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15 Best Kids Watches of 2024

Updated
Combine functionality and fun with these top kids watches.

Kids watches are more than just time-telling devices. They can be a learning tool and fun accessory for children.

With various styles, functionalities, and designs available, choosing the right watch can be a playful yet practical addition to your child’s daily life.

We’ve put many hours on the clock searching for the best kids watches. This article will highlight our top 15 picks. We’ll focus on durability, features, and child-friendly designs.

Our Top Picks

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Image
Model
Product Comparison Table
Features

Product Image of the Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Watch
Best Digital
Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Watch
  • Water-resistant
  • Shockproof
  • Digital and analog display
Product Image of the Pasnew Easy Reader Girls Watch
Best Analog
Pasnew Easy Reader Girls Watch
  • Scratch resistant & durable
  • Analog display
  • Leather band
Product Image of the Casio Sports Watch
Best for Tweens
Casio Sports Watch
  • 10-year battery life
  • Water-resistant within 50 meters
  • Made in the USA
Product Image of the INIUPO Smart Wrist Watch for Boys Girls Kids Ages 4-12 Years with Camera 26...
Best Smartwatch
Iniupo Smartwatch for Kids
  • GPS feature
  • SOS mode
  • Easy to use
Product Image of the Venhoo 3D Cartoon Watch
Best for 3-Year-Olds
Venhoo 3D Cartoon Watch
  • Silicone strap
  • Includes protective plastic
  • Splash resistant
Product Image of the Prograce Digital Wrist Watch
Best Multifunctional
Prograce Digital Wrist Watch
  • Earphone supported
  • Versatile
  • Soft and breathable silicone strap
Product Image of the KIDPER Kids Digital Watch, Boys Sports Waterproof Led Watches with Alarm Wrist...
Best Waterproof Watch
YF Wood Waterproof Digital Watch
  • Waterproof to 50 meters
  • Sturdy
  • Shockproof
Product Image of the EasyRead Time Teacher
Best for Learning to Tell Time
EasyRead Time Teacher
  • Easy to tell the time
  • Easy to follow
  • Bright & simple design
Product Image of the Garmin vivofit jr. 3, Fitness Tracker for Kids, Includes Interactive App...
Best Fitness Watch
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 Activity Tracker
  • Parent-controlled app
  • Has reward system
  • Goal tracker
Product Image of the Venhoo Kids Watches
Best First Watch
Venhoo Kids Watches
  • Simple design
  • Silicone band
  • Japanese quartz movement


The Best Kids Watches of 2024

Here are the top watches for kids:

Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Watch

Best Digital Watch For Kids

If you’re looking for an affordable boys watch that can withstand rugged play, the Cofuo kids watch is an excellent choice.

The rubberized backing straps prevent rubbing or chafing from the watch body. This makes the watch especially comfortable to wear.

The display shows the day, date, and time with either a regular light level or an additional light mode to make the display easier to read in bright daylight or at night.

Pros

  • This watch is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters.
  • The shockproof design protects the watch even in rough play.
  • It has an analog display so your child can see both kinds of time displayed at once.

Cons

  • It takes some time to get used to the settings.

Product Specs

Weight 1.7 ounces
Strap Material PU rubber
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Stopwatch, alarm, calendar, chrono, dual time display
Other Features Water-resistant, shockproof

Our Ratings

Design
3.5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Features
4 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

User Experience

This watch has been an excellent choice for my 10-year-old son, as it features both digital and classic watch styles, making it easier for him to learn how to tell time. Setup was not too complicated, and the instructions were fairly easy to follow. The watch is not only visually appealing but also has a functional alarm, which has taught my son to wake up independently for school. I purchased the blue and green versions for my two grandsons, and they were both equally impressed and excited to wear them. However, after a month of use, we have noticed that the watch doesn't always keep time accurately, requiring daily adjustments.

