Has your kid wanted a smartwatch for a while? Do you want to pick a gift for them but just don’t know what to get? Do you want your little ones to be involved in more outdoor activities?
A Fitbit watch is the answer to these dilemmas. But you can’t just grab any Fitbit off of the shelf. You’ll need to find one that is convenient and suits your child’s unique needs.
As a parent, you are looking for safety, longevity, and convenience. Meanwhile, your kid is looking for aesthetics, apps, and coolness. This guide will tell you how to get the best Fitbit for kids to make you and your young one happy.
- Fully customizable
- Fun design
- Water resistant
- Activity insights
- Outstanding design
- Wide range of features
- Health insights
- Customized exercising modes
- Guided breathing
- Tracks swimming
- Chic and stylish
- Detects irregular heart rhythm
- Modern chic look
- Personalized coaching
- Voice to text replies
The Best Kids Fitbits of 2024
After testing the current models, we and our children agree that these are the best options for kids:
Fitbit Ace 3
The Best Kids Fitbit Overall
The Fitbit Ace 3 is the model Fitbit designed just for kids. Our kids love how this device makes physical activity even more enjoyable.
Kids will receive virtual rewards and celebratory messages for their progress, whether in their step count, active minutes, or activity choices.
The band is perfect for smaller hands, with colorful wrist straps, avatars, virtual badges, animated clock faces, and many features that will keep kids entertained while they move.
The tracker lets you monitor your child’s activity and approve their connections with the Fitbit app.
What We Like
Fully Customizable
The Fitbit Ace 3 comes in three fun colors. The first model combines black and red, the second is blue astro green, and the third is minion yellow.
This device has animated watch faces, so kids can customize the touchscreen accordingly (this option may cause higher battery consumption).
Fun Challenges
The Fitbit Ace 3 has enough challenges and fun incentives to keep children on their feet. Kids can find step challenges, virtual badges, and avatars to motivate them to do more. Although Fitbit no longer offers challenges within the app, there are other options you can link your child’s Fitbit to so they can compete against their friends to see who gets the most activity or steps in a chosen number of days.
Water Resistance
The Fitbit Ace 3 is water-resistant up to 50M. Children can wear it while swimming or showering, so you needn’t worry about spills and splashes.
Comfortable and Secure
With its silicon band and adjustable clasp, you won’t need to worry about this tracker falling off your child’s wrist, and it won’t be so tight that it restricts your child’s movements.
What We Don't Like
No GPS Tracker
Despite having many valuable features, the Fitbit Ace 3 cannot track the heart rate and doesn’t have a GPS tracker. If these two features are high on your priorities, this may not be the best Fitbit for your child.
Product Specs
| Recommended age | 6+ |
| Battery life | Up to 8 days |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Water resistance | Water-resistant up to 50M |
| Heart rate monitor | No |
Our Ratings
Fitbit Charge 6
Best Fitbit for Active Teenagers
If your always-on-the-go kid loves running from one place to another and working on their fitness, they might benefit from the Fitbit Charge 6.
It is one of the most advanced fitness wristbands on the market and has the widest range of wellness features. It has a super-accurate 24/7 heart rate monitor, activity tracker, and calorie burn predictor. It also has built-in GPS and contactless payment options, and it tracks your child’s sleep stages.
The Charge 6 links the fitness tracker features to your child’s smartwatch, allowing them to automate options such as phone notifications, weather updates, and calendar reminders.
As Fitbit is now a Google product, this tracker includes Google Maps and Google Wallet, adding to its convenience factor.
What We Like
Health Insights
The Fitbit Charge 6 allows teen girls more control over their health with features like period tracking. It also helps your child meditate by providing breathing exercises when it detects an elevated heart rate.
Outstanding Design
The Fitbit Charge 6 is comfortable and light on the wrist. Its chic design features several band options, including classic, Horween leather, sports bands, and woven bands.
What We Don't Like
Poor Strap Connection
Some users have complained that the interchangeable wrist strap can be difficult to operate. In some cases, the band popped open at its connection point, resulting in a lost Fitbit.
Product Specs
| Recommended age | 13+ |
| Battery life | Up to 7 days |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Water resistance | Up to 50 meters |
| Heart rate monitor | Yes |
Our Ratings
Fitbit Inspire 3
Best Fitbit for Older Kids
The Fitbit Inspire 3 is the equivalent of the Fitbit Ace 3 but for older children and teens. The slim, simple design appeals to those who care about style and has a more mature look.
It isn’t a smartwatch and doesn’t aspire to be one. However, it has all the necessary features of a fitness band — step tracking, sleep tracking, food logging, and calorie burn. All these stats are displayed on a touchscreen that responds to scrolling and swiping.
