If you have a fitness tracker, chances are your kids are going to want one too. However, buying an adult fitness tracker for younger kids may not make much sense. To start with, an adult wearable may be too complicated for kids to understand and master. It also might not properly fit their small wrists. The good news is that there are plenty of fitness trackers specially engineered for children with kid-friendly designs and simple (but undoubtedly fun) features. By buying your kid a fitness tracker, you can help them foster healthy habits.
However, with so many options out there, how can you choose the best fitness tracker for your kid? To make the buying process a bit easier, we reviewed dozens of fitness trackers for kids to find one that will suit your child the best. During our research, we looked at factors such as compatibility, design, comfort, pedometer, parental controls, sleep tracker, heart rate monitor, and of course, price. Where possible, we included fitness trackers with a money-back guarantee.
After careful consideration, we chose the BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker as our top choice. This fitness tracker is inexpensive yet has more than two thousand positive reviews. That’s because this fitness tracker is good at what it does: tracking steps, distance, and calories burnt. It also has amazing battery life, smart alerts, and a sleep tracker function. And, as if all that wasn’t enough, this tracker also comes with two interchangeable wristbands to suit your kid’s mood!
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Fitness Trackers for Kids
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Fitness Tracker for Kids Overall | BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker | 4.3 |
| Best Fitness Tracker for Older Kids | Letsfit Smartwatch | 4.2 |
| Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Kids | Willful Fitness Tracker | 4.0 |
| Best Fitness Tracker for Young Kids | VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 | 4.5 |
| Best Themed Fitness Tracker | Garmin vivofit jr. 2 | 4.5 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Fitness Tracker for Kids Overall: BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker
Ideal for kids between the ages of 4 and 15 years old, the BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker is one of the most popular fitness trackers for kids on Amazon. Indeed, it has over 2,000 reviews, most of them incredibly positive. So, what makes this fitness tracker so well-liked and sought after? A number of things. To start with, this fitness tracker is waterproof, comes with two interchangeable bands that are adjustable, and supports phone calls, texts, and social media notifications.
In addition, this fitness tracker has unbeatable battery life. Indeed, when fully charged, the battery can last up to seven days. That being said, some customers have noted that their tracker actually lasts them for up to two weeks, and sometimes even longer, on one charge. When your kids do need to charge this tracker, they can do so quickly (in about one to two hours) and easily (the tracker works with any USB adapter, so there’s no need for an external charger).
The tracker automatically tracks your kid’s steps, distance, and calories burnt. They can see the data for all three either by tapping the watch display or checking the complementary VeryFitPro app on their phone. The tracker also monitors your kid’s sleep (the data for this is also available via the app). Plus, because the tracker comes with a vibrating alarm clock, your kid can set up to five alarms at a time — no more excuses for not getting out of bed!
BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker Key Features:
- Suitable for kids aged 4 – 15 years old
- 2 interchangeable bands
- Fits wrists 4.5 to 6.9 inches in circumference
- All-day activity tracking
- Waterproof
- Sleep tracker
- Vibrating alarm clock
- Compatible with any USB adapter
- Long battery life
- Smart notifications
- 5 colors
Best Fitness Tracker for Older Kids: Letsfit Smartwatch
Featuring a 1.3-inch touchscreen that displays sports data clearly, the Letsfit Smartwatch has all the features your kid will want and more. This tracker will track your kid’s daily activity, including the steps they took, the overall distance they traveled, and the total calories they burned. Besides walks, the Letsfit Smartwatch also tracks cycles, hikes, and jogs as well as climbing, spinning, and treadmill sessions (through the complementary VeryFitPro app).
Additionally, this tracker can be used to monitor sleep quality and stress levels (there’s a built-in breath training program). Plus, it has an activity reminder (the tracker vibrates to remind you to stay active). Health and fitness tracking aside, this smartwatch also has music controls that make it easy to adjust music on the go and smart notifications (including social media). In fact, with this smartwatch, your kid can even hang up on a call right from their wrist!
The Letsfit Smartwatch is lightweight, compact, and so comfortable to wear that your kid will likely forget they’re even wearing it. It comes in six colors: black, dark blue, emerald, green, pink, and purple. Since this tracker is water-resistant, your kids can track their activities even in the rain. Like most high-quality trackers, this smartwatch also charges quickly. Indeed, just 2.5 hours of charge will give you up to 10 days of usage.
