It’s hard for a child to understand time because they cannot see, touch, hear, or feel it. The best way to help them understand time is to show them how we measure it with a watch or a clock.
Once your child can see time recorded and passing, they will be able to learn how to gauge instructions like you telling them they have 10 more minutes before it’s time to get ready for bed.
However, buying your child a watch helps them learn about more than just time. The best kids’ watches are also an important step toward learning responsibility and independence.
- Water-resistant
- Shockproof
- Digital and analog display
- Scratch resistant & durable
- Analog display
- Leather band
- 10-year battery life
- Water-resistant within 50 meters
- Made in the USA
- GPS feature
- SOS mode
- Easy to use
- Silicone strap
- Includes protective plastic
- Splash resistant
- Phone supported
- Versatile
- Soft and breathable silicone strap
- Waterproof until 50 meters
- Sturdy
- Shockproof
- Easy to tell the time
- Easy to follow
- Bright & simple design
- Parent-controlled app
- Has reward system
- Goal-tracker
- Simple design
- Silicone band
- Japanese quartz movement
Review Methodology: At Mom Loves Best, we conduct a thorough analysis and hands-on testing of kids watches, guided by a set of clearly defined criteria and benchmarks. Our expert team ranks and reviews the products based on factors such as durability, design, ease of use, and features that cater to children’s needs. We present our findings backed by robust data, real-life experience, and performance scores, helping you compare and make an informed decision. Our assessment includes identifying key decision-making factors and providing a comprehensive evaluation of each product’s unique attributes. We strive to highlight what sets a product apart from its competitors and offer first-hand evidence when recommending the best kids watches. Trust our professional research and let us help you find the perfect timepiece for your child.
The Best Kids Watches of 2023
Here are the top watches for kids:
Cofuo Kids Digital Sport Watch
Best Digital Watch For Kids
If you are looking for an affordable watch for boys that will also stand up to 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 rated water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters.
- Shockproof.
- It has an analog display so your child can see both kinds of time display at once.
Cons
- Takes some time to get used to 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
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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 some teens.
The watch face is decorated with delicate flowers and the points where the strap attaches to the bezel have a trio of crystals.
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 |
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Casio STR300-7 Sports Watch
Best Watch For Tweens
This fun and glamorous watch is an excellent choice for tweens.
Cute enough to still be appealing, but adult enough to feel grown-up, this watch is specially constructed to be lightweight and comfortable for little ones. It also includes a pacer that will alert you when you are at the same pace as what you’ve set.
The strap and water-resistant casing make this a watch that can be worn at playtime while still being stylish with a more dressed-up look.
Pros
- Flexible strap makes the watch lightweight and safe.
- The water-resistant casing will stand up to splashes of water at school or at play.
- Built with 10-year battery life.
- Includes a pacer which is useful for athletic kids.
- Includes an autolight and countdown timer fetures.
Cons
- The band may be a litte stiff for some.
Product Specs
Weight | 0.96 ounces |
Strap Material | Plastic |
Closure System | Stainless steel buckle |
Functions | Digital watch |
Other Features | Pacer, stopwatch, autolight. |
Our Ratings
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Karaforna Kids’ Game Smartwatch
Best Kids’ Smartwatch
The Karaforna kids’ smartwatch allows your child to play games, take photos, and call home all from one simple device.
A parent remote function lets you monitor your child’s position via GPS and take photos remotely using the watch’s camera.
You can even set the watch to go into Do Not Disturb Mode so your little one cannot play with it during class time.
Pros
- GPS allows you to see your child’s location and track their movements.
- Fun games and other features.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- No names for contacts.
Product Specs
Weight | 7 ounces |
Strap Material | Plastic |
Closure System | Plastic buckle |
Functions | Timer, GPS, camera, calls |
Other Features | Can be used remotely by parents |
Our Ratings
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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, as are the numbers, while the second “hand” is a character from the watch strap.
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.
- Splash resistant so it can be worn for regular activities.
Cons
- The small strap size means that some children may grow out of this quite quickly.
- No extra features.
Product Specs
Weight | 1.6 ounces |
Strap Material | Rubber |
Closure System | Stainless steel buckle |
Functions | Analog watch face only |
Other Features | None |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Prograce Digital Wrist Watch
Best Multifunctional Kids’ Watch
This high-quality smartwatch from Prograce contains 12 features including games, calendar, Bluetooth, torch, sound recorder, and pedometer. What’s more, is you can purchase a separate microSD card where you can store your child’s favorite music and when he gets bored or is having some tantrums, then you can easily play the melody to calm him down. Nonetheless, they can also play with the four built-in games.
You can also link the watch using your phone.
There is also an integrated fitness tracker which can be used to count steps and set activity goals.
Pros
- Phone supported.
- Versatile.
- Soft and breathable silicone strap.
- Worth every penny.
- Contains a lot of functions apart from telling time.