What We Like
Health Insights
Fitbit Inspire 3 offers female health-tracking options that will help young teenagers track their periods, record changes, and more. It has a 24/7 heart rate monitoring service that tracks your heart rate even while you sleep.
Premium Look
With its simple yet premium look, the Fitbit Inspire is an outstanding modern band that complements your teenager’s style. It’s available in three colors: black/lilac bliss, black/midnight zen, and black/morning glow.
Customized Exercising Modes
The Fitbit Inspire 3 offers 20+ goal-based exercising modes. All your teen has to do is select an exercise, such as biking, walking, running, yoga, etc. Then they’ll get targets and real-time guidance on how to achieve them.
Guided Breathing
Fitbit Inspire 3 offers personalized guided breathing sessions based on heart rate to help your child relax throughout the day.
What We Don't Like
Small Monochrome Screen
The monochrome screen is a little small, so notifications may not appear very clearly. This may prove problematic if your child has poor eyesight.
Product Specs
| Recommended age | 13+ |
| Battery life | Up to 10 days |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Water resistance | Up to 50M |
| Heart rate monitor | Yes |
Our Ratings
Fitbit Sense 2
Best Fitbit for Swimming
If you have your own Moana or Aquaman at home, we recommend the Fitbit Sense 2. It’s a thin and stylish model that is water-resistant to 50 meters. The recommended user age is 13 years old and older.
The Fitbit Sense 2 can be a gift for teenagers who swim or surf and cannot get enough of the sea.
What We Like
Tracks Swims
The Fitbit Sense 2 automatically tracks your child’s pace and distance while swimming. You can also track your kid’s swimming activities and progress in the Fitbit app.
Along with automatically detecting swims, the Fitbit Sense 2 also includes 40+ built-in exercise modes so your child can track all forms of exercise. And the GPS will help with distance workouts.
Chic and Stylish
It’s available in three color options: grey/aluminum, white/platinum, and blue mist/soft gold. This smartwatch and tracker device is larger than some of the other Fitbits and looks more like a watch.
Detects Irregular Heart Rhythms and Stress Levels
One of the biggest advantages of this Fitbit is its advanced ability to detect irregular heart rhythms. This is excellent for people with heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
It also has sensors that detect when your child’s body is experiencing stress and will notify them to slow down, breathe, and be mindful. It even includes built-in mindfulness sessions they can do any time or anywhere.
The sleep tracker can help you ensure they get a good night’s sleep.
What We Don't Like
Expensive
The Sense 2 is considerably more expensive than many of Fitbit’s other models. If your child is likely to break their watch, you might want to choose a cheaper option. If you don’t need the heart rhythm monitor, which is the main difference between this model and others, it might not be worth the steep cost increase.
Product Specs
| Recommended age | 13+ |
| Battery life | Up to 5 days |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Water resistance | Up to 50 m |
| Heart rate monitor | Yes |
Our Ratings
Fitbit Versa 4
Best Fitbit Smartwatch
Your child wants a smartwatch that they can use when away from their phone, but you want something to encourage them to stay active. The Fitbit Versa 4 is a great solution!
This smartwatch has all the activity tracker features of other Fitbit models — and more. It resembles smartwatches such as the Apple Watch and the Galaxy Watch.
They can send and receive texts right from their wrist, and the voice-to-text option makes this process easy. They can even answer phone calls on their Fitbit when their phone is out of reach. (We’ve found this is easiest when using Bluetooth headphones for the best sound quality).
What We Like
Wellness Features
The Fitbit Versa 4 offers numerous wellness features — 24/7 heart rate tracking, motivational challenges, food logging, and over 40 goal-based exercise modes. It also has thorough sleep tracking with sleep scores, sleep stages, and sleep mode features.
The Modern Chic Look
The band imitates the digital watch’s modern, high-tech look and is available in many colors. Your teenager should find the perfect fit for their style.
Personalized Coaching
Your child can view a wide range of in-app workouts with well-known trainers — and even more with a Fitbit Premium subscription. They can also access many guided meditations for when they need a little extra calm.
Voice to Text Replies
The voice-to-text feature makes replying to texts much easier.
What We Don't Like
Extra Payment for Additional Wellness Insights
If your teenager wants detailed insights, they’ll have to subscribe to Fitbit Premium. However, with the volume and quality of insights that the subscription provides, it should feel like money well spent.
