Key Takeaways
- Child-friendly wearables make physical activity fun through features like step tracking, activity challenges, and virtual rewards.
- Wearables promote a sense of independence by providing GPS tracking and communication features that parents can monitor in real-time.
- Smartwatches and fitness trackers offer learning opportunities through games and educational activities, helping kids develop important skills.
Parents can benefit from wearable tech for kids because of aspects like parental control and GPS tracking. But how can children actually benefit from wearing these devices?
From encouraging exercise and maintaining healthy habits to showing off their distinct identity, here are several benefits of child-friendly wearables for kids.
1. Makes Physical Activity Fun
The most common wearable devices for children are mainly fitness trackers or smartwatches. These devices typically offer features to encourage kids to remain happy and healthy by turning physical activity into something fun.
Oftentimes, it can be tricky to get your kids moving, but it doesn’t have to be with wearables like the Fitbit Ace 3 and the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3. The Ace 3 features all-day step tracking and activity tracking as well as virtual badges and trophies that kids can collect when they complete challenges.
On the other hand, the Vivofit Jr. 3 makes physical activity fun by offering collectible gems, fitness cards, and fun games and activities after 60 minutes of daily exercise.
2. Encourages a Sense of Independence
As kids get older, they likely want to feel some sort of independence. And wearables can give them just that by giving parents peace of mind that their little ones are safe while still giving them their freedom.
A lot of kids’ smartwatches, such as the Gabb Watch 3, provide features that kids are likely not interested in, like GPS tracking and geofencing. However, they can support their sense of independence without them really recognizing it. Whether they’re walking to school or going out to play with friends, parents can use these features to contact and monitor them in real-time.
3. Creates Fun Learning Opportunities
Regarding child-friendly smartwatches and fitness trackers, one of the most apparent learning opportunities for kids is to teach them how to tell the time.
The VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 includes a special built-in activity called Time Master to help kids learn how to tell the time. But besides telling time, this smartwatch offers fun built-in learning opportunities and several interesting games.
Kids can even pair with their friends who also own KidiZoom smartwatches and play two-player educational games like Find the Diamonds, Treasure Hunt, and Tic-Tac-Toe.
Another excellent wearable for kids is the Little Tikes Tobi Robot Smartwatch, as it boasts a library of free educational games and activities.
4. Maintain Communication With Friends and Family
Most wearable gadgets for kids include communication features, some of the most common being voice calling and texting. Maintaining a digital line of communication with others can help kids who feel lonely or shy.
Kids can use these wearables to communicate not only with their parents but also with school friends and other family members. Fortunately, all contact lists are parent-controlled, so kids never have to worry about interacting with strangers.
Looking for a fun yet safe smartwatch that kids will love communicating with? Video calling, voice calling, and text messaging are all available on the TickTalk 4 smartwatch.
5. Provides Kid-Friendly Entertainment
A wearable gadget that provides kid-friendly entertainment is something kids would greatly benefit from. Plus, that’s likely the main reason kids want to wear them! According to a Cambridge English article, children can have better engagement, participation, achievement, and recall of their learning with the help of games.
Along with being cool and comfortable, the Gabb Watch 3 features a pre-installed app called Gabb Go. It allows kids to look after their very own virtual pets. Kids must look after their little friends to earn coins and unlock other unique pets like a unicorn or an axolotl.
The TickTalk 4 is another smartwatch with entertainment that kids will love and that comes in the form of unlimited music, podcasts, and stories. However, always be sure to consider the pros and cons of a smartwatch for kids before buying one.
6. Express Their Unique Style and Personality
Besides games and entertainment, one of the other standout benefits that kids love about wearables is that they get to use them to express their unique sense of style and personality.
The previously mentioned Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3, for instance, is available in various designs for kids to choose from. These designs include the original Garmin designs along with Disney Princess, Marvel, and The Mandalorian. The best part is that the design they choose integrates with the watch’s display and overall experience.
Furthermore, most smartwatches and fitness trackers for kids, like the Fitbit Ace 3, give them the choice of different colors as well as optional accessories.
7. Always Stay Safe and Sound
Emergency and safety features are the most important aspects parents consider when deciding on a wearable for their kids. But these features can also benefit kids themselves. Kids can feel more comfortable without their parents or caregivers watching over them if they can simply press a button whenever they feel like they’re in danger.
Moreover, kids can feel at ease knowing that their parents always know where they are using GPS tracking—this works especially well for kids who often wander off or get lost.
Besides, most wearables like smartwatches will automatically include GPS location tracking and safety zones; a simple wearable option with impressive safety features is the AngelSense device. It can be attached to clothing, backpacks, or pockets and includes an SOS button and live GPS tracking.
8. Build Healthy Habits
It’s important for children to start building healthy habits, like helping with chores and household tasks, from an early age. These habits can help children build self-esteem, independence, and organizational skills.
Wearable devices, like the Gabb Watch 3, can be a huge help when it comes to these healthy habits and reducing the overwhelming feeling that comes with everyday chores and tasks. Using the pre-installed Gabb Go app, kids can keep up with to-do lists that parents have created for them. Kids can collect coins for completing these tasks and cash them out for prizes.
In addition, the Garmin Vivofit Jr.3 has a companion app that parents can use to assign kids chores along with coin rewards. Kids can then use their coins to redeem rewards like games.
Wearable Devices Are a Must-Have for Children These Days
From built-in educational activities and learning tools to fun games and funky designs—wearables for kids can come equipped with almost everything! Furthermore, merely wearing one can improve a kid’s independence, communication, and physical activity.
Kids will surely love the benefit of wearing a cool and colorful device with games and activities, while parents can take advantage of the safety features without being completely invasive.