Pasnew Easy Reader Girls Watch

Best Analog Watch For Kids

This pretty watch with a leather band is designed to appeal to children as young as 3 years old.

However, the design is sophisticated enough for older kids, tweens, and even teens.

The watch face is decorated with delicate flowers, and a trio of crystals adorn the points where the strap attaches to the bezel.

Pros

  • The design will appeal to a wide age range. Your child may want to wear this watch for many years to come.
  • The analog display is most appropriate for learning to tell the time.

Cons

  • Could be more easily damaged than plastic or rubber watches.

Product Specs

Weight 1.06 ounces
Strap Material Leather
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Basic analog watch face only
Other Features None

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Features
2 / 5
Ease of Use
5 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

Personal Perspective

This watch boasts an adorable design that immediately caught my daughter's eye, and the initial presentation was neat and visually appealing. However, the leather-like strap is not quite waterproof, and the watch itself seems to gain a five-minute delay each day - a significant issue for children learning to tell time with analog watches. Additionally, despite claims of being waterproof, the watch did not survive a shower incident. While my daughter loved the design, the overall quality and performance of this watch were disappointing.

Casio STR300-7 Sports Watch

Best Watch For Tweens

This fun and glamorous watch is an excellent choice for tweens.

This watch is cute enough to still be appealing but adult enough to feel grown-up. It is specially constructed to be lightweight and comfortable for kids. It also includes a pacer that will alert you when you are at the pace you’ve set.

The strap and water-resistant casing make this a watch your tween can wear at playtime while still being stylish with a more dressed-up look.

Pros

  • The flexible strap makes the watch lightweight and safe.
  • The water-resistant casing will stand up to water splashes at school or play.
  • Built with 10-year battery life.
  • It includes a pacer that is useful for athletic kids.
  • Includes an auto light and countdown timer features.

Cons

  • The band may be a little stiff for some.

Product Specs

Weight 0.96 ounces
Strap Material Plastic
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Digital watch
Other Features Pacer, stopwatch, auto light

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Durability
4.5 / 5
Features
4 / 5
Ease of Use
4.5 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Community Feedback

I recently purchased this watch and have been enjoying its features and stylish design. The pacer and countdown timer functions have been particularly useful for keeping me on track during my runs and various daily tasks. The autolight feature is convenient, allowing me to easily read the time in low-light situations. However, the red numbers can be a bit difficult to read at certain angles in direct light, and the buttons are slightly stiff. Despite these minor drawbacks, this watch has proven to be a durable and functional addition to my daily routine.

Iniupo Smartwatch for Kids

Best Kids Smartwatch

The Iniupo kids smartwatch allows your child to play games, take photos, and call home all from one simple device.

It includes an SD card, so kids can download and store their favorite songs right on their wrist for instant dance parties.

Our kids love that this watch has 26 built-in learning games and puzzles to entertain them during drives or in waiting rooms. You’ll have to watch that the games aren’t distracting during school hours. However, this shouldn’t be an issue as you can set the watch in “school mode” to prevent it from being played with during class time.

Kids also enjoy the pedometer function, which helps them stay active—especially if they have friends to compete against in step races.

Pros

  • The camera feature is entertaining.
  • It includes 26 built-in games and puzzles.
  • It comes with an SD card for storing songs.
  • “School mode” prevents distraction.

Cons

  • No names for contacts, so kids will need to remember which phone number is which.

Product Specs

Weight 2 ounces
Strap Material Plastic
Closure System Plastic buckle
Functions Timer, camera, calls, music, games
Other Features Clock, calendar, alarms, pedometer

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Features
5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
4.25 / 5

Venhoo 3D Cartoon Watch

Best Watch For 3-Year-Olds

Your child’s first watch is a big step. The Venhoo 3D cartoon watch gives your child that older kid feeling while being safe enough for your tiny loved ones.

