2018 Best Wearable GPS Trackers for Kids Buyers Guide

Being a parent is hard. Being a parent to a child with autism or other disabilities can be even harder. There are many known cases where children with disabilities will wander away, often getting lost. AngelSense was created with one purpose in mind: to help protect these children. Beyond the plethora of tracking capabilities—from safety-zone setup to 30-second updates—AngelSense’s Listen-In function lets parents listen to how their child’s day is going, ensuring they’re not mistreated, neglected, or lost.

Read one mom’s full review of the AngelSense Kids GPS Tracker.

If you want the convenience and reassurance of a smartphone without all the distractions, then this is the solution for you—and you can get it for around $50. This innovative take on a kids’ smartphone delivers GPS tracking, nationwide coverage, and one-touch communication. But one thing it doesn’t have is a screen, so you won’t have to police screen time with this nifty device. It also includes customizable channels that let you set up individual or group chats. That means your child can reach Mom, Dad, or the whole family with the touch of one button. And there are a few fun features like a music player and a voice changer with sound effects.

Your little ones are the biggest part of your life, but you can’t be with them at all times. From daycare to after-school activities, your kids have a life of their own. The GizmoWatch lets your kids stay in touch with you, even when they’re off doing their own thing. The simple design and functionality make it easy for younger kids to use, and the automated alerts (if your child leaves your pre-set GPS boundaries) let you relax more when you’re not with your little ones.

Kids love rewards—and now their GPS watch can help you promote good behavior. The AmbyGear Smartwatch does more than track your kids—it keeps them busy throughout the day with fun games and learning activities. Every time your kid does something right, the watch rewards them with positive reinforcement and points. And unlike other tracking devices for kids, this locator lets your kids track you too. This feature can come in handy anytime your child feels panicked or scared.

Weenect works in over 100 countries; however, it’s not available in the US and Canada. But this locator’s advanced tracking capabilities grabbed our attention. With a live map, compass, and distance countdown tracking, the Weenect child GPS tracker delivers unmatched location accuracy, which provides strong peace of mind if you’re on vacation or live outside the US or Canada. Along with safety zone setup, a panic button, and two-way calling capabilities, this device covers all the must-haves that a kid needs to feel safe. It also comes with a long battery life—up to seven days—so you won’t have to worry about the device dying while your kid is away.

Sometimes the only thing your kid wants to do is jump in the pool—but pools can often lead to accidental drownings. That’s where My Buddy Tag comes in. Like many other tracking devices for kids, My Buddy Tag helps you track your child when they’re out of sight. But one of the features that makes it stand out is its alert system. When the band is submerged in water for five consecutive seconds, it sends out a notification—helping to keep your kid safe when they’re playing in the pool.

As a parent, you do your best to keep your children safe, but you can’t anticipate everything. Sometimes the unexpected happens—and child GPS trackers like Amber Alert can help reduce the chances of worrisome scenarios. With impressive features like location tracking, alerts, and speed detection, the Amber Alert GPS locator helps you keep tabs on your child’s whereabouts at all times. It even taps into the National Sex Offender Database to show whether your child is within 500 feet of a sex offender, so you can potentially prevent a crime before it takes place.

Nothing is more reassuring to a lost child than seeing their parent’s face. And the dokiWatch is the first smartwatch for kids to make that possible. The built-in camera and integrated video calling capabilities make it easy for parents to see their children, no matter the distance. Your kids will also appreciate the virtual pet, which grows in strength the more active and healthy your kids are throughout the day.

Designed by a father who had a scare when he lost track of his young son at a local park, this is the one of the smallest child location trackers we’ve seen. The Jiobit is lightweight and about the size of a AA battery—making it easy for little ones to wear all day. And the secure attachments aren’t easy to remove, so it can stand up to even the most fidgety kiddo. The long battery life (up to three weeks with limited usage) is another perk that makes it easy to stay on top of your child’s location. But there’s no way to call or listen in with the Jiobit, so if two-way communication is a must-have, this device won’t fit the bill.

This wearable child tracker is one of the most unique we’ve seen—and it’s so discreet that your kids (and any suspicious characters) won’t be tempted to tamper with it. The B’zT Patch can be added to any item of clothing or backpack to give you extra eyes on kids that like to wander. It’s ideal for outings to amusement parks, the beach, or the grocery store. The patch uses a proximity-based Bluetooth chip that can withstand a turn in the washer and a tumble in the dryer. When your kiddo wanders out of range, you get an alarm that lets you know instantly.