness trackers aren’t a great pick for children under 8 yrs. After all, it quantifies play, turning something voluntary into a strict regime. 2Mercer, K., Giangregorio, L., Schneider, E., Chilana, P., Li, M., & Grindrod, K. (2016). Acceptance of commercially available wearable activity trackers among adults aged over 50 and with chronic illness: a mixed-methods evaluation. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 4(1), e7.
Parental control
Many parents like the option of tracking their child’s metrics and personal connections. If this is the case, a Fitbit that shares information with a phone-based app might be your best option.
Keep in mind that parental apps may enable you to set boundaries for your child or even engage them. Some apps even let parents set chore and homework reminders while providing children with digital incentives.
Features like these make it easier for parents to stay connected in an increasingly busy and digital-based environment.
Fitness trackers
Fitness and health trackers tend to be the meat and bread of these products. Typical features include step and sleep trackers, pedometers, heart rate and blood pressure monitors.
Some Fitbits even come with built-in fitness challenge and reward systems. For example, children can collect digital badges when they complete a physical milestone, a household chore, or other tasks.
They could also compare their metrics with friends and family members.
Call features
Many Fitbits enable children to receive hands-free calls and text alerts via a nearby phone. Call features can make it easier for parents and caregivers to stay in touch with their children at all times.
Durability
There’s no question that a wearable fitness tracking device needs to be durable. Your child’s watch needs to withstand constant movement along with exposure to sweat, water, and heat.
Flexible silicone can withstand plenty of wear and tear. Aside from providing a guaranteed durable construction, a sports watch should also come with a waterproof rating and durability guarantee.
Battery life
Your child should be able to track their fitness metrics without interruption. A long-lasting, fast-charging battery is a must-have for any fitness tracker.
Since most models offer anywhere from five days to one year of power per charge, we don’t think you’ll have much trouble meeting this requirement.
Since chargers are easily broken and misplaced, universal options (think USB) are your best bet.
Our top picks for the best kids’ Fitbit
If looking to make fitness fun for your kiddos, a Fitbit, or other fitness trackers, might be the answer. Here are five of the best-selling options for kids!
Best overall
Our opinion
The Fitbit Ace 2 (check price on Amazon) is sure to motivate your kiddo to stay active. This smartwatch features sleep, heart rate, and fitness trackers.
It boasts several kid-friendly fitness challenges as well as digital rewards. The sleek, bendable wristband expands to accommodate growing children.
Its flexible, silicone band comes in three bold colors, including night sky/neon yellow, watermelon/teal, and grape.
Kids can also customize the interface by building a personalized avatar, or by installing custom aftermarket clasps.
They can even pair this Fitbit with a nearby smartphone to receive call and text notifications, though since the watch does not have a built-in GPS, you won’t be able to use it to locate your child.
This item is durable enough to be worn throughout physically intensive activity sessions, including swimming, diving, or showering. It also boasts a remarkably long battery life, with one charge lasting up to five days.
What we love
- Is water-resistant to depths of up to 50 feet.
- Features fun challenges that inspire healthy habits.
- Boasts a customizable clock face, avatar, cover photo, and accessory band.
Watch for
- Does not have a GPS tracker.
Best upgrade choice
Our opinion
The Versa 2 (check price on Amazon) is a smartwatch with premium sleep, health, and fitness tracking capabilities.
It boasts an expansive collection of tools to bolster your tween/teen’s physical activity levels. Plus, it’s available in a variety of sleek, classic colors including black, aluminum, copper rose, and Bordeaux.
While we recommend this as a Fitbit for kids, its streamlined design is sophisticated enough for adults. You can use Bluetooth to pair the device with Amazon Alexa, Spotify, and more.
The high-resolution color touchscreen is super easy to navigate. Teens can even customize their Fitbit Versa by using custom clock faces and accessories.
One of the Fitbit Versa 2’s coolest features is its sleep tracker. Kids can wear the watch 24/7 to determine the time they spent in light, deep, and REM sleep stages.
Other cool elements include guided breathing sessions, 27/7 heart rate tracking, menstrual health tracking, and cardio fitness scores.
Since this device is water-resistant up to 50 meters, teens can wear it in the shower, pool, and beyond. Each charge offers up to six days of battery life.
Users can even connect their headphones to listen to music and podcasts while they exercise.
If your teen is super-athletic or goal-driven, they’ll relish the long list of on-wrist stats offered by the Fitbit Versa.
On-screen workouts, goal-based exercise modes, and other personalized features will make it even easier for kids to quantify and achieve fitness goals.
What we love
- Keeps track of heart rate, sleep rate, and swim metrics.
- Comes with both small and large bands ( aka: one-size-fits-all).
- Boasts a mature aesthetic and is available in a variety of classic and trendy colorways.
Watch for
- It disconnects from Bluetooth on occasion.
