7 Best Waterproof Smartwatches for Kids with GPS in 2026 — Reviewed and Compared

Every parent knows the feeling. Your child heads out to the park, a friend’s house, or school, and the only way to reach them is to hope they remember to check in. A kids’ smartwatch with GPS changes that dynamic without handing them a smartphone full of apps, social media, and unrestricted internet access.

The problem is that the market is flooded with devices that look identical on paper but behave very differently once a child is wearing one. GPS accuracy varies significantly between brands. Water resistance ratings are often exaggerated in marketing. And a watch your child refuses to wear because it is too bulky or too boring is not keeping anyone safe.

This guide covers the 7 best waterproof smartwatches for kids with GPS in 2026. Every pick was evaluated on real-world water resistance, GPS tracking reliability, parental control quality, battery life, and whether kids actually want to wear them.

7 Best Waterproof Smartwatches for Kids — 2026 Quick Comparison

#	Smartwatch	Price Range	Water Rating	Best For
1	Garmin Bounce	$149–$179	5 ATM	Best overall for ages 6–12
2	Apple Watch SE 3	$239–$279	WR50 (50m)	Best premium, iPhone families
3	Fitbit Ace LTE	$179–$249	50 meters	Best activity focus + independence
4	TickTalk 5	$199–$229	IP67	Best for video calling
5	XPLORA X6 Play	$149–$169	IP68	Best GPS + active games combo
6	Cosmo JrTrack 5	$99–$119	IPX7	Best budget GPS smartwatch
7	Garmin Vivofit jr 3	$79–$99	5 ATM	Best battery life, no charging needed

1. Garmin Bounce — Best Overall Waterproof Smartwatch for Kids

Score: 9.2/10

Best for: Kids aged 6–12 who need GPS, safety features, and a watch that survives everything

The Garmin Bounce is the strongest all-around pick for primary school-aged kids in 2026. It combines Garmin’s proven GPS reliability with a durable, kid-sized design and a parent app that gives real control over who can contact your child, where they can go, and when the watch is active.

The 5 ATM water resistance rating puts it in genuine swim-proof territory. Unlike IP67-rated competitors that are rated for brief submersion, 5 ATM means your child can swim laps, jump in the pool at a birthday party, and play in heavy rain without any concern. The silicone case handles playground drops and rough handling as you would expect from Garmin.

GPS tracking updates frequently enough to be useful rather than decorative. You can set geofence zones around school, home, and trusted locations, and the parent app sends an alert the moment your child enters or leaves those boundaries. Two-way calling is limited to parent-approved contacts only, and there is no internet browser or social media access on the device.

Battery life at around two days means you will charge it every other night, which is realistic for a GPS and LTE-connected device in this category.

Pros	Cons
5 ATM — genuinely swim-proof	Requires monthly LTE plan from carrier
Garmin-grade GPS accuracy	No video calling
Durable silicone case for rough play
Parent-approved contacts only

2. Apple Watch SE 3 — Best Premium Option for iPhone Families

Score: 9.0/10

Best for: Older kids and pre-teens in Apple households who need swim-proof protection and full safety features

The Apple Watch SE is the premium waterproof smartwatch for kids, and the water resistance justifies part of its price premium alone. Its WR50 rating matches the Garmin Bounce for swim-proof protection — safe for pool sessions, open water swimming, and showering. The display is protected by Ion-X glass that handles daily impacts from active kids far better than the soft glass used in budget alternatives.

Apple’s Family Setup feature turns the Watch SE into a kids’ device managed entirely from a parent’s iPhone. Parents control which contacts can call or message, can see the child’s location in real time through the Find My app, and can set Schooltime mode which disables all features except the watch face and SOS during school hours. The Emergency SOS feature automatically contacts emergency services and shares the child’s location if the SOS button is held.

The main limitation for kids specifically is battery life. Expect 14 to 18 hours with GPS and notifications active, which means the watch needs charging every night without exception. The LTE variant adds significant monthly carrier cost on top of the already premium purchase price.

Pros	Cons
WR50 — swim-proof at any depth within 50m	Requires parent iPhone for Family Setup
Emergency SOS contacts services automatically	LTE plan adds monthly cost
Schooltime mode blocks distractions
Family Sharing integrates with existing Apple ecosystem

3. Fitbit Ace LTE — Best for Active Kids Who Are Gaining Independence

Score: 8.8/10

Best for: Kids aged 7–12 who are active, like fitness challenges, and are starting to go places on their own

The Fitbit Ace LTE is Google’s dedicated kids’ smartwatch launched in late 2025, and it is the only kids’ smartwatch currently available with tap-to-pay capability — useful for kids who take public transport or buy their own snacks. It requires an Acorns Early or Greenlight account for the payment feature, so parental setup is involved, but the functionality is unique in this category.

