Best Fitness & GPS Trackers for Kids in 2025
Choosing a fitness tracker or smartwatch for your child isn’t just about counting steps. For younger kids, you want comfort, durability, and GPS safety. For tweens and teens, messaging, gamified fitness, and style start to matter. As a parent, you need peace of mind. In 2025, the best options balance fun for them and functionality for you.
Here’s our expert-curated list of the best fitness trackers and GPS watches for kids — tested, parent-approved, and updated with the latest 2025 releases and insights.
Best Fitness & GPS Trackers to Buy for Kids:
AngelSense GPS Tracker
Specs
- Real-time GPS (10-second updates)
- Two-way voice, auto-pickup calling
- SOS button, safe zone alerts, ride monitoring
- School mode, sensory-friendly wearable options
- Monthly plan required (~$14.99–$39.99)
Why It Stands Out
AngelSense is the most precise and security-focused tracker available in 2025. It’s designed for high-risk situations, children with special needs, or families who need truly dependable location tracking.
Real-World Experience
The app updates in real-time, down to the route of a school bus. Emergency tools are rapid and reliable. While not a playful device, it’s the best for high-trust tracking. Great for special needs or non-verbal children.
Garmin Bounce
Specs
- GPS location + messaging
- Parent-controlled contacts and texting
- Durable, water-resistant build
- LTE subscription (~$10/month)
- Fun fitness goals, colorful UI
Why It Stands Out
Garmin finally nailed it with Bounce — a new 2025 smartwatch that blends fitness, safety, and simplicity. It’s comfortable and built for 6–12 year-olds who need just the essentials.
Real-World Experience
Garmin’s trusted platform delivers solid GPS, basic messaging, and goal-based fitness challenges. A strong newcomer in 2025, with an intuitive interface that avoids overload.
Fitbit Ace LTE
Specs
- LTE + GPS (with $9.99/month Fitbit Ace Pass)
- Activity rings, Noodle virtual pet, games
- Two-way messaging (text + emoji)
- 16–18 hr battery, magnetic charger
- Water resistant
Why It Stands Out
This is Fitbit’s most kid-focused and fun tracker ever — and it shows. The built-in virtual pet (“Noodle”) makes every step feel like progress, rewarding activity with avatar upgrades and games. Parents get live location tracking and message check-ins through the app.
Real-World Experience
Kids love the bright screen and interactive elements. It turns movement into a game — great for ages 6 to 11. You’ll need to manage the monthly LTE plan, but setup is painless. It’s the right balance of play and safety.
Jiobit Smart Tag
Specs
- Tiny clip-on GPS tracker
- 10-day battery life
- Secure zones + arrival/departure alerts
- Waterproof and school-safe
- Monthly plan required (~$8–17/month)
Why It Stands Out
This is not a smartwatch — it’s a safety-first GPS beacon. Clip it inside your child’s backpack or on their belt loop. It’s nearly invisible, yet constantly updates you with real-time location and alerts when they enter or leave defined areas.
Real-World Experience
Ideal for toddlers, early schoolers, or neurodivergent children who might not want a bulky wrist device. You can even track who they’re with (like a babysitter or school bus driver). Quiet peace of mind, no screen, no fuss.
Apple Watch SE via Family Setup
Specs
- GPS + Cellular, 18hr battery
- Fall detection, SOS, “Check In” feature
- iOS-only setup (via parent iPhone)
- Supports calling, text, location sharing
Why It Stands Out
Still relevant in 2025, this watch is a powerhouse for teens or mature tweens. It does nearly everything — fitness tracking, crash alerts, location pinging — and wraps it all in Apple’s polished interface.
Real-World Experience
Perfect if your child already wants an “adult” watch. Parents retain control over contacts and privacy via Family Setup. Battery life is okay, not great — but for older kids, the feature set is unmatched. Works only if you’re in the Apple ecosystem.
Gabb Watch 3e
Specs
- GPS tracking, voice calling, texting
- Chore rewards, parent-controlled contacts
- No internet, no app store, no social media
- Durable design, water resistant
Why It Stands Out
2025’s newest Gabb Watch strikes the best balance between simple safety and kid-appeal. It has a digital pet reward system and GPS + calling without distractions.
Real-World Experience
Parents love the guardrails. Kids get limited messaging, clear alerts, and a sense of responsibility. Gabb’s app makes management easy. A strong screen-free alternative to high-tech wearables.
Garmin vívofit jr. 3
Specs
- No screen distractions
- 1-year battery (no recharging!)
- Step + sleep tracking, chore rewards
- Water resistant, kid-tough build
Why It Stands Out
Sometimes simplicity wins. vívofit jr. 3 is a screenless band built for kids aged 4–9. It pairs with the parent app to assign chores, reward points, and track basic fitness.
Real-World Experience
Kids won’t be glued to a screen — and that’s the point. The long battery life means zero midweek meltdowns. It’s durable, colorful, and low-friction. Great for parents who want engagement without the noise.
Comparison Table
| Device Name | GPS | Messaging | Entertainment | Battery Life | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AngelSense Tracker | Yes | Yes | No | ~1 day | Yes | High-risk, special needs |
| Garmin Bounce | Yes | Yes | Limited | ~1-2 days | Yes | All-round kids smartwatch (6–12) |
| Fitbit Ace LTE | Yes | Yes | Yes (Noodle) | 16–18 hrs | Yes | Fun + fitness-focused kids |
| Jiobit Smart Tag | Yes | No | No | 7–10 days | Yes | Toddlers, sensory-sensitive |
| Apple Watch SE (2022) | Yes | Yes | Yes | ~18 hrs | Yes | Teens with iPhones |
| Gabb Watch 3e (2025) | Yes | Yes | No | ~1 day | Yes | Screen-free GPS + calls |
| Garmin vívofit jr. 3 | No | No | No | 1 year | No | Younger kids, chore tracking |
Final Thoughts
In 2025, safety and simplicity dominate. If your top priority is emergency-grade GPS, AngelSense leads. For feature-rich fun, Fitbit Ace LTE wins for kids. If your child needs fewer distractions and more control, Gabb Watch 3e or Garmin vívofit jr. 3 deliver peace of mind.
Think through your child’s age, independence level, and your comfort with screen time and subscriptions. The best tracker fits your child’s lifestyle — not just the spec sheet.
FAQ
Q: What’s the newest kids tracker in 2025?
Garmin Bounce, AngelSense 2025, and Gabb Watch 3e are the most recent launches.
Q: Do all GPS devices need a monthly fee?
Yes, real-time GPS and LTE-based messaging typically require a subscription.
Q: Are these waterproof?
Most are water-resistant, but not all are swim-safe. Always check the rating.
Q: What’s the best screen-free tracker?
Garmin vívofit jr. 3 and Jiobit Smart Tag offer the least distraction.
Q: Which device suits children with autism or sensory needs?
AngelSense and Jiobit are recommended for their unobtrusive, secure features and non-stimulating interfaces.
