Fitness trackers are terrific motivators for keeping kids active. But it can be hard to know which features are essential. And you don’t want to end up with a watch battery you have to charge every night.
We’ve trialed and tested a wide range of products to find the very best fitness trackers for kids. The trackers on our list are durable and easy to use and they come with some great features and a battery that lasts.
So save your time searching, and spend it being active with your kiddos instead. Check out our kids fitness tracker recommendations to find the perfect fit for your active kids.
- Waterproof
- Animated clock faces
- Includes activity challenges
- Interactive challenges
- One-year battery life
- Swim-friendly
- Affordable option
- Waterproof design
- Silent, vibrating alarm
- Child-friendly features
- Teaches time the fun way
- Parent-controlled reminders
- Sleep monitor
- Breathing Exercise
- Smart notifications
- 8 days battery life
- Fun clock faces
- Includes parent app
- Great wristband design
- Includes parent app
- Reward system
The Best Kids Activity Trackers of 2024
With a lot of good and some not-so-great options out there, finding the best fitness tracker for kids wasn’t easy. By conducting extensive research on expert sites and wading through parent reviews, we managed to find our seven favorites.
Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids
Best Fitbit Activity Tracker for Kids
The Ace 2 is a Fitbit watch with a lot to offer. As with the adult versions, there’s an interactive app where users can find motivation and challenges.
Adults are in control of the majority of the content.
You can monitor all the changes, activities, and well-being of your child.
The tracker gives you a full report of activity and sleep habits — as long as your kiddo keeps wearing it.
What We Like
Sleep and Activity Tracker
The Ace 2 tracks your child day and night. During the day, it analyzes each step, skip, or jump the wearer takes and then summarizes them in minutes of activity. At night, the tracker works on surveilling their sleep patterns.
Waterproof
The exterior of the Ace 2 is waterproof down to 164 feet. There’s no need to remove it for bath time, the pool, or water play in the garden. So, spills and splashes are no biggie.
Activity Challenges
Because the CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of activity a day for children, Fitbit includes a one-hour challenge for the wearer (1). This is a daily event, and youngsters can invite friends through the app for some competition.
In the app, children also find incentives like virtual badges and avatars. Here they can watch their progress, which helps them to stay motivated.
Clock Faces and Colorful Bands
Children can express their style through the fitness tracker. There are fun animated clock faces to choose from. Fitbit, however, stresses that some clock faces will require more frequent charging.
What We Don't Like
Fragile Wristbands
The wristbands seem to be the biggest disappointment with the Ace 2. Parents note that they break quite easily. Fortunately, they’re easy to replace.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 6 years and up |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Sleep tracker | Yes |
| Battery life | 5 days before needing charging |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
User Experience
Garmin Vívofit Jr. 3 Fitness Tracker
Best Themed Activity Tracker for Kids
The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is an outstanding motivator. It comes in several themes, including Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney princesses. Each opens up interactive games and challenges designed to motivate users to stay active.
With the tracker, parents are in full control. Through the compatible app, you can do a variety of things to better your child’s well-being, including tracking sleep and activity.
You can take the activity tracker on any adventure, be it on the playground or to the beach. Just be mindful of too much sand and dust.
What We Like
Interactive Challenges
With the tracker, the user can enter an interactive universe where they get to explore more each day. The wearer must complete the 60-minute activity goal, thus unlocking more time to play and explore.
You get to see familiar Disney faces in the app. It’s a fantastic motivation for staying active. Shouldn’t there be a version for adults?
Parental Assistant
Along with the tracker, there is a recommended app that works as your parental assistant. From there, you can view your child’s activity, track their sleep, and invite the whole family to step challenges.
What’s more, you can set up chores for them to complete, adjust daily step challenges, and designate rewards. You can arrange weekly duties and tasks or choose to edit them daily.
One-Year Battery Life
The battery is unbelievable. Garmin advertises that it will last for at least one year. To get the most out of your battery life, ensure you follow the charging instructions.
Swim-Friendly
Your child doesn’t have to remove the watch, even for swimming. It’s swim-friendly and will track all the movements underwater for a thorough analysis of their activity levels.
