Buying your child their first smartwatch throws up the same handful of questions every time: does it need its own SIM card? Is GPS tracking actually reliable, or just a marketing line? And is "waterproof" enough for swimming, or just splash-proof for the sink?
This guide breaks down the real differences between kids' smartwatches by what they actually do, not just their spec sheets, so you can match a watch to your child's age and what you need it for.
The three real decisions to make first
1. Does it need its own phone number (SIM card)?
A SIM-based watch lets your child make and receive calls directly, independent of your phone. That is useful from around age 7-8 upward, especially for the school run or walking home alone. A non-SIM, GPS-only watch pairs to a parent's phone app instead; it shows location but can't make a standalone phone call. Non-SIM models are usually cheaper and simpler, a sensible starting point for a first watch.
2. GPS tracking: real-time or check-in only?
Several watches in this range specify real-time GPS positioning, letting you see live location in a companion app rather than only on request. If live tracking matters to you (school pickup, after-school clubs), check this is explicitly listed. Don't assume every "GPS" watch tracks continuously.
3. How waterproof is "waterproof"?
Kids' watches get knocked into sinks, left on at bath time, and worn in the rain, but "waterproof" varies a lot between models. A watch rated for splashes is not the same as one rated for swimming. If your child is likely to wear it in the pool, look specifically for a "deep waterproof" rating rather than a generic waterproof claim.
Comparing the range by age and need
First watch, no connectivity needed (ages 4-7)
If your child just wants a "big kid" watch and screen time or connectivity isn't a concern yet, a simple digital watch is the obvious starting point:
- Digital Sports Watch for Kids - ÂŁ15.51. Large digital display, 10m water resistance, no app, no SIM, no GPS. The lowest-commitment option.
Touchscreen + GPS, no phone number needed (ages 6-9)
A step up for families who want location tracking via an app but don't need the watch to make calls:
- Kids Smartwatch Q12B with Deep Waterproof Design - from ÂŁ21.43. Genuinely swim-rated waterproofing.
- Multifunction Touch Screen Smart Kids Watch with GPS - ÂŁ28.69. Full touchscreen, combines phone-style interface, camera and GPS.
SIM-enabled calling + video, for independence (ages 7-11)
This is the largest group in the range. All take a SIM card for standalone calling, and several add video calling:
- Children's smart phone watch - ÂŁ38.43. 4G, video calling.
- Children's smart watch with phone function - ÂŁ38.43. 4G, waterproof design.
- W11 4G Smart Wrist Watch - ÂŁ38.43. 4G, video calling.
- Kids 4G Smart Watch with GPS Calling - ÂŁ39.85. Adds group chat (multi-device family messaging) and a built-in flashlight.
- Children's smartwatch - ÂŁ42.68. Dual-way calling, precise GPS positioning, waterproof.
- Children 4G Smart Watch with Video Call - ÂŁ44.34. Adds an SOS emergency-alert button alongside video calling.
Premium: bigger screens, multilingual support, faster networks (ages 9+)
For older children, or parents who want the most capable watch available:
- Children's smart smartwatch - ÂŁ52.14. 5G connectivity, dual SIM slot for independent calling.
- Children Smart Watch with SIM Card GPS Positioning - ÂŁ52.44. Pre-installed with 12 languages, useful for multilingual families.
- Smartwatch with SIM card slot - ÂŁ62.17. Largest display in the range at 3.89" AMOLED, marketed toward older, student-age wearers.
- Kids Waterproof Smartwatch with GPS Tracking - ÂŁ66.51. 4G with real-time positioning and genuine waterproofing combined, the most complete spec sheet in the range.
Quick comparison table
| Model | Price from | SIM calling | GPS | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Sports Watch for Kids | ÂŁ15.51 | No | No | Splash (10m) |
| Kids Smartwatch Q12B | ÂŁ21.43 | No | Yes | Deep |
| Multifunction Touch Screen Kids Watch | ÂŁ28.69 | No | Yes | Standard |
| Children's smart phone watch | ÂŁ38.43 | Yes (4G) | - | - |
| Kids 4G Smart Watch with GPS Calling | ÂŁ39.85 | Yes (4G) | Yes | - |
| Children's smartwatch | ÂŁ42.68 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Children 4G Smart Watch with Video Call | ÂŁ44.34 | Yes (4G) | - | - |
| Children's smart smartwatch | ÂŁ52.14 | Yes (5G, dual SIM) | - | - |
| Children Smart Watch with SIM GPS | ÂŁ52.44 | Yes | Yes | - |
| Smartwatch with SIM card slot | ÂŁ62.17 | Yes | - | - |
| Kids Waterproof Smartwatch with GPS | ÂŁ66.51 | Yes (4G) | Real-time | Yes |
"-" means not specified in the product listing. Ask us directly before buying if that feature is essential.
FAQ
Do I need a separate SIM card for a 4G kids' smartwatch?
Yes. 4G and 5G models have a SIM card slot and need an active SIM (typically a small data-only or voice-and-data plan from a mobile provider) to make calls or use live GPS over the mobile network.
What age is right for a first kids' smartwatch?
There's no fixed rule, but the range above splits naturally: a non-connected digital watch suits the youngest children just wanting their first watch, GPS-only touchscreen watches suit early primary-school ages wanting tracking without a phone number, and SIM-enabled watches suit children old enough for some independence (walking to school, after-school clubs).
Is "waterproof" the same across all these watches?
No. Check each listing's specific wording. A watch described as "deep waterproof" or rated for swimming is a different standard to general splash resistance. If swimming is a priority, choose a model that states this explicitly rather than assuming.
Can parents track location in real time?
Only where the listing specifically says "real-time positioning" (such as the Kids Waterproof Smartwatch with GPS Tracking). Other GPS-equipped models may track location on request rather than continuously, so check the individual product page.
Browse the full range
See every option side by side in the Kids Smartwatches collection.