Letsfit Smartwatch Key Features:
- 8 sport modes
- Water-resistant
- Music control
- Stress training
- Long battery life
- Call and message notifications
- 6 colors
Best Budget Fitness Tracker for Kids: Willful Fitness Tracker
Despite the fact that the Willful Fitness Tracker is one of the cheaper models on the market, it has many cool features. For that reason, this tracker is probably best suited for older kids who can appreciate all that this tracker has to offer. With this tracker, they’ll be able to track more or less any workout, including walks, runs, cycles, football matches, and badminton practice. In total, this tracker supports 14 sport modes, 3 of which are available via the screen (the rest are accessible via a complimentary app that kids can download from the Apple Store or Google Play store).
But that’s not all. The Willful Fitness Tracker also includes a sedentary reminder (useful for when kids forget to stretch their legs during long study periods), a heart rate monitor, and a sleep tracker. There’s also an alarm clock that vibrates (so they don’t disturb anyone else if they’re an early riser). Plus, the tracker’s face features phone notifications, which means that in theory, your kids should never miss your calls, texts, or Whatsapp or Facebook messages — even when they don’t have their phone near them. Another cool feature is the remote camera capture, which does exactly what it sounds like: lets your kid control their phone’s camera remotely.
The watch itself is slim and lightweight, which makes it comfortable to wear. Since it’s waterproof, your kids won’t have to worry about taking it off when they’re running in the rain or swimming. The tracker charges quickly (but a USB charger isn’t included with the purchase) and the battery can last anywhere between five and eight days. The band comes in two colors: green and red.
Willful Fitness Tracker Key Features:
- Heart rate monitor and sleep tracker
- 14 sport modes
- Pedometer
- Sedentary reminder
- Smart alerts
- Waterproof
- Alarm clock with up to 10 alarms
- Remote camera control
- Long battery life
- Compatible with iOS 7.1 and Android 4.4 and up
- 2 colors
Best Fitness Tracker for Young Kids: VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2
Younger kids will love the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2. Available in four different colors (blue, camouflage, pink, and purple), this touchscreen fitness tracker is intended for ages 4 to 12 years old. This tracker not only includes a pedometer that will track your kid’s steps, but it also encourages active play via fun games like the Monster Detector, which uses augmented reality and a motion sensor to help your kids capture monsters in the real world. Your kid can download more games externally, too. Although the watch comes with 256MB internal storage, memory can be expanded with a microSD card (not included with the purchase). Importantly, parents can set time limits on games via parental controls.
Since the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 is equipped with a dual camera, your kid can take selfies, pictures, and videos and customize them with cool photo effects, filters, stamps, and frames. For safety reasons, the watch doesn’t connect to WiFi or Bluetooth. Rather, parents can share the photos and videos their kids take by uploading them onto their device via a micro USB cable.
Besides the pedometer, games, and dual camera, this tracker also includes a selection of custom watch faces (both analog and digital), a timer, alarm clock, and calendar — great for learning about time. The watch features a kid-tough design (in other words, it looks and feels very durable), a breathable and waterproof strap sized especially for kids’ wrists, and an easy-to-use touchscreen.
VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX2 Key Features:
- For kids that are between 4 and 14 years old
- Breathable, waterproof strap
- Custom watch faces
- Dual camera with fun photo effects
- 256MB internal storage
- Pedometer
- Timer, calendar, and alarm clock
- Parental controls
- Educational and fun games
- 4 colors
Best Themed Fitness Tracker for Kids: Garmin vivofit jr. 2
Although more expensive, the Garmin vivofit jr. 2 is a fitness tracker that your kid will simply not want to take off. One reason for that is the amazing design. This tracker is available in several different colors and themes, including Marvel Spider-Man, Disney Frozen 2, Disney Minnie Mouse, and Star Wars.
Another reason is the interactive app experience. For example, with the Marvel Spider-Man themed tracker, every time your kid exercises, they unlock Marvel Spider-Man app adventures. The more active minutes they log, the more opportunities they’ll have to play the exciting game. Moreover, every time your kid meets their daily activity goals, they’ll be rewarded with colorful gems that can restore missing parts of the city on the in-app adventure map. Kids can also sync with their friends or family members to challenge them to timed step competitions.