Water resistance is strong at 50 meters, protected by Gorilla Glass 3 — harder to scratch and crack than the standard glass used in most kids’ smartwatches. The watch design is slim and lightweight compared to the TickTalk alternatives, which matters for younger kids who find bulkier designs uncomfortable.

Fitness features are where the Ace LTE stands apart from GPS safety watches. It tracks steps, active minutes, and sleep in ways that genuinely engage kids through challenges and family competitions via the Fitbit family account. The trade-off is that geofencing safe zones are not included, which is a meaningful gap for parents whose primary goal is location monitoring.

Pros	Cons
50m water resistance with Gorilla Glass 3	Requires Acorns or Greenlight account for payments
Only kids’ smartwatch with tap-to-pay	No built-in GPS — location uses LTE cell towers
Strong fitness tracking with family challenges
Standalone LTE — no phone needed

4. TickTalk 5 — Best for Video Calling and Family Communication

Score: 8.6/10

Best for: Kids aged 5–12 whose families prioritize face-to-face communication alongside GPS safety

The TickTalk 5 is a meaningful upgrade from the TickTalk 4 that was on the previous version of this list. Improvements include enhanced cellular reception, a more accurate GPS system, a more compact and lightweight design, and improved battery efficiency. It remains one of the only kids’ smartwatches under $250 that supports two-way video calling, which is a feature children actually use and enjoy.

IP67 water resistance means the TickTalk 5 survives submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. It handles rain, splashes, and pool edges safely, though it is not rated for lap swimming. For most daily childhood activities, IP67 is adequate. If your child is a regular swimmer, the Garmin Bounce or Apple Watch SE are more appropriate.

The parent app offers over 20 controls covering contacts, safe zones, school mode, Do Not Disturb schedules, and activity reminders. iHeartRadio Family provides free music and kids’ podcasts built into the watch for US users, which is a genuinely useful feature at this price point.

Pros	Cons
Two-way video calling — rare at this price	IP67 rated, not suitable for swimming
GPS with safe zone alerts	Requires monthly plan for LTE
20+ parental controls
Free iHeartRadio Family music (US only)

5. XPLORA X6 Play — Best for GPS Safety Combined With Active Play

Score: 8.4/10

Best for: Kids aged 6–12 who need reliable GPS tracking plus a watch that encourages physical activity through games

 

The XPLORA X6 Play is the current generation of Xplora’s flagship kids’ smartwatch and a meaningful upgrade over the X5 Play it replaced. Improvements include a faster processor, a sharper 5MP camera up from 2MP on previous models, 8GB internal storage, a larger and brighter display, and the unique Swap Mix and Match system that lets children personalize the watch with over 3,400 color combinations across swappable straps and frames. That last feature sounds cosmetic but it genuinely drives kids to wear the watch consistently, which is the single biggest practical challenge with any kids’ smartwatch.

The activity reward system remains one of the X6 Play’s strongest differentiators. Every 1,000 steps earns a Goplay coin redeemable for games, educational content, and virtual rewards in the Xplora app. This creates a daily incentive loop that fitness tracking alone does not replicate.

IP68 water resistance covers submersion to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes — adequate for rain, pool splashes, and accidental water contact. It is not rated for lap swimming. GPS tracking uses a combination of satellite GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, and LBS for better indoor and urban accuracy than GPS-only alternatives. School mode disables all interactive features during class hours while keeping the SOS button live.

The watch ships with a pre-installed SIM card and requires a monthly Xplora Connect plan starting at $12. Note that Xplora watches currently work in North America, Canada, and Mexico only — they are not compatible with European or other regional networks on the US plan.

Pros	Cons
IP68 waterproof — above average for the price	Requires monthly Xplora plan
5MP camera — best in class for kids’ smartwatches	Not rated for lap swimming
Step-linked Goplay coins reward activity
School mode disables distractions in class

6. Cosmo JrTrack 5 — Best Budget Waterproof GPS Smartwatch for Kids

Score: 8.1/10

Best for: Parents who want reliable GPS tracking and calling at the most accessible price point

The Cosmo JrTrack 5 is the strongest value GPS smartwatch for kids currently available. At around $99 to $119, it delivers real-time GPS tracking, SOS functionality, parent-approved calling, and a companion app that handles geofencing and contact management — features that cost significantly more on branded alternatives.

The standout technical feature is HaloGPS, which uses AI to learn frequent locations and correct for signal drift. In practice, this means location accuracy improves over time as the watch learns school, home, and common routes. Reported accuracy within five feet in optimal conditions is competitive with watches at twice the price.