The silicone strap is attractively decorated with cute 3D cartoon characters, and the theme carries onto the watch face. The hands-on watch face is large, brightly colored, and easy to read, and the colorful numbers are highly visible against the white watch face.

Pros

  • The silicone strap and watch case covering make this comfortable and safe to wear.
  • It comes with a clear, protective plastic covering to prevent scratches.
  • It’s splash-resistant, so it can be worn for regular activities.

Cons

  • The small strap size means some children may quickly grow out of this.
  • No extra features.

Product Specs

Weight 1 ounces
Strap Material Silicone
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Analog watch face only
Other Features None

Our Ratings

Design
5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Features
2 / 5
Ease of Use
5 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

User Experience

Love the affordability and design of this watch, despite it not being a high-end product. My three-year-old, who aspires to be a free diver like me, adores wearing it and calls it his "dive watch." Although it keeps working when wet, I noticed some fogging inside the watch afterward. Nevertheless, this watch is perfect for a young child who is still learning to tell time. The cute appearance and functionality make it a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly children's watch.

Prograce Digital Wrist Watch

Best Multifunctional Kids Watch

This high-quality smartwatch from Prograce contains 12 features, including games, a calendar, Bluetooth, a flashlight, a sound recorder, and a pedometer. You can also purchase a separate microSD card to store your child’s favorite music. If he gets bored or is having a meltdown, you can easily play his favorite melody to calm him down.

Kids can also entertain themselves with the four built-in games. You can link the watch earphones so parents can enjoy peace and quiet while their kids listen to their favorite tunes.

The integrated fitness tracker can be used to count steps and set activity goals.

Pros

  • Earphone supported.
  • Versatile option with various forms of entertainment.
  • Soft and breathable silicone strap.
  • Easy-to-use touchscreen.

Cons

  • It’s an expensive item to give to a small child who may not be very careful with it.

Product Specs

Weight 1.6 ounces
Strap Material Silicone
Closure System Buckle
Functions Digital
Other Features Camera, music, calculator, alarm clock, flashlight, sound recorder, FM, pedometer, games, calendar, stopwatch

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Features
5 / 5
Ease of Use
3.5 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Personal Perspective

My experience with this smartwatch for my child has been mostly positive, with features like games, a pedometer, and FM radio keeping them entertained and active. However, we have encountered a few issues like a camera error and a screen break, though the latter was promptly resolved by customer service.

Kidper Kids Waterproof Digital Watch

Best Waterproof Kids Watch

This pick is a lightweight, shockproof, and waterproof watch designed to appeal to school kids from the age of 5.

The watch is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, so it’s safe to wear while swimming, in the shower, or during other water-intensive activities.

Pros

  • Kids can wear this watch while swimming.
  • It’s sturdy enough to be worn while playing sports.

Cons

  • This watch has few functions, so older kids might find it boring.

Product Specs

Weight 1.51 Ounces
Strap Material Silicone rubber
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Time, stopwatch, alarm
Other Features Waterproof, shockproof

Our Ratings

Design
3.5 / 5
Durability
4.5 / 5
Features
3 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

EasyRead Time Teacher

Best Watch for Learning to Tell Time Watch

The EasyRead Time Teacher has a special time-teaching analog watch face.

The dial has the regular 1-hour to 12-hour layout with an additional outer ring with the numbers 1 to 59.

Your child can quickly learn to read and tell the time by saying the number at the end of the little hand and then the number at the end of the big hand.

We appreciate that this watch also includes a 24-hour clock so kids can learn to tell time in multiple ways.

Pros

  • The design allows your child to tell the time simply and quickly.
  • The new watch face material is scratch-resistant.
  • The bright, simple design is appealing to many children.

Cons

  • It’s not shatterproof and may break if dropped onto a hard surface.

