Smart Watches for Kids

[StrawberryGinger]

DC9 has asked for the Garmin Vivofit 3 Junior for Christmas but the reviews are awful.

I don't mind one that does things like pulse and sleep but I absolutely want to avoid any calorie counting, fat burning, weight type features. Does anyone have any recommendations of ones their child has liked?

DC uses the alarm/timer function a lot to stay on task so this is a really useful function. We currently have just a basic vibrating watch that needs upgrading.

Both me and my son have the Huawei band 9. We mainly use it for sleep monitoring and steps which I'd say are accurate. The reviews are great too

We have just got the Vivofit Jr 3 watches as a free replacement for the Jr 2, which stopped working under warranty. My kids are enjoying them. I was annoyed the Jr 2 broke relatively quickly, but pleased with the replacement offered. Other than that, we've been happy with them. Interested to see what the alternatives are.

@BendingSpoons the reviews for the 3 say the screen is extremely dim and the face is too loose and falls out the strap. How long have you had yours?

The only alternatives I've found so far have a camera, and it can't be worn in school if it has a camera.

What about a fitbit ace 2/3?

I think they count steps and sleep, and I think you can set timers on them.

We've only had the watches for a few weeks. Definitely haven't had the watch face fall out and my children don't go easy on them! I thought the display seemed fairly bright and they can apparently press the button to get it to light up at night to tell the time. I have largely left the kids to it though, and they think they are better than their previous ones, so I haven't looked at them too hard. Maybe it's an issue in bright sun? I'll ask DD her thoughts later.

DD likes that you can display the time and date on the watch face. I think DS chose the option to display the time and your active minutes, as that's what's important to him. You can save up to 3 emergency contacts (obviously just to display the number, not to actually contact them). DD likes this as she is starting to do more without us. They both like the app on my phone.

I hope you can find something both you and your DS are happy with.

I asked DD about her watch. The watch screen is relatively dim when glancing at it, then when you press the button it lights up and is bright. So I guess harder to tell the time 'at a glance'. It doesn't bother my two.

@BendingSpoons thank you so much for taking the time to come back and update me! I think I will go for the 3 and hopefully won't find any issues either and sounds like Garmin are good with warranty issues too which is useful to know.