What We Don't Like
Dim Display
The display on this watch is dimmer than most of the other options on our list. This may be to save the batteries, but it might be inconvenient for your child, especially on sunny days.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 4 years and up |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Sleep tracker | Yes |
| Battery life | 1 year |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
BiggerFive Vigor 2 L Kids Fitness Tracker
Best Budget Pick
If you’re looking for an affordable option, we found this easy-to-use smartwatch from BiggerFive. It’s an interactive watch, complete with a step counter, sleep tracker, and 10+ sports settings. BiggerFive recommends it for children aged 5 years and up.
With the watch, you can check how many steps your little one is taking. The interactive app allows parents to view their child’s stats and approve their connections.
The watch includes an activity alert to remind your child to keep moving throughout the day. And the sleep tracker will let you know how well your child is really sleeping.
The upgraded liquid silicone watch strap is comfortable for kids, and it stays in place. It comes in a variety of colors for kids of all ages and has several screen designs, so your kids can change up the look whenever they wish.
What We Like
Affordable Option
If you’re not sure how your child will do with a smartwatch or don’t have money to spend for a more expensive option, the BiggerFive smartwatch lets you monitor your little one’s activity at a price you can’t complain about. It includes a motion sensor to track your child’s steps, calories burned, active minutes, and moving distance. Have them wear it during active play and then watch how many steps they took directly from the tracker.
Heart Monitor
Learn how vigorous your child’s activity is, or keep an eye on their health with the built-in heart monitor.
Waterproof Design
There’s no reason for your child to remove the tracker when swimming, as this watch is fine for swimming. However, if your child will be diving in deep water or using a hot tub, it’s best to remove the watch.
Silent Alarm
Wake your child gently with the vibrating alarm on this watch — a nice alternative to a loud, beeping alarm clock.
What We Don't Like
Low-Quality App
The app tends to crash frequently, and if the watch isn’t charged regularly, you may lose some of your child’s data.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 5 to 15 years |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Sleep tracker | Yes |
| Battery life | Up to 7 days |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
Little Tikes Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch
Best Interactive Fitness Tracker for Young Children
The Little Tikes Tobi 2 Robot smartwatch is ideal for parents of younger children who are looking for motivation to keep them active. The tracker is suitable for ages 4 to 8 and comes in an adorable design and several fun colors for girls or boys.
Little Tikes emphasizes motivation for the activity. The watch includes several features designed to keep the wearer wanting to move more, including fun fitness challenges.
Parents praise the content that comes with it — it’s fun yet practical. Kids love the augmented reality games and dance activities, and they can connect to other Tobi watches for multiplayer gaming. The watch also includes a camera for taking easy photos and videos that kids can then edit with more fun features.
With the fitness tracker, your little one can tumble, jump, skip, and splash in the backyard sprinklers. The watch is water-resistant, though not waterproof, and is an excellent companion for a thriving preschooler.
What We Like
Parent-Controlled Reminders
The Little Tikes smartwatch lets you set up to three reminders that come in handy for medication or potty training. This is perfect for busy moms who tend to forget the medication schedules or whatnot.
Teaches Time the Fun Way
Buying this watch is like hitting two birds with one stone. You not only get to monitor their physical health, but you can also stimulate their minds by teaching them how to tell the time using more than 50 watch faces. It even includes a timer with animations for teeth brushing and other daily activities.
Child-Friendly Features
The Tobi 2 Robot is adorable — it’s eye-catching for small children who’ll adore the cute design. Furthermore, it’s interactive and has two built-in cameras for selfies and taking videos, a pedometer that helps track their footsteps, and an alarm and calendar that is easy to use,
What We Don't Like
Lacks Other Fitness Features
The fitness tracker is an add-on in this smartwatch. Unfortunately, it does not come with a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, or oxygen saturation status.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 4 to 8 years |
| Waterproof | No |
| Sleep tracker | No |
| Battery life | Up to five days |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
DoSmarter Kids Fitness Tracker Watch
Best Classic Design Kids Fitness Tracker
The fitness tracker from DoSmarter is suitable for ages 6 years and up. It’s inexpensive but has a lot of great features.
The tracker will monitor the movements and sleep habits of the wearer. It also tracks heart rate, calories, distance, and exercise duration and offers reminders to move if your child has been stationary for too long.
Our older kids like that this tracker looks like a regular sports watch, although they can choose from a wide range of screen displays, and it has a comfortable, easy-to-adjust strap.
We appreciate the ability to set up daily or weekly alarms or reminders, and it even includes a feature that helps kids calm down with breathing techniques.