Product Specs

Weight 1.41 ounces
Strap Material Nylon
Closure System Tang buckle
Functions Analog clock face with a unique double ring of numbers
Other Features None

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Features
3.5 / 5
Ease of Use
5 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

First-Hand Impression

From personal experience, this watch is an excellent tool for children learning to tell time, with its clear Arabic numerals and well-designed minute and hour hands. However, the seconds numbers in the rounded corners can be difficult to see, and the band may need to be folded for smaller wrists. While not waterproof and lacking illumination, this watch has been a helpful learning tool for my child. The colorful design is eye-catching, but the 24-hour numbers could be a bit confusing for some children.

Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 Kids Fitness/Activity Tracker

Best Kids Fitness Watch

One of our favorite features of the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is that parents can manage this fitness activity tracker via an app, so you can easily monitor multiple children.

The watch is compatible with Android or iOS, so you can see your child’s sleep, steps, activities, and chores data from your phone. You can also set goals and reward activity.

This smartwatch/activity tracker has more features than we can list, but some of our kids’ favorites are the fun graphics, the allowance tracker, the unique challenges, and the coin rewards for completing tasks.

Your kids can choose from a variety of modern colors and fun strap prints to suit their style.

Pros

  • Parents can assign chores via the app, and the chore information will be displayed on the watch.
  • Coins can be awarded on the watch and used for rewards of the parents’ choosing.
  • When your child hits their activity goal, the watch unlocks a step on the fun electronic adventure trail.
  • It doesn’t require charging, and the battery lasts at least a year.

Cons

  • It can be hard to read the dark display in bright lights.

Product Specs

Weight 0.88 ounces
Strap Material Silicone
Closure System Plastic buckle
Functions Step, sleep, swim, activity time tracker, games, challenges, and watch
Other Features Can assign chores, award coins, and set activity goals

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Features
4.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

Venhoo Kids Watches

Best Kids First Watch

The Venhoo silicone strap analog watch is simplicity itself.

An analog watch face with bright primary-colored numbers is held on the wrist by a fun silicone band decorated with math symbols. The watch is delivered in a coordinating gift box.

A Japanese quartz movement is powered by a standard watch battery, which lasts about a year and can then be easily replaced at home.

Pros

  • The simple design is good for the youngest of watch wearers.
  • The silicone band is comfortable and less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Cons

  • The face is shatterproof but could still be cracked with enough impact.
  • Your child will have to learn how to read an analog watch face.

Product Specs

Weight 1.6 ounce
Strap Material Leather
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Analog watch face only
Other Features None

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Features
2.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4.5 / 5
Total Rating
3.5 / 5

Personal Perspective

My experience with this watch has been mostly positive, as it serves as an excellent tool for teaching kids how to tell time. The design, including the colors and math on the wristband, was appealing to my child and it fit comfortably. However, I did encounter some issues with the watch hands being easily adjustable, requiring frequent readjustments to the correct time. Despite this minor drawback, it's a good starter watch for children to wear to school and learn time-telling.

Disney Mickey Mouse Time Teacher

Best Time Teller

Your Mickey Mouse lover will surely appreciate this fancy watch.

The clock is easy enough for your child to follow the instructions and learn how to tell time with its labeled hour and minute hands and markings around the case.

The watch comes in a variety of style options to suit your little one.

Pros

  • Affordable and officially licensed.
  • The time-learning feature gives some structure to teaching your child at home.

Cons

  • Limited functions.

Product Specs

Weight 2.26 ounces
Strap Material Fabric
Closure System Hook-and-loop
Functions Basic analog watch with a labeled minute and hour hand for time teaching
Other Features None

Our Ratings

Design
3.5 / 5
Durability
3 / 5
Features
3 / 5
Ease of Use
3.5 / 5
Total Rating
3.25 / 5

Community Feedback

I recently purchased this band for my child and found its design to be quite disappointing. After struggling to thread the band through once, it became nearly impossible to do it again if it accidentally came out. As a parent, I expected a more user-friendly design, especially considering it is aimed at children.

