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Fitness trackers can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and with a variety of features. Picking a fitness tracker for the younger crowd can add a few more things to think about when buying a fitness tracker- things like safety, keeping kids interested in physical activity, the features available, and whether you want them wearing a full smartwatch or not.
As there can be many things to consider when buying any wearable tech for kids, we have broken it down by the best fitness trackers for different age groups, as well as the best combination smartwatch and fitness tracker.
For Young Children: LeapBand by LeapFrog
Before your kids start counting their steps or tracking their sleep patterns, you can start with simple activity guides and tracking. The LeapBand by LeapFrog is a beginner activity tracker meant for toddlers, so its features are focused: they are focused on keeping younger ones entertained and focused on keeping young ones moving.
LeapFrog does this by letting your kid first pick their fitness tracker’s pet. The activity band allows your kids to pick from one of eight pets who appear on the band’s display. This is their new fitness buddy, who can take them through active games and challenges. As parents, you can get in on the fun through a LeapFrog Connect App.
For Kids and Preteens: Fitbit Ace 3 / Special Edition
The design of the Ace 3 is the first thing that will catch your childs’ eyes right away. The Ace 3 band comes in two color options, as well as a special edition Minions Yellow and Blue. On top of these options, Fitbit sells a host of other interchangeable accessories for this tracker. The display is also customizable- your kids can pick from Fitbit’s library displays which can make things a lot more entertaining (and engaging) for your kids.
The data from the Ace 3 can be viewed on your and your child’s smartphone phone via the Fitbit app (available for Android and iOs). The communication available on the Ace 3 and app may not be as comprehensive as that offered by a smartwatch, but it can make it so your child receives notifications from their smartphone to their Ace 3.
Fitness tracking gets your child started with the basics like step-tracking, sleep-tracking, but also other added features like personal badges, a day’s total activity summary, or step competitions to which they can challenge the rest of their family.
You might also want to consider the Fitbit Ace 2 which is the previous generation Ace and has many features and benefits for kids. You also get a smartwatch with all the extras in terms of software and features you can expect from a trusted brand like Fitbit, designed for kids. Lastly – there is a good article on superwatches.com about choosing the best Fitbits for kids which we recommend.
For Teens and Older Kids: Garmin Vivofit 4
If there is one thing that your child or teen can approve of in the Garmin Vivofit 4, let it be the ONE YEAR battery life and reduced need to carry around a charging cable. And if not that, let it be the tracker’s sleek, lightweight, and stylish body and band.
There are few connectivity and communication features with this one, too, so they can stay in touch with friends or compete with friends. You can even go “toe-to-toe” with your teens in your own contests. The tracked data can all be viewed via the Garmin Connect app on their smartphone.
This smart tracker essentially never needs to be removed as it is safe to use in the shower or pool (it will even automatically track your kids’ swims with MoveIQ), has a one-year battery life, and a 24/7 MoveIQ smart tracker.
As a second choice, for younger kids, you may want to consider the Vivofit Jr 3. You get a similar set of features in a shell designed for kids. This watch is obviously waterproof and child-friendly.
Also, it gives you assurance as a parent that you have invested in a brand you can trust for your kid. If the price is right or discounted, have a look at the Vivofit Jr 2 which is the previous model and is still a good choice.
For a Smartwatch & Tracker: Xplora X5 Play
The X5 is a convenient mix of smartphone and smartwatch great for younger kids who are ready to get out and play independently. The Xplora X5 Play has many safety features that might be preferred on a kid’s tracker like call and messaging, it allows parents to pre-approve up to 50 contacts for messaging or calling, and it has a GPS tracker where you can preload “Safe Zones.”
The X5 has great communication functions, and its app is available on iOS and Android. The smartwatch comes in 3 bright colors, has a camera, and is waterproof for swimmers and splashers.
Interested in more combination watches and fitness trackers? Read more here about Awesome GPS Smartwatches for Kids from superwatches.com.
Best Bang for your Buck: Samsung Galaxy Fit2
At only $69.99, and backed by a brand like Samsung, the Fit2 is a classic and stylish design alongside plenty of features perfect for an active teen. It is especially great for older kids who want to learn more about staying healthy with tracking options for steps, heart rate, or sleep patterns.
The sleep pattern tracking system on the Fit2 is quite advanced compared to other trackers as it tracks REM, deep, and light sleep while providing a daily sleep score.
And if your kids’ physical activity includes more laps in the pool rather than steps, they can take advantage of the watch’s water resistance up to 50m. And while this fitness tracker makes a good piece of tech for older kids, you could still consider it for younger ones at this price!
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