What We Like
Sleep Monitor
Sleep plays an essential role in a healthy life, so analyzing your child’s sleep habits can help you immensely. By wearing the watch at night, it will track how many hours of sleep the wearer gets. This gives you room to adjust when necessary, perhaps with bedtimes or diet.
Breathing Exercise
The watch teaches your child how to take deep, calming breaths to help them settle down when needed. This is useful for after exercise, before bed, or when your child is having a hard time handling their emotions.
Heart Monitor
Teach your kids how to have a healthy heart with the heart rate monitor. This feature lets you know the status of your child’s heart rate at any moment and helps them know when their exercise is most effective. It’s a great feature for kids involved in track or other sports.
What We Don't Like
Not Waterproof
Although this watch is advertised as being water-resistant, it’s not waterproof, so you’ll have to remind your child to remove it for any water activities.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 6 years and up |
| Waterproof | No |
| Sleep tracker | Yes |
| Battery life | 7 days |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker for Kids
Best Fitness Tracker for Ages 6 Years and Up
Fitbit Ace 3 is excellent for older children who are mature enough for a serious activity tracker. Ace is suitable for ages 6 and up.
It works similarly to a Fitbit for adults but still gives parents full control of everything. Connect it to the app and your family account to unlock a range of good-to-have parent-only features.
With the watch, your child can personalize their experience and receive notifications. It will track their every movement and sleep patterns. Spills and splashes are no biggie, and the battery lasts for more or less 8 days.
What We Like
Accurate Activity Tracker
Ace 3 will track your child’s activity with high accuracy. The watch monitors how many steps they’re taking as well as active minutes. They can wear it during almost any exercise, including swimming.
Long Battery Life
We mean it when we say this watch has an awesome battery life. It can be used for 8 days without recharging! Of course, this depends on usage, but the majority of parents can vouch that the battery life is indeed incredible.
Fun Clock Faces
Users can choose different fun clock faces to personalize their Fitbit Ace 3. The watch offers crisp images and enjoyable viewing. Keep in mind, however, that particular clock faces will draw more battery.
On the screen, children can view their rewards for completing their daily activity challenges. They’ll also receive notifications if they connect to their smartphone.
Parent App
The watch is compatible with the Fitbit app, where you can set up a family account. If you also use a Fitbit watch, you can connect all the family. Through the app, you can track progress and sleep and also adjust challenges and add to them.
Your child will have access to your family account, but they can only view it in Kid View. You’ll have full control, giving them access and choosing what they can see.
What We Don't Like
Low Quality Wristband
Parents loathe how the band easily gets broken after weeks of usage. Others commented that their child gets an allergic reaction to the silicone band. It’s easy to purchase inexpensive replacement straps, but this is something worth considering when buying the product.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 6 years and up |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Sleep tracker | Yes |
| Battery life | Eight days |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Garmin Vívofit Jr. Kids Fitness Tracker
Best Designed Fitness Tracker for Kids
If your child wishes for something stylish, then the Vivofit Jr. from Garmin is a good choice. The wristbands they offer for this watch are fun and intriguing.
Besides the awesome bands, the watch has a lot to offer for children and parents. We can easily say it’s more than a fitness tracker — you can add chores and tasks with the app. A fun reward system puts you in charge of deciding on the prize.
What We Like
Great Wristband Design
The Vivofit Jr. features a stylish wristband, available in three designs, Broken Lava, Digi Camo, and Real Flower. The colors are vibrant, and there are options for girls and boys.
The one-piece band is easy to slip on and off. As your child grows, you can swap it for an adult-sized band.
Parent App
This activity tracker for kids is compatible with an app that has many features for parents. Via the app, you can add all your children, monitor their progress, sleep, and daily activity. It also allows you to set up chores and tasks for them to complete and let the watch notify them.
Setting up challenges, inviting family members, and presenting rewards are just a few of the helpful perks the app offers.
Reward System
For each challenge the user completes, they’ll receive a respective reward that you’ve chosen. By completing chores and step challenges, they win virtual coins that they can exchange for your prizes. This could be something like extra screen time or a trip to the mall.
What We Don't Like
Fragile Wristbands
Handle the wristbands with care. Because they’re a one-piece design, they can snap when being stretched beyond their limit.