CakCity Military Child Wrist Watch

Best Kids Military Style Watch

Created with the rugged outdoor enthusiast in mind, the CakCity kids military-style watch comes in several colors.

The digital display has two modes — regular and EL. The regular display has dark numbers against a light background, and the EL has numbers that light up. This makes it great for those overnight camping trips or night hikes.

Pros

  • Appealing camo design with several color options — a popular military choice.
  • It’s built to survive the rigors of rough outdoor play.
  • It can display a 12-hour or 24-hour clock plus an alarm and stopwatch.

Cons

  • It might not be a good fit for bigger kids.

Product Specs

Weight 1.13 ounces
Strap Material Plastic
Closure System Stainless Steel Buckle
Functions Time, date, alarm, stopwatch
Other Features Shock-resistant, water-resistant, 24-hour clock option

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Durability
4 / 5
Features
4 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
4 / 5

First-Hand Impression

I've recently purchased this watch for my son, and he absolutely loves it as his first timepiece. The watch is easy to set up and simple to use, offering a few convenient features that my child enjoys. While we haven't tested the water resistance yet, the overall quality seems impressive for the price. However, the watch band could be more comfortable and durable, as it broke after a short period of use and my son finds it a bit uncomfortable for extended wear.

Viposoon Kids Watch

Best Colorful Kids Watch

The Viposoon kids watch has twelve cute design options, all of which have 3D cartoon figures on the adjustable strap.

All of the watches have digital faces with fun designs, and most have brightly colored LED backlights.

Furthermore, this waterproof watch acts as a stopwatch, an alarm, and a calendar simultaneously.

Pros

  • The fun design options are appealing to younger children.
  • It’s an affordable option for a child who wants a watch but isn’t yet ready to tell the time independently.

Cons

  • The designs aren’t appealing to many older children or tweens.

Product Specs

Weight 1.41 ounces
Strap Material Silicone
Closure System Steel buckle
Functions Digital watch, calendar, stopwatch, alarm clock
Other Features 3ATM waterproof

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Features
3.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

User Experience

Got this watch for my young grandchild, and they were thrilled with its adorable design and the fact that it lights up in different colors. They've been wearing it for quite some time now, and it's proven to be durable, which is impressive considering how active they are. Setting up the watch was a bit challenging, as the directions could have been clearer, but we managed to figure out how to set the time. Although it took a little effort to understand all the functions, I'm overall pleased with the purchase. This watch has brought a lot of joy to my grandchild, and it's a cute accessory that they enjoy wearing every day.

Timex Analog Easy Reader Watch

Best Watch for Girls

This waterproof quartz analog watch has a baby pink leather strap perfect for your little one’s wrist. Although it’s an analog clock, it has easy-to-read markings to help your child learn how to tell time.

Suitable for kids five years and up, this is a fantastic first watch. It’s stylish, durable, and helps with learning. In fact, it has gained several awards over several years.

Pros

  • Easy-to-read markings.
  • It helps with learning how to tell time.
  • Water resistant.

Cons

  • The watch face scratches easily.

Product Specs

Weight 0.6 ounces
Strap Material Faux leather
Closure System Buckle
Functions Included numbers and labeled hands
Other Features Water-resistant

Our Ratings

Design
4 / 5
Durability
3.5 / 5
Features
3 / 5
Ease of Use
4.5 / 5
Total Rating
3.75 / 5

Personal Perspective

When I first bought this watch for my young niece, I didn't expect it to become a favorite of mine too. However, with its cute baby pink strap and easy-to-read numbers, it's perfect for those of us with smaller wrists. The Indiglo backlight is a fun feature that my niece adores, and she quickly learned to tell the time on a glance. The only downside is the strap tends to get smelly after being soaked in sweat, so it's not ideal for outdoor play or hot days. Despite this minor issue, the watch has proven to be quite durable and remains a reliable choice for both children and adults alike.