Product Specs
| Recommended age | 13+ |
| Battery life | Up to 6 days |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Water resistance | Up to 50 meters |
| Heart rate monitor | Yes |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Recommended age | Battery life | Touch screen | Water resistance | Heart rate monitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Ace 3 | Overall | 6+ | 8 days | Yes | Up to 50 m | No |
| Fitbit Charge 6 | Active Teenagers | 13+ | 7 days | Yes | Up to 50 m | Yes |
| Fitbit Inspire 3 | Older Kids | 13+ | 10 days | Yes | Up to 50 m | Yes |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | Swimming | 13+ | 6 days | Yes | Up to 50 m | Yes |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | Smartwatch | 13+ | 6 days | Yes | Up to 50 m | Yes |
Why Investing in a Fitbit Is a Good Idea
Technology surrounds us wherever we go. It also surrounds our children. Their lives are filled with video games, TV shows, movies, and more.
Studies show that kids spend an average of 7.5 hours in front of a screen each day (1)! This isn’t good for their eyes, health, and overall development (2). Plus, inactivity leads to obesity (3).
But what alternative for screens and inactivity have you presented to your child?
If you want your young ones to move more, you’ll have to make outdoor activities fun.
A Fitbit watch turns mundane activities into lots of fun. With daily challenges, even running, cycling, and swimming can become a game.
Your child will love the colorful gadget on their wrist. It may appear toy-like to your little one, but Fitbits perform many functions. The band can track your kid’s sleep, activity, heart rate, and much more.
This tool is powerful, and we will help you choose the model that best suits your child’s needs.
How to Choose a Fitbit for Kids
A Fitbit should look good on your child’s arm while improving their quality of life. Depending on each child’s needs, some kids watch options will suit them better than others. Below are some factors you should consider to determine which Fitbit will fit your child best:
Age Appropriateness
Children of different ages have various interests and desires. If your kid is 8 years or older, they will probably seek some fun features, colorful designs, playful bands, and accessories. The requirements may differ if you’re buying a Fitbit for a teenager.
Teenagers will probably want a device that allows them to call, text, and receive calendar alerts. Those who exercise or engage in physical activities often will want to track the number of calories burned, the number of steps walked, and the duration of their activity.
Always consider the manufacturer’s recommended age range to ensure a specific Fitbit is suitable for your kid.
Parental Controls
Fitbit has an app that allows for parental view, but it’s not available for all Fitbit devices. This app lets you access your kid’s activity and approve their connections. If you have several children who want to create accounts, you will have to approve them by linking them to the family account.
Children under 13 (or the relevant minimum age, depending on your location) will need your consent to establish an account.
Call Alerts
Most Fitbit devices allow you to receive smartphone notifications on your wrist. Your child won’t be able to pretend they didn’t know you were calling them. Moreover, it encourages your child to pay more attention to their phones in case of emergencies.
Proven Durability
Kids are more likely than adults to break their devices. If you are investing money in a fitness wristband, make sure it is a durable unit. We believe Fitbits are some of the toughest smartwatches on the market.
You should also ensure that the band isn’t rough and tight on your child’s skin. We love that Fitbit bands are made of comfortable materials like silicone. They have an adjustable clasp, and the tracker attaches securely to the band.
Water-Resistance
Water resistance is also an important feature of any child’s device. Kids often splash and spill, so you want to get them a fitness band that can withstand that.
Fitbit’s water-resistance ability varies between models. We made sure to review this criterion with every mentioned model.
The Fun Factor
Fitbits are designed for children with the aim of making movement fun. The gamification will turn exercising into an enjoyable, entertaining activity that will keep your kid on their feet.
Battery Life
Your children will probably want to spend more time playing instead of waiting for their wristbands to charge. The autonomy of your Fitbit is important in this regard, especially for impatient youths. Consider the battery life of a Fitbit model before making a purchase.
Ease of Use
Kids should be able to use the fitness band with minimal to no adult assistance. Buttons should be simple and easily clickable. A wide touchscreen is also important because it allows little fingers to operate the Fitbit easily.
Fitness Features
You are probably purchasing a Fitbit for its fitness features. Some of the features you’ll find in a Fitbit are step tracking, sleep tracking, a pedometer, heart rate monitoring, and active minute tracking.
The data syncs to a mobile app. This way, you and your child can track their progress.
You can also check on your kid any time at the click of a button.
Preferences and Customization
There are two ways to customize your child’s Fitbit. You can personalize the on-screen dashboard or personalize the band. Children always want to express themselves, and customizing their Fitbit provides ample room to get creative.
Changing the band can transform the device’s look. If your kid desires this, make sure the Fitbit model you’re choosing has interchangeable accessories (the bands are sold separately).
