The best smartwatches for kids you can buy in Australia (2024)

For many modern parents, the rise of the kid-friendly smartwatch has provided an affordable and compelling alternative to buying a child their first iPhone or Android device.

The right kids smartwatch can provide just as much connectivity as a smartphone, with none of the pesky distractions of social media. In the long run, it might not cut it as a true replacement. In the meantime, it can save you time and money while providing peace of mind.

Check out our round-up below for the run-down on the best kid-friendly smartwatches in Australia.

While it is a little more expensive than some of the other options in the market, we chose the Spacetalk Kids smartwatch as our top pick because of the combination of easy-to-understand design and smart execution when it comes to the core features you want from a kids smartwatch.

Out of the box, the Spacetalk Kids supports calls and texts. It's also got extensive parental controls via the Spacetalk app, a built-in GPS tracker and a dedicated SOS alert button. If you can live without video calls and don't mind a little less splash resistance in the mix, the Spacetalk Kids Smartwatch is a solid choice.

That said, there is one important caveat worth noting here. On top of the device itself and the cost of an eSIM to keep it connected, buyers are also looking at an Spacetalk app subscription, which starts at $5.99 per month for two connected devices.

You'll also need to keep in mind which version of the Spacetalk Kids Smartwatch you're buying, as different models are designed to be used with different mobile networks. In order to use the hardware here to its fullest capabilities, you'll need to pair it up with a SIM-only plan from the mobile provider paired to model in question.

If you have the version designed to work with the Telstra network, then Telstra (or any Telstra MVNOs will work). On the other hand, if you have the Vodafone/Optus model, then those providers (and any of their MVNOs) will do the trick. Check out the widget below for a round-up of popular plan options.

Spacetalk recently moved into the budget-friendly kids smartwatch arena with the Loop. This ticks many of the same boxes as the company's other offerings at a more affordable asking price.

When it comes to the specs, the Loop offers much of what you'd expect of a kids smartwatch. It's got voice, SMS and phone call functionality plus built-in GPS and parental controls via the SpaceTalk.

Of course, using the Spacetalk Loop to its fullest potentials involves pairing it up with a SIM-only plan from a compatible mobile provider. Since the Loop works with all three of Australia's 4G networks, you've got plenty of options to choose from. Check out the widget below for a round-up of popular plans that you could pair with the device.

While a 3G-based option like the standard Spacetalk Kids Smartwatch will serve you well enough for the basics, those looking at more advanced features like video calls will likely need something with the 4G connectivity that the pricier Spacetalk Adventurer offers.

As well as more modern connectivity, this particular kids smartwatch hones in on many of the areas where its predecessor held back. It's got better water resistance, more comprehensive fitness tracking and double the amount of battery life.

That said, it is a little more expensive and does require the same additional monthly subscription, which may turn off some potential buyers. You'll also need to pair it up with a SIM-only plan from a mobile provider. Check out the widget below for a round-up of popular plans that might work.

Those looking to buy a kids smartwatch based solely on battery life should go in with both eyes open and an appreciation that any and all battery life claims are rarely as good as they sound on paper.

The promise of all-day battery life hides a handful of key assumptions, with actual performance depending on dozen different factors. Everything from the frequency with which GPS tracking is involved to the brightness setting on the screen can have an impact on the battery life of a given kids smartwatch. There is no one size fits all approach to measuring or predicting battery life beyond the assumption that a bigger battery faced with the same conditions will surely fare better.

Our pick for this category, the imoo Z1 Kids Smart Watch, takes that assumption to a natural conclusion. Although not as polished or user friendly as what a brand like Spacetalk might offer, the Z9 comes with a significantly larger battery. It's not pretty, but it is exactly what you want if battery life is your main pain point and your primary consideration when buying a kids smartwatch.

As with the competition, you'll need to pair the Z9 with a SIM-only plan from a compatible mobile provider in order to enable phone calls and text. While the official website says that imoo Z9 won't play nice with MVNOs, it'll should pair nicely with any of three of Australia's big three mobile providers. Check out the widget below for a round-up of popular plans that'll fit the bill.

Want to kit your kid out with a smartwatch but don't like the idea of leaving them alone with mobile connectivity? The Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 isn't cheap but it is the best option.

As far as more straightforward fitness trackers go, there's no shortage of alternatives available on Amazon. Still, the upside of going with Garmin is that you get a bunch of additional educational features and integration with a companion app that's designed to gamify good habits with challenges and friendly reminders.

In terms of the hardware, the Garmin Vivofit Jr 3 is pretty humble. It's got a tiny 1.4cm square-shaped screen that's not touch sensitive and fairly low resolution. It's not quite a Retina Display but chances are that the target audience won't be too picky about the number of pixels.

The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 doesn't have 4G, but thanks to a full year of battery life it's hard to hold that against it. It's also built to survive a little bit of stress and the odd swim or two with 5ATM water resistance and a silicone strap. If connectivity is optional, then this should be at the top of your list when it comes to kids smartwatches.