Best GPS tracker for kids?

[ConflictedBeagle]

Hi I am looking for recommendations please as I am clueless on tech!

I live on an estate where there are lots of children who play out together on a grassy area with no roads to cross. I live very close to this area but unfortunately not in eye shot. My child is desperate to play out with friends (as I did at the same age so would love to say yes) but I would like to buy something that will allow me to check location and just in case she does wander - although I would be very surprised if she did.

Any recommendations please?

Ideally I would like:

1. Something that doesn't rely on Bluetooth
2. An SOS button
3. Allowing 2 way communication would be a bonus.

Thanks in advance!

I'd get an airtag (or similar, these ones are great and you get 4 for the price of one airtag Air Tag Tracker Bluetooth Item Finder-4 Pack), and then a wrist strap like this (Dingfeiyu Airtag Bracelet for Kids Waterproof), for the GPS function. Then, it sounds somewhat old fashioned but the best thing I ever gave my DC when they were playing out was a walkie talkie (like these DQMOON 2PCS Walkie Talkie for Kids). They have a lanyard hole, so can either be worn like a necklace, or if you attach a carabiner clip they easily attach to a belt loop. It meant that my DC could hear me straight away, and it was quick for them to reply. They also liked the novelty of it.

Thank you! Unfortunately I don't have an Apple phone and the Samsung equivalent seems to rely only on Bluetooth.

My teens/our whole family has the Life360 app. Everyone downloads it on their phones, joins the family circle and as long as their phone is on, it tracks the phones movement and tells you if they are walking/driving/arriving at or leaving one of your stored location aka school/gym/work.

We have the free version, which has a limited amount of 'places' loaded for alerts but it's ample for our needs. We haven't ever felt the need for the paid for version. I find it very reliable, easy to use and doesn't feel intrusive. It's handy for the kids too, so they don't grudge having it, as they can see when I'm driving home from work or where I am if I'm already up and bout when they wake up (teens, so usually about 3pm!).

From my personal perspective, I like that when I'm on a night out, my husband/family can see where I am and if I'm in my taxi home etc. Makes me feel safer... and I'm 40!

Edit to add: works on Android and Apple

The Tile trackers work with both apple and samsung and are great :)

We have Life360 app too. It’s brilliant.

Life360 app is great

Anything that doesn't rely on being a phone or connected to a phone is likely to have a monthly subscription to provide a way to communicate its location back to you.

A couple of solutions spring to mind..

Link. it doesn't have two way communication, and requires a monthly subscription for the SIM card from £4.50 per month.

Link Can play pre-loaded voice recordings, sim from £3.39 a month

I had an earlier "Pawfit" one that I used on a dog, it worked well. Dog had good recall so I sold it on fleabay, which might be worth a look.

Do the tile trackers work off bluetooth - trying to find something but gps is looking the best but such a mind field

Yes, Tile trackers rely on Bluetooth.

Essentially, there are two technologies to consider:

1) Tiles and AirTags don’t directly receive GPS signals. Instead, they rely on communicating with nearby phones via Bluetooth to define their location and communicate back to the internet through the phone’s data connection. (The phone’s location can be defined by GPS and/or by mapping from available Wi-Fi networks.)

This means that Tiles/AirTags can be extremely low-power and have a battery life of years, but they do need to be near enough to a compatible phone to operate.

2) GPS receivers with inbuilt SIM cards, such as pet trackers, do receive the GPS signal directly and can communicate directly with the internet via a SIM card. (It’s a bit like a stripped-down phone.) They will only work where they can receive the GPS signal and phone signal. Battery life is measured in days.

I hope that helps clarify the difference

Trackers365 have a tracker that doesn't need a subscription: https://trackers365.co.uk/product/kids-gps-tracker

It also doesn't need to be connected to the childs phone either, so doesn't drain their battery whilst they're out.