IPX7 water resistance covers submersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes, which handles rain, pool splashes, and typical outdoor conditions well. It is not rated for swimming laps. Battery life at around two days is genuinely impressive for a device with LTE and continuous GPS active.

The Cosmo app and customer service have improved significantly from earlier generations. For parents whose primary need is location tracking and emergency contact rather than fitness features or video calling, the JrTrack 5 delivers without unnecessary cost.

Pros	Cons
Best value GPS smartwatch in this category	IPX7 not rated for lap swimming
2-day battery with LTE + GPS active	Smaller companion app ecosystem
SOS with automatic location sharing
Clean parental controls for contacts and safe zones

7. Garmin Vivofit jr 3 — Best for Younger Kids Who Need No Charging

Score: 8.0/10

Best for: Kids aged 4–9 who need activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and step goals without daily charging or cellular plans

The Garmin Vivofit jr 3 is a different type of device from the GPS watches above and it is important to understand the distinction before recommending it to a parent. It does not have GPS. It does not make calls. It is a waterproof activity tracker for younger children focused on building healthy movement habits and giving parents a tool for chore management and activity rewards.

What makes it exceptional is the battery. A replaceable coin cell battery lasts up to one year without recharging. For parents of young children who forget to charge devices, this is a meaningful practical advantage. There is no charger to lose, no cable to find, and no dead watch on a Monday morning.

5 ATM water resistance at this price point is exceptional — the same swim-proof rating as the Garmin Bounce, which costs twice as much. The Marvel and Disney character themes available for the watch face and app make it genuinely appealing to children aged 4 to 7. The parent app manages chore lists, step goals, and reward unlocks.

If your child is old enough to go places independently and you need GPS tracking, look at the Garmin Bounce or XPLORA X6 Play instead. The Vivofit jr 3 is specifically for the younger age group where activity habits and parental peace of mind about device management matter more than location tracking.

Pros	Cons
5 ATM swim-proof — best water rating at this price	No GPS tracking
1-year battery — never needs recharging	Not suitable for kids who go out independently
Disney and Marvel themed designs kids love
Lightweight and comfortable for young wrists

How to Choose the Right Waterproof Smartwatch for Your Child

Start With Age: What Each Age Group Actually Needs

The single most useful filter when choosing a kids’ smartwatch is your child’s age and independence level.

Ages 4–6: Children in this group benefit most from simple activity trackers with no calling or GPS required. The Garmin Vivofit jr 3 covers this age group well — no daily charging, swim-proof, and engaging enough through character themes to keep a young child interested. There is no need to spend $150 on GPS features a 5-year-old who never leaves sight will not use.

Ages 7–10: This is the sweet spot for GPS smartwatches. Children in this group are starting to go to school independently, play in the neighborhood without parents, and attend activities alone. GPS tracking, SOS functionality, and two-way calling to approved contacts are the priority features here. The Garmin Bounce, XPLORA X6 Play, and TickTalk 5 are all strong fits.

Ages 11–13: Pre-teens in this range often outgrow toy-like kids’ watches but are not ready for a full smartphone. The Apple Watch SE via Family Setup, or the Fitbit Ace LTE for families who want independence features, work well. Parental controls remain important but the watch can feel like a real device rather than a child’s toy.

Water Resistance Ratings: What the Numbers Actually Mean

Not all waterproof claims are equal, and the difference matters for kids who swim.

5 ATM or WR50 (50 metres): Genuinely swim-proof. Safe for lap swimming, pool play, and beach use. The Garmin Bounce, Apple Watch SE, and Garmin Vivofit jr 3 carry this rating. If your child swims regularly, only buy a watch with this rating or higher.

IP68: Rated for submersion to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. The XPLORA X6 Play carries this rating. Adequate for rain, pool splashes, and accidental drops in water. Not rated for deliberate swimming.

IP67 and IPX7: Rated for submersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes. The TickTalk 5, and Cosmo JrTrack 5 carry these ratings. Suitable for most daily conditions, rain, and handwashing. Not appropriate for swimming.

GPS Tracking Quality: What to Look For Beyond the Spec Sheet

All the watches on this list include GPS, but GPS quality varies. Useful GPS for a kids’ watch updates location frequently enough to be actionable — look for devices that refresh location every 30 to 60 seconds, not every 5 to 10 minutes. A 10-minute update interval is near useless if a child is moving.

Geofencing — the ability to set a boundary around home or school and receive an alert when your child crosses it — is more useful day to day than real-time location checking. The Garmin Bounce, XPLORA X6 Play, and TickTalk 5 all implement geofencing reliably.