Lacoste Kids TR90 Quartz Watch

Best High-End Kids Watch

If you have a miniature designer-label fan, how about the Lacoste watch?

Kids love the signature crocodile at the 3. This watch is a stylish timepiece that could be considered timeless, as your child could wear it for many years to come.

The mineral watch face is scratch-resistant, and the entire watch is water-resistant.

Pros

  • Clean, stylish design will appeal to kids for years to come.
  • Multifarious color options.
  • The rubber strap is comfortable and easy to clean.

Cons

  • Not suitable for wear during rough and tumble play.

Product Specs

Weight 0.8 ounces
Strap Material Rubber
Closure System Stainless steel buckle
Functions Analog watch face only
Other Features None

Our Ratings

Design
4.5 / 5
Durability
3 / 5
Features
2.5 / 5
Ease of Use
4 / 5
Total Rating
3.5 / 5

Community Feedback

In my experience, this watch has been a delightful addition to my everyday wardrobe. As an adult with a small wrist, the flexible band fits comfortably and securely, while the navy blue color and easy-to-read numbers add a touch of style and practicality. My daughter, who is eight years old, also loves wearing this watch, and it seems to hold up well for her active lifestyle. The watch has even garnered compliments and inquiries from others who appreciate its classic design. However, I did encounter an issue with it stopping after a few months, but that seems to be an isolated incident.

Product Comparison Chart

Product Best Weight Strap Material Closure System Functions
Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Watch Digital 1.7 oz Rubber Stainless Steel buckle Stopwatch, alarm, calendar, chrono
Pasnew Easy Reader  Analog 1.06 oz Leather Stainless steel buckle Basic analog watch face only
Casio Sports Watch Tweens 0.96 oz Plastic Stainless steel buckle Pacer, stopwatch, auto light
Iniupo Smartwatch for Kids Smartwatch 2 oz Plastic Plastic buckle Timer, camera, calls, music, pedometer
Venhoo 3D Cartoon Watch 3-Year-Olds 1 oz Silicone Stainless steel buckle Analog watch face only
Prograce Kids Smartwatch Multifunctional 1.6 oz Silicone Buckle Digital clock, camera, pedometer
Kidper Kids Digital Watch Waterproof 1.51 oz Silicone rubber Stainless steel buckle Time, stopwatch, alarm
EasyRead Time Teacher Learning Time 1.41 oz Nylon Tang buckle Analog clock face
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 Fitness Watch 0.88 oz Silicone Buckle Step, swim, sleep, & activity time tracker
Venhoo Kids Watches First Watch 1.6 oz Leather Stainless steel buckle Analog watch face only
Disney Mickey Mouse Time Teacher Time Teller 2.26 oz Fabric Hook-and-loop Analog watch
CakCity Military Child Wrist Watch Military Style 1.13 oz Plastic Stainless steel buckle Time, date, alarm, stopwatch
Viposoon Kids Watch Colorful 1.41 oz Silicone Steel buckle Time, date, alarm, stopwatch
Timex Analog Watch Best Watch for Girls 0.6 oz Faux leather Buckle Numbers and labeled hands
Lacoste Kids TR90 Quartz Watch High-End 0.8 oz Rubber Stainless steel buckle Analog watch face only

Should Kids Wear Watches?

Most people are visual learners. Wearing a watch helps your child see time (1). A watch is a crucial tool to help your little one understand:

  • How much time has passed.
  • What a specific period of time, such as 10 minutes, feels like.
  • Deadlines.
  • How to wind down an activity and prepare to stop doing something you enjoy.

Kids watches meet these learning needs. They show the time, are fun to wear, and can withstand a child’s rough-and-tumble world.

Watches are also a key stepping stone to independence. When your child wears a watch, you can tell them to be somewhere by a specific time.

What Age Should A Child Get A Watch?

There are no hard and fast rules about when to get a child a watch. However, a 3-year-old can begin to learn the basics of time. Therefore, any time from that point on would be an acceptable time for a child to have a watch.