Best budget buy
Our opinion
As an off-brand version of the Fitbit, the Biggerfive Fitness Tracker (check price on Amazon) still has plenty to offer.
First off, a mere 1 to 2-hour charging session produces up to seven days of battery life. It boasts an activity tracker, pedometer, heart rate monitor, and sleep tracker.
Your child can use this device to count their steps, the calories they consume, and to set alarms for scheduled events. Since the BIGGERFIVE fitness tracker is waterproof, it’s also perfect for the pool.
Parents can download a free app (VeryFitPro) to track their child’s progress. This smartwatch boasts 14 unique sports modes, including everything from walking to dance. The strap is adjustable from 5 to 7.3 inches in length.
Moreover, it’s available in black, blue, rose, and purple, while kids find it comfortable enough to wear around the clock.
What we love
- Features a sleep monitor, vibrating alarm clock, calorie counter, pedometer, and activity tracker.
- Has a waterproof rating of IP67, meaning it's safe for the pool and beyond.
- Has a USB-based charging station and long battery life.
Watch for
- Disconnects from Bluetooth, on occasion.
Best waterproof fitness tracker
Our opinion
Mgaolo (check price on Amazon) is a super slim fitness tracker that’s perfect for small wrists. With 11 unique activity tracking modes, your kid or teenager can quantify all their physical movements.
The smartwatch’s IP68 waterproof exterior makes it ideal for swimmers and divers, while you can also use it to track all sorts of other indoor and outdoor exercise activities.
The Mgaolo’s built-in USB charging port makes it easy to recharge. A 1-hour charging session generates roughly five to seven days of power. Since this Fitbit is Bluetooth-compatible, your child can also pair it with their smartphone.
Another of the watch’s cool features is its dynamic alarm system. Kids can set medication, wake up, and study reminders; and even schedule their fitness tracker to alert them when they become too desk-bound.
What we love
- Boasts 11 different sports modes.
- Lets you track everything from steps to calories.
- Is suitable for swimming and diving sessions.
Watch for
- Suitable for children over the age of 13
Best for girls
Our opinion
The Garmin Vívofit Jr.’s (check price on Amazon) pink and turquoise flower design makes fitness fashionable. This fitness tracker’s unmatched battery life helps it stand out from the competition.
Consumers are guaranteed a years’ worth of uninterrupted power with no recharging requirements.
Your little athlete will have no trouble reaching their steps, sleep, and daily activity goals with the help of this adorable fitness tracker.
Parents, you can track your child’s movements will the help of a free mobile app.
Kids can use the app to check off completed tasks/chores or invite their fellow Vívofit Jr. owners to participate in weekly step challenges.
Parents can also use the app to establish custom awards for their kids, such as extra screentime, bonus arts & crafts projects, or friend sleepovers.
What we love
- Battery lasts for a year without needing recharged.
- Boasts a swim-friendly water-resistant polymer and silicon design.
- Its gorgeous flower design will appeal to young girls.
Watch for
- The flowery aesthetic isn’t for everyone, though different skins are available.
Best for teenagers
Our opinion
The WAFA Fitness Tracker (check price on Walmart) is an attractive wristwatch that’s perfect for older kids and teenagers. Its all-day monitoring will help your budding athlete stay on top of their training goals.
Teens can continuously track their heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep time/quality, making it easier to analyze their overall health and progress.
What we love
- Features accurate heart rate and blood pressure monitoring.
- Has a durable, waterproof design reminding us of much pricier name-brand alternatives.
- Is great for kids, teens, women, and men.
Watch for
- Some have found the charging port a bit tricky.
Best for Star Wars buffs
Our opinion
The Vívofit Jr.2 (check price on Target) is a one-of-kind Star Wars-themed fitness experience. Each model comes with a replaceable battery that’s proven to last up to one year.
Jedi council members (aka mom and dad!) can use this Fitbit app to keep track of their child’s chores and activities.
As long as children stay active on planet Earth, they can safely unlock otherwordly adventures, games, and icons.
Of course, the watch’s dynamic reminder and alert system can also help young children to complete a wide variety of non-fitness tasks.
One of Garmin’s most desirable features is its proprietary Move Bar, which prompts kids to squeeze in brief walks during otherwise sedentary activities.
If your child isn’t an aspiring member of the Rebel Alliance, they might be interested in one of Garmin’s other smartwatch skins.
What we love
- Comes with a replaceable battery that lasts for up to a year.
- Its Move Bar helps stop your child becoming a couch potato.
- It boasts super cool Star Wars-themed activities and rewards (perfect for superfans).
Watch for
- Only appeals to young Star Wars fans
Wrapping up
Well, that does it for our roundup of the top Fitbits for kids! The Fitbit Ace 2 stood out with us for aesthetics, usability, and entertainment.
Kids will have a blast earning digital rewards for all their exercises. Then, of course, the BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker is yet another excellent option for those on a tight budget.
And while the Fitbit Versa 2 is pricey, it’s more than worth it.
