The best fitness trackers for kids in 2025
Overview
These are the tech, tools, and products — from laptops to e-readers, from earbuds to robovacs, and more — that Mashable ranks best in class.
Table of Contents
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Nothing makes you feel exhausted like watching kids go full pelt. Indeed, kids have the kind of energy that most adults could only dream of. Most of the time they spend all day running around just, well, because. It's exhausting just thinking about it, never mind watching them charge around the place with boundless energy.
For that reason, you might not think that kids need to track their activities, but in this increasingly sedentary society, it's important to make physical movement a priority from a young age. For the sake of their future health and fitness, it's important that little ones don't lose that energetic spark. That's where fitness trackers come in.
Fortunately, there are a number fitness trackers made specifically for children. They're focused on encouraging an active lifestyle (rather than weight loss, which isn't healthy for kids to obsess over). Trackers can also build good habits, like keeping up with homework and chores. If you're still not sure, check out the below information — along with a round-up of the best fitness trackers for kids right now.
What is a kids' fitness tracker?
Fitness trackers for kids are simplified versions of adult models. They typically trade out advanced metrics like an ECG app for motivational games and rewards. They're a cheaper, simpler, more durable option. The band size is also tailored to little wrists, of course, with kid-friendly designs and fun colours.
Kids' fitness trackers are all about setting goals — fitness or otherwise. Many offer parents the opportunity to set daily reminders for their kids to do things like brushing their teeth, completing their homework, or cleaning their room. Mundane tasks are more fun when they're integrated into a model of games, tiered rewards, and maybe even a little friendly leaderboard competition among siblings.
Can kids use an adult fitness tracker?
Older kids are fine to graduate to a fitness tracker for adults — it's likely that they'll already have a phone at that point, anyway — but the functionality of a full-fledged smartwatch probably isn't ideal for kids. Adult fitness trackers that graze smartwatch status, like the Fitbit Sense, can access payment apps or social media apps. Some parents may prefer that those not be an option at all.
Do kids fitness trackers have GPS?
We'd be remiss not to mention the fact that most kid-specific fitness trackers (even the leaders from Fitbit and Garmin) can't be used as a standalone device to track a child's location. If the peace of mind that comes with onboard GPS is important to you, opt for a kid-friendly smartwatch with GPS (included below) or a relatively-affordable Fitbit.
Are fitness trackers safe for kids?
The companies behind the leading kids' fitness trackers — the likes of Garmin and Fitbit — have both stated that their activity trackers put parents in control of approving any friend requests for fitness-based challenges. Parents can access these things via the corresponding app. The location of the wearer is also never shared.
What features do kids' fitness trackers have?
The basic functions of a fitness tracker are pretty standard across the board: Step counting, active minute tracking, and distance traveled are big ones, and heart rate monitoring is becoming more common. With those solidified, there are a few other features to compare on your must-have list. Consider how long the battery life lasts. Will your kid remember to charge the tracker regularly?
Sleep tracking is another metric that could be important. Quality shut-eye is important for physical energy as well as their attention, behaviour, memory, and learning skills. Water resistance is also crucial between spills, splashes, rain, and sweat.
What is the best fitness tracker for kids?
We've checked out everything on offer from the biggest brands in the fitness tracker game, and lined up a selection of standout devices.
These are the best fitness trackers for kids in 2025.
Fitbit Ace 3
Best For Features
The Good & The Bad
- Motivational features
- Waterproof and durable
- Industry-leading brand
- Replaceable wristband
- Switching between parent and kid modes is tricky
- Phone needed for some features
Why We Like It
With motivating challenges, activity tracking, and animated clock faces, the Fitbit Ace 3 is made for keeping kids interested in an active lifestyle.
If you already use a Fitbit, you'll know that the trackers are intuitive and the app interface is clean and super user-friendly. If your kid doesn't have as smartphone yet, you can sync it with your own device instead.
Within the app, kids can challenge their friends to step competitions and send messages, though switching between Kid View and Parent View (which allows you to monitor activities and approve their connections) can be a bit of a pain.
Parents can also set goals, reminders, and more, while kiddos get rewarded with virtual badges and on-screen celebrations when they hit goals.
Details
Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3
Best For Fun
The Good & The Bad
- Colourful screen
- No charging needed
- Distance tracking
- Stores emergency contacts
- Cartoon themes
- Battery will need replacing
Why We Like It
The functions of the Garmin Vívofit Jr. 3 are nearly identical to its predecessor, the Jr. 2, but its square-shaped face gives it a smartwatch vibe. Indeed, a larger, higher-res display makes the Jr. 3 look more like a legit watch than a fitness tracker, with fun Disney or Marvel-themed wristbands.
Its counts steps, monitors sleep patterns, and offers timed activities to track movement during playtime or sports practice. It also introduces a "distance travelled" capability and a widget to store emergency contact info.
As kids do their daily steps, they unlock interactive experiences that match the watch's theme, like Black Panther or Moana. Parents can use the app to assign tasks, schedule alerts, and give their child an opportunity to earn rewards when they meet goals, like finishing homework or household chores.
Details
Fitbit Charge 6
Best For Teenagers
The Good & The Bad
- 40+ exercise modes
- Health & sleep metrics
- Phone notifications
- YouTube Music control
- Not suitable for young kids
- No onboard music
Why We Like It
Older kids will appreciate the Fitbit Charge 6, the latest iteration of Fitbit's all-rounder, everyday fitness tracker.
If your teen is already health and fitness conscious, there's plenty they'll enjoy about this tracker. It offers lots of stats and monitoring, including all-day activity and sleep tracking. It also has more than 40 exercise modes, which means a whole stack of workouts for them to play around with.
Teens will also love how easily this syncs with smartphone features, such as text and call notifications. And while there's no onboard music storage, it allows them to control YouTube Music. They can also customise the watch face and tailor to their current style. Pretty cool, as the kids say.
Details
Slothcloud Kids Smart watch
Best For Tight Budgets
The Good & The Bad
- Big, fun watch display
- Step counter
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring
- Tracks multiple activities
- Reinforces healthy habits
- Phone notifications
- Not much at this price
Why We Like It
Considering the budget price, the Slothcloud Kids Smart Watch is a little miracle — much like the little tykes themselves.
It’s a 24/7 fitness and sleep tracker with 19 sports modes, including running, swimming, football, basketball, and skipping. Data is uploaded to an app, where you can keep tabs on activities and encourage kids to hit goals.
It also gives the kids reminders to help reinforce healthy habits, such as giving them a nudge to move after periods of inactivity or to drink more water. That’s balanced out with a healthy dose of fun, with the option to customise the watch face with a selection of designs or their own photos.
Details
Xplora X6 Play
Best For Safety Features
The Good & The Bad
- "Safe zones" alerts
- Emergency SOS button
- Make and receives calls
- Built-in camera
- Rejects unknown numbers
- Needs daily charging
- Subscription costs
Why We Like It
Parents always feel better if they can keep tabs on their kid's location. The Xplora X6 Play makes that possible with built-in GPS, as well as calling or texting parent-approved contacts and an emergency SOS feature.
You can also set safe zones — such as school, home, or friends' houses — and you'll be notified as soon as your kids' leave that safe zone.
This device is considered a kids' smartwatch rather than just a fitness tracker, but kids earn an Xcoin for every 1,000 steps, which can be put toward actual prizes (from headphones and Fire tablets to movies) on Xplora's GoPlay store.
Other bonuses include calls and texts and a 5 megapixel camera. The downside is that you have to pay a subscription to use its features.
Details
Topics Fitbit Fitness Trackers
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.