Types Of Watches For Kids

Analog Watches

Analog watches have a traditional clock face with numbers and hands to indicate the hours and the minutes.

Pros

  • They are good for teaching a child how to tell the time.
  • A child who learns to tell the time with an analog watch will find learning to read a digital display simple.
  • Being able to tell the time with an analog watch allows a child to read the time on other clock faces around them, no matter where they are.

Cons

  • It can take longer to learn to tell the time on an analog watch.
  • Analog watches have fewer features than their digital counterparts.

Digital Watches

Digital watches show the time using digits on an LED display rather than on a clock face with numbers and hands.

Pros

  • Digital watches usually have more features than analog watches, including timers, lights, and alarms.
  • They tend to be more robust and are less likely to be broken.

Cons

  • They can be rather big and bulky.
  • Children who learn to tell the time on a digital watch need to relearn to tell the time on an analog watch or clock.

Sports Watches

Sports watches are usually more rugged than other models. They have features such as a timer and stopwatch and can be the best watches for kids who love activity.

Pros

  • They are an excellent choice for active children as they are specifically designed to withstand the rigors of sports and activities.
  • Additional features allow a child to monitor their sports performance.
  • Kids sports watches are usually waterproof, which means they can be worn outside in all kinds of weather.

Cons

  • Some of the programmable features can be difficult for a child to manage.
  • Younger children may be tempted to play with the buttons and functions. This can result in them breaking the watch.

With a smartwatch, your child can play games, take photos, and even call home or another designated emergency contact. Many smartwatches also have a GPS that will allow you to track your child when they are wearing their watch.

Pros

  • Enables your child to call you in an emergency, eliminating the need for an expensive cell phone.
  • Provides entertainment through games and other built-in activities.
  • Allows you to track your child when they are away from home.

Cons

  • If your kid plays rough, their smartwatch may not last long.
  • Some smartwatches have security weaknesses that allow them to be hacked.
  • The battery life is much shorter and may be frustrating for a child.

How To Choose The Best Kids Watch

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best watch for your kids:

Your Child’s Age

Generally, the younger your child is, the simpler the watch should be — the fewer the features, the better.

Keep the distractions low. With nothing to play with on the watch, it’s more likely to last longer. A straightforward clock face on a strap is the best option for little ones.

As your child ages, you may want to consider a GPS watch, especially when you first allow them to venture out and about without you.

Whether Your Child Can Tell Time Yet

If your child can already tell the time, choosing which kind of watch you buy comes down to the other three factors for consideration.

However, if your child cannot tell the time, an analog kids watch is the way to go. Children who learn to tell the time on digital clocks and watches may struggle to learn to tell the time on an analog clock or watch. Plenty of adults still struggle with analog clock faces because they only learned to tell the time on a digital watch.

When and Where Your Child Will Wear The Watch

If your child takes part in sports or other physical activities, you might want to choose a watch that has a more rugged strap and casing.

Sports or digital watches are an excellent idea for sporty kids because they usually contain features such as stopwatches, timers, and more.

When budgeting for your child’s watch, you should consider where your child will be wearing it. Smaller children may lose their watch at school or take it off and give it to a friend. Older kids can be just as forgetful. So if your child might take their watch off for any reason while away from home, consider a more affordable option.

Your Child’s Personality and Preferences

You should also consider your child’s personality and preferences. Are they fans of a particular cartoon character or superhero? Perhaps they like pretty items with lots of bling.

No matter your child’s likes, dislikes, or style, you can find a watch to suit them.


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About the Author

Patricia Barnes

Patricia Barnes is a homeschooling mom of 5 who has been featured on Global TV, quoted in Parents magazine, and writes for a variety of websites and publications. Doing her best to keep it together in a life of constant chaos, Patti would describe herself as an eclectic mess maker, lousy crafter, book lover, autism mom, and insomniac.