The Best Kids’ Fitness Trackers of 2021

Fitness watches and trackers are all the fad lately and appear to return in each form and dimension, geared up to trace each sport on the market.

While most watches are geared towards adults, there’s a choose market of health trackers designed particularly to assist youngsters get energetic in a enjoyable and thrilling means. Over the previous few weeks, we had youngsters starting from ages 3 to 13 take a look at exercise trackers in a wide range of settings to find out the general finest youngsters health trackers.

Some went for walks, others jumped on the trampoline, some performed interactive video games, and others merely ran round the home whereas their watch did its factor. We chatted with the children and their mother and father to be taught what they preferred and disliked about every watch.

This article focuses particularly on the very best health trackers for teenagers. If you’re in search of watches for adults, try our The Best Fitness Watches or The Best Triathlon Watches. Or, should you’re in search of a health tracker for Fido, check out our Pet Fitness Trackers Monitor Dogs on the Move (or Couch).

Scroll by to see all of our really helpful buys or bounce to the class you’re in search of:

The Best Fitness Trackers for Kids of 2021

Best Overall: Fitbit Ace 3

Featuring lots of the similar options you understand and love in a standard Fitbit, the Fitbit Ace 3 ($79) is a youngsters’ spinoff on their traditional health tracker. In addition to a step counter, the watch is swimproof, tracks sleep, and has bedtime reminders and alarms.

Available in two enjoyable colour choices, the children’ Fitbit has the choice to buy extra bands so youngsters can customise the watch to their particular tastes.

Like many smartwatches, the Ace 3 comes with an app to trace your stats. The app has the choice for a mother or father view and a child view.

Through the mother or father view app, mother and father are capable of create household and baby accounts by which they will monitor their youngsters’ exercise and look at their connections. If mother and father select, they will arrange a child view app the place youngsters can observe their stats, badges, and clock faces.

In an effort to assist youngsters keep motivated and energetic, the health tracker consists of reminders to maneuver and enjoyable incentives like digital badges, animated clock faces, and customized avatars.

While our testers loved hitting their objectives and retaining observe of the stats on their wrist, they famous an account might solely be created for one baby per watch. In the case of our sibling testers, they had been sharing a watch and wished they might have separate accounts.

Additionally, the app was a enjoyable technique to maintain observe of actions, however to ensure that a child to watch all of their actions on their very own, they would wish to personal a cellular phone.

While Fitbit’s line of watches all supply completely different and enjoyable options with a protracted battery life and a kid-friendly aesthetic, we discovered the Ace 3 was the very best Fitbit watch for teenagers.

  • Battery: Up to eight days
  • Weight: 19.3 g
Pros
  • Kids and fogeys view on app
Cons
  • Requires telephone for pairing

Check Price at Amazon Check Price at Best Buy

Best for Young Kids: Garmin vívofit jr. 3

garmin vivofit jr. 3

Garmin has been within the enterprise of creating top-of-the-line health and train watches for years, and their youngsters’ Garmin isn’t any exception. While the vívofit jr. 3 ($80) has the options you’d count on in a stable health tracker, it additionally gives various interactive experiences to make it kid-friendly.

Available in various completely different enjoyable colour choices, the watch gives a Marvel, Disney Princess, or traditional Garmin band design. Kids then have the choice to select from a number of watch face choices to make the watch uniquely their very own, which was one thing they actually loved.

Like any good health tracker, the waterproof vívofit jr. 3 tracks steps and distance traveled and screens sleep. Clock options embrace time/date, automated daylight financial savings time, an alarm clock, timer, and stopwatch.

Specific child exercise monitoring options embrace 60-minute exercise objectives, chores, rewards (cash), process timers, reminder alerts, a challenges app, and an in-case-of-emergency characteristic.

The app was straightforward for folks to make use of and after the preliminary setup, our child testers had no downside working the watch on their very own. Our testers loved the celebration of engaging in objectives, and the number of video games and actions was very best for a spread of ages.

The solely draw back of utilizing the app for interactive video games and options is its extra display screen time, which is one thing many mother and father attempt to keep away from throughout playtime. Our testers had been on the smaller facet and famous the watch ran a little bit massive, regardless of being within the really helpful age vary.