Cons
- An expensive item to give to a small child who may not be as careful with it as you might hope.
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
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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 on up.
Listed as waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, the watch can be worn for swimming and is safe to wear in the shower or during other water-intensive activities.
Pros
- It can be worn while swimming.
- Sturdy enough to be worn during the active day of young children as well as 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
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EasyRead Time Teacher
Best Learn-To-Tell-The-Time Watch
The EasyRead Time Teacher has a special time teaching analog watch face.
The dial has the regular 1 to 12 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.
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, so some users have reported a broken watch face when the watch has been 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
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Garmin Vívofit Jr. Kids’ Fitness/Activity Tracker
Best Kids’ Fitness Watch
The Garmin Vivofit Jr. kids’ fitness activity tracker can be managed by parents via an app that allows you to monitor multiple children.
Compatible with both android and iOS, you can see your child’s sleep, steps, activities, and chores data from your phone, as well as setting goals and giving rewards.
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 30-minutes-in-a-day activity goal, a step on the fun electronic adventure trail is unlocked.
Cons
- The band rips fairly easily because it’s so soft.
Product Specs
Weight | 0.64 ounces |
Strap Material | Silicone |
Closure System | None – it’s a solid, stretchy silicone band without a closure system |
Functions | Step, sleep, and activity time tracker and watch |
Other Features | Can assign chores, award coins, and set activity goals |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
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. The band is decorated with simple math, and 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 it could still be cracked if there is enough of an impact.
Product Specs
Weight | 1.6 ounces |
Strap Material | Leather |
Closure System | Stainless steel buckle |
Functions | Analog watch face only |
Other Features | None |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Disney Mickey Mouse Time Teacher
Best Time Teller
Your kid who likes Mickey Mouse will definitely 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.
Pros
- Affordable and officially-licensed.
- Having the learning to tell the time gives some structure to teaching your child at home.
Cons
- Limited designs.
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 learning to tell the time |
Other Features | None |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
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 optioins — a popular military choice.
- Built to survive the rigors of rough outdoor play.
- It has options to display either a 12-hour or 24-hour clock, as well as 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
Community Feedback
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, it can act as a stopwatch, an alarm, and a calendar all at the same time.
Pros
- Its watch design is appealing to younger children.
- Affordable price makes this a good option for a child who wants a watch but isn’t yet ready to tell the time independently.
Cons
- Only likely to appeal to a younger child, so it’s not the best affordable option for an older kid or tween.
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
Community Feedback
Timex Analog Easy Reader Watch
Best Watch for Girls
This quartz analog and waterproof watch have 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 them 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 had gained several awards for several years.
Pros
- Easy to read markings.
- Helps with learning how to tell time.
- Water resistant.
Cons
- Customers mentioned an awful packaging upon receiving the product.
Product Specs
Weight | 0.6 ounces |
Strap Material | Faux leather |
Closure System | Buckle |
Functions | Included numbers and labelled hands |
Other Features | Water resistant |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Lacoste Kids' TR90 Quartz Watch
Best High-End Kids’ Watch
If you have a miniature designer label fan, how about the Lacoste watch?
With the signature crocodile at the 3 o’clock point, your child can tell the time in style. As well as being a timepiece, this watch could be considered timeless and 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
Community Feedback
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, autolight |
Karaforna Kids’ Game Smartwatch | Smartwatch | 7 oz | Plastic | Plastic buckle | Timer, GPS, camera, calls |
Venhoo 3D Cartoon Watch | 3-Year-Olds | 1.6 oz | Rubber | 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 Vívofit Jr. | Fitness Watch | 0.64 oz | Silicone | None | Step, 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 labelled 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). Consequently, 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 not only show the time, but they are fun to wear and stand up to 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, anytime from that point on would be an acceptable time for a child to get a watch.
Types Of Watches For Kids
Analog Watches
Analog watches are those which have a traditional clock face with numbers and hands to indicate the hours and the minutes.
Pros
- Good for teaching a child how to tell the time.
- A child who learns to tell the time with an analog watch will find it simple to learn to read a digital display.
- 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
- 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
- An excellent choice for active children as they are specifically designed to stand up to 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 kids’ smartwatches also have a GPS system 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
- Can be easily broken by a rambunctious child.
- Some kids’ smartwatches may have security weaknesses that allow them to be hacked.
- The battery life isn’t as great as it is with some of the other types of watches.
How To Choose The Best Kids’ Watch
To choose the best watch for your child you have to consider:
Giving The Gift Of Time
A first watch is an exciting gift for a child. It makes your child feel more like a grown-up and is one of the first steps toward learning responsibility and independence.
When you choose the best watches for kids, you need to consider where and when your child will be wearing their watch, what they will be doing while wearing their watch, and your child’s own personality and style.
Analog or digital, child-like or grown-up, whichever style you choose for your child’s watch, you will be giving them a gift that will stay with them long after they have outgrown the watch itself.