Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Best Kids Smartwatches with GPS Tracking for School Age Kids (8–12) — From Budget to Premium I've Actually Researched
15
items Looking for the best kids smartwatch with GPS tracking for your 8 to 12 year old? I've done the deep research so you don't have to — covering everything from the most affordable entry-level picks to the most feature-packed premium options. This list ...
Sections
5
What to Know Before You Buy — The Parent's Quick Guide
Budget Picks — Best Kids GPS Watches Under $100
Mid-Range with Calling & Texting ($100–$200)
Safety-First Picks — Maximum Parental Control & Monitoring
Premium Picks — For Older Kids (11–12) Ready for More Independence
What to Know Before You Buy — The Parent's Quick Guide
Before spending money on a kids smartwatch, there are five things every parent needs to understand. First: GPS accuracy varies wildly — the best kids watches use a combination of GPS + WiFi + cellular triangulation, not just GPS alone (which loses si...
If you only read one pick on this whole list — make it this one. The TickTalk 5 is the #1 rated kids smartwatch for ages 8–12 across SafeWise, Tom's Guide, and multiple parent testing panels in 2025–2026. The reason? It does everything right. The AI ...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with Voice & Video Call, Text, GPS, SOS ...
Same incredible TickTalk 5 but on T-Mobile's network — so if your family is on T-Mobile this is the version to get (the network matters for coverage in your area). Purple colorway is a hit with girls and the watch itself looks modern without being ov...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with Voice & Video Call, Text, GPS, SOS ...
Budget Picks — Best Kids GPS Watches Under $100
Not every family needs to spend $150+ on a first kids smartwatch — especially if you're not sure your child will actually wear it consistently. These budget picks offer real GPS tracking, calling, and basic safety features at a price that won't hurt ...
SafeWise crowned this the Best First Smartwatch in their 2025 Kids Safety Awards and I completely agree with why. The Gabb Watch 3e is designed for kids taking their first step into smartwatch independence. Calling, texting, GPS tracking, SOS button ...
Gabb Watch 3e Kids Smartwatch with GPS Tracking, Calling & Texting, SOS Button, Fitness Tracking, and Parental Controls
This is the most affordable real kids smartwatch with GPS tracking on this list and it earned rave reviews from SafeWise testers — specifically for easy setup, a surprisingly good camera, educational games, air quality in the weather app (which is a ...
Verizon Gizmo Watch Band for GizmoWatch and GizmoWatch 2 - Buzz Light Year
The Ash Gray colorway of the TickTalk 5 is the most neutral and grown-up looking option in the lineup — which makes it perfect for the 10–12 year old who doesn't want to look like they're wearing a "baby" watch. At this age kids start caring about ho...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with Voice & Video Call, Text, GPS, SOS ...
Same Fitbit Ace LTE but in the Spicy colorway — brighter, bolder, perfect for the kid who wants their watch to make a statement. What I love about the Fitbit Ace specifically for the 8–12 age group is that it feels like a real smartwatch, not a child...
Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch with In App Calling, Messaging, GPS ...
Mid-Range with Calling & Texting ($100–$200)
This is where most parents land after doing research — the mid-range kids smartwatch category in 2026 is genuinely impressive. Real two-way calling, GPS that actually works, school mode, geofencing, and parental control apps that give you visibility ...
Fitbit's first kids smartwatch is brilliant for one specific reason: it gamifies fitness in a way that actually works for this age group. Every 60 minutes of physical activity unlocks 15 minutes of gameplay — so kids are motivated to move in order to...
Google Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch - Mild
The AT&T Purple version of the TickTalk 5 at Walmart — same award-winning watch at the same great price, with the added convenience of Walmart's easy return policy and same-day pickup in many locations. Purple is consistently the most popular col...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with GPS, Calls & Texts, Parental Controls, SOS & 911, Free Music – AT&T Network (Activated via TickTalk) - Walmart.com
Safety-First Picks — Maximum Parental Control & Monitoring
Some parents don't need video calling or Spotify — they need to know where their child is at all times, get instant alerts if something goes wrong, and have complete control over who can contact their kid. These picks are built specifically for that ...
For the safety-first parent on T-Mobile, the TickTalk 5 Blue on Walmart is the pick. The parental controls on TickTalk are among the best in the category — you approve every contact who can reach your child, set quiet hours, establish geofences aroun...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with GPS, Calls & Texts, Parental Controls, SOS & 911, Free Music – T-Mobile Network (Activated via TickTalk)
The Dark Gray Gabb Watch 3e is the safety-first pick for parents on a budget. No internet access whatsoever — not even a loophole. Gabb is a brand built specifically around the mission of delaying smartphone exposure for children, and every design de...
Gabb Watch 3e Kids Smartwatch with GPS Tracking, Calling & Texting, SOS Button, Fitness Tracking, and Parental Controls
The Mild colorway of the Fitbit Ace LTE at Walmart is perfect for the safety-conscious parent who also wants to encourage healthy habits simultaneously. The activity-unlocking system means your child is motivated to move before they get any screen ti...
Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch with In-App Calling, Messaging, GPS (Mild)
Premium Picks — For Older Kids (11–12) Ready for More Independence
By age 11–12, kids start pushing back against obvious "kids" devices. They want something that looks cool, has real features, and doesn't scream "my parents are tracking me." These premium picks give them more independence and more features — better ...
Coming back to the TickTalk 5 as the premium anchor pick because at $149 it genuinely offers the most complete feature set in the kids smartwatch category right now. HD video calling lets your 11–12 year old video chat with grandparents, friends, and...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with Voice & Video Call, Text, GPS, SOS ...
For the active older kid who's into sports and fitness, the Fitbit Ace LTE is the premium pick that speaks their language. The activity-based game unlocking system is brilliant for this age — it rewards movement with entertainment, which builds healt...
Google Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch - Mild
The T-Mobile Purple TickTalk 5 at Walmart is my top pick for the parent who wants the best GPS kids smartwatch available and prefers Walmart's shopping experience. T-Mobile's network has excellent coverage in most US cities and suburbs which matters ...
TickTalk 5 Kids Smartwatch with GPS, Calls & Texts, Parental Controls, SOS & 911, Free Music – T-Mobile Network (Activated via TickTalk) - Walmart.com
My overall top premium pick for the active, sporty 11–12 year old — and the one I'd personally choose if fitness habits and health tracking matter to your family. The Fitbit Ace LTE's activity-unlock system is genuinely the most clever behavior desig...
Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch with In-App Calling, Messaging, GPS (Spicy)