  • Battery: Up to 1 yr
  • Weight: 25 g
Pros
  • Doesn’t must be charged
Cons
  • Added display screen time for app options

Check Price at Amazon Check Price at Garmin

Best for Teens: Body Glove Activity Tracker

body glove activity tracker

Although not particularly marketed as a youngsters’ watch, we discovered Body Glove’s health tracker ($90) was well-suited for older youngsters and youths. Designed for each land and water use, the tracker options waterproof building, so you’ll be able to seamlessly switch from walks to swims and all the pieces in between.

Available in two completely different kinds and 6 completely different colour choices, the watch encompasses a modern, sturdy silicone band that’s each light-weight and comfy. Designed to encourage teenagers to be energetic, the watch tracks steps and distance lined, consists of sedentary alerts.

It additionally has a sports activities mode that means that you can monitor over 10 completely different sports activities together with strolling, working, biking, mountaineering, climbing, yoga, basketball, and tennis.

Other considerate options embrace coronary heart price monitoring, name and textual content alerts, energy burned, sleep monitoring, SNS alerts, and a Bluetooth-compatible app in your telephone.

Something distinctive about this watch is the best way it prices. It encompasses a built-in USB, so no cable is required to cost. You merely plug it right into a USB port.

At first, it was tough to determine tips on how to truly cost the watch. In order to entry the USB, it’s essential to take away the straps, and it appears like they’ll break whenever you try to drag them off. After determining tips on how to take away the straps, it took a few tries to find out the way it accurately match into the USB port.

But after getting the cling of it, charging was a breeze. The watch shortly prices in 1 or 2 hours, and then you definately don’t have to fret about it for as much as 10 days — an enormous plus with forgetful teenagers.

The watch pairs with the VeryFitProfessional app, which lets you see your information for the day in addition to the week. The streamlined app was straightforward to make use of. Our teen testers had plenty of enjoyable with the distant management digital camera and located it was an effective way to take post-workout pictures with buddies.

  • Battery: 10 days
  • Weight: 23.5 g
Pros
  • Lightweight and comfy
Cons

Check Price at Body Glove

Best for Games: Kurio Glow Smartwatch

Kurio Glow Smartwatch

Designed particularly with youngsters in thoughts, Kurio’s Glow Smartwatch ($15-35) is the proper exercise tracker watch for teenagers that like to remain busy. More than only a health watch, Kurio’s Glow Smartwatch is a Bluetooth-compatible watch that features an exercise tracker, music participant, alarm/stopwatch, calculator, and over 20 apps and video games.

While the watch is Bluetooth-compatible and is designed to permit texting and messaging between telephones and watches, it proved to be tough with an iPhone.

It was in a position to hook up with Bluetooth and performance as a speaker, however texting/calling didn’t work between the gadgets. Although texting and calling weren’t tremendous needed for a youngsters’ watch, it was marketed as a operate of the watch.

Available in six colour choices and with enjoyable glow options, the smartwatch has a really kid-friendly aesthetic. The movement sensor video games, glow gentle video games, and dance social gathering choices had been all straightforward to make use of and enjoyable. And the choice to play single- or two-player video games was a success.

The tracker felt like a mix between a online game and a health system, which our testers appreciated. The watch was undoubtedly heavier than the opposite youngsters’ fashions we tried, and the display screen broke simply. But at such a low worth, it wasn’t a complete shocker.

  • Battery: 1 lithium polymer battery (included)
  • Weight: 90 g
Pros
  • Lots of enjoyable video games to select from
Cons
  • App just isn’t appropriate with iPhones

Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Walmart

Best for Budget: Biggerfive Fitness Tracker

Biggerfive Fitness Tracker

The good Fitbit different, Biggerfive’s Fitness Tracker ($26) is designed to assist youngsters keep wholesome and energetic. Designed for ages 5+, the waterproof watch is straightforward to make use of, has a built-in step tracker, screens sleep, tracks distance lined, and counts energy burned.

Additionally, the watch consists of message and name reminders and an alarm clock by which oldsters can arrange hydration reminders, sedentary reminders, and wake-up/bedtime alerts.