Parents love this tracker as much as their kids do, mostly because it comes with parental controls. These controls allow them to view their kids’ activity levels and sleep quality as well as set chores and reminders via the app that will automatically appear on their kids’ band. You can set these chores to recur daily or weekly and reward your kids for completing them with virtual coins. The tracker itself is water-resistant and features a user-replaceable battery that lasts up to a year without charge.
Garmin vivofit jr. 2 Key Features:
- Interactive app experience
- 1+ year battery life
- Parental controls
- Step counter
- Sleep monitor
- Chore and reminder alerts
- 17 themes and colors
Who Should Buy a Fitness Tracker for Kids
Any parent that wants to encourage their child to move more should think about buying a fitness tracker for their kids. The sad truth is that most kids today are not getting enough physical activity. By making exercise more fun, you can inspire children to get off their devices and be more active. Whether your child is motivated by competitiveness, virtual prizes, or a love of data, you can find a fitness tracker that provides the right type of encouragement.
For example, some fitness trackers come with augmented reality games that prompt kids to go on mini-adventures. In this way, kids don’t even feel like they’re exercising. As a bonus, seeing your kid add activity points to their day may prompt you to increase your activity levels and get more exercise too. Besides, because most fitness trackers are equipped with a heart rate monitor and sleep tracker, they can help you monitor your kid’s health, as well.
Other things you may want to purchase for your kid include the best Chromebooks for kids and the best headphones for kids.
Important Features to Consider
A fitness tracker for kids should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a fitness tracker for your child:
- Compatibility. Double-check that the fitness tracker you’re thinking of buying is compatible with the device that you’re planning on pairing it with. Most fitness trackers work with Android 4.4 and above and iOS 7.1 and above.
- Design. Fitness trackers for kids come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Indeed, it’s not unusual to find fitness trackers for kids that are Disney or Marvel-themed. Younger kids generally prefer fun designs, whereas older kids may want a fitness tracker that resembles one their parents wear.
- Wrist circumference. Although some fitness trackers for kids are one size fits all, others are designed to fit specific wrist circumferences. To avoid disappointment (most fitness trackers for kids are pretty small), measure your child’s wrist and check the product description to ensure that the fitness tracker you’re eyeing will fit them. Most fitness trackers have watch-style closures to accommodate growing wrists.
- Pedometer. Pretty much every fitness tracker has a step and distance counter. Some parents who also have fitness trackers like to set challenges with their kids to see who takes the most steps by the end of the week.
- Multi-sport mode. Many fitness trackers also support other sports and activities, like cycling, climbing, badminton, and so on.
- Heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor lets you measure your child’s active and resting heart rate.
- Sleep tracker. Studies show that getting enough sleep at night can improve kids’ behavior, attention, and learning. A sleep tracker can help you see whether your child is getting an adequate amount of sleep each night.
- Parental controls. Many fitness trackers for kids come with parental controls. Parental controls allow parents to monitor their kids’ progress, sleep, and daily activity. Some may even let you assign chores or set up challenges. Others still include features like GPS tracking and two-way calling.
- Smart notifications. Fitness trackers designed with older kids in mind almost always include a smart notification feature. This allows the watch to sync with the smartphone to receive calls, texts, and social media messages.
- Waterproof. The best thing about a waterproof fitness tracker is that you don’t have to worry that it’ll break when your kid washes their hands or forgets to take it off in the shower. Plus, with a waterproof fitness tracker, your kid can track their activity in the swimming pool or exercise in the rain. At the very least, a fitness tracker for kids should be splash-proof.
- Battery life. The longer the battery life, the better. The majority of fitness trackers for kids have a battery that can last up to five or seven days on one charge.
- Built-in games. Some fitness trackers allow kids to play games right from their wrist! More expensive trackers feature augmented reality games that are a great way to get kids to move (and have fun at the same time!)
- Dual camera. Quite a few fitness trackers for kids come with a dual camera so they can take selfies and pictures (and sometimes even videos). You can almost always save the images by inserting a memory card.