Product Specs
| Suitable for ages | 4 to 9 years |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Sleep tracker | Yes |
| Battery life | One year |
| Parental control | Yes |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
| Product | Best | Suitable for ages | Waterproof | Sleep tracker | Battery life | Parental control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker | Fitbit Tracker | < 6 yrs | Yes | Yes | 5 days | Yes |
| Garmin Vívofit Jr. 3 | Themed Tracker | < 4 yrs | Yes | Yes | 1 year | Yes |
| BiggerFive Vigor Kids Tracker | Budget Pick | <5 yrs | Yes | Yes | 7 days | Yes |
| Little Tikes Tobi 2 Robot | Interactive Tracker | 4 – 8 yrs | No | No | 5 days | Yes |
| Do Smarter Fitness Tracker | Older Kids | < 6 yrs | No | Yes | 7 days | Yes |
| Fitbit Ace 3 Activity Tracker | Ages 6 Years and Up | < 6 yrs | Yes | Yes | 8 days | Yes |
| Garmin Vívofit Jr. Tracker | Design | 4 – 9 yrs | Yes | Yes | 1 year | Yes |
How to Choose an Activity Tracker for Kids
Sleep Monitor
A sleep tracker is an excellent feature to look for in a fitness watch. Getting enough sleep is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for school-aged children (2). Such a monitor will give you an overlook of how many hours your child spends sleeping and if they wake up at night.
If they don’t like wearing gadgets to bed, though, it’s okay to skip this feature. Only seek it out if they’ll use it and benefit from it.
Waterproof
A waterproof watch is ideal for children. Even if they don’t swim with it, you know it’s protected from spills and splashes.
It’s essential, however, that you ensure it’s completely waterproof before using it in the pool. Some watches claim to be waterproof when they’re only resistant to spills and minor splashes.
Comfort
Since your child will spend a lot of time wearing the watch, comfort is important. A good material to look for is silicone. These are flexible and usually come as a one-piece design, which is best for small children.
For older children, look for watch-style closures to accommodate their growing wrists.
Another comfort consideration is screen size. Big and bulky isn’t ideal for children, even though they may look more fun.
Battery Life
Consider the battery life and how it suits your lifestyle. Some trackers, such as the Garmin, may last one year before requiring a recharge. Others need recharging every day.
Follow Instructions
Compatible App for Parents
Depending on you and your child, having an app on your phone to check in on the watch might be necessary. Most trackers come with an app where you can monitor progress and sleep on a phone or tablet.
Fitbit and Garmin have, by far, the best apps for parents. Many allow you to add family members, challenges, and rewards for users.
Should You Buy an Activity Tracker for Kids?
Activity trackers have gained a good reputation among adults — with some folks claiming it’s their secret to a healthier life. Others say they aren’t necessary.
Just as with adults, fitness trackers for children have their pros and cons. They’re fantastic motivators but may encourage an unhealthy obsession with weight and exercise.
With the increase in child obesity, the pros often outweigh the cons (3). At least one study for adults concluded that wearable activity trackers can promote positive behavioral change (4). The same can apply to children.
By viewing clear information that the trackers provide, along with rewards, many kids are reporting that it makes physical activity more fun. When children find exercise enjoyable, they’re more likely to continue this healthy behavior into adulthood.
It’s still essential for parents to explain the importance of activity. When doing so, always preach body positivity — remember that healthy, confident attitudes in parents incite a positive atmosphere for your child (5).
Kids Fitness Tracker FAQs
What is the Best Fitness Tracker for Kids?
The best fitness tracker for kids is one that’s durable, has a user-friendly interface, and includes features like activity tracking and games. The Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker for Kids is our recommendation because it has all the best features for your kiddo.
Is a Fitbit or Garmin Better for Kids?
Both Fitbit and Garmin offer great features for kids. Fitbit tends to have more kid-friendly designs, while Garmin offers robust durability and GPS options.
Do Kids Need a Phone for a Fitness Tracker?
Not necessarily. Some fitness trackers for kids work independently, while others sync with a parent’s phone for tracking and monitoring.
What Age Should a Child Have a Smartwatch?
Children as young as five or six can start using a basic smartwatch, especially those designed for kids with GPS tracking and fitness features.
Are Fitness Trackers Healthy for Kids?
Yes, they can encourage physical activity and healthy habits. However, it’s important to balance tech use with screen-free time.
Can You Track a Kid’s Location with a Fitbit?
Most Fitbits don’t have GPS tracking. For location tracking, you might need a more specialized kids’ smartwatch with GPS capabilities.