An enormous professional of the tracker is it’s sweatproof, rainproof, splash and bathing waterproof so that you don’t have to fret about your child damaging their watch. The tracker is available in three colour choices, has a snug band, and gives a formidable battery life.

The VeryFitProfessional app is straightforward and straightforward to make use of, nevertheless, you have to be in shut vary to sync the watch to your telephone.

The built-in USB makes charging with any USB port a breeze, however it could be good to incorporate a field for plugging into the wall as effectively, simply in case your baby doesn’t have a USB port of their very own.

All in all, Biggerfive’s Fitness Tracker has all the pieces you may need in a smartwatch at a fraction of the worth when in comparison with different manufacturers.

  • Battery: Up to 7 days
  • Weight: 17 g
Pros
Cons
  • Doesn’t include a USB charging field

Check Price at Amazon

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Kids’ Fitness Tracker

Activities Tracked

When choosing out an exercise tracker watch in your kiddos, you’ll wish to think about how they’ll be utilizing it and if it’s effectively suited to their age. While adults could also be extra targeted on counting energy and exercise occasions and splits, youngsters’ health trackers are all about encouraging your youngsters to be energetic in a enjoyable means.

If your youngsters are younger or not as motivated to train, you’ll wish to search for a watch that provides enjoyable video games and/or sedentary reminders. Many watches supply enjoyable, interactive video games that get youngsters up and shifting, so it’s an effective way to maintain them energetic.

But in case your youngsters are targeted on monitoring their train statistics, you’ll need a watch that screens steps, distance, sleep, energy, and different key stats. A fast search on the businesses’ web sites will let you know what options are included, so you’ll be able to be sure you’re getting precisely what you’re in search of.

Ease of Use

If it’s not straightforward to make use of, it’s not going to work in your youngsters. The finest health trackers for teenagers are those that require minimal setup and supply a simple design so youngsters can use them with little to no help.

Additionally, a stable battery life will contribute to a user-friendly expertise. If it requires charging each day, there’s a great probability it’s going to finish up useless and deserted in a drawer.

kids looking at boy's fitness tracker
Photo credit score: Fitbit

Comfort & Fit

If the aim is to put on the watch 24/7, you’ll undoubtedly need one thing that’s light-weight and comfy. Where grownup watches could also be outsized for a youthful viewers, youngsters’ health trackers are particularly designed for smaller wrists. Bonus factors if the watch is adjustable to develop along with your baby.

Most of the watches we examined featured slim-fitting silicon bands, which didn’t irritate any of our testers over the course of their days of play. Something to notice, although: in case your baby is on the youthful finish of the instructed age vary, you could wish to look into precise watch measurements earlier than buying.

In the case of Garmin’s vívofit jr. 3, we discovered the watch was a little bit massive on our 5-year-old tester regardless of being within the really helpful age vary — the upside is she is going to develop into it!

App Compatibility & Extra Features

Many health trackers and watches come appropriate with an app, which is commonly probably the most intimidating half. In order for the app so as to add to the expertise, it must be easy to arrange, use, and pair with the watch.

Of the watches we examined, all however the Kurio Glow got here with conventional health apps. The conventional apps had been all straightforward to obtain, use, and apart from the Biggerfive watch, synched simply between the telephone and watch.

The Kurio Glow watch differed in that it supplied a wide range of apps and video games geared towards a little bit of a youthful viewers. Overall, the apps proved to be a enjoyable technique to be a part of interactive actions, monitor stats, and maintain observe of targets and objectives.

Extra options we appreciated within the youngsters’ watches had been enjoyable, shiny, and even interchangeable bands for altering moods and completely different personalities.

Games, challenges, and aim celebrations are nice options for motivating little toes to remain energetic. And we preferred the power to customise watch faces to personalize the health trackers.

Amazon” data-descr=”” data-alt=”youngsters health trackers”>kids showing off their fitness trackers

Photo credit score: Amazon

Durability

When you purchase one thing, you need it to final. It’s no secret that youngsters aren’t usually mild on their issues. So when buying a youngsters’ health tracker, you’ll wish to make sure it’s constructed to final.

A characteristic that’s going to assist prolong the lifetime of your watch is that if it’s waterproof or no less than waterproof. Of the watches we examined, all however the Kurio Glow watch had been no less than considerably waterproof, which was essential to retaining them alive.

