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15 Best Kids Watches of 2024

Updated
Find the perfect watch for your child with our guide to the best kids watches, combining functionality and fun.

Kids watches are more than just time-telling devices; they can be a tool for learning and a 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.

This article will highlight the best kids’ watches, focusing 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 Karaforna Kids’ Game Smartwatch
Best Smartwatch
Karaforna Kids’ Game Smartwatch
  • 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 YF Wood Waterproof Digital Watch
Best Waterproof Watch
YF Wood Waterproof Digital Watch
  • Waterproof until 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 Vívofit Jr. Activity Tracker
Best Fitness Watch
Garmin Vívofit Jr. 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 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

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 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

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.

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

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.

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

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

First-Hand Impression

My experience with this watch has been a mix of positive and negative aspects. On one hand, the watch offers entertaining games and cool features that keep kids engaged. The touch screen is decent for the price, and the battery life lasts about a week after a couple of hours of charging. However, the watch does have its drawbacks, such as its lack of durability, with the screen being prone to cracking, and the battery deteriorating quickly after a few weeks of use. Additionally, the watch's main function as a phone is limited due to the unavailability of 2G GSM SIM cards, making it difficult to set up for calling purposes.

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

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, 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 with your earphone.

There is also an integrated fitness tracker which can be used to count steps and set activity goals.

Pros

  • Earphone 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

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 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

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

Community Feedback

This watch has been a great addition for my child, who loves the easy-to-program alarms and the cool feature of lighting up in different colors. Although the watch face is a bit large for smaller wrists, it is durable and has withstood accidental water exposure during bath time. The only downside is the lack of instructions, but once figured out, it's a good watch for the price.

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

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 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

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

User Experience

This watch has been a great addition to our family, as it helps our children stay active and learn about time management. The waterproof feature and lack of charging requirements make it convenient for daily use. However, the chore tracking feature falls short of expectations, as it lacks a reminder system and requires constant parent involvement.

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

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 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

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 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

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, 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

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 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

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?

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

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, 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:

Your Child’s Age

As a general rule, the younger your child is, the more simple the watch should be.

The fewer the features, the better, when it comes to little ones. No distractions, nothing to play with and, hopefully, nothing to break. A straightforward clock face on a strap is absolutely the best way to go when it comes to little ones.

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

Whether Your Child Can Tell The 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 yet, 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. There are plenty of adults who struggle with analog clock faces because they learned to tell the time on a digital watch.

When And Where Your Child Will Be Wearing 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 and digital watches are also an excellent idea for the sporty child because they also have features such as stopwatches, timers, and more.

You should also think about where your child will be wearing their watch when you are deciding how much to spend. 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 has to take their watch off for any reason when they are away from home, consider a more affordable option.

Your Child’s Personality And Preferences

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

No matter what your child’s likes, dislikes, or style, you are likely to be able to find a watch to suit them.


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.

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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.