Monthly Subscription Costs: Factor These Into the Real Price

Most GPS smartwatches for kids require a monthly SIM or data plan to activate their cellular features. This is not always obvious from the product listing. Budget for the following:

• Garmin Bounce: Requires carrier plan, typically $5–$10/month
• Apple Watch SE LTE: Carrier plan $10–$15/month
• Fitbit Ace LTE: Carrier plan required
• TickTalk 5: TickTalk plan from $9.99/month
• XPLORA X6 Play: SIM plan required
• Cosmo JrTrack 5: Cosmo plan from $9.99/month
• Garmin Vivofit jr 3: No plan needed — Bluetooth only

A $99 watch that requires a $10/month plan costs $219 in the first year. This changes the value calculation significantly for budget-conscious families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which waterproof smartwatch for kids is safe for swimming?

Only watches rated at 5 ATM, WR50, or higher are genuinely safe for swimming. From this list, the Garmin Bounce, Apple Watch SE 3, and Garmin Vivofit jr 3 all carry 5 ATM ratings and are safe for pool and beach use. IP67 and IPX7 rated watches like the TickTalk 5 handle rain and splashes but should not be worn for lap swimming.

At what age should a child get a GPS smartwatch?

Most children benefit from a GPS smartwatch from around age 7 or 8, when they begin going to school, activities, or the neighborhood independently. For children under 7 who remain in adult supervision most of the time, a simpler activity tracker like the Garmin Vivofit jr 3 is more appropriate and more cost-effective.

Do kids’ smartwatches need a monthly plan?

Most GPS and calling-capable kids’ smartwatches require a monthly cellular plan to use their location tracking and calling features. The Garmin Vivofit jr 3 is a notable exception as it connects via Bluetooth only and has no monthly fee. Plans typically range from $5 to $15 per month depending on the carrier and watch brand.

Can my child use a kids’ smartwatch at school?

Most dedicated kids’ smartwatches include a school mode or class mode that disables interactive features such as games, messaging, and calling during school hours while keeping the SOS button active. The XPLORA X6 Play, TickTalk 5, and Garmin Bounce all include this. Whether schools permit any smartwatch depends on individual school policy, so confirm with your school before purchasing.

What is the difference between IP67, IP68, and 5 ATM waterproof ratings?

IP67 means rated for 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. IP68 means rated for 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. 5 ATM means rated for water pressure equivalent to 50 metres deep, which is sufficient for recreational swimming. For kids’ smartwatches, only 5 ATM or WR50 rated devices should be worn during swimming. IP67 and IP68 are appropriate for rain, splashes, and handwashing.

Which kids’ smartwatch has the longest battery life?

The Garmin Vivofit jr 3 has the longest battery life of any kids’ smartwatch — up to one year on a replaceable coin cell battery. For GPS and LTE-enabled watches, the Cosmo JrTrack 5 reach around 48 hours of standby, while the Garmin Bounce and TickTalk 5 typically last 24 to 48 hours with GPS and cellular active.

Can kids’ smartwatches access the internet or social media?

No, dedicated kids’ smartwatches are specifically designed to prevent internet browsing and social media access. All contacts must be approved by a parent through the companion app, and most models block any outgoing communication to numbers not on the approved list. This is the primary reason many parents choose a kids’ smartwatch over a budget smartphone.

What is the best waterproof smartwatch for a 10-year-old?

For a 10-year-old, the Garmin Bounce is the strongest all-around choice — 5 ATM swim-proof, reliable GPS, geofencing, and two-way calling with parent-approved contacts only. For families already in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch SE 3 via Family Setup is the premium alternative with a more complete feature set and the same swim-proof water resistance rating.

Final Thoughts

The right waterproof smartwatch for your child depends on three practical decisions: how old they are, whether they swim regularly, and how much you want to spend annually including the monthly plan.

For most families with children aged 6 to 12, the Garmin Bounce covers the essentials better than anything else at its price. It is genuinely swim-proof at 5 ATM, the GPS is reliable, the parent app is clean, and Garmin’s build quality means it will survive whatever a primary school child puts it through.

For iPhone families who want a more complete smartwatch experience for an older child or pre-teen, the Apple Watch SE 3 is worth the premium. For parents who prioritize budget, the Cosmo JrTrack 5 delivers real GPS tracking and safety features at the most accessible price on this list.

For the youngest children who do not yet go anywhere independently, save money and skip the GPS subscription entirely — the Garmin Vivofit jr 3’s year-long battery, swim-proof build, and activity rewards are exactly what that age group needs.

For a broader look at how fitness trackers and smartwatches compare for everyday use, see Tigeristic’s Smartwatch vs Fitness Tracker guide. If you are comparing waterproof ratings across adult fitness watches as well, the Best Waterproof Fitness Smartwatches roundup covers those in detail.