The Best Kids’ Fitness Trackers of 2026

How We Tested Kids’ Fitness Trackers

Our Expert Testers

We know there are a lot of reviews and opinions out there, so why take our word on these watches? Unlike some sources, we personally put these watches to the test. And to make sure we were getting the true experience, we had our own kids and friends’ and family’s children test out the watches.

The watches we tested offered a variety of different specs and features and were tested for weeks by our testers ages 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 13. Alongside the assistance of their parents, our testers used the watches on their own and synched them with the apps to get the full experience.

Our Testing Process

The kiddos did a multitude of both indoor and outdoor activities. They utilized many of the different activity modes and learned how to use the watch with the app.  We spoke with the kids and the parents to get their thoughts. And if you know anything about kids, you know they’re honest.

The watches were put to the test walking, swimming, playing in the house and the backyard, jumping on the trampoline, and a variety of other activities to allow them to showcase their full capabilities.

Our Kids’ Fitness Tracker Rating System

Each fitness tracker in this guide was tested and scored in four main categories: Battery, Features, Screen, and Value.

Battery evaluates how long a battery lasts before it dies. The average battery life for the fitness trackers we tested was approximately 8 hours, so we used that as our standard. Any trackers that lasted longer or shorter than that were rated accordingly.

Features considers how many different features each tracker has. We gave higher scores to trackers that offered games and parental features as well as basic step and move counters, and we dinged trackers that weren’t as accurate.

Screen looks at how engaging the screen was for our little testers. Bright colors, animations, and other visuals that our testers enjoyed earned higher ratings, while less engaging screens got lower scores.

Value considers how well a tracker performs for its price, factoring in every category above, as well as other factors that arose along the way. A budget-friendly option can score high here if it delivers strong performance for the cost.

The overall score is not a simple average of these categories. Instead, it reflects our editorial judgment based on the complete user experience. That means a less engaging tracker with a ton of features can still score high, while a tracker with lower battery life might rank higher due to its excellent value.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Kids’ Fitness Tracker

Activities Tracked

When picking out an activity tracker watch for your kiddos, you’ll want to consider how they’ll be using it and if it’s well suited for their age. While adults may be more focused on counting calories and workout times and splits, kids’ fitness trackers are all about encouraging your kids to be active in a fun way.

If your kids are young or not as motivated to exercise, you’ll want to look for a watch that offers fun games and/or sedentary reminders. Many watches offer fun, interactive games that get kids up and moving, so it’s a great way to keep them active.

But if your kids are focused on tracking their exercise statistics, you’ll want a watch that monitors steps, distance, sleep, calories, and other key stats. A quick search on the companies’ websites will tell you what features are included, so you can make sure you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for.

Ease of Use

If it’s not easy to use, it’s not going to work for your kids. The best fitness trackers for kids are the ones that require minimal setup and offer a straightforward design so kids can use them with little to no assistance. One of the easiest trackers we tested was the Eurans Kids Fitness Tracker as it was ready to go after a quick charge, no app needed.

Additionally, a solid battery life will contribute to a user-friendly experience. If it requires charging daily, there’s a good chance it’s going to end up dead and abandoned in a drawer.

Comfort and Fit

If the goal is to wear the watch 24/7, you’ll definitely want something that’s lightweight and comfortable. Where adult watches may be oversized for a younger audience, kids’ fitness trackers are specifically designed for smaller wrists. Bonus points if the watch is adjustable to grow with your child.

Most of the watches we tested featured slim-fitting silicone bands, which did not irritate any of our testers over the course of their days of play. However, the Mgaolo Fitness Tracker has a silicone watch band. Something to note, though: if your child is on the younger end of the suggested age range, you may want to look into exact watch measurements before purchasing.

In the case of Garmin’s vívofit jr. 3, we found the watch was a little big on our 5-year-old tester despite being in the recommended age range — the upside is she will grow into it!

Many fitness trackers and watches come compatible with an app, which is often the most intimidating part. In order for the app to add to the experience, it needs to be simple to set up, use, and pair with the watch.

Of the watches we tested, all but the Kurio Glow came with traditional fitness apps. The traditional apps were all easy to download and use, and with the exception of the Biggerfive watch, synched easily between the phone and watch.

The Kurio Glow watch differed in that it offered a variety of apps and games geared toward a bit of a younger audience. Overall, the apps proved to be a fun way to join interactive activities, monitor stats, and keep track of targets and goals.

Extra features we appreciated in the kids’ watches were fun, bright, and even interchangeable bands for changing moods and different personalities. The Amazfit Activity Tracker had features that were a better fit for adults or very responsible teens, as they can purchase items from Amazon from the watch.

Games, challenges, and goal celebrations are great features for motivating little feet to stay active. And we liked the ability to customize watch faces to personalize the fitness trackers.

Durability

When you buy something, you want it to last. It’s no secret that kids aren’t typically gentle with their things. So when purchasing a kids’ fitness tracker, you’ll want to be sure it’s built to last.

A feature that is going to help extend the life of your watch is if it’s waterproof or at least water-resistant. Of the watches we tested, all but the Kurio Glow watch were at least somewhat waterproof, which was crucial to keeping them alive.

Additionally, all of the watches held up extremely well during our testing period, but we have heard a number of stories about the Kurio Glow breaking easily.

Price & Value

Price is always a consideration when it comes to gear, as you don’t want to shell out your hard-earned cash unless it’s something you really want or need. Through our research and fitness watch reviews, we found a wide range of watches available at varying price points.

Budget

When it comes to purchasing a watch for your kid, you probably don’t want to spend as much as you might on an adult. Kids have a tendency to lose things easily, so you don’t want to drop a wad of cash on something that could easily wind up in their school’s lost and found. The cheapest watch we reviewed was Kurio’s Glow Smartwatch, costing only $19. The watch offered plenty of fun features, but we noticed that it had a tendency to break easily.

Mid-Tier

Most of the fitness trackers that we tested were in the $30 to $50 range. Biggerfive’s Fitness Tracker ($30) offers plenty of tools for fitness tracking, including built-in step, distance, calorie, and sleep trackers. The watch also includes an alarm clock that allows parents to remind kids to drink water and get up off the couch to go play outside. It’s also sweatproof, rainproof, splash, and waterproof — your kid can even hop in the bathtub without taking it off.

Premium

Our priciest watch was the Garmin vívofit jr. 3, ringing in at $90. While the watch comes at a steeper price point, we were impressed with its durability — your kid will have a hard time breaking this one. Plus, with a more robust feature set including 60-minute activity goals, chores, rewards (coins), task timers, and an in-case-of-emergency feature, it’s a fitness tracker that will take years for your kid to outgrow.

Frequently Asked Questions