- Other features. Additional features a fitness tracker may include are an alarm, calendar, calculator, flashlight, and similar.
- Price. Although some fitness trackers for kids can cost over a hundred dollars, others are much more affordable. Remember: cheap doesn’t mean bad. Just make sure to read the reviews before you make a purchase!
- Money-back guarantee. While not many fitness trackers for kids include a money-back guarantee, some do. So, if you’re not sure whether a specific fitness tracker will suit your kid, make sure that you can return it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fitness tracker for a child?
The best fitness tracker for a child depends on each individual kid and, more specifically, on their age and needs.
For example, fitness trackers that are best suited for older kids look like adult fitness trackers. They typically feature multi-sport modes and come with a heart rate monitor and sleep quality tracker. In contrast, fitness trackers for younger kids are much more basic when it comes to actually tracking their fitness. On the other hand, they tend to have a lot of fun games and challenges to motivate younger children to move about more.
When choosing a fitness tracker for your kid, pay attention to the sport modes it supports. For example, while almost all fitness trackers support walking, jogging, and cycling, not all of them might support swimming, spinning, or yoga. If your kid is really into swimming, that will obviously be a problem. So, when buying a fitness tracker, make sure that it can track the activities your kid is most into.
How many steps should a child do a day?
It’s generally recommended that kids get about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. According to a 2013 study that followed over 2,000 children, that is equal to around 11,500 unedited steps.1 If using a pedometer that removes random movement, that would be about 9,000 steps.
Are fitness trackers worth it?
If you want to ensure that your kid gets enough exercise every day, then a fitness tracker is totally worth it. A fitness tracker is also a worthwhile investment if your child wants to track their progress in a chosen activity or if you want to track your kid’s health (like their heart rate or sleep quality).
Is it safe for a child to wear a Fitbit?
Most experts agree that fitness trackers, including Fitbits, are safe to wear in that the radiation they emit is very unlikely to cause things like cancer.2
Nevertheless, fitness trackers can lead to an obsession or focus on numbers. As such, you may want to keep an eye on your child to make sure that the device isn’t causing them anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Other Fitness Trackers for Kids We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other fitness trackers for kids. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best fitness trackers for kids list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your child. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Best Fitness Trackers for Older Kids
This fitness tracker by Mgaolo is great for kids and adults alike, so your kid will never grow out of it!
Key Features:
- 11 sport modes
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitor
- Sleep tracker
- Smart alerts
- Remote camera
- Waterproof
- 3 decorative pattern straps
Cost: $35
With the LEKOO Fitness Tracker, your kid can check the weather forecast before exercising outdoors.
Key Features:
- 6 sport modes
- 24-hour heart rate monitoring
- Sleep monitor
- Waterproof
- 13 colors
- 12-month warranty
Cost: $24
For the price, LETSCOM Fitness Tracker is very simple to set up and has excellent functionality.
Key Features:
- Heart rate monitor
- Sleep tracker
- Call and message notifications
- Waterproof
- 6 colors
Cost: $24
If you connect the Lintelek Fitness Tracker to GPS, your kids can record their workout route for future reference.
Key Features:
- Heart rate monitor
- Sleep tracker
- 14 sport modes
- Call and message notifications
- Remote camera
- Waterproof
- 6 colors
Cost: $26
Does your kid always misplace their phone? Thanks to a handy “find phone” feature, K-berho Slim Fitness Tracker will help them find it in no time.
Key Features:
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitor
- Sleep tracker
- 11 sport modes
- Call and message alerts
- Find phone feature
- Waterproof
- 5 colors
Cost: $26
Because the UMIDIGI Smartwatch has a relax mode and stress training, it can help your kid relax during stressful exam periods.
Key Features:
- 9 sport modes
- Music control
- Stress training
- Waterproof
- 5 colors
- 12-months money-back guarantee or a free replacement
Cost: $40
With goal celebrations, your kids will be motivated to continue exercising daily!
Key Features:
- 15 sport modes
- Sleep tracker
- Swimproof
- Goal celebrations
- Call, text, and calendar alerts
- Heart rate monitor
- 2 colors
Cost: $90
The moreFit Kids Fitness Tracker can monitor your kid’s heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen.
