Activity tracker watches help kids develop healthy habits and keep moving in technologically fun ways. Parents already using them might want to get a kids activity tracker watch to encourage the entire family to be active together. Once I became a dad, exercise certainly became an important part of my life. I wanted to be healthy for my kids and set a good example for my daughters.
Eventually, they wanted to exercise along with me, and we started looking for the best fitness tracker for tweens and teens. We even planned vacations around destination races like the runDisney events, and the activity trackers were a great way to help us train leading up to the event. There are lots of ways fitness trackers get used while traveling, including hiking and sightseeing in a new city.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to find the best kids’ fitness tracker, either. Our list below has a range that should work for most family budgets.
1. Fitbit Ace 2
The Fitbit Ace 2 activity tracker is aimed at kids 6 and older. It gives kids reminders to move, offers 60-minute activity challenges, as well as virtual badges and trophies. This Fitbit for kids is water-resistant to depths of up to 50 meters, making it sweat-, swim-, and splash-proof and good for the beach, pool, or cruise deck. Some kid-friendly features of the Fitbit Ace 2 include an animated clock face, colorful avatars, and cover photos that let kids personalize their profiles. Of course, this Fitbit for kids comes in bold, bright kid-colors such as grape, blue/yellow, and pink/teal.
2. Fitbit Ace 3
With the same waterproof design and badge reward system as its predecessor, the Fitbit Ace 3 steps it up with a whopping 8 days of battery life, meaning you’re all set if the kids forget to plug it in the night before the big family hiking trip. This watch also allows users to challenge parents, siblings, and friends to step competitions, gamifying the fitness fun and motivating kids to get moving. Best of all, parents can manage everyone’s Fitbit from one easy-access family account.
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3. Garmin vivofit jr 2
“Head into the unknown” with Garmin’s vivofit jr 2 fitness/activity tracker. Great for younger Disney fans, the Garmin vivofit jr 2 tracker pairs with a smartphone app to encourage kids to be active via 60-minute themed stories. Water-resistant and durable, the Garmin’s vivofit jr 2 comes in multiple character styles including Frozen, Star Wars, Marvel, and more. Kids advance the characters through the story in order to meet activity goals. In addition to activities, parents can set reminder alerts, motivation, and incentives to complete chores and tasks.
4. Garmin vivofit jr
Parents (or kids) not interested in the Disney licensing can opt for the Garmin vivofit jr fitness tracker that comes in lava, camo, and flower designs. One of the best smartwatches and fitness trackers for tweens, Garmin’s vivofit jr monitors steps, sleep, and 60 minutes of daily recommended activity. Pair this fitness tracker with a smartphone app to play games and meet the 60-minute activity goal.
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5. BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker
The BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker is another inexpensive activity monitor that offers an alternative to more expensive versions. This fitness tracker is designed for teens and kids (ages 4 and up) with a shorter strap designed for children’s smaller wrists. Each BIGGERFIVE Fitness Tracker comes with two bands in different colors: black and blue; blue and green; and pink and purple. The user-friendly design records steps, distance, calories, active minutes, and syncs with a smartphone app.
Dave Parfitt lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife and two daughters. A runner with a PhD in neuroscience, he lived in numerous Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. cities before taking a college job in the Finger Lakes. He’s traveled worldwide, but a Walt Disney World trip with two budding princesses is the trip that elicited the family travel wanderlust. He shares his vacation tips and tricks on AdventuresbyDaddy.com and on Instagram @adventuresbydaddy.
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