In the U.S. alone, nearly half of a million children go missing each year. Fortunately, with wearable kid GPS trackers, you can stack the odds in your favor. From school to sleepovers, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your kiddo is exactly where he or she is meant to be.
In the past few years, GPS trackers for kids have come a long way. This is good news if you’re searching for a GPS tracker for kids.
While there are more GPS kid tracker reviews to scour through and more products to choose from, the best options shine brightly in terms of function, fashion, and ease of use.
With your child’s safety on the line, you can’t settle for the mediocre. That’s why you’re here. We’ve done all of the testing and research for you to help you find the possible option in the least amount of time!
Best GPS Trackers for Kids:
1. Tracki GPS Tracker for Vehicles, Car, Kids, Dogs, Motorcycle
You do your best as a loving parent to keep your kids safe, but even the very best parents can’t foretell the future and anticipate everything that will happen. However, GPS locators like the kid-friendly Amber Alert can certainly minimize uncertain scenarios.
With a wide range of impressive features, you can see your kiddo’s whereabouts anywhere at any time. With GPS/LBS/Wi-Fi advanced tracking mode, Tracki GPS Tracker can accurately locate anything within 16-50 feet and is accessible on a website or mobile device.
Enables you to keep an eye on the people and possessions that mean the most to you. One of the Smallest GPS tracking devices that gives incredible portability. It has a handy School Ready feature to block any distracting incoming calls during school hours as well.
Aside from the small subscription fee and an unwearable design right out of the box, it provides everything you would expect from a GPS locator and then some. Needless to say, if you’ve been reading GPS kid tracker reviews in search of a great GPS tracker for kids in terms of safety features, the Tracki may be a worthy option.
Pros
- Good network and coverage
- Updates location every five minutes or sooner
- Two-way calling allows you to talk to your child whenever you want
- Loaded with features like the sex offender alert
- Long battery life
Cons
- Requires monthly AT&T subscription
- Small and compact but not wearable
2. LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker
Coming in at the five spots on the list is the LandAirSea 54 Waterproof Covert Magnetic Real Time GPS Tracker. This GPS tracker is designed to be discreet and easy to lug around.
Small and round, the tracker is magnetic as well, allowing you to track just about anything you wish. The GPS operates with an included AT&T SIM card that provides unlimited data and access to servers for a monthly fixed rate. There are varying rates that are determined by how often you desire to have the GPS location refreshed and tracked.
Consumers are taken aback by this unit’s accuracy with customers claiming that it tracks to within feet of the actual location. The customer service is also claimed to be on point and very responsive.
The LandAirSea 54 is an ideal tracker for those who wish to track their children or young kids further than the confines of their home. Its durability and reliable service make it a great option for keeping constant tabs on the location of your children no matter where they are (as long as you’ve charged the unit).
Pros
- 100% Waterproof
- Strong magnet for attach-ability
- Compact design easy to conceal
- Geofencing is ideal for young children and toddlers who may wander further than they should
Cons
- Monthly fees for service (though the service is great)
- Shorter battery life than advertised
3. Tile Mate
The Tile Mate device is by and large the GPS tracking device for kids, among other things. Tile Mate is a unique GPS tracker because it is designed to fit onto your keychain or to be easily attached to anything else you don’t wish to misplace.
To use it an accompanying app is downloaded to track the tile when you misplace whatever it is that the tile is attached to. Additionally, If you’ve misplaced your phone, you can double-tap the button on the Tile Mate face and it will make your phone ring, even when it’s set to silent. Also, if needed, you can make the Tile Mate ring from your phone.
Customers generally find the product to be innovative and useful around the house. Some people claim it to be impractical though because the unit connects to the phone app via Bluetooth, highly limiting its range. Additionally, the batteries are known to be relatively weak and unable to live up to the proclaimed one-year lifespan.
The Tile Mate is a very novel idea. While it can be immensely helpful for tracking and locating objects and people around your home, it may not be suited for medium to long-distance tracking. That’s why it’s the tracking device for toddlers, who don’t often stray far alone.
Pros
- Easy to attach to keys, valuables, kids, etc.
- Water-resistant
- Tile rings to help you locate it
- Easy operation via the app
Cons
- Poor range of a function (Bluetooth)
- Short-lived batteries that are not rechargeable
- The app needs to be open and running to know the tile location, does not run in the background
4. AMERICALOC GPS Tracker
Most kids’ GPS trackers are small and compact, but if you prefer a noticeably smaller GPS kid tracker with a simple interface, the AMERICALOC GL300W may be for you. With one of the simplest interfaces you’ll find anywhere, it’s super easy to program and earns high marks in practicality and ease of use.
Nonetheless, one of the most impressive features of the GL300W watch with a GPS tracker is its unusually long battery life. Unlike most GPS trackers, which only last for a day or two between charges, this simple and compact AMERIALOC can go for up to two weeks before running out of battery life.
The features of the GL300W make it stand out as well. Despite its simplicity and diminutive size, it provides surprisingly accurate real-time tracking and can even send alerts and notifications to your smartphone as well.
On the downside, its looks aren’t exactly kid-friendly and it isn’t a smartwatch like many other child GPS trackers out there. However, if you’re looking for something to keep in your child’s backpack at school, the AMERICALOC GL300W is a great option.
Are you less interested in fashion and more interested in function and ease of use? If so, the AMERICALOC GL300W is right up your alley. While it’s not ideal if you’re searching for the GPS watch for kids, it can be easily stashed in any backpack, provides accurate real-time monitoring, and is easy enough for the biggest technophobes to use.
Pros
- You can connect it to your smart home system
- This is a super quiet garage door opener that won’t even interrupt a phone conversation
- You can open and close it remotely with the phone app
Cons
- Alexa skills may not be available in your area
- It opens up super slowly geography
5. Smartwatch with GPS Tracker
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This next product in review, the 4G GPS Smart Watch, is the GPS tracker watch for kids. We’re not talking about a rudimentary watch that simply provides GPS feedback.
This cool and fun watch for kids is more like a child’s version of a smartwatch. The Tycho Tracker Watch can make emergency calls, regular calls, take pics, etc.
It’s a truly fun product for children that helps them to learn to integrate their world with technology, all while being a useful safety measure for you, the parent or guardian.
Consumers love this smartwatch for kids by Tycho. According to users, the watch functions as advertised, which is amazing with all of its features. Aside from potentially bettering battery life, there are a few ill mentions for this product.
The Tycho Tracking Watch is a steal when it comes to products capable of keeping your children as safe as possible. It will likely be a welcomed item to the child while simultaneously helping you divert emergencies.
Pros
- Geofence that alarms you when the watch has left an area specified by you
- Only programmed numbers can be called (15 numbers); only programmed numbers can call the watch (5)
- Multi-function in addition to GPS tracking
- SOS call function – dials list of numbers circularly until someone answers in time of emergency
Cons
- Despite claims by the manufacturer, the watch is not compatible with Verizon
- Customer service is foreign-based and doesn’t (expectedly) immediately respond
6. Spytec GPS GL300 GPS Tracker
Like the AMERICALOC, the Spy Tec STI GL300 isn’t a kid’s GPS watch, but it does feature many of the same great features, including extended battery life. Designed to work for up to two weeks between charges, it’s about as hands-off as a kid’s GPS tracker can get.
The Spy Tec has plenty of other neat features too, such as geofencing and customized email or text alerts sent straight to your computer, tablet, or mobile device. You can also view location reports and see the past 24 hours of activity for an accurate map of the tracker’s travels throughout the day.
Nonetheless, there are some quirks and things to consider with this Spy Tec as well. For instance, there’s no smartphone companion app, which means you have to visit and log in to their website every time you want to see your tracker’s activity. The mobile version also has fewer features than the desktop version, making it much less convenient.
Then again, it also comes with an excellent lifetime warranty, so it’s an interesting option for just about anyone who appreciates value and peace of mind.
The Spy Tec STI GL300 is a great all-around tracker that’s suitable for a variety of uses, one of which is tracking the whereabouts of your little one and helping to protect his or her safety. The small and compact tracker isn’t necessarily designed to be a tracking device for kids and it’s definitely not cute, but it has plenty going for it and it does its job quite well.
Pros
- Portable and compact
- Very easy to use
- No installation needed
- Customizable email and text alerts
- Geo-fencing
- Long two-week battery life
- Awesome warranty
Cons
- No companion app
- Fewer mobile options
7. PTHTECHUS 4G GPS Kids Smartwatch Phone
The GPS Tracker Kids Smart Watch is another fantastic personal GPS-tracking device for children. Watch mentioned previously in the reviews list, this watch allows children to enjoyably take part in their own safety.
The watch sports two-way calling, allowing registered numbers to call the watch and the watch to call registered numbers. This smartwatch for kids is packed with features and helps children learn how to safely integrate tech into their lives.
Consumers find the watch to be helpful and fun for their kids. The battery is claimed to need frequent charging but the overall function is as advertised.
This GPS Tracker Kids Smart Watch is an awesome treat for your child while simultaneously keeping tabs on their safety and whereabouts. Additionally, this watch is great for introducing your children to individual responsibility with tech and helping them learn how to properly enhance their lives using technology.
Pros
- Geofence that alarms you when the watch has left an area specified by you
- Only programmed numbers can be called (10 numbers); only programmed numbers can call the watch (1)
- Multi-function in addition to GPS tracking
- SOS emergency function – The emergency button sends an alert message to the registered mobile device
- Games – added fun for children
Cons
- Not compatible with AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon
- Customer service is foreign-based and doesn’t (expectedly) immediately respond
8. Spy Spot GPS Tracker
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It’s a well-known fact that kids break stuff. It’s simply what they do. However, the PocketFinder is virtually kid-proof. It’s arguably the most durable children tracker on our list. Some gizmo watches for kids, this tough GPS locator is made to last and not just bedazzle.
The SpySpotGPS Tracker is also compact and easy to use. While it doesn’t strap well to the wrist, its small size and simple design allow it to be slipped into a pocket, placed in a backpack, or clipped to a belt or belt loop with ease. When combined with its ease of operation and range of features, it’s a smart choice for anyone looking for a simple yet versatile GPS tracking device.
Speaking of features, the PocketFinder offers unlimited geofences and safety zones. This means you can be alerted whenever your child leaves a friend’s house, school, tennis lessons, soccer practice, or just about anywhere else he or she is supposed to be.
If you’re here to find a great GPS for kids, you’ll be better served with one of the other options on this list. However, if you’re less concerned with style and more concerned with function and safety, you would be wise to consider the SpySpotGPS Tracker. It’s the perfect backpack companion.
Pros
- Very durable and kid-friendly
- Super easy to use
- Near continual location updating
- Unlimited safe zones and geo-fences
- Unlimited contacts
- The battery only needs charging every one to three days
Cons
- No calling feature
- Clunky when worn
What is the GPS Tracker for Kids?
Strapping a GPS tracker to your child’s wrist or backpack makes a lot of sense. After all, in today’s day and age, who wouldn’t want to be able to monitor their child’s current location in real-time?
In the not-too-distant past, it was normal and perfectly acceptable for children to roam freely in the neighborhood all day without supervision.
They would simply have to return home by curfew, which was usually around dinner time, and parents would have no idea where they were all day long.
Well, times have changed and the world isn’t the same place it once was. Perhaps it is and our perceptions of it have changed.
Either way, it seems like we hear stories every day of children who’ve been abducted, in an accident, or gone missing.
As a parent, there’s no such thing as being too safe. No parent wants to echo the words, “Where’s my child?” Whether it’s at the beach, the park, the mall, or any public setting, kids can wander away or out of sight in the blink of an eye. However, GPS for kids can provide you with some peace of mind.
Factors to Consider
With your child’s safety on the line, there’s a lot to consider when buying a kid’s GPS tracker. Some of the things you have to think about include:
Tracking
Most GPS tracking devices utilize GPS, or the Global Positioning System, to provide location updates.
However, there are a few kid’s smartwatch options that use cellular networks, allowing them to offer greater coverage and more precise tracking.
Location Updating Intervals
With the safety of your child a top priority, the amount of time a kid tracking device or kids watch GPS takes to update its location is another important factor to consider.
While updates every two, five, or ten minutes are common, many of the devices we’ve selected offer different update intervals depending on the needs of each family. Some even offer continual updates in near real-time with intervals of 20 seconds or less.
Monitoring
From the smallest GPS tracking device to the largest, nearly all of them allow you to view the current or most current location of your child via a convenient Android or iOS companion app.
You simply log in to the portal to see where your child has been and customize any features like geofencing, smart zones, and more.
Each app also has various alerts you can choose to receive via text or email on your smartphone.
Geo-Fencing
Geo-fencing is one of the most widely offered and used features of kids’ GPS tracking devices. With it, you can set up a digital perimeter around your home, your children’s school, a friend’s house, or any other specific zone. Then, you can have the app send you an alert if your kiddo leaves the area.
Battery Life
Battery life varies from one tracker to the next. Some kid’s GPS trackers feature rechargeable batteries that last anywhere from five hours to three days between charges.
Other small tracking devices, like basic wristbands or smartwatches with GPS, have lithium-ion batteries capable of lasting up to a year. The only downside is many of the more basic and less expensive options don’t have replacement batteries, so you’ll have to purchase an entire device when the battery runs out.
Design
Since these GPS trackers are designed for kids, it’s important to select one that is comfortable and simple enough for children to use.
While older kids and young teenagers can sport these nifty, stylish trackers too, younger kids should be able to easily use their single push-button designs.
Kids’ GPS trackers should also be small enough to comfortably be worn or placed in a backpack or pocket.
Look for an SOS Button
A good kid’s smartwatch or GPS tracking device should have a panic SOS button for a time of crisis. As a parent, there’s nothing more important than knowing your child is safe.
With an SOS button, your child can simply push it to send an alert to you and anyone else designated in the contact list.
Even if your child never needs help, which as parents is what we all hope for, he or she will feel a lot better knowing help is just a press away.
Don’t Get Feature Crazy
However, they can quickly drain a battery and potentially cause a device to power off when it’s needed most.
While you and your children may love kids watch GPS with all of the bells and whistles, consider the model’s battery life as well before you make a purchasing decision.
Bracelets are for Smaller Kids
Smaller children are rambunctious and don’t necessarily need a phone or a watch to tell time. For them, GPS bracelets work best.
In addition to being much more durable, tracking bracelets are also less expensive, allowing you to easily replace them as needed or buy several in different colors for different outfits and days of the week.
FAQ
Will a GPS-tracking watch work with my smartphone?
In nearly all cases, the answer will be yes. Most of today’s GPS trackers are compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems, allowing them to work with any smartphone. Most also have smartphone apps to make the tracking process as easy as 1-2-3.
What are the most important features?
When shopping for a kid’s watch tracker or phone watch for kids, you’ll find some of the best models that offer two-way calling capabilities, geo-fencing, safety zones, and SOS panic buttons. It’s also important for a wearable like a GPS watch kids to be waterproof for summertime use.
What about battery life?
Battery life is an incredibly important consideration as well. Some GPS bracelets and watches are equipped with batteries designed to last for up to a year, while some watches and devices feature rechargeable batteries. Trackers with the latter usually need to be changed every 24 hours.
Will I need to pay a monthly fee?
Today, most child GPS trackers and watches either feature Bluetooth or cellular coverage. While a GPS tracker watch that relies on cell phone carriers will often provide better coverage and connectivity, it will almost always come with a small monthly subscription fee.
Making the Decision
By now, you’ve read the GPS kid tracker reviews and likely have a pretty good idea as to which one is the best for you and your kids. All you need to do now is click the buy button or go out and get one.
With more and more kids going missing each day, there’s no time like now to invest in a quality GPS kid tracker. So, consider all of the factors discussed above, weigh your options, and purchase an advanced, cutting-edge kid tracker today! With on-demand peace of mind, it will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.