Key Features:
- 4 sport modes
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitor
- Blood oxygen saturation
- 5 colors
Cost: $28
Since the Airbinifit Fitness Tracker has a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can always return it if your kid doesn’t like it.
Key Features:
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitor
- Sleep tracker
- Smart alerts
- Built-in USB plug
- 30-day refund
- 5 colors
Cost: $27
Due to its slim body, the HuaWise Kids Fitness Tracker is comfortable to wear even when the wrist is bent, like when performing push-ups.
Key Features:
- Multi-sport modes
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitor
- 4 colors
Best Fitness Trackers for Young Kids
Featuring a one-piece stretchy band that’s easy to slip on and off, the super fun Garmin vivofit jr. is best for kids between four and nine years old.
Key Features:
- 1-piece band
- Pedometer
- Sleep monitor
- Chore management tools for parents
- Fun mobile adventure games
- 1-year battery life
- Waterproof
- 2 colors/designs
Cost: $80
The Fitbit Ace 2 Activity Tracker, which includes fun challenges and virtual badges for completing goals, should fit most kids between the ages of 6 and 13 years old.
Key Features:
- Activity tracker
- Sleep monitor
- Includes motivating challenges
- Goal celebrations with virtual badges
- Swimproof
- 2 colors
Cost: $70
4 to 12-year-old children will enjoy this tracker that not only counts steps but is also loaded with fun games and has a kids’ camera that can take photos and videos.
Key Features:
- Pedometer
- 90° rotating camera
- 3 built-in games
- Parental controls
- 5 colors
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cost: $40
A superb first smartwatch for young girls, the Yehtta Kids Smart Watch comes with a pedometer, five fun games, dual camera, voice recorder, and more!
Key Features:
- Step tracker
- Dual camera
- Alarm clock, calculator, and calendar
- Flashlight
- Voice recorder
- Parental controls
- 5 games
Cost: $40
TRENDY PRO Kids Fitness Tracker
According to TRENDY PRO, their new adjustable bands fit even the smallest child’s wrist.
Key Features:
- Changeable bands
- Remote camera
- Activity tracker
- Sleep management
- Call and message alerts
- Water-resistant
- 1-year hassle-free replacement
Themed Fitness Trackers for Kids
Disney Frozen Kids’ Smartwatch
The official Disney Frozen Kids’ Smartwatch is a must-have for all Frozen fans!
Key Features:
- Disney Frozen themed
- Pedometer
- Selfie camera
- Voice recorder
- 3 games
- Alarm, stopwatch, and calculator
Cost: $40
Because this smartwatch comes with a GPS locator and 2-way voice calling and messaging, you won’t need to worry when your kids stay out late.
Key Features:
- Step counter
- Location tracker
- 2-way voice calling and messaging
- Waterproof
- Compatible with any 20mm watch strap
- 2 colors
Cost: $180
L.O.L. Surprise! Touchscreen Watch
This official L.O.L Surprise! kids’ smartwatch includes a pedometer, three games, a selfie camera, and a voice recorder, among other things.
Key Features:
- Pedometer
- 3 games
- Selfie camera and voice recorder
- Alarm, stopwatch, and calculator
Cost: $40
Marvel Boys’ Touchscreen Watch
For a kid’s fitness tracker, this Marvel Boys’ Touchscreen Watch has a ton of other features, including a selfie camera and three games.
Key Features:
- Pedometer
- Selfie camera
- Voice recorder
- 3 games
- Alarm, stopwatch, and calculator
Cost: $40
The DC Comics Touchscreen Watch includes 10 Batman-themed changeable clock faces.
Key Features:
- Pedometer
- Selfie camera
- Voice recorder
- 3 games
- Alarm, stopwatch, and calculator
Cost: $40
- Bumgardener W. The Amount of Pedometer Steps for Healthy Kids. Verywellfit.com. https://www.verywellfit.com/how-many-pedometer-steps-per-day-do-children-need-3435738. Published October 6, 2020. Accessed on November 7, 2020.
- No, Your Fitness Tracker Won’t Give You Cancer. The University of Utah Hunstman Cancer Institute. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2015/03/033015_cvarticle-fitness-tracker.php. Published March 30, 2015. Accessed November 7, 2020.