Additionally, the entire watches held up extraordinarily effectively throughout our testing interval, however we’ve got heard various tales concerning the Kurio Glow breaking simply.

Price

Price is all the time a consideration relating to gear, as you don’t wish to shell out your hard-earned money until it’s one thing you really need or want.

When it comes to buying a watch in your child, you most likely don’t wish to spend as a lot as you may on an grownup. Kids generally tend to lose issues simply, so that you don’t wish to drop a wad of money on one thing that would simply wind up of their faculty’s misplaced and located.

Through our analysis and health watch evaluations, we discovered a variety of watches out there at various worth factors. The most cost-effective watch we reviewed was Kurio’s Glow Smartwatch, costing solely $15. The watch supplied plenty of enjoyable options however had an inclination to interrupt simply.

Our priciest watch was Body Glove’s fitness tracker, ringing in at $90. While the watch comes at a steeper worth level, it’s well-made and one thing your youngsters aren’t prone to develop out of.

Why You Should Trust Us

We know there are plenty of evaluations and opinions on the market, so why take our phrase on these watches? Unlike some sources, we personally put these watches to the take a look at. And to verify we had been getting the true expertise, we had buddies’ and household’s youngsters take a look at out the watches.

The watches we examined supplied a wide range of completely different specs and options and had been examined for weeks by our testers ages 3, 5, 6, 9, and 13. Alongside the help of their mother and father, our testers used the watches on their very own and synched them with the apps to get the complete expertise.

The watches had been put to the take a look at strolling, swimming, taking part in in the home and the yard, leaping on the trampoline, and a wide range of different actions to permit them to showcase their full capabilities.

We spoke with the children and the mother and father to get their ideas. And if you understand something about youngsters, you understand they’re sincere.

2 girls wearing fitness trackers
Photo credit score: Rebecca Parsons

FAQ

At What Age Should My Kid Start Using a Fitness Tracker?

There isn’t essentially a proper or a flawed age for a child to start out sporting an exercise tracker. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of youngsters between the ages of 11 and 17 don’t get sufficient common train. The WHO recommends that youngsters and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 do a mean of 60 minutes per day of average to vigorous train.

So, the suitable age for a health tracker actually varies from case to case. If your child is extra on the inactive facet and may benefit from a little bit further motivation, maybe getting them a health tracker might assist.

Or, in case your child is a health fanatic and likes to maintain observe of his or her actions, there might be a case for getting them a watch as effectively. Most health trackers and watches specify the really helpful age ranges on their web sites.

What’s the Most Important Feature to Look For in a Kids’ Fitness Tracker?

It’s laborious to pinpoint crucial characteristic in a youngsters’ health tracker as a result of it actually comes all the way down to what’s essential to you. We assume the aptitude to trace a wide range of actions, ease of use, a snug match, compatibility with a simple-to-use app, sturdiness, and worth are all essential options to notice.

Additionally, youngsters actually benefit from the choice to customise their watch, be it the watch face of their alternative, a customized avatar, or interchangeable watch bands.

Amazon” data-descr=”” data-alt=””>2 kids running with fitness trackers on the beach

Photo credit score: Amazon

What’s the Best Fitbit for a Child?

Although Fitbit has plenty of stable choices to select from, the Fitbit Ace 3 goes to be the very best wager in your baby.

Offering the options you understand and love from Fitbit corresponding to step counts and sleep monitoring, the Ace 3 additionally consists of animated clock faces, customizable equipment, and a mother or father and child view on the app.

And the battery lasts as much as 8 days. If you’re in search of a barely cheaper model, try the Fitbit Ace 2.

What Age Is the Garmin vívofit jr. 3 Suited For?


Best Outdoor Gifts for Kids
Best Outdoor Gifts for Kids

Want your offspring to be prepared for journey? You’re in luck. We’ve discovered the very best gear and out of doors items for teenagers. Read more…

The Best Kids' Clothes: Durable Adventure Essentials
The Best Kids’ Clothes: Durable Adventure Essentials

After many months of taking part in within the grime, mud, and water, we discovered probably the most sturdy, long-lasting youngsters’ garments on the market. Read more…

Recommended For You

About the Author: Adrian